What Are They?
Anyone who has spent time working knows how much of a difference relationships with colleagues can make. Oftentimes, our collegial relationships—i.e., how well we get along and work together with our coworkers—can make or break our enjoyment of a job, in school settings as much as anywhere else.
We all have a sense of what positive relationships among school faculty and staff might look like, but here’s how they have been defined in research:
- Teachers who report positive connections with their colleagues say that their coworkers are friendly and care about them.
- They say that their colleagues respect and trust each other.
- They see their coworkers as accepting and encouraging, as well as collaborative and supportive of each other’s success.
- They feel that they can communicate openly with colleagues, and can go to them for help if needed.
A teacher who is struggling to take care of elderly parents is starting to have a hard time meeting all his commitments at school. Rather than make assumptions that he is just falling down on the job, two of his colleagues approach him with kindness to find out what’s going on. As they hear this teacher’s struggles, they offer him their compassionate understanding, and together the three of them make a plan to help him through this difficult time.
A principal actively cultivates trust among staff members by asking for their input on decisions that affect them, by admitting her own mistakes, by not shying away from difficult conversations, and by expressing appreciation and gratitude for her staff. As a result, the staff feels comfortable taking risks, offering ideas, expressing concerns, and supporting one another.
Why Are They Important?
Research shows that when school staff, including teachers and administrators, have positive relationships with each other, everyone benefits—staff and students alike.
Positive collegial relationships increase teachers’ commitment to and satisfaction with their jobs.
- Student teachers who feel that colleagues at their placement schools get along well with each other are more likely to want to work at that school in the future.
- Support, both from principals/administrators and, especially, from their peers, makes teachers feel more committed to teaching as a profession.
- When teachers perceive their colleagues as compassionate towards them, they show higher levels of organizational commitment, positive emotion, and job satisfaction; they are also better able to cope with stress and less likely to experience burnout.
When teachers get along and trust each other, they help each other improve.
- Trust between colleagues—being able to count on each other, particularly in difficult situations—is important for the formation of professional learning communities.
- Teachers who received one-on-one mentoring from experienced colleagues at the beginning of their careers are more cooperative with other teachers later on.
- When teachers in learning teams have good relations with each other, they are more likely to work collaboratively.
- Interestingly, when educators develop authentic, self-driven collegial relationships based on mutual support and trust, personal and curriculum development are likely to result; on the other hand, little growth is seen when collegiality is contrived, i.e., forced by administration.
Positive relationships among staff help make student social-emotional well-being a priority.
- Teachers who feel more connected to and supported by colleagues are more likely to implement prevention programs and feel comfortable intervening in bullying between students.
Students do better academically when staff get along well.
- Research in urban high schools shows that positive staff relations lead to better school climate, which, in turn, contributes to students’ academic achievement.
- Similarly, collegial behavior between staff is one of the important factors that distinguishes high-performing from low-performing middle schools.
Practice Collections
Practices
![Woman in blue sweater connects with colleagues who are different from her.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Courageous_Connections_that_Challenge_Your_Biases_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Courageous Connections that Challenge Your Biases
![Smiling mature female teacher working on a computer at high school.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Assessing_Your_School_Climate_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Assessing Your School Climate
![Teacher and student stand together in the school garden, proud of the work they have done to help the school.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Stories_of_Moral_Beauty_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Stories of Moral Beauty
![Woman writing in a journal while sitting in a field](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nature_Awe_Journal-1340-×-720-px-1-compressed-495x270.png)
A Nature Awe Journal
![Diverse group of adults talking outside.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Awe_Meaning_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Discovering Meaning Through Awe
![Two educators walking together and talking outdoors in the city](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Resolve_Conflict_at_Work_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Resolve Conflict at Work
![A diverse group of people standing, with their backs facing the viewer](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Behind_Your_Back_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Behind Your Back
![A sunset on the coast](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bring_Inspiration_to_Staff_Meetings_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Bring Inspiration to Staff Meetings
![A reflection tool to help leaders develop positive schools and staff](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Promoting_the_Development_of_Schools_and_Staff_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Promoting the Development of Schools and Staff
![A reflection tool to help leaders cultivate a positive and ethical school climate](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Building_Relationships_and_Trust_With_Staff_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Building Relationships and Trust With Staff
![A reflection tool to help school and teacher leaders cultivate qualities of moral leadership within themselves](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eight_Inner_Strengths_for_Leaders_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Eight Inner Strengths for Leaders
![Group Of Students Meeting For Tutorial With Teacher](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Making_Values-Informed_Decisions_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Making Values-Informed Decisions
![Two embracing teddy bears looking through the window sitting on window-sill.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Making_Kinder_Classrooms_and_Schools_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Making Kinder Classrooms and Schools
![Mentally cultivate kindness toward yourself and consider how you might be of service to others](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Imagining_Flourishing_and_Kindness_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Imagining Flourishing and Kindness: A Mindfulness Practice for Adults
![Teachers unearth stereotypes and examine privilege while reflecting on the impact of systemic discrimination.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Understanding_Justice_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Understanding Justice
![Teachers engage in a mindful reflection process that creates space for checking their assumptions about student behavior.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mindful_Reflection_for_Developing_Culturally_Responsive_Practices_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Mindful Reflection Process for Developing Culturally Responsive Practices
![Use the Circle process to build a sense of connection among students and staff by sharing moods, feelings, and moments of joy and pain.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Check-in_Circle_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Check-in Circle for Community Building
![Use the Circle process to encourage self-care among staff and students in all dimensions.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Self-Care_Circle_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Self-Care Circle
![Enroll in one of our online courses](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online_Course_Announcement_1200x800-495x265.jpg)
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