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Hello *|FNAME|*,
Teams that step on the gas too hard at the start of the year and forget to let up will burn out. You can preserve and build on the goodwill that every team experiences at the beginning of the year, the “honeymoon period”. To avoid burnout and preserve that goodwill be on the lookout for these 'burnout' symptoms:
- Team members are late to or distracted in meetings;
- Meeting interactions become transactional – task management;
- Disagreements surface in inappropriate ways; and
- Team members begin to distance themselves, becoming more passive.
Meetings will make or break a team. It is where we hope teachers will realize the proven impact that collaboration has on teaching and learning. But, if your meetings only focus on managing individual team member tasks, the meetings will soon be perceived as a punishment, not a “nest” where teachers can seek solace, recharge, and return to their classrooms with fresh ideas and tools.
60-90 days into the school year is when the above symptoms begin to surface, this is what Bruce Tuckman identified as the Storming Stage of team development. This is when team leaders need to pay more attention to interpersonal relationships, throttle back on the tasks, and focus more on reinforcing the purpose of the team.
In this issue, I have curated content specifically to help middle leaders navigate the Storming Stage.
First, I want you to self-assess your team’s clarity of purpose. The importance of a team being clear about its purpose can’t be stressed enough. A team getting derailed two to three months into the school year is highly probable. So, take time now to assess if your team is clear about its purpose and working interdependently to achieve it.
Second, effective meetings don’t just happen. Team meetings, where the focus is on the team and its purpose, require planning and thoughtful facilitation. Read, watch, or listen to Chapter 10 of my book, on how to facilitate effective meetings.
Effective team meetings keep the team focused on its purpose, ensure team member activities are aligned and empower team members to take steps to achieve that purpose.
I greatly appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to sharing more with you next month,
If you want to share this newsletter in whole or in part with friends and colleagues please identify the author, Michael Iannini, and here is a link to the blog post: https://middleleader.com/articles/meeting-facilitation.
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FACILITATE PURPOSEFUL MEETINGS
In Chapter 10 of my book I introduce strategies for leading more effective meetings. This Thinkific Course is one of eleven chapters from my book, which includes text and video narration of the chapter.
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CLARITY OF PURPOSE ASSESSMENT
How well are you addressing the needs of your team? Take this short survey and get personalized feedback on how you can help your team to work more collaboratively.
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Managing Your Manager - I am always asked, 'how can I manage up?' Well, here you go.
Speaking Out - Without question, THE most important life skill. But it requires more than a lesson plan. Students need to observe their teachers putting these skills into practice when they present their own work and collaborate with each other.
Preventing "Wellness Fraud" for Leaders - How can leaders provision good care when they don't practice it with themselves. It is ok to be a little selfish and look after yourself. In fact, by attending to your needs you will be more acutely aware of the stress and anxiety others may be feeling.
9 Ways Counselors Can Build Positive Relationships in School - These 9, very practical tips for developing positive relationships, are relevant for all school leaders. Being intentional and consistent in developing and maintaining positive relationships is hard work, but it pays huge dividends.
7 Signs of Team Disconnect - This is when you know the honeymoon is over. 30-60 days into the school year is typically when a school leader will start to see signs of team members disconnecting.
Boosting retention - Now is the time to focus on retention and this artcile links to a resource with 3 great activities you can be doing to start retaining great staff. Thank you for this great article Andy Homden.
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