Leadership Lessons: Why Team Cohesion is the New Strategic Imperative
At IndySchool Consultancy, we know firsthand that the strength of a school doesn’t come from a single star leader—it comes from the power of a cohesive, mission-driven leadership team. That’s why we’re proud to share that our own Tim Viands (Founder & President) and Chris Brueningsen (ISC Consultant, former Head of School at The Kiski School) co-authored a feature article in the Fall 2025 issue of Independent School magazine: “Function in Form: Investing in Team Cohesion is a Strategic Imperative.”
This piece explores why independent schools must think beyond résumés and credentials when building senior leadership teams, and instead invest intentionally in the culture, trust, and collaborative spirit that enable schools to thrive.
Key Insights from the Article
1. Strong Teams Outperform Individual Talent
The best schools aren’t led by a collection of individuals—they’re led by aligned, complementary teams that bring clarity, consistency, and trust to their communities.
2. Psychological Safety Fuels Innovation
When team members feel safe to question, experiment, and admit mistakes, schools gain resilience and creativity—qualities essential in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
3. Hiring and Onboarding Shape the Future
Leadership hiring should focus on team fit as much as individual skill. And onboarding isn’t just orientation—it’s storytelling, mentorship, and intentional culture-building that accelerates cohesion.
4. Evaluation Strengthens Accountability
Schools that treat leadership evaluation as an ongoing, team-wide practice—not a box-checking exercise—cultivate collective responsibility and alignment with strategic goals.
5. Long-Term Investment Pays Off
The return on building cohesive leadership teams is clear: stronger faculty retention, greater parent trust, improved student outcomes, and smoother leadership transitions.
Why This Matters for Independent Schools
Independent schools face increasing scrutiny about value, sustainability, and long-term strategy. The article underscores a truth we see every day in our work at ISC: investing in team cohesion is not a luxury—it’s a strategic imperative. Schools that build intentional, collaborative leadership teams are best positioned to innovate, adapt, and inspire their communities for generations to come.
📖 Read the full article in Independent School magazine’s Fall 2025 issue.
💡 At ISC, we’re passionate about helping schools not just “fill a position,” but build the kind of leadership teams that fuel transformation.
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