Team Processes The first is that Leadership Teams are a ‘good thing’ and that effective Leadership Teams are necessary in order for a school to continue to develop and improve. The second is that becoming and remaining an effective Leadership Team is hard work. NAHT Leadership Paper 14, 2003

Five Lessons from Geese

5 Lessons from Geese for Teams As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds following. By flying in a ‘V’ formation the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and more smoothly because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

Lesson 2 Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds immediately in front. If we have as much sense as the goose, we will join formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

Lesson 3 When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position. It pays to take turns at the hard tasks and sharing leadership - with people, as with geese, we are interdependent with one another.

Lesson 4 The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those in front to keep up their speed. We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging – not something less helpful.

Lesson 5 When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow their fellow member, to help and provide protection. They stay with this goose until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own to catch up with their own flock or another formation. If we have as much sense as geese we’ll stand by one another in difficult times like they do.

The core tasks of leadership teams are clear Build a vision and set direction Understand and develop people Redesign the organisation for learning Lead teaching and learning Southworth 2008

Leadership Team Charter A properly functioning team is one in which: People care for each other People are honest and truthful There is a high level of trust Decisions are made by consensus There is strong team commitment Conflict is faced up to and worked through People really listen to ideas and feelings Feelings are expressed freely Process issues are dealt with

Review of Team Effectiveness Discuss the behaviour of effective school teams and consider how you can improve your effectiveness as a team.