WELLBEING Leadership habits that transform culture


Mark Solomons, creator of Welbee, the online evaluation and staff wellbeing improvement tool, and six times winner in the ERA Awards, shares some simple tips to help transform school culture.


4. Empower your team


A lack, or perceived lack of autonomy has a detrimental effect on wellbeing - micromanagement is one of the quickest ways to squash morale. Trusting your staff to use their expertise, not only reduces their stress, it also fosters a sense of ownership. Involve your team in setting goals and let them determine the best way to achieve them.


5. Adopt a coaching mindset


Coaching is a powerful leadership tool. Asking thoughtful questions helps your team develop their own solutions, gives them a greater feeling of autonomy and improves problem-solving. Next time a staff member comes to you with an issue, pause before providing the solution and instead, ask a question:


· “What would you suggest?” · “What are the options?” · “Which would work best?”


I


t’s a new year, time to reflect on our wellbeing, and make some timely resolutions. Staff wellbeing is critical, not only for their own benefit, but also for the quality of education that our children and young people receive.


Education Support’s Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024, painted a stark end of year picture and highlighted the urgent need for action. Once again, the statistics made disappointing reading: 78% of all education staff report experiencing stress, with senior leaders reporting the highest rates at 84% (albeit down from 89% a year earlier); and over three-quarters (77%) of all staff report experiencing symptoms of poor mental health directly due to their work.


As we head into 2025, the question is - how can we make this the best year yet for the wellbeing of education staff?


Wellbeing starts with leadership Good staff wellbeing isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s foundational in ensuring schools thrive. When staff are well supported, evidence shows that the benefits - improved retention, lower absences, better mental health, stronger financial performance and higher attainment, follow. Improving wellbeing doesn’t happen by accident and requires deliberate action from leaders to create the right culture and climate. Below are eight actions that leaders can take to make sure this year isn’t simply a repeat of the last.


1. Focus on yourself first


Self-awareness, self-management, and self- care, sit at the centre of effective sustainable leadership. A leader’s demeanour, their behaviour and actions, set the tone for their team. In high- pressure situations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious or to catastrophise about a situation. It’s important to be able to recognise when this is


happening, remain calm and focus on the quality of your thinking.


This needs practise and regular reflection, something that busy leaders up against the clock might not find the time to do. Ask yourself: ‘How am I feeling? Is my thinking a help or hindrance? How can I reframe this where necessary?’ Gain clarity on what you can and cannot control and focus your energy on those items where you can take action. When you remain calm, your staff are more likely to feel reassured and supported. Make time for yourself, take breaks and be a role model for those you lead.


2. Communicate clearly and often Team members need clarity and consistency, especially during times of change or uncertainty. Don’t leave staff in the dark or they will fill in the gaps by creating their own stories.


Have a clear communication plan that balances personal and digital interactions, and provides regular opportunities for face-to-face dialogue. During challenging times, be honest about the situation - being transparent builds trust and a shared sense of purpose.


Checking in with team members shouldn’t feel like a tick-box exercise – it’s a chance to listen and connect. Scheduling regular one-to-one meetings, even if brief, shows that you value your staff. These conversations don’t always have to be formal, chats during break times or while walking the school can be just as impactful.


3. Be decisive and adaptable


Indecision erodes trust and creates unnecessary stress and staff are left feeling uncertain about their direction. It’s better to make timely imperfect decisions on the information available, than no decision at all. When mistakes happen, own them and take action, leadership isn’t about always being right, being decisive inspires confidence in those you lead.


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Over time, this approach builds confidence, independence and interdependence within the team, while also lightening your own load.


6. Recognise contributions


Recognition is a powerful motivator, yet can often be overlooked in the hustle that is a school day. While formal acknowledgements like awards or public shout-outs are important, and a quick email has its place, in the moment face-to-face praise has a much bigger impact.


Be in the present as you walk about, make it an objective to catch people doing things right - make it a habit to notice and acknowledge positive actions every day.


7. Tackle difficult conversations Avoiding uncomfortable discussions only makes problems worse. Whether it’s addressing underperformance or interpersonal conflicts, these conversations are necessary to maintain a healthy team dynamic. Preparation is key, as is approaching the discussion with empathy and focusing on solutions rather than blame.


8. Build psychological safety Professor Amy Edmondson describes psychological safety as ‘a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.’ Encourage team members to try new things and to speak up. Share your own mistakes to help normalise vulnerability and demonstrate that ‘failure’ is a learning opportunity and simply a part of future success. When staff feel safe to express themselves, they’re more likely to thrive. Improving staff wellbeing isn’t a one-time effort - it’s an ongoing commitment to build the right leadership habits and culture.


For further information, visit: u https://welbee.co.uk/school-data-insights/


January 2025


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