Toward Collaboration in District/Association Relationships: ABC School District.
They demonstrate all the norms that we talked about earlier. It is through these four behaviors of trust that they maintain and build on their collaborative relationship. (White, Harvey, and Kemper 2007)
Principal 4
They emphasize the positive sides of all disagreements by always looking first of all, for “the common ground”. They look for what they can agree on – when their mutual interests intersect. Then they look at what they disagree on but with the profound disposition that “there’s always an answer”. This positive demeanor is central to all their discussions and negotiations. It is critical that all conflicts involve this positive attitude.
Now none of these principles are either novel or unknown. But what makes it so remarkable is that this district and their association put into effect these principles. They abide by them very carefully. They may not call them conflict resolution principles but they abide by them nonetheless.
But many people don’t believe they could possibly work. Outside of the district they are disbelieved. But inside the district they believe. They believe they can change. They believe they can make a better district and more collaborative district. In this way, they demonstrate all the potency that is so important to any change effort.
This is a truly collaborative district that models the way that all school districts should be doing. It is a bellwether district that has to be seen to be believed.