SYRENS
An alignment protocol for engaging leaders in system reflection, results ownership, clarity, and next steps creation
SYRENS © 2021 by William J Clarke is licensed under CC BY 4.0
What Is SYRENS™
SYRENS™ is a structured protocol designed to improve alignment, accountability, and continuous improvement within organizations by focusing on Systems, Results, and Next Steps. The framework, developed by ResultsAhead, is particularly useful for organizations seeking to create sustainable growth, empower team members, and foster a culture of ownership and strategic thinking. Here's an overview of its key components:
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Key Components of SYRENS™:
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Systems:
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Alignment of Systems: SYRENS™ emphasizes that each system (e.g., a specific process, department, or role) within an organization should have clear alignment with organizational goals. Each system is assigned an "owner" who is responsible for overseeing its operation, performance, and alignment with strategic objectives​​.
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Systems Thinking: By understanding how different systems interact and contribute to the broader organizational goals, SYRENS™ encourages team members to adopt a holistic perspective rather than focusing on isolated tasks​.
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Results:
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Data-Driven Reflection: Regular aggregation and reflection on results help system owners and team members understand performance trends, identify improvement areas, and make data-driven decisions​​.
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Ownership of Results: SYRENS™ promotes a culture where individuals are accountable for the outcomes of their systems. This accountability empowers employees to actively manage and optimize their contributions​​.
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Next Steps:
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Actionable Improvements: The framework emphasizes creating immediate, actionable steps to drive continuous improvement. By implementing quick, manageable steps, SYRENS™ supports incremental growth and prevents stagnation​.
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Iterative Feedback Loops: Consistent feedback loops ensure that improvements are evaluated and refined, fostering a culture of adaptability and responsiveness within the organization​.
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Core Benefits of SYRENS™:
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Empowerment and Ownership: SYRENS™ distributes leadership by making team members responsible for specific systems. This empowerment fosters a sense of agency, where each person actively contributes to and is accountable for their system’s success​​.
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Continuous Improvement: Through structured reflection and the creation of next steps, SYRENS embeds a habit of improvement, making it an enduring part of organizational culture​​.
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Psychological Safety and Supportive Culture: SYRENS™ emphasizes psychological safety, ensuring team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenging processes, and experimenting with new approaches. This openness drives innovation and trust within teams​.
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How SYRENS™ Supports Long-Term Growth:
SYRENS™ integrates structured practices that encourage team members to align their systems with strategic goals, reflect on their performance, and implement improvements based on data insights. Its focus on building micro-habits, ownership, and resilience enables organizations to grow sustainably and adapt to new challenges dynamically.
Queens Charter School
“SYRENS shifted the way we think about our team and how we plan our work in meetings and with our board."
Rochester Nonprofit
"This is a great habit for us as we reorganize and clean up our systems. The protocol has kicked us into gear!"
Northeast High School
“We asked ResultsAhead to help us streamline our work and establish ownership of systems and results in a sometimes messy environment."