Is Your Team More Like Lasagna or Ravioli and Meatballs?

Nicholas Caruso

Sr. Staff Associate for Field Service and Coordinator of technology, CABE

In my job I’m often looking for new ways to get people to think about leadership teams and recently I thought about leadership and food; specifically, lasagna compared to ravioli and meatballs.

Both contain a combination of pasta, cheese, meat and sauce; but are distinctly different. Both taste great! As I see it, the main difference is that one has separate components that each bring something to the table (pun intended) but can be compared to silos, each separate and distinct. The lasagna is a rich amalgamation of all of them combined. So, how does your team work?

There is great value in each board member bringing their own unique diverse thoughts, beliefs and perspectives to the table. After all, boards are comprised of different people, by design, and the process for getting elected allows a board to have a variety of people with different skillsets. Your superintendent also brings skills and talents that are very much a part of the leadership team. Collectively, all add to the greater good. However, in my experience, great things happen when the team gels and combines their assets into a synergy that takes the best of all, focusses efforts into a common vision and works collectively to achieve that vision; more like the lasagna.

So, if a board wants to become more cohesive and aspires to be more lasagna-like, how can they get there?

• Have a board retreat. Board members that take time to get to know each other and learn about each other better appreciate the benefits their colleagues bring to the table. They also tend to be more successful in guiding their districts to increased achievement.

• Establish a clear vision. Goals must be fully agreed upon (not just the words, but also the intent). The more goal-centric the board is, the better. Goals that are more lasagna-like, blending the aspirations of all team members into one “vision” tend to support that vision much more readily. Goals that aren’t aligned with each other and the needs of the district will not spark the support necessary for success.

• Assess the separate members of the team, and how they relate (including the superintendent) to each other. Have frank conversations about what each member of the team is looking for and what they have to offer each other. This will require board members to check their egos at the door. While we each contribute to the team in different ways, the end product is beyond what one individual could do. Can you function with a team greater than the sum of all parts, or are you a collection of silos each working towards a different future?

Communication, collaboration, and a willingness to work together for the greater good are all crucial for any team to thrive. TRUST is important to every team, but not everyone necessarily agrees on its meaning. These ideas need to be considered by your team to come up with a working agreement on what leadership will look like in your district.

If you would like help in developing your team, please reach out to CABE Field Services for assistance in facilitating your next retreat.

Did you know that as a CABE member, your District has 24/7 access to the strategic communications services of Baldwin Media?

With more than 20 years of experience working with public schools, don’t do it alone

Over the years, Ann has partnered with countless Boards of Education and Superintendents navigate through a variety of issues, from getting out in front of budget referendums, personnel issues, social media challenges, school safety, etc

Assisting with district messaging for internal and external stakeholders and serving as the conduit between your “issue” and the media, she is here to help you manage the message