Building a Culture of Collaboration

When building a culture of collaboration, engagement and connection are key. A Walk and Talk strategy not only promotes organizational wellness, but can also provide opportunity for connection and deeper conversation.

Show Notes

In our first ever episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis Hewson shares a “Walk and Talk” strategy, as well as sample question cards described in the video - https://docs.google.com/document/d/14a2hxeaoCQZohhHb4kYODQLher6lnJea361nc6Hpl0k/edit?usp=sharing 

When building a culture of collaboration, engagement and connection are key.  A Walk and Talk strategy not only promotes organizational wellness, but can also provide opportunity for connection and deeper conversation.  When utilizing this strategy, there are three things every leader must consider:

1) Determine the purpose
What are you hoping to accomplish?  Did you just return from a break or holiday and need a chance for the team to connect?  Want an opportunity to reflect and share thoughts at the end of the meeting?  Don't just do it "to get outside" (although that is a great side benefit)!  Consider how the strategy can  connect to the focus for your meeting or planning day.

2) Provide questions or focus
Let people know what guiding questions or topics they should be focusing on during their conversation.  Consider giving them a questions card, such as the one shared in the video.

3) Opportunity to respond upon return
Consider how you will collect responses, insights or even further sharing upon return.  Don't let the ideas that may have surfaced drift away - collect ideas generated.

It is amazing how a change in scenery and activity can help to further develop strong connections vital for a culture of collaboration in your organization, department or team!


Creators and Guests

Host
Kurtis Hewson
Author/presenter with @jigsaw_learning, learner, teacher, father, husband, son, friend. He/him. Honoured to reside on Treaty 6 territory

What is Building a Culture of Collaboration?

Are you an educational leader or administrator searching for actionable strategies to build effective teams? In the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, Jigsaw Learning co-founders Kurtis and Lorna Hewson provide simple, purposeful tips to help you tackle meeting frustration, disengagement, and unproductive teamwork. This is your essential resource for advancing school improvement and collective efficacy.

You will find practical ideas for mastering effective meetings, where you learn the structures, roles, and agendas required to ensure your team meetings (PLCs, staff, student support) are focused and drive action. You'll discover how to shift your organization's mindset from isolated practice to powerful, shared responsibility for ALL students—this is key to teamwork and collaboration. Finally, you'll gain the leadership strategies needed to intentionally build a robust and sustainable culture that maximizes collective capacity and student success. We also talk with thought leaders outside of education, to grow our understanding of effective collaboration and teamwork.

Subscribe today to master the art of intentional collaboration and take your leadership to the next level!