Cultivating School Cohesion and Staff Efficacy- The 7 C's of Success (Season 3, Episode 14)

Improving Education Today: The Deep Dive

In the newest podcast, co-hosts Angela Jones and Davey Johnson discuss the seven characteristics of staff cohesion and collaboration. Drawing on the themes from Dr. Howie Knoff’s latest blog and research within Project ACHIEVE Educational Solutions, the episode dives deep into why staff cohesion isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a fundamental driver of student success and school improvement. With a nod to General Colin Powell’s philosophy that “Leadership is all about people,” the conversation starts by grounding listeners in the importance of relationships and people-centered leadership in education, setting the tone for a profound and practical discussion.

Angela and Davey guide listeners through Dr. Knoff’s "7 C’s" framework: Communication, Caring, Commitment, Collaboration, Consultation, Celebration, and Consistency. As each characteristic is explored, the conversation reveals how these interrelated elements go far beyond surface-level teamwork. Instead, they represent a blueprint for building psychologically safe environments where educators feel empowered, supported, and unified by shared goals. The hosts invite reflection and action, showing how effective communication and balanced caring, for example, build the trust needed for genuine collaboration and problem-solving.

Throughout the episode, your Hosts share vivid examples, sharp insights, and evidence-based practices that connect the dots between adult collaboration and student learning outcomes. The discussion ties in powerful research on Collective Teacher Efficacy (CTE), which has been shown to yield dramatic academic gains when educators share a deep belief in their collective impact. Listeners come away with an understanding that investing in staff cohesion is not a luxury, but a high-leverage strategy to foster equity, academic engagement, and emotional support for every student.

The episode concludes with a call to action. Davey and Angela note that Dr. Knoff outlines how school leaders can use the "7 C’s" as both a diagnostic and planning tool, offering a robust set of needs assessment questions to help schools identify where they are and where they need to go. The conversation is candid, energizing, and actionable—leaving listeners inspired to prioritize people, reimagine school teams, and create the kind of cohesive, committed environments that transform student lives.

Whether you're a school leader, educator, or policymaker, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of people to make schools work better for all.