A Framework for SART Effectiveness: Part 3

Guest Blog by Katie Johnson | STOP Projects Coordinator at SVJI @MNCASA

Welcome back! This week’s blog will be centered on the next two of the internal factors that make up SVJI’s new Framework for SART Effectiveness.

The first of these two factors is multi-level leadership. While many SARTs may have a designated coordinator or facilitator built into their team’s model, all team members and member agencies should play a role in team leadership. There’s no one right way for leadership to be shared, and the way that it’s shared within your team should be based on the needs and strengths of the team’s members.

For instance, a team member with extensive knowledge and experience in a particular area of the team’s work could lead a subcommittee dedicated to that area. A member who is particularly skilled in communication and public relations could take the lead on community events and public statements.

There’s no one-size-fits-all leadership role that will work for everyone, but by working with your team members, you can find ways to match their skills and strengths to the team’s existing needs. By ensuring that every member of the team is playing a leadership role, you’ll improve the likelihood that they will feel valued and bought-in to the team’s work, and that power imbalances between members and disciplines will be reduced.

The second factor we’re covering in today’s blog is the importance of a culture of learning within your team. A culture of learning emphasizes understanding the unique context of every situation, tracking and learning from successes and setbacks, and continuously applying new information and strategies to the team’s work. By implementing these practices and establishing a culture of learning, teams can create an environment in which mistakes and setbacks are seen as opportunities for accountability and growth, rather than incidents that will result in embarrassment or reprimand. A culture of learning can also help open the team up to new ideas and perspectives.