WELLBEING Leading by example Comment by MARK SOLOMONS, CEO of School Wellbeing Accelerator
for leadership development, as well as an accessible checklist for self-assessment or self-reflection for those already in leadership positions or considering them.
They are a good place to start if you want to boost academic outcomes in the new year – motivated staff who enjoy their job make a real difference. That’s why we use them in our self-assessment within the Welbee toolkit. The competencies identified by Goldsmiths are shown below, with each underpinned by a set of behaviours.
Respectful and responsible • Integrity; Being respectful and honest with employees.
• Managing emotions; Behaving consistently and calmly around the team.
• Considerate approach; Being thoughtful in managing others and delegating.
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he beginning of the academic year is a busy time for leaders, but also a perfect time to look around your MAT, school or college with fresh eyes, and reflect on the climate and culture. How does the wellbeing of your staff sit within it? Is it a central part of daily life? Will new staff joining recognise their wellbeing as a cornerstone feature of what you offer?
Your MAT, school or college’s vision and values are very likely to have clear expectations to support the wellbeing of staff and students - but how well do these translate into actions? How do we foster a positive culture and encourage staff to ‘live’ these values and meet those expectations? One clear need is to lead by example.
The behaviours staff members observe and the interactions they have with their colleagues, line managers and leaders, have the greatest impact on their day and their wellbeing. As a leader you have the power to influence and shape your community and cultivate a compassionate culture by being a positive role model for staff, students, parents and all stakeholders.
Leaders and line managers have daily challenges and deadlines to meet, yet taking time to be there for staff brings significant benefits, both short and long term. All staff members have demanding roles, and effective leadership, encouragement, and support, means they are likely to deliver their best every day.
Being there can be as simple as checking in with staff, listening to them, and taking an interest in their lives, both in and outside work. The more leaders do this, the more likely they will be seen in a positive light, this helps build a workplace where staff members enjoy their job and will want to stay.
Try ‘Managing by wandering around’ (MBWA) - schedule time each day to walk around, with the primary goal of catching
people doing the right things and praising, rather than simply monitoring teaching or pupil behaviour. This doesn’t need a significant amount of time, just short periods, or simply when you are walking between classrooms, departments, or meetings. The important thing is to be present, rather than rushing by thinking about all the tasks that need to get done. Staff members will look forward to seeing you and be confident in sharing their successes and challenges.
The way you behave and speak has a significant impact on staff wellbeing, so it’s important to reflect on how you communicate. Are you consistent, fair, and considered, even during times of stress or when you need to hold a ‘difficult’ conversation? Are you able to listen thoughtfully and delay judgement to ensure you have understood the other person’s point of view? Are you able to coach and not simply tell?
It’s important to be able to respond to people and situations rather than react to them. Prepare by thinking through scenarios you may face. Learn from experience. How may your response be perceived? Ask questions, so you have all the information and a clear grasp of the situation.
Leaders and line managers need relevant training to help develop their ‘soft’ skills and lead successfully. Those coming out of the classroom, usually continue to juggle teaching and leadership responsibilities. They remain subject or specialism experts, and now need to be people experts. Invest time in leadership development to help them understand the impact of their behaviour. Extensive research from Goldsmiths, University of London, ‘Refined management competencies for preventing and reducing stress at work’, identified four main areas, comprised of 12 key competencies and behaviours which when demonstrated by leaders, prevent or reduce stress in those they lead, improving overall staff wellbeing. These competencies provide a strong framework
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Managing and communicating existing and future work • Proactive work management; Monitoring and reviewing existing work, allowing future prioritisation and planning.
• Problem solving; Dealing with problems promptly, rationally, and responsibly.
• Participative / empowering; Listening to, meeting and consulting with the team, providing direction, autonomy, and development opportunities to individuals.
Managing the individual within the team • Personally accessible; Available to talk to personally.
• Sociable; Relaxed approach, such as socialising and using appropriate humour.
• Empathetic engagement; Seeking to understand everyone in the team in terms of their health and satisfaction, motivation, point of view and life outside work.
Reasoning/managing difficult situations • Managing conflict; Dealing with conflicts decisively, promptly, and objectively.
• Use of organisation and external resources; Seeking advice when necessary from other leaders, experts, and specialists.
• Taking responsibility for resolving issues; Having a supportive and responsible approach to issues and incidents in the team.
There are competitive, financial, and of course moral reasons for MATs, schools and colleges to build a culture where staff really matter. Leaders have the power to influence and shape workplace culture by promoting positive behaviours and interactions. If you want to ensure good staff wellbeing, with all the evidence-proven benefits it brings, it simply must be a part of everyday life.
For further information, support and advice about creating a culture with staff wellbeing at its centre, please contact
uwelbee.co.uk
September 2023
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