Self Help...By Going To Others?

I came across an interesting read as of late...in a discussion on innovation,...clearly, pedagogy counts in this respect, the article discusses why best practices often aren't shared with colleagues.  It seems so...counter-productive, this business of not sharing, but it happens...a lot!  This article is a good read...and I'll be the first to admit that I'm somewhat culpable of some of the flaws/issues being described herein.  It makes for some problematic reading too.  I suspect that should a large amount of these flaws be present in my or your workplace, then this brings up some pretty gigantic issues.  Is there a solution?  Is management capable of changing the employees' mindset to create a more functional, performance oriented and innovative culture?  Is it, plainly speaking, fucking worth changing or should an employee just leave?  Some folks just aren't ready, and frankly, never will be ready to adopt a new performance prerogative.  And so on...

A few details...it's all about 'Command and Control.'  Why bother empowering when maintaining the status quo is just plain easier?  I suspect that this is so common in so many workplaces, that it begs the question...will it ever REALLY improve, short of firing the whole problematic lot? It's also cultural too..if a culture has tolerated, maybe even perpetuated, a toxic workplace culture, can there be any hope?  I don't think so.  It's the same in the classroom...disrespect for student learning needs, poorly prepared instructors, staff just doing the minimum to get by...students who just don't give a crap?  Combine this with endless and pompous pronouncements as to what constitutes a 'proper' pedagogy based on perfunctory 'trends-o-the-day'   And then, you've got experts who aren't...it's all part of the problem.  Humility, humbleness, courteousness, acceptance of different ideas...all of it goes against this business of command and control.  Do as you're told because we KNOW that this the right way to do it, whatever 'it' is.  Experience be damned, fall in line with the doctrine...and what works for a kid will work for an adult.  It's just not true.

Secondly, there is 'No Clear, Compelling Vision of Success.' Folks spouting the same vague, neutral aspirations...we've all heard it a thousand times before, but each new 'pro' figures we need to hear it again.  It shouldn't be hard, in fact, I'd warrant that most decisions, pedagogical and otherwise, are based on gut rather than sound science and prior results,  And therein lies at least part of the problem.  It's just easier to wing it than it is to be authentic, vibrant, example setting and ...innovative.  Truly so.

It is said that no man, or woman, is an island.  While I suspect that this is true, I also suspect that one's personal performance and commitment to doing better each day is indeed a singular, very personal thing.  Doctrine, written by others, rarely works.