Successful difficult conversations

Does your team back your decisions? Here’s how to tell

You make a decision.
Your team nods along.
But do they actually support it?

40% of school leaders say no.

That means nearly half of schools are pushing forward with decisions that don’t have full team buy-in.
And that’s a problem.

So what can you do?

  • Check alignment. Survey your team—how on board are they really with key decisions?

  • Talk about followership. Leadership is crucial, but so is followership. A strong team understands the value of backing a decision—even if they didn’t make it.

  • Spot the signals. If enthusiasm is low, the decision may need better communication, involvement, or a clearer ‘why.’

Get this right, and implementation becomes smoother, resistance fades, and your school moves forward faster.

Spotlight resource

I share a great tool to assess team alignment in this video here.

Want a school where decisions stick and the team is truly aligned?

Come to Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Good, my one-day workshop where I share four powerful tools to take your school from good to great.

📍 1 ticket = you + your senior leadership team
Average rating: 9.5/10 since 2018!

Upcoming dates:

  • Tuesday, 1 July 2025 (09:30-15:30)
  • Tuesday, 23 September 2025 (09:30-15:30)

📍 Conveniently online via Zoom—save time, reduce costs, and learn together without leaving school.

See you there!