Intelligent teams

As school leaders prepare for the beginning of year, perhaps they should consider messaging the undeniable importance of those staff who might have a different perspective on things.

In his column in the Sunday Times, the wonderfully thought provoking, Matthew Syed, suggested that heretics should perhaps be welcomed at a time when free speech appears to be under attack. This view is completely in keeping with his Rebel Ideas mantra and book, which promote the importance of different opinions over ‘group think’.

In education and industry, there is evidence that so-called ‘Intelligent Teams’ are formed when different opinions and personality types are encouraged.

Leaders need to have faith and trust in their team to allow open conversations over instantly shutting down colleagues. You never know what gems might develop from a conversation or opinion that might have been previously dismissed.