Background:
As a relatively new Headteacher, I had collaboratively drafted the vision and values of the school with staff and my senior team. This vision was consistently referred to during my tenure, and we used it to underpin the messages we wanted to convey to staff. However, it became clear that many staff members, including the senior team, had their own interpretations of this vision. They were becoming frustrated with individuals they line-managed, as it seemed as if they were speaking a ‘different’ language. Messages they thought were clear weren’t landing as clearly as they assumed. I could sense a divide within the team; some were highly enthusiastic and naturally aligned with my communication style, while others didn’t ‘click’ and became quieter and more withdrawn. This perplexed me, as I couldn’t identify the barrier.
Immediate iMA Impact:
Then, we had an input on iMA – and everything fell into place for both myself and the team. We soon realised we were a mix of iMA colours, and the divides I had sensed were due to differences in communication styles, pace, and strategic planning. The most important aspect of this input was that it gave us a common language to name our differences without being personal. We could laugh at our differences and accept that our brains worked differently. If we felt a barrier between colleagues, it gave us the language to explore how each of us needed information, ideas, or plans to be presented for clarity.
Further iMA impact:
Since this realisation, we have actively discussed iMA in team meetings, revisited the principles, and spread this knowledge to our middle leader colleagues, who were also frustrated with communication issues. We’ve embraced this approach across the school and held further sessions and refreshers of iMA. Most recently, we ensured that senior teams across the trust received iMA training to help shape a culture of open and transparent communication.
As an Executive Leader, I hope the impact of this initiative is as profound as it was at my original school and that we embed the language of iMA throughout the trust. Your support has been invaluable in this journey.
Orienne Langley-Sadler
Executive Director of Education
Oak Learning Partnership
Multi Academy Trust