Simple Rules: Making Adaptation Stick
How do we institutionalize ongoing adaptation across the school?
Human Systems Dynamics for the Whole School · © Human Systems Dynamics Institute. Used with permission. hsdinstitute.org
Today's Flow
How do we institutionalize ongoing adaptation across the school?
Which of our course Simple Rules served us best?
Around the room — one word or one sentence each.
Simple Rules
Shared agreements everyone follows
A few rules shape the whole
Coherence across the system
Rules About the Rules
Few (5–7)
Stated positively
Start with a verb — universal
In Your Groups
Name 2–3 patterns you want school-wide.
Write Simple Rules that would shape them — verb-first, positive, general.
Compare and cluster toward a candidate set for the school.
Compare drafts — converge toward a shared candidate set for the school.
Next Wise Action & Homework
Toolkit: Simple Rules section; Simple Rules and Engagement.
Post the one Simple Rule you'll test this week and how you'll know it's working.
Advance AAE #4 into So What? / Now What?
Before leaving: each person names one next wise action.
Our Simple Rules
Adapted from the HSD-Camino Toolkit (Patterson & Holladay) and HSD Institute learning materials. © Human Systems Dynamics Institute. Used with permission. hsdinstitute.org