Emily Snively

“Teachers aren’t scared of change. They are scared of wasting their time on things that make no significant impact in their classrooms.” I remember a teacher sharing that with me and it always resonated. Are we spending a lot of time on changing things subtly, or are we creating something that there would be no argument on how much better it would be, whether in schools, professional lives, or personal habits. I thought about this when I heard about the backlash to “New Coke” from the mid 80s. Even though taste-tests showed that people preferred the new version, there was a pushback because the company had not understood the emotional connection people had to the old version. From the history website: _______ “The simple fact is that all the time and money and skill poured into consumer research on the new Coca-Cola could not measure or reveal the deep and abiding emotional attachment to original Coca-Cola felt by so many people.” _______ Change is not only about doing something “better.” It is ensuring that people will see that they will be significantly better off through the investment of time and energy they pour into the new thing. If that connection can’t be made, then we have to ask is it truly worth the time and committment? history.com/news/why-coca-co…