I hope that over the years I have told you what a great job you are doing and the real difference you are making for children, young people and their families. We are blessed here in Leeds to have so many great teams; in our schools, in Education Leeds and across the Council...

As you know I spend a lot of time in schools and with colleagues looking at what we are doing and learning from the best. I also read a lot and the research suggests that great teams have the following characteristics:

1. passionate, committed and visionary leaders; 
2. clear and shared vision, values and sense of purpose;
3. recognition and understanding of everyone's strengths and weaknesses;
4. deep knowledge and real understanding of the issues the team faces;
5. total belief in and commitment to each other and to the team;
6. pride in and respect for each others work and achievements;
7. resilience in the face of difficulties and setbacks;
8. a relentless and uncompromising focus on outcomes;
9. determination, commitment and the ability to work hard.

Over the last ten years I have visited so many great learning places here, across the country and in Stockholm, Riga, Helsinki and Brno and it seems to me that all these centres of excellence have the following in common:
1. emotionally intelligent leaders; 
2. a clear shared vision as a learning organisation;
3. a 'can do' attitude which permeates the team;
4. learning teams that are hopeful,positive and optimistic;
5. learning teams that nurture innovation, creativity and are constantly curious;
6. learning teams that are focused but see the bigger picture;
7. learning teams that recognise, celebrate and develop talent;
8. learning teams that enjoy what they are doing, laugh a lot and have fun;
9. learning teams that are passionate, committed and energetic.

How does your team match up?
Chris