Unloc - and their approach to building compassionate, high performing teams

Let me tell you about Unloc...

They know a thing or two about how to craft, embed and sustain a compassionate, connected, and high performing team culture.

Unloc is a leading education non-profit helping schools, colleges and organisations inspire and empower young people to be changemakers. I know! What an awesome mission that is.

Founded in 2013 by two award-winning young leaders and advocates Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling.

I have been working with Hayden, Ben, and the Unloc Leadership Team for a couple of years, supporting them with culture, leadership, and strategy development. I spent the day with them in Cheltenham last week, and to be honest, I love working with them. I look forward to it. They are an impressive bunch. Why?

- They hold themselves and each other accountable with candour and compassion.
- They say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said - they are courageous.
- They make the time to connect, check in with each other and strengthen their relationships.
- They acknowledge their wins and their fails and are serious about learning from both.
- They are intentional about crafting their desired emotional culture - they don't leave it to chance.
- They care about how they and their people feel.
- They regularly reflect on how things are going, and course correct when they need to.
- They are open to doing things differently - they are agile.
- They really care about their 'why' and they get the opportunity to spend time doing what they most care about and what most excites them.
- They have each other’s backs.
- They can express vulnerability to each other and know they won't be punished for it.
- They know when to take a break, to recharge, to reset.
- They make time to have fun together.
- They know they are not perfect, but they are all about continuous improvement.

So, this is my shout out to the Unloc Leadership Team - you bring the 360° of Compassionate Leadership to life and its inspiring to experience it with you. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are.

Steven Hargreaves is the award winning Founder and Director of The Compassionate Leadership Company. He loves hearing about and talking about the power of compassion.