Micro & Macro Thinking For School Leaders
Like many people, I struggle with balancing short-term, micro thinking and long-term, macro thinking. Micro-thinking focuses on the “here and now” tasks and getting things done, while macro-thinking takes a broader view and considers larger trends and patterns. Often, I find myself stuck in micro-thinking, stressing about efficiency and tactics to manage change and complete my to-do list.
I believe it’s important to cultivate a habit of macro-thinking, without dismissing micro-thinking entirely.
The graphic below illustrates some initial ideas on how to do this.
On the vertical axis is “efficiency and standardization,” which have been key factors in education policy over the years. In times of national crisis, policymakers tend to enact policies that prioritize standardization and efficiency in schools. Examples of such policies include school consolidation, standardized curricula, and applying business practices to education.
This trend has repeated itself throughout history, from the Great Depression in the 1930s to fears of falling behind after the Soviet launch of Sputnik in 1958, to the push for accountability systems after A Nation at Risk was published in 1983 and the eventual passing of No Child Left Behind in 2002.
Seeing the bigger picture allows me to understand micro-level issues more clearly.
I recognize that what I am experiencing is part of a larger cycle, and looking at past examples can inform decisions made in the present.
One comment on the graphic is that someone suggested adding a horizontal line to represent classroom instruction. Despite the fluctuations in efficiency and standardization at a macro level, classroom instruction has largely remained unchanged. While there have been technological advancements (e.g. chalkboards to SmartBoards), the overall delivery method is still rooted in having students physically attend a school building and listen to information presented by an adult. Perhaps this is the best macro strategy, but as the graphic points out, it has not resulted in significant change over time.
