Guest blog by Liz Sproat – Associate Coach and Team Coaching Programme Lead, Integrity Coaching
It really doesn’t matter what I think, it’s far better to learn from someone who knows. In this case, a teacher in a primary setting in Southern England.
Their story is much like many others. A set of great leaders who, for many reasons, had lost their mojo. Working with them started hard and ended with growth – much like the flower in this participant’s drawing.
Over 6 sessions, their journey covered:
- Building a better understanding of self and others and agreeing how to show up for each others
- Developing their leadership skills in coaching, psychological safety, feedback and delegation
- Making commitments to themselves and each other that will last well beyond the coaching engagement
And it looked much like this drawing. Interactive, colourful, creative. Moving from challenge and anxiety to positivity and connection. From separated strands to shared roots and aspirations for their learners.
Image of flower – used by a participant in the Team Coaching programme – ‘Moving from challenge and anxiety to positivity and connection.’
That matters well beyond the leadership meeting. When a senior team is cohesive:
🌱 decisions land consistently in every classroom
🌱 staff hear one message, not five versions of it
🌱 energy goes into children’s learning instead of navigating each other
🌱 difficult conversations happen sooner and more honestly
Cohesion isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the root system that everything else grows from.
So I’ll ask you what I asked them:
If you drew your leadership team today, which flower would it be? And what difference would cohesion in your team make to educational outcomes?
I’d love to hear your comments below.
#TeamCoaching #SchoolLeadership #Headteachers #MATLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Education
Could your school leadership team benefit from Team Coaching?
Would you like to hear more leadership reflections for School Leaders?
Simply sign up to our newsletter.
