A slinky is a children’s toy that resembles a coiled spring. It’s tightly wound but can loosely expand when gently stretched, returning to its perfect state when released – it can also become a tangled, distorted mess when stretched too far. A slinky is often used as a metaphor, providing a tangible perspective for workplaces, communities, and life in general.
A slinky can be used to describe expectations and freedoms. Some behaviors and routines within a group of people might be referred to as ‘tight’ or non-negotiables, whilst others are considered ‘loose’, involving choice and experimentation.
Normative Behaviors are an example of ‘tight’ expectations. These are agreed to practices that a group names as essential to their culture and productivity. Tight expectations within the context of schools might refer to the curriculum taught and the pedagogies used, data collection points, and agreed communication practices.
‘Loose’ expectations are those that have an element of personal choice, and often invite innovation and inquiry. In a school context, the manner in which teachers experiment with emerging practices might be considered ‘loose’, that is, permission to play, discover and fail is explicitly stated. For example, the manner in which teachers experiment with Designed inGenuity in their classrooms might be considered ‘loose’, as this encourages ownership, the valuing of courage, and the cultivation of collective wisdom.
Some expectations might be tight and loose. For example, it might be a ‘tight’ expectation that every classroom has a Bump-It-Up wall for writing that is co-constructed with learners. The ‘loose’ elements might entail teachers being explicitly given the freedom to make decisions about the appearance of the Bump-It-Up wall, how students access it, and whether it is presented digitally or in paper form.
Using the slinky metaphor of ‘tight’ and ‘loose’ provides a group with clarity about the expectations of their daily work – there is no guessing. Accountability deepens, Psychological Safety is developed, and experimentation often flourishes when clear permission is given. Explicitly naming expectations that individuals have greater control over cultivates Confident Courage and can be powerful when inciting change.