One Step at a Time: Achieving Success Through Microwins

ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of Microwins, introduced by Daron K. Roberts, and how it can revolutionize school leadership. By focusing on small, achievable victories, school leaders can build momentum, foster trust, and drive meaningful progress in their schools. From improving teacher morale to closing academic gaps and strengthening parent engagement, Microwins provide a practical framework for addressing challenges one step at a time. Tune in to discover how these small steps can lead to transformational change for educators, students, and communities.

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Learn more about ASMSA at asmsa.org/thrive.

Transcript

As we reach the end of the semester, I think we could all use a win, right? Today, we’re exploring a concept that has the potential to reshape how school leaders approach challenges. It’s called Microwins, a framework introduced by Daron K. Roberts. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a microwin is a small, achievable victory that builds momentum toward larger goals. It’s about starting where you are, making progress you can see, and using that progress as fuel to keep going.

For school leaders, this idea is transformative. The challenges in education often feel monumental—shifting a school’s culture, addressing academic gaps, boosting teacher morale. These aren’t problems with quick fixes. But microwins offer a way to break them down into manageable, meaningful actions.

Let’s start with the concept of school culture. This is something leaders talk about all the time—how to create a space where teachers feel valued, students feel supported, and families feel connected. Changing culture is complex, but it doesn’t require sweeping reforms to get started. Think about creating moments of recognition. A simple ritual, like taking time during weekly meetings to highlight successes, begins to shift the focus toward positivity and collaboration. It’s not the whole solution, but it’s a step. And that step builds the belief that change is possible.

Teacher morale is another area where microwins can make an immediate impact. Educators work in environments where demands are high and appreciation can be low. Addressing systemic issues like workloads and compensation takes time, but small gestures can have an outsized impact. Writing a thank-you note, sending a quick email of encouragement, or surprising staff with a small treat during a meeting are all ways to signal that their work is noticed and valued. Over time, these efforts can lead to a cultural shift where staff feel supported and seen.

Let’s shift to academics. Addressing learning gaps is one of the biggest challenges schools face. It’s tempting to tackle this on a broad scale, aiming to raise overall test scores or implement large-scale interventions. But focusing on one specific area of need can yield quicker, more visible results. For instance, improving student understanding of a single skill, like fractions or thesis writing, can have ripple effects on other areas. When students see themselves making progress in one area, it builds confidence and creates momentum to tackle more challenging concepts.

Parent engagement is another challenge that can feel overwhelming. Building relationships with families, especially in communities where trust may be lacking, takes time. But simple actions—like inviting parents to informal gatherings, creating accessible opportunities for involvement, or consistently communicating updates—can gradually build bridges. These small connections add up, fostering trust and creating a foundation for deeper engagement over time.

The power of microwins lies in their ability to create belief. Every small victory—whether it’s a teacher feeling appreciated, a student mastering a new skill, or a parent becoming more involved—reinforces the idea that change is happening. These moments of progress don’t just move schools forward; they energize the people within them. Teachers feel more engaged, students gain confidence, and leaders find renewed purpose in their work.

This approach also models an important lesson: progress doesn’t have to come from big, sweeping changes. By focusing on achievable steps, school leaders show their communities that meaningful progress happens through consistent effort. It’s a powerful message for students, teachers, and parents alike. For students, it demonstrates that growth comes one challenge at a time. For teachers, it reinforces that they don’t have to overhaul their classrooms in one go. For parents, it highlights that their involvement—however small—matters.

At its core, the idea of microwins is about maintaining momentum in the face of overwhelming challenges. When you focus on what’s immediately within reach, you not only achieve results—you build the capacity and confidence to take on larger issues. School leadership is complex, and the work can feel endless. But those small wins? They’re not just progress markers—they’re reminders of why the work matters.

So as we move toward winter break and reset our minds and hearts for a new semester, think about the small actions you can take to create a microwin. It could be as simple as sending a note of encouragement to a fellow teacher, offering a moment of praise to a student, or taking a few minutes to connect with a parent. These moments matter. And over time, they create the kind of lasting change that transforms schools.