From Buy-In to Want-In: Sparking a Real Tech Movement in Your School
or any type of movement really....
When schools introduce technology, the focus is often on tools, devices, or platforms. But real transformation doesn’t come from the tech itself — it comes from the people using it.
This session led by Daphne Wallbridge at LAITISLC2025 in Nairobi, reminded us that innovation thrives not when everyone complies, but when everyone believes.
Let’s break it down:
Buy-In vs. Want-In
Buy-In is top-down. It’s when leaders push initiatives and expect compliance. At best, people nod and follow instructions. At worst, there's quiet resistance or complete disengagement. Buy-in often relies on external motivation — incentives, pressure, or obligation.
Want-In, on the other hand, is bottom-up. It's when people are curious, motivated, and excited. They believe in the change. They own it. That’s when a movement truly begins.
Think about it this way: Buy-in is showing up because you have to. Want-in is showing up because you can’t wait to.
9 Non-Negotiables for Leading a Tech Movement (or any other movement)
If you're looking to move your team from reluctant adopters to passionate change-makers, here’s the framework shared by Daphne Wallbridge — plus some added thoughts:
1. Start with Vision — Not Just Tools
Don’t lead with gadgets. Lead with purpose.
Ask: Why are we using tech? What problem are we solving? What possibilities are we opening up? Focus on tech for creation, not just consumption. Empower students and teachers to become content creators, collaborators, and problem-solvers.
2. Do a Pre-Mortem
Before launching, ask: Why might this fail?
This proactive approach helps teams build problem-solving muscles and anticipate challenges. Models like the Knoster Model for Managing Complex Change can be useful:
Vision + Skills + Incentives + Resources + Action = Success
Remove any one, and you risk confusion, anxiety, resistance, or failure.
3. Target the Right Audience — Build Buzz
Start with early adopters who are already curious and enthusiastic. Empower them, and let their results speak louder than your memos.
Collective efficacy grows when people see others succeed — and it becomes contagious.
4. Break It Down — Focus on Microdoses of skills
Don’t overwhelm your team with 10 new apps at once. Train in bite-sized sessions. Allow time for practice, implementation, and feedback. Celebrate even the smallest wins.
Learning happens in layers, not leaps.
5. Be Accessible
Tech resistance often comes from fear or confusion. Be present. Address concerns quickly. A 10-minute response can prevent a 10-month stall.
Great leaders don’t just launch initiatives — they stay close enough to help them take root.
6. Provide the Right Resources
There's no romance without finance.
Want people to embrace a new tool or platform? Fund it. Support it. Back it with time, training, and infrastructure.
A dream without support is just a nice idea.
7. Plant Seeds — Don’t Push Rocks
You can’t force transformation. You can only set the stage.
Create the environment. Make the invitation. Provide support. But understand: you can’t water rocks. Not everyone will come aboard immediately — and that’s okay.
8. Celebrate Wins, Then Scale
Publicly acknowledge progress. Share success stories. Then onboard a new cohort.
Culture shifts happen in waves. The more visible the success, the stronger the current becomes.
9. Adopt an Agile Mindset
Expect bumps. Anticipate resistance. But don’t lose sight of the “why.” Stay adaptable. Adjust. Refocus.
Movements aren’t built on perfection — they’re built on progress and perseverance.
Final Thoughts
Real transformation doesn’t come from a memo. It comes from momentum.
When school leaders move from controlling to cultivating, from instructing to inspiring, from pushing buy-in to sparking want-in, that’s when schools don’t just adopt innovation — they live it.
Let’s build schools where teachers can’t wait to try something new, where students feel empowered by tech, and where change feels less like a mandate and more like a movement.
Because in the end, you don’t just want tech in schools — you want people on fire for what it can do.
Love and Light
Dr. Abimbola Ogundere
Founder, LAIT Africa
#LeadershipInEdTech #DigitalTransformation #WantInCulture #EducationalLeadership #LAITISLC2025 #EdInnovation #DaphneWallbridge