Culture & Strategy
From Melissa Ferguson, CMI Director of Operations
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” - Peter Drucker
Heard at a recent training, this quote proposes that culture trumps strategy. The speaker explained that organizational culture is a collection of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that make up the regular atmosphere of an environment.
Charlotte Mason had a lot to say about atmosphere, and I also wrote about it here just a few months ago. Why mention it again? Because it’s the time of year when many of us are planning out the next school year. In other words, setting our strategy.
Some of us (yes, I’m pointing at myself) really enjoy a new spreadsheet or crisp sheet of paper with a carefully-orchestrated schedule of lessons. Have you ever had those lessons fall apart because of bad attitudes? Or maybe false beliefs like “I just can’t do this today”? (Again, pointing at myself here.) It doesn’t matter how beautiful our strategy or plan is in those moments because the poor atmosphere will rule the day. Conversely, a positive atmosphere can make our plans successful beyond what we had hoped.
So does culture really eat strategy for breakfast? In other words, is atmosphere more important than careful planning? Consider the P.N.E.U. motto “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” Mason writes that “we sometimes err, I think, in taking a part for the whole.” (School Education, Chapter 14). Atmosphere and discipline impact each other. And because education is a life, each morning is a new opportunity to build a life-giving culture and strategy in our homes and classrooms.
In this week’s Fabulous Friday post, share a way you are building a life-giving atmosphere.
Notes
1. CM Inspired Conference: CMI Founder Dr. Carroll Smith will speak about narration in his talk “Narration: How, What, & Why?” on May 15th at 6:00 p.m. EST. He will be joined by CMI Board Members Amber O’Neal Johnston and Min Jung Hwang, along with 30+ other speakers in live workshops and Q&A sessions. Get your ticket here.
2. CORE. Due to high interest, we opened another cohort for this 8-week intensive on Charlotte Mason’s methods. Join us this summer!
3. #howwealveary: We want to see your photos! Please tag us on Instagram using @charlottemasonsalveary. We can't wait to see your children learning together! You can also post in this Circle on Alveary Hive.
4. 2022-23 Membership: June 30 is the final day of access for 2022-23 memberships. Please be sure to download any Alveary documents you need. External links (Vimeo, SoundCloud, Quizlet, etc.) will remain live.
Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!
