Donald Lush

Westminster Adult Education Service

Successful Teams

• Adult education college in London

• 12,000 part-time students

• About 50% learning English

• Large basic skills provision

• Large programme for employers

About me

• Director - member of senior team

• Admissions

• Publicity

• Learning support

• Learning resources

• Student advice

• Nurseries

• Equality and diversity

What makes a great team?

• “I think someone referred to us as the "dream team". And if you think of football, what is it that has a team winning cups one season and fighting against relegation the next? No easy answer.” Judith Fowler, ISSA

Context

• Well-defined set of tasks

• Clear budget

• Clear staffing

• Good allocation of resources

• Clear management structure

Vision and Values

• European vision

• Overlap of partners missions and values

Motivation

• Expectancy theory - Victor Vroom

• Favourable performance will result in a desirable reward

• The reward will satisfy an important need

• The desire to satisfy the need is strong enough to make the effort worthwhile.

Leaders

• Set the boundaries

• Keep everyone safe

• Allow risks and creativity

• Have back up plans

• Take responsibility

• Appreciate

Organic organisation

• A fluid and flexible network of multi-talented individuals who perform a variety of tasks without being restrained by hierarchy or function

Other factors

• Communication

• Commitment to excellence

• Good “followership”

• Work to strengths

• Have fun together

• Mutual appreciation and praise

Conclusions

• Work from an over-arching vision • Common ground in mission and values• Team has appropriate resources, skills, experience and

knowledge• Inspiring, skilled and experienced leaders who can

provide a robust framework and plan• Administration is effective, fair and transparent• Worthwhile professional and personal rewards• An organic organisation is particularly suitable to project

work• Successful teams need good luck