Abstract

Today’s schools are challenged to constantly change in an effort to meet seemingly never-ending policies and demands, which can leave schools in a varied state of chaos. Chaos can be a natural part of change, and if managed effectively, should be controlled and eventually eliminated once the change is complete. Schools, however, are in a constant battle with chaos in an effort to maintain an environment always ready for change. As a result, poorly managed organizational chaos can be detrimental to a school’s success. Schools can apply a tiered, cyclical model for overcoming organizational chaos using established team structures as a vehicle to control and transform the chaos into productive conflict. This model has several steps, including acknowledging and identifying the chaos and related components, as well as engaging teams in productive conflict through promoting adaptability and establishing shared beliefs and values and the team and school levels.

Keywords:Beliefs; Values; Staff turnover; Toxic culture; Chaos theory; Guiderails