Organisation Development in International Schools | A blog

Get to know your school better with this simple tool
Imagine walking into a school and seeing beyond the bricks and mortar to the vibrant learning ecosystem within. That's the Gestalt effect at play—a psychological phenomenon where our minds are drawn to the synergy of the school environment, not just the isolated components. It tells us that our brains are pretty adept at seeing the forest for the trees.

Digging in to School Issues with Analytical Models
The blog post discusses various analytical models for addressing challenges in schools. It covers the Why-Why Analysis for identifying root causes, the 5 Ws and 2 Hs for comprehensive situation assessment, Fishbone Diagrams for visualizing problem causes, and Mindmaps for brainstorming and strategic planning. These models are presented as tools to help school leaders understand and solve complex issues through structured analysis and creative thinking.

Cultivating Commitment: The Spectrum of Staff Roles in Stakeholder Engagement
The article emphasises the critical importance of commitment, engagement, and alignment in organisational development within schools. It outlines that successful change initiatives require unwavering commitment from school leadership, active engagement of change ambassadors who can act as catalysts, and the alignment of the school's vision, values, and objectives across all levels. These three elements—Commit, Engage, Align—collectively ensure that any developmental strategies are not only adopted but also integrated into the school's culture, leading to meaningful and lasting improvements.

Unpacking the Layers of Employee Engagement in Schools
This article explores the intricate layers of employee engagement in educational settings, highlighting its critical role in driving successful organisational development (OD) initiatives within schools. It examines how educators and staff's cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and advocacy engagement with both their roles and the school's ethos contributes to a thriving academic environment. The piece emphasises the need for alignment between individual commitment and broader organisational goals, pointing out the necessity for leadership to foster a supportive culture that nurtures engagement at all levels to ensure the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of OD interventions.

Employee Engagement: How to Audit School Culture and Staff Well-being
This blog post examines the critical role of senior leadership in enhancing employee engagement within schools, highlighting the importance of the Engagement Levels Framework as a tool for assessing staff morale and developing targeted strategies to foster a positive school culture. It underscores the necessity for proactive leadership in addressing engagement issues to improve staff well-being and student outcomes.

Empowering School Leadership through Data-Driven Insights
Explore the ARCS model for data-driven school leadership, empowering educators with strategic insights.

Organisational Development Coaching Process for Schools: Step-By-Step
Are you curious about how Organisational Development (OD) Coaching can transform your school? This short guide demystifies the OD coaching process, tailored specifically for educational settings. It offers a clear, step-by-step overview of how OD coaching can enhance school operations, teaching methodologies, and create a more adaptive educational environment.

The Power of Self-Solution: OD Coaching's Role in School Development
Explore the transformative power of Organisational Development Coaching in educational settings. Unlike traditional consulting, OD coaching empowers schools to uncover their own solutions, fostering a culture of self-discovery and sustainable growth. This post delves into the facilitative approach of OD coaching, highlighting its impact in guiding schools through self-reflection and strategic planning. Discover how schools can navigate their unique challenges and chart a course towards a thriving future, all through the lens of self-guided organisational development.

Should we treat our school staff as customers?
Could treating staff as customers be the game-changer in school leadership? Dive into the ARCS© model, a roadmap for creating a satisfying and productive school environment. Explore its four pillars and seven actionable steps, and discover how internal marketing could redefine your approach to organisational culture.

Navigating Organisational Culture in International Schools: A Toolkit for Change
Organisational culture is the DNA that shapes the identity and success of international schools. With unique challenges like high staff turnover and diverse educational philosophies, understanding and shaping this culture becomes even more critical. This blog post introduces key toolkits like OCTAPACE and the '5 Dysfunctions of a Team,' offering school leaders actionable insights to audit and transform their organisational culture.

Organisational Development Coaching in International Schools
Navigating the complexities of international schools is no small feat. From high staff turnover to diverse curricula, the challenges are manifold. In this blog post, Shane explores why Organisational Development (OD) is not just a corporate strategy but an essential survival skill for international schools. Drawing from his journey as a Certified Organisational Development Coach, Shane distils complex OD principles into actionable insights, offering a lifeline for institutions aiming to not just survive, but thrive in today's intricate educational landscape.