What is success?

As we finished up our Assessment, Accountability, and Student Learning class last week, we were asked to mention one or two things that we would take away from the class. The one thing that struck me the most was during the data analysis section of the class. Dr. Stock talked about asking the question, "What is success?" and after determining the answer to that, keeping the answer in front of everyone in the organization. 

Sometimes the simplest statements/questions can be the most profound. While this may be an easy question to ask, it can, depending on the audience, be most difficult to answer as a consensus. And getting as close to consensus as possible is important to produce the laser-like focus needed to be truly successful.  Often forgotten in organizations is the second part of the equation above - keeping the answer visible to all. Developing a systematic approach to communicating this answer to everyone will help drive the organization toward success.