Is it time to break the narrative of success that we communicate to our young people and parents? Not that the old narrative of get good grades, get into a good college, get good grades, get a fine paying job, stay there for life won’t still work for some, but are we living in a different world now where there is room for multiple success narratives and narratives distinguished by the individual, not a system or a society hungry for standardization?
Success as defined by the individual, not society
Why should we reframe success? Because as Todd Rose shares in Dark Horse: Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfilment, we’re in an age defined by individuality where success is less about following the false signals of the “standardization covenant”––the pursuit of excellence leading to fulfillment–– and more about first achieving individual fulfillment that then leads to excellence.
Rose offers up a three step individual-focused reframe based on dozens of interviews with people who have followed the “dark horse” path to success:
- Know your micro-motives.
- Know your choices.
- Know your strategies.
Human-centered schooling: Transforming the notion of success
Designing learning environments that start with the learner is a good first step in reframing the success narrative in our schools. Then using Rose’s three step reframe, begin to shift the mindsets of students, teachers and parents about success.
- Let’s create the conditions for our learners to understand themselves deeply as humans–to identify their micro-motives as Rose calls it. What drives them? What puts them to sleep? How do they learn best? This step can’t be one-off worksheets, but rather on-going conversations and reflection. Micro-motives change across the lifespan!
- With micro-motives identified, what are the options for flourishing (including fulfilling work)? What kinds of engagement with the world and community are a fit for the identified micro-motives? And in terms of the work landscape, there are endless options, including designing new jobs that haven’t been created yet.
- Finally, what does the individual need to do to make the choices for fit and flourishing a reality? How will they take an inquiry stance and use trial/error to settle on the most effective strategies for their unique set of micro-motives? One of the big strategies is developing networks that extend to experts and others with similar micro-motives to understand their unique strategies leveraged for success.
Reframing our notion of success—micro-motives, choices and strategies–– leads to “a deep sense of pride and self-worth because you will have accomplished meaningful feats while remaining true to your authentic self.” (pg. 142) Radical individuality.
You see, our society and standardized education system have it backwards. And a lifetime of the standardization narrative makes it difficult to see a reframe as necessary.
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❓ Provocations:
How is “success” framed in your community? How much of a voice do individuals have in determining what success means? What might be your first steps toward a reframe of success?
💎 Resource:
Finding Fulfillment in a Success-Driven World – podcast with Todd Rose
🧠 Mindsets:
Reframing success
💡 Areas:
Learning
Leadership
📣 Drop your thoughts in the comments, or in the Facebook group, and feel free to share resources. 🔥🔥🔥
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