Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development

How to develop and lead high performing teams How to lead and bring about change as a middle leader.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development The Aims of Session 1.Gained an understanding of the concept of shared leadership and considered its advantages. 2.Further your understanding of the key characteristics of high performing teams. 3.Examine some of the strategies used by school leaders to develop team-working skills among their colleagues.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development National Criteria for Subject Leaders Strategic direction and development of the subject (7), Teaching and Learning (11) Leading and managing staff (10) Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources (6)

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Primary function of a Middle Leader? Deliver high standards of achievement for all pupils How? With and through other people, not only teachers Implications? Increased responsibility and accountability for the performance of others How? (a) Develop self and others (build capacity) (b) Monitor, evaluate and improve the performance of others

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Activity One: The Advantages of Teamwork On a post-it, write down three practical advantages of working in teams in schools. As a table, collate your post-its on the flip chart.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Advantages of teamwork Best way of dealing with complex tasks Makes best use of available knowledge Allows members to pool expertise Releases the creative capacity of everyone Collaboration is a social event and “builds the team” Builds capacity in others Promotes consistency and shares accountability.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development The Characteristics of High Performing Teams

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Team roles and behaviours Chair: likely to lead the group and understands strategy for managing the team. Innovator: full of ideas and creative energy. Questioner: excellent at analysing logically. Finisher: good at detail, can be relied upon to follow-through on the work. Team player: good at maintaining relationships, supporting all members

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development - Each role is equally valuable. - Individuals usually play more than one role in a team. - It is important that teams are able to cover all five roles - Each role can be performed with positive or negative effects

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development - Share a common understanding of the aims of the team and its way of working. - Have a clear sense of individual responsibility. - Are clear about their role in delivering the school’s vision.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development - Team ethos built on trust, honesty and well developed interpersonal skills. - Clear operational structure for the team to manage its work. - The team collectively possesses a range of skills and attributes.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development

How school leaders build and develop teams in their schools ; a practical exercise.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Activity Three: Teamwork in Action: Building the World Tower! Using newspaper and sellotape, each group should build a free standing tower that is strong enough to support a cup at the top of the tower which will be filled half-full with water. The group which builds the highest tower which supports the cup half full of water for 10 seconds wins a prize!

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Building high performing teams Clarify structures, roles and level accountability. Provide appropriate resources. Clarify tasks and parameters. Grow leadership capacity for all members. of staff by developing emotional intelligence. Mentor and coach colleagues to become mentors to new staff. Monitor team effectiveness and take action when necessary.

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development Some Final Thoughts “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success” Henry Ford “None of us is as smart as all of us”

Middle Leaders’ Toolkit for Development