Character Connection

Better Together: Team Success Starts Here

Submitted by Capturing Kids’ Hearts

One of the most important things we can do as school leaders is to lower stress in our schools so that teachers and staff feel comfortable, connected, and capable. As we head into the busy holiday season, it’s a great time to recognize success, focus on collaboration, and uplift your team through practical actions.

Start With the Positive: Try starting each meeting by sharing good news with your team! Spend three to five minutes spotlighting staff members, asking questions to show authentic interest, and applauding each response. It’s a simple but effective way to build a sense of community.

Strategize Team Affirmations: Celebrate what is going well on your campus by intentionally planning ways to affirm your team. This could look like grabbing a staff member's favorite snack or drink and giving it to them with personal recognition in front of their class or team. Set aside time weekly to write or deliver genuine, specific affirmations. Everyone needs to feel seen and valued!

Ask for Feedback: Empower your staff by asking for their feedback. Incorporating activities that allow your team to express their thoughts helps you identify what’s working and what should grow. Here is a great question to start the conversation: “In what ways would you like to be empowered or grown over the rest of this school year?”

These ideas can help you fine-tune your leadership and build a more collaborative campus plan. Leadership thrives when we work together and recognize the wins along the way. Let’s finish 2024 by building each other up well!

To learn more about how your team can use the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process to build stronger connections, visit ckh.org.