It’s easy to measure the performance outcome by checking off the task list. Using restaurant jobs, for example, delivering food to the table and cleaning after customers are on the job description. But a server is responsible for a customer’s well-being when noticing an allergy mistake in the dish that was about to be delivered and intervene in the process.
The school job description includes administering the standardized tests, supervising students during the assigned periods of the day, following the reporting protocols, etc. However, a teacher is responsible for students’ learning needs and personal growth that aren’t always measurable, even in conflict with the job descriptions. The tension between the two creates professional stress that teachers often have to choose one over the other.
When we build systems with enough autonomy, creativity, space, and authority to support people’s responsibilities beyond the job description, they have a better chance of defending what’s working and responding with what’s not.
Systems are here to serve people, not the other way around.
