Understanding my department

11.20-12.30 Lucie Purves and Jordan West-Pratt

Group yourself into one of the following:1. New to the school2. New to the role but established in the school. 3. Existing HOD and know your department

well.4. Existing HOD but new people in their

department? Don’t know them so well.

What are the challenges and advantages of these situations (5 Min)

Lucie. Balloon Task

The Task

You are attending an ESF CPD Day on a deserted Island.

With your group you need to build a boat to transport the people in your group back to Hong Kong.

You have 20 minutes to complete the task.

ALERT!

Unfortunately, a tropical storm is settling in and stormy seas make travelling by boat too hazardous.

You must now build a plane rather than a boat, and it must be sturdy, as high winds are likely.

You have ten minutes to build your plane

Application to DISC

Did your behaviour in the task match your disc profile?

Who was Dominant?Who was Influencing?Who was a Supporter/steady?Who was Compliant?

Reflection

1. Did you change your natural behaviour for/during the task?

2. How did you feel when the original instructions to the task were given? What about when the instructions changed? Did your behaviour change?

3. What was your change strategy?

4.Did a leader emerge? If so what DISC type?

5. What was each person’s role during the task?

How can this help you manage your team? (10 min)(Lucie)

Think about doing the Balloon Task with your department.

● Loosely what would be their DISC profile?● What roles would each of your team play in

the task?● How could you get the most from your team

during the task?● Would you need to adapt your natural

behaviour to get the most out of the task and your team?

Reflection on Balloon Task

1. How can we get the best out of our teams?2. We need to be adaptable depending on the task and the team.3. Be aware of people’s behaviour when presented with change and how that can impact on the group’s dynamics.4. Create systems to accommodate for everyone’s strengths.

Scenario (Jordan)

You have been working with your team for a few months, you are new to the position, but not the department, there are two members of your team (experienced and very talented) new to the school, and 6 returners, two of whom also applied (unsuccessfully) for your position. While you had expected the staff dynamic to change, you feel you are still out of synch with the departmental vibe. You have a very supportive, but hands-off VP. How might you proceed?

ScenariosScenario 2

To follow the new school development plan you would like to design a revolutionary scheme of work. You have the following people in your department: 1. A new enthusiastic dynamic teacher. 2. 2 demotivated teachers. 3 A teacher who is also a Head of Year.

How would you go about initiating the new project?

Scenario 3

You are holding a department meeting. You have the following people in your department 1. Someone who will not be able to attend the meeting. 2. Someone who can only attend half of it. 3. A new person. 4. Someone who is analytical and likes precise information. 5. Someone who can't wait to leave the building.

Some suggestions

Lucie

1.To thine own self be true.2.Be visible and ask questions. Talk to your team!3.Empower people on your team. (play to their strengths and avoid micro management)

Jordan

1.Adapt your communication style 2Don't Adapt, who you are. 3 Know when to be an 'I' and when to be a 'We'4) Be willing to discuss and then learn from your mistakes.