Nuance

1. Nuanced Leadership: Seeing Below the Surface for Lasting Change

Any decision that requires judgment, getting people on board, drawing on local knowledge, ingenuity, commitment, etc., requires nuanced leadership that gets beneath the surface to problem solve throughout the process of discernment.

Beyond Superficiality. Nuanced leadership is about moving beyond superficial solutions and understanding the underlying patterns and complexities of a situation. It's about recognizing that off-the-shelf solutions often fail because they don't account for the unique context and dynamics at play. Leaders who appreciate nuance seek deeper meaning and engage with their people to find solutions that are both clear and lasting.

Da Vinci's Example. Leonardo da Vinci, a master of detail and observation, exemplifies nuanced thinking. He combined meticulous observation with imagination, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. His ability to see the system at work, understanding the connections between seemingly disparate elements, allowed him to create groundbreaking innovations.

Qualities of a Nuanced Leader. Nuanced leaders possess curiosity, openness, sensitivity, and a commitment to a better future. They detect patterns, connect with people's humanity, and teach rather than dictate. They foster collaboration, build trust, and relentlessly pursue system change for the betterment of all.

2. Joint Determination: Unity Through Collaborative Action

Your job as a leader is to be right at the end of the meeting, not at the beginning of the meeting.

Collaborative Problem-Solving. Joint determination emphasizes the importance of leaders and followers working together to develop solutions. It's about being open to others' ideas and recognizing that the best solutions often emerge from collective intelligence. The goal is to achieve unity of purpose and action through continuous interaction and dialogue.

Mary Parker Follett's Wisdom. Mary Parker Follett, a pioneer in management studies, advocated for "integrated unity," where leaders facilitate a process of integrating diverse experiences for a common purpose. She emphasized that leadership is fluid and that legitimate authority flows from coordination, not the other way around.

Examples of Joint Determination. The Ottawa Catholic School Board's districtwide transformation to "Deep Learning" demonstrates the power of joint determination. By involving staff, students, and parents in shaping the new direction, the district achieved widespread ownership and commitment. Similarly, Marie-Claire Bretherton's turnaround of Benjamin Adlard Primary School highlights the importance of engaging staff in the improvement journey, even in the face of extreme adversity.

3. Adaptability: Learning and Leading in Equal Measure

People have confidence in the system leaders when we listen, we observe, and we engage. And the most important part is that we not only synthesized what we’ve heard, but we are willing to share it back with our stakeholders and not to be afraid to change if we didn’t get it right.

Continuous Adjustment. Adaptability is the ability to refine or change course based on what is being learned. It requires leaders to be open to new information and willing to adjust their strategies accordingly. It's about combining forces to come up with new solutions that haven't been tried before.

Mark Edwards' Transformation. Mark Edwards' experience with technology in Mooresville, North Carolina, illustrates the importance of adaptive focus. He shifted from a technology-centered approach to a culture-centered approach, recognizing that collaborative cultures were the key to unlocking student achievement.

John Malloy's Approach. John Malloy, Director of the Toronto District School Board, emphasized the importance of listening, observing, and engaging with stakeholders. He stressed the need to be willing to change course based on feedback and to avoid being afraid to admit mistakes.

4. Culture-Based Accountability: Trust and Interact for Shared Responsibility

Investments in internal accountability must logically precede any expectation that schools will respond productively to external pressure for performance.

Beyond Top-Down Approaches. Culture-based accountability emphasizes individual and collective responsibility that is embedded in the values, behavior, and actions of people in the situation. It's about creating a culture where continuous improvement is embraced as a shared responsibility.

Key Elements:

• Using the group to change the group
• Prioritizing precision over prescription
• Fostering collaboration, candor, and autonomy in feedback
• Trusting and interacting rather than simply verifying
• Seeing both the forest and the trees
• Embedding accountability within the culture

Queensland's Success. Jim Watterston's turnaround of the Queensland, Australia, school system demonstrates the power of culture-based accountability. By empowering principals, building capability, and fostering collaboration, he created a system where accountability was driven by shared responsibility and a commitment to continuous improvement.

5. The Macro Crisis: Inequality and the Need for Nuanced Solutions

Automated tools for classifying the poor, left on their own, will produce towering inequalities.

Worsening Inequality. Inequality is worsening in most societies, straining social cohesion to the limit. This is due to powerful, embedded forces that have enormous combinatory momentum. The rise of automated systems, artificial intelligence, and dark money are exacerbating these trends.

Eubanks' Findings. Virginia Eubanks' research reveals how automated social services systems are targeting the poor and working class, leading to life-threatening consequences. These systems often discourage people from claiming public resources and intensify discrimination.

Broussard's Warning. Meredith Broussard cautions against relying solely on technology to solve social problems. She argues that computational systems designed by people who don't understand cultural systems can reinforce inequality.

6. Education's Role: Attacking Inequity Through Deep Learning

There is no reason for the majority of students to take conventional schooling seriously.

Reclaiming Education's Purpose. Education has the potential to be an agent of change, but it has lost ground in recent decades. Conventional schooling, with its emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and high-stakes tests, is failing to engage students and prepare them for the future.

Deep Learning's Promise. Deep learning, with its focus on the 6Cs (character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking), offers a pathway to address inequity and empower students. It emphasizes personalized learning, real-world connections, and the development of global competencies.

The Equity Hypothesis. Deep learning is particularly effective for students who are disconnected from conventional schooling. By providing hands-on, relevant learning experiences, it can foster a sense of efficacy, confidence, and competence.

7. Developing Nuanced Leaders: A Blend of Action, Reflection, and Mentorship

It is not by looking at things, but by dwelling in them, that we understand their joint meaning.

Beyond Checklists. Becoming a nuanced leader is not about following a checklist or recipe. It's about developing a deep understanding of the underlying grammar of nuance and applying it thoughtfully in each situation.

The All Blacks' Example. The New Zealand All Blacks rugby team exemplifies a culture of excellence that is built on character, adaptability, purpose, responsibility, and continuous learning. Their commitment to challenging themselves and striving for improvement provides a model for nuanced leadership.

The Importance of Mentorship. Mentorship and coaching play a crucial role in developing nuanced leaders. By seeking guidance from experienced leaders and actively shaping their own thinking, aspiring leaders can accelerate their growth and effectiveness.

8. The Power of Process: Living Within Change for Lasting Impact

We have got to do the instructional transformation and work on our learning environments, our culture, and on the relationships at the school level because we’re never going to change people’s thoughts about us as a big organization unless they have a wonderful experience at school.

Focus on the Journey. The key to lasting change lies in focusing on the process rather than solely on the outcome. By creating a culture of continuous improvement and fostering meaningful interactions, leaders can empower their people to achieve remarkable results.

The JAC Model in Action. The three elements of the JAC model—joint determination, adaptability, and culture-based accountability—work in synergy to create a powerful engine for change. They reinforce each other, creating a virtuous cycle of learning, improvement, and shared responsibility.

A Call to Action. Nuanced leaders are needed now more than ever to address the complex challenges facing society. By embracing the principles of joint determination, adaptability, and culture-based accountability, leaders can create organizations and systems that are both equitable and excellent.

Last updated: May 21, 2025