Management by Objectives
When I was a young teacher one of my principals decided that he would implement a management by objectives program in our school. At the beginning of each trimester (we were on the trimester system - three sessions between September and June) he asked each teacher to set some objectives and then at the end of the trimester this list was looked at again and the teacher needed to tell the principal if and how each objective was achieved.
We very quickly discovered if we didn't take any risks, that is, if we set objectives that we know we could meet we would make the principal happy. He could create a report that said something like: My teachers set 83 objectives for themselves and achieved 97% It would look like we accomplished something.
The reality was that we had set such inane objectives that we weren't progressing as a school. We weren't encouraged to take risks - why set an objective that you might not meet and then get criticized for not meeting your objectives? But there was 'peace' in the school.
That experiment ended fairly quickly - the principal was smart enough to recognize what was happening.
So what has MBO got to do with my blog? Well it has to do with my new year's resolutions. If you read my early resolution (to commit to writing in my blog on a regular basis) you know that I didn't meet that objective.
New Year's resolutions are like setting MBOs. Its hard to publicly set an objective that involves risks.
but I am a brave man so here goes.
1. I will make at least 300 entries to this blog during 2007
2. I will exercise at least three times a week ( I worked out today)
3. I will lose at least 20 pounds by June 1
4. I will use my new digital camera regularly and post some of the pictures on this blog
If I actually meet the first objective you will be kept up to date on the other three.
Wish me luck
We very quickly discovered if we didn't take any risks, that is, if we set objectives that we know we could meet we would make the principal happy. He could create a report that said something like: My teachers set 83 objectives for themselves and achieved 97% It would look like we accomplished something.
The reality was that we had set such inane objectives that we weren't progressing as a school. We weren't encouraged to take risks - why set an objective that you might not meet and then get criticized for not meeting your objectives? But there was 'peace' in the school.
That experiment ended fairly quickly - the principal was smart enough to recognize what was happening.
So what has MBO got to do with my blog? Well it has to do with my new year's resolutions. If you read my early resolution (to commit to writing in my blog on a regular basis) you know that I didn't meet that objective.
New Year's resolutions are like setting MBOs. Its hard to publicly set an objective that involves risks.
but I am a brave man so here goes.
1. I will make at least 300 entries to this blog during 2007
2. I will exercise at least three times a week ( I worked out today)
3. I will lose at least 20 pounds by June 1
4. I will use my new digital camera regularly and post some of the pictures on this blog
If I actually meet the first objective you will be kept up to date on the other three.
Wish me luck
posted by Cyril Kesten at 6:04 PM
2 Comments:
Best of luck Cyril. You can do it.
1. I will make at least 300 entries to this blog during 2007
(Just 298 more to go!)
2. I will exercise at least three times a week ( I worked out today)
- I think I will join you here. Although I still have to fit in three more times this week.
3. I will lose at least 20 pounds by June 1
This has been my goal as well (pretty close). I'll let you know how I do.
4. I will use my new digital camera regularly and post some of the pictures on this blog.
(Sign up for a Flickr account. You'll love it. There are lots of ways to integrate Flickr into this blog as well. Heres' my Flickr Account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035553780@N01/), feel free to add me as a friend.
Best of luck in 2007.
I like how you make quantifiable resolutions. So many people fail in their resolutions because they say things like "I will blog more" and "I will lose weight". But when you put a number to it, it is very easy to measure success and failure. My resolutions were mostly monetary. Any help in getting a subbing position would be greatly appreciated to aid in this resolution... :)
Dan Benesh
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