The “whirlwind” of daily work and routine tasks consumes our time and energy. This work is crucial for daily operations but can hinder the implementation of new strategies. The whirlwind demands immediate attention and often diverts us from our long-term strategic goals. This could include managing student behavior, preparing materials, and administrative tasks in the classroom.
4DX suggests setting Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) that are limited in number to be manageable. It also recommends creating a regular tracking system (scoreboards) and accountability meetings. As a teacher, this means setting specific goals to improve student performance and using tracking tools to measure progress.
4DX underscores the importance of concentrating on one or two crucial goals at a time. Spreading efforts across multiple goals diminishes the likelihood of success, while focusing on a few allows for more intense and sustained effort, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.
Lag measures show final results, such as grades or graduation rates. Lead measures are predictive and controllable, such as study hours or class participation. We often pay more attention to lag measures because they are easier to measure and have an immediate visible impact, but lead measures allow for proactive adjustments. In the classroom, we should focus on improving participation and daily tasks instead of only final grades.
The 4 rules for creating a compelling scoreboard are:
Keep it simple: easy to understand.
Show both lead and lag measures: complete view of progress.
Ensure it is visible: the entire team should see it regularly.
Update it regularly: reflect recent progress.
The sense of progress is crucial for morale. Seeing that efforts produce concrete and positive results motivates and commits the team. This sense of achievement maintains energy and enthusiasm. Regularly showing progress to students improves their self-esteem and motivation.
The 4 Disciplines of Execution in a Nutshell
Move Your Middle
4DX OS (Operating System) Overview