Create a well-oiled team by emphasizing slow and steady growth over quick, uneven progress. (Photo source: Gauthier Pous from Pixabay)
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I sat in my principal’s office reflecting on the past school year. It was early June, with only two weeks left until we commemorated the academic year's successful completion. My principal asked me a question that got me thinking, “Amber, your team is a well-oiled machine. How do you feel you were able to create a successful team this year?” I responded, without thinking, “Slow but steady.”
I knew that our student support team had experienced a successful year. It was not just the exceptional services we provided to our students and teachers, but also the incredible growth and development each team member had undergone. Below are the insights that helped us become a well-oiled machine that may help to guide you in a successful start of the year (i.e., “winning the race”) by taking your time (i.e., “slow”) and making consistent (i.e., “steady”) growth rather than quick, uneven, ephemeral progress.
Lean Into Vulnerability
Vulnerability is crucial in unlocking team unity and fostering trust. In the days leading up to welcoming students to the new school year, I consciously tried to be open about my strengths and weaknesses. During our first team meeting instead of delegating tasks, I shared how I prioritize my wellbeing and what I find challenging. I made it clear that sharing was optional, but each team member chose to disclose their challenges. It was a deeply moving and transformative moment that solidified our bond as a team and set the tone for the impactful work that lay ahead.
Leave Your Ego at the Door
We all carry with us answers and solutions, holding them tightly as if they were the only truth in the world. Based on research and experience, when we leave our ego at the threshold, we open ourselves to more thoughtful conversations and solutions. As a leader, I listen first and respond last. When presented with a challenge, each team member’s opinion is valued. We may not always agree or reach a quick decision. This process encourages exploration of all options before deciding, leading to informed and thoughtful outcomes as a team.
Be Transparent
Communication can be a challenging task but is essential for a strong team. Being transparent about decisions builds trust and improves performance. This means being selective, considering context, and choosing the right times to communicate. By fostering a culture of trust, our team does not doubt my transparency. They understand that I always consider backup plans and alternatives. I choose the path of transparency, even if it is the slower route because it ultimately leads to better outcomes.
Model Wellbeing
“Should an emergency occur, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first, before attempting to help those around you.” We must take care of ourselves if we want our team to be successful. I spent years burning myself out, leading me to question my purpose in the classroom. As a result, I model and encourage that if a member is not physically or mentally able to work, they must take care of themselves. This could mean taking the day off. I value wellness and choose to prioritize people over output. Our team is only as strong as its weakest member, so we support one another. Asking, “What do you need from us right now?” ensures everyone feels seen and supported, even if they can't articulate their needs.
Standardize Procedures
Every team functions best when they have clear operating procedures in place. Just like a business needs guidelines to run smoothly, a team can benefit greatly from having a roadmap to follow. It is powerful to build that roadmap together. If a plan is not working or has faults, we review it as a team- creating procedures that work. Inviting feedback guarantees that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them. While creating an "operating handbook" may take time and effort, it saves time and allows team members to carry out their responsibilities with expertise and assurance.
Chunk Tasks
Breaking down large projects into manageable tasks ensures success and prevents the team from feeling overwhelmed, something that from experience, team members appreciate. At the start of each year, I meticulously plan reports, deadlines, and projects, considering the time needed for each task. When dealing with intricate reports such as the six-week progress monitoring report, I break the process into steps. To alleviate pressure, I provide guidance and reminders at key milestones: two weeks before testing, I prompt preparation; one week before, I encourage compiling materials and scheduling assessments; during testing, I ensure awareness of reporting requirements. This slow and deliberate approach boosts team confidence, enabling timely task completion and fostering achievement and motivation.
Create Checklists
Do checklists make you feel uneasy or efficient? For me, they are invaluable, helping with everything from parent communication to enrolling students in Learning Support. Checklists empower staff, transforming daunting tasks into manageable ones and reducing mistakes. Our team values the checklist system, completing them promptly as a sign of fulfilling responsibilities. Checklists alleviate teachers' mental burdens by clearly outlining tasks, allowing us to focus on teaching. While creating an efficient checklist system is challenging, our staff are happier, more efficient, and can fully attend to their students.
Reflecting on my time in the principal's office, I am reminded of the incredible journey our team and I have taken this past school year. I am grateful for what each team member taught me. Their feedback was crucial in shaping my leadership approach, uncovering blind spots, and motivating me to improve my skills. Success was achieved through deliberate actions, transparency, and a focus on wellbeing. By prioritizing trust, unity, and efficiency, we confidently handled challenges. These insights will guide us in the upcoming academic year as we aim for steady, sustainable growth. I am optimistic that as you commence the new school year, you will contemplate the advantages of also adopting a deliberate and consistent leadership style.
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Amber Ham is the Primary Educational Support Coordinator and Learning Support teacher at Bishop Mackenzie International School in Lilongwe, Malawi. She is passionate about inclusion and educational opportunities. Amber believes in empowering others through compassion, communication, and authenticity to become leaders themselves.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amber-ham
