Schools That Thrive Have Strong Teams

When you walk into a school, you can feel it. The atmosphere in the hallways, the tone in the staff lounge, and the way people speak in meetings all reveal whether the adults are united or divided. Programs and initiatives matter, but they don’t create thriving schools on their own. At the core of every flourishing school is the same foundation: a strong team.

What Happens When Teams Fracture

I once visited a school where the staff meeting felt like two different teams sitting in the same room. Teachers stayed quiet, administrators rushed through their agenda, and honest conversations took place later in the parking lot. On paper, the school was “fine.” But under the surface, unity was missing. Trust was thin, collaboration felt forced, and silos kept people working in isolation.

That kind of division doesn’t stay hidden. It spills into classrooms. Teachers hesitate to try new strategies if they don’t trust they’ll be supported. Administrators struggle to lead change because the team is already tired and skeptical. The school stalls, not because people aren’t capable, but because they aren’t unified.

What Happens When Teams Are Strong

On the other hand, I’ve walked into schools where staff meetings sounded very different. People didn’t always agree, but they spoke honestly. They held each other accountable to the school's mission and vision, rather than protecting personal agendas. Administrators and teachers respected one another’s roles and leaned into tough conversations rather than avoiding them.

The goal wasn’t perfection, but honesty that leads to trust and unity. A sense of we’re in this together. Those schools didn’t magically eliminate problems, but they had a foundation that made problems solvable. And that’s the difference between schools that survive and schools that thrive.

Why Unity Matters

It’s tempting for principals to think that if they launch the right program, adopt the right curriculum, or bring in the right consultant, everything will improve. But here’s the truth: even the best initiatives will crumble without a strong team to carry them.

A school can survive without perfect programs, but it cannot thrive without unity between teachers and administrators.

When teachers and administrators are divided, energy is wasted. Gossip replaces honest feedback. Side conversations in the teachers' lounge carry more weight than the discussions in the conference room. The focus shifts from what’s best for students to what’s easiest for adults. And little by little, trust erodes.

But when unity is present, everything shifts. Teachers and administrators row in the same direction. They challenge each other, but they stay at the table until they find a way forward. Respect grows, even in disagreement. And the mission of the school, not personal frustration, drives the work.

What Strong Teams Actually Do

So, what does it look like in practice to build a strong team? It’s not about retreats, slogans, or another set of posters on the wall. Strong teams are built on daily habits and intentional choices. Here are a few:

1. They name division when they see it.
   Gossip and side conversations will undo unity faster than anything else. Strong teams refuse to let it slide. They bring issues to the table, even when it’s uncomfortable.

2. They stay anchored to mission and vision.
   Decisions aren’t made based on convenience or preference. They’re filtered through the values and purpose of the school. When everyone knows the “why,” the “what” becomes clearer.

3. They have honest conversations.
   Avoiding conflict may seem easier in the moment, but it ultimately costs more in the long run. Strong teams choose respect over rumor, accountability over avoidance, and honesty over silence.

4. They model unity at the top.
   If administrators gossip about teachers, teachers will likely gossip about administrators in return. If leaders remain divided, staff will also remain divided. Strong principals model what they expect to see.

5. They commit together.
   Unity isn’t built on vague statements. It’s built on shared values and commitments. Teams grow stronger when they agree, “This is how we’ll treat each other, and this is how we’ll hold each other accountable.”

A Practical Way to Start

If you want to strengthen your team, here’s a simple but powerful starting point:

At your next staff meeting, ask: “What’s one commitment we can all make this month that will strengthen us as a unified team?”

Write down the ideas, choose one together, and commit to it. Then do three things:

• Hold each other accountable.

• Celebrate the wins that come from it.

• Revisit it at your next meeting.

Here are some examples of commitments schools have made:

• We will address concerns directly, not in side conversations.

• We will take time for admin to recognize teachers and teachers to acknowledge admin, choosing to see the good in one another.

• We will remember that every decision must ultimately be in the best interest of students.

• We will avoid gossip; if it’s not uplifting, honoring, or helpful, we won’t say it.

Simple? Yes. Easy? Not always. Worth it? Every time.

The Role of the Principal

As the leader, you set the tone. Your words carry weight, your actions give permission, and your consistency builds trust. Teams don’t grow strong by accident. They grow strong because someone chose to lead with purpose.

The truth is, unity doesn’t mean everyone agrees all the time. It means people stay at the table when they disagree. It means respect is shown even in conflict. It means the mission and vision rise above personal agendas.

And it starts with you.

Final Thought

Programs and initiatives will come and go. Challenges will rise and fall. But the one thing that will sustain your school through it all is the strength of your team. Build a team that honors and respects one another, and holds true to the mission, and your school will not just survive, it will thrive.

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” — Ken Blanchard

If this resonated with you, I’d love to help you build the team and the school you’ve been dreaming of. Visit sloanleadership.com  to learn more about how I support principals in creating schools where people thrive and purpose leads the way.