From Trust to Tawfiq: Cultivating Cohesive Teams in Islamic Schools

ISLA Leadership Spring PLC

From Trust to Tawfiq: Cultivating Cohesive Teams in Islamic Schools

Join ISLA’s 5-week Professional Learning Community (PLC) for administrators and administrative teams in Islamic schools titled “From Trust to Tawfiq: Cultivating Cohesive Teams in Islamic Schools.” Drawing upon insights from previous PLCs—focusing on Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Qualities, Courageous Conversations, and Giving & Receiving Feedback—this PLC will empower leaders to cultivate functional, cohesive teams rooted in sound leadership practices. Participants will explore strategies to foster trust, encourage healthy conflict, and create a culture of shared success.

Schools are encouraged to register with multiple members of their teams! Please see the discount structure if more than one member of your team joins this PLC.

Dates & Times

Live Session Dates: Mondays (75-minute sessions)
Time: 6:30 pm EST, 5:30 pm CST, 3:30 pm PST
Dates:
April 14, 2025
April 21, 2025
April 28, 2025
May 5, 2025
May 12, 2025 (PLC ends before the start of the last week of school for Islamic Schools in the South)

Overview of Sessions

Session 1: Which Type of Leader Are You?

Explore leadership styles and identify personal leadership traits.
Reflect on how leadership behaviors impact team dynamics, culture, and climate
Assess individual contributions to team strengths and dysfunctions.
Activity: Leadership Reflection and Strengths Assessment.

Session 2: Articulating a Decision-Making Structure – Shura in Practice

How does your school make decisions? How does your team make decisions?
Discuss levels of decision-making (leader-decided, consensus, and collaborative input).
Explore frameworks to clarify decision-making processes within teams.
Identify strategies for communicating decisions with clarity and transparency.
Activity: Develop a customized decision-making framework that reflects your school values and meets school needs.

Session 3: Building Trust – The Foundation of Every Cohesive Team

Explore the importance of trust (Amana) and how it informs leadership.
Discuss vulnerability-based trust and why it’s essential for team health.
Strategies for fostering honesty and transparency in teams.
Activity: Trust-building exercises and guided reflection.

Session 4: Cultivating Commitment and Accountability – Holding Each Other to Ihsan

Discuss how to move from team alignment to true commitment.
Establish practical strategies to cultivate ownership and follow-through within teams.
Activity: Creating team agreements and accountability measures.

Session 5: Focus on Results – Striving for Collective Success (Tawfiq)

Explore the balance between individual and team success
Discuss how focusing on collective outcomes aligns with seeking Tawfiq (success).
Strategies for measuring results and celebrating team achievements.
Activity: Develop action plans for sustaining team cohesion beyond the PLC.

This PLC will provide a reflective and practical space for leaders to deepen their understanding of team dynamics, infuse school values into leadership practices, and develop actionable strategies for strengthening team cohesion. Participants will leave with a stronger sense of how to lead teams with trust, respect, and a shared sense of purpose.

Additional Participant Resources

Participants will also receive exclusive resources, including:

Curated Readings with customized executive summaries to support deeper learning.
Carefully Selected Resources tailored to address the specific needs of Islamic school leaders.
Professional Networking Opportunities with fellow administrators across Islamic schools.
Session Recordings for convenient, on-demand access.
Practical Learning Engagements that participants can implement with their own leadership teams.

Who is This For?

Individuals currently in leadership positions at Islamic schools, including:
Heads of Schools
Principals
Assistant Principals
Department Chairs
Directors
Coordinators
Those aspiring to leadership roles within Islamic schools who seek to deepen their leadership capacity and practical skills.