Repetition is the mother of all learning.
Repetition is the mother of all learning.
Repetition acts as the way to commit knowledge and skills to mind and muscle memories.
Repetition forms habits which significantly reduces the amount of mental capacity needed to complete tasks.
As I type this reflection, I’m reminded of my 7th grade computer teacher who drilled into my adolescent mind the location of letters and functions on a keyboard and increased my WAM (words a minute) and my accuracy.
Repetition also stands as an important component of our relationships. While I sometimes worry that I tell my wife and children that I love them too often, I know that the repetition of my declarations reinforce my love for them. Additionally, my words must be supported by actions that align, further entrenching my devotion and hopefully reminding and convincing my family of my love.
Considered from a deficit lens, imagine a house where spouses and children seldom hear the words, “I love you.” Similarly, a relationship where the actions of an individual misalign with the words spoken, weakens trust and leads to frequent disappointments.
Repetition reinforces. Alignment augments.
Let us do both as we lead our schools. Continue to provide clarity about our school’s mission statements, beliefs, and values/pillars/charisms. Use the words over and over and over and over again. When you feel as though others meet your constant use of these core messages of your schools with eye rolls and exasperation, use the words again. Lencioni (2012) exhorts leaders to create clarity, (over)communicate clarity, and reinforce clarity within their organizations. In Lencioni’s words, be the Chief Reminding Officer (CRO) of your school's missions, beliefs and values/pillars/charisms.
As you create, communicate, and reinforce clarity, you will more specifically identify what your school deems important, valuable and worthwhile. This will lead to greater alignment between words spoken and actions taken.
In turn, this will allow our schools to become who and what God created them to be.
As we near the midpoint of the academic year, double down on your efforts to repeat the mission, beliefs, and values/pillars/charisms of your schools.
I say it again, double and triple and quadruple down on your efforts to repeat the mission, beliefs, and values/pillars/charisms of your schools.
After all, repetition is the mother of all learning.
