The power of shared beliefs - clear, cohesive and connected

Individuals with strong beliefs are one thing (and a great thing at that), but a group of individuals with strong, SHARED beliefs? That’s a whole other ‘ball game’. That’s next level magic. When you’re in the presence of such a team, you feel it. And when you’re a part of such a team? You also feel it, and you feel fulfilled. You know you’re with people who’ll help you glow and grow, and that you all truly are offering children a place of heart.

In this important work we do, we can’t just be a team of people sharing a space, but walking totally different paths with totally different mindsets. Yes, we come with our own belief set, but we are bringing these to like-hearted people, and curating ours and theirs to create a collective belief set. This gives a strong setting identity, where people know what is expected and accepted here. And the beauty is that a shared belief set doesn’t weaken our individual beliefs, it strengthens them. It gets them out in the open in company, to be talked about, ‘backed up’, examined and embodied.

The more in touch we are with our individual beliefs, the more we can stay in tune with them. The more clear we all are on our collective beliefs, the closer we can stay connected to those, and each other.

Have you heard Kimberley’s terming of community as common- unity? Firstly, that’s beautiful, but secondly, it’s brilliant because before we even spell it out it captures the strength and need for shared beliefs amongst your team. That you’re working together and walking together with a head and heart for the same things, rather than opposing ones. That you’re on the ‘same page’ when it comes to your why and your ‘how’.

It’s not about being carbon copies of each other, but having enough of the same fundamental views about the things that matter that your place makes sense in its purpose, positioning and practices. Imagine a team where for example, half the members believed in all-weather experiences, while the others believed rainy days are indoors. Or the majority believe in environments prepared for self- selection, while a couple are in favour of teachers setting up table top ‘invitations’. Are these teams going to be in synergy? Will there be a clear ‘way’ the setting operates, and a clear role the teachers take? What will the children be experiencing: a ‘clicking’ of beliefs, or a clash? And thus likely a team that ‘clicks’ or clashes?

Being a team with discussed and developed shared beliefs, you have something special. You have a real sense of:

Tightness - the shared beliefs bind you as a unit. There is a ‘makes-senseness’ about you all being together, and sharing this space. It allows for shared connection and genuine conversations. You’re ‘on the same page’ and it’s easy to chat, to laugh, to open up. You ‘have each other’s backs’ because you’re on the same wavelength, and you’re championing the same things. There is cohesion, rather than competition in the unit.

Ease - there is far more heart in the teamwork than there is ‘hard’. You gel together well, each being their own person but a real part of something too. You have the shared beliefs but your own you-nique strengths and skill sets to contribute and cultivate. It is not about being identical, but compatible. You’ve chosen the beliefs to come together through, and so you’re opening the doors for fantastic discussions rather than unpleasant dynamics.

Accountability - the team is united, not just in beliefs but also devotion to putting these into actions. So, for all there is friendship, there is also a sense of, “we’ll keep each other true”. You check in with each other, and keep each other ‘in check’. You won’t let each other rest too long on your laurels or stray too far off the Heart Path. You want each other to keep going, and keep growing, and you want to do that as a teammate. Because your beliefs have you standing up for the team’s standards, you are personal with each other, but never forget you are also professionals.

Mission - you all know what you are here for. Your WHY is clear, and gives you a compass for your ‘how’. You know
that this isn’t just a job to turn up for, do, and then go home. It is a work of heart, and there’s no other way to approach it than whole- HEARTedly - as individuals, and as a collective. You can stay focused, ‘fuelled’, and ‘fired up’ because you’re walking this together. More than just ‘doing’ this together, you are living your BE-liefs together: on purpose, and for a purpose.

Does your team feel worn out, experience high teacher turn over, can't quite get it together? It's time to (re)visit your philosophy. Do you want some help? Our NEW upcoming Tips & Tools webinar will give you ideas, inspiration and tools to create a philosophy that becomes your anchor, your rock, your heart! TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER, 7 PM. Register here.