During Day 2 of our 2025 Lead Multiplier Immersion, teachers took part in a simple yet revealing challenge: build the tallest free-standing tower using everyday materials. What unfolded was more than just a creative icebreaker – it was a window into how we work together, how we handle pressure, and how our personalities influence collaboration.
Some towers stood tall. Others wobbled and sideways. But the lesson was clear: the success of each structure depended not only on its physical foundation but also on the strength of the team that built it. As we debriefed, participants began to connect the dots. The exercise echoed the reality of their work as teachers – navigating complexity, working within constraints, and striving toward a goal alongside people with different strengths and styles.
One of the key tools that a change-agent teacher must develop is the ability to collaborate effectively. Collaboration isn’t just about dividing tasks – it’s about tapping into one another’s skills, experiences, and perspectives to unlock better, more creative solutions. It requires self-awareness, trust, and the humility to recognise that you don’t need to have all the answers on your own.
As part of the session, participants also engaged in a DISC personality exercise, helping them understand how different behavioural styles show up in teamwork. It was a reminder that the dynamics we bring into a room matter – and when harnessed thoughtfully, they can become assets rather than obstacles.
In teaching, you’re never truly alone. You’re surrounded by colleagues, peers, and fellow professionals who each bring something unique to the table. The question is: how do we intentionally tap into that collective strength? How do we build towers, and systems that don’t just stand, but stand together?
That’s the heart of the Multiplier Programme. It’s not just about individual leadership, but about building strong foundations, in schools, in communities, and within ourselves. It’s about creating spaces where teachers can collaborate meaningfully, grow alongside one another, and remember that they are part of something greater than themselves.
So yes, foundation matters. Towers fall without it. And so do people. But when we build with intention, when we collaborate, reflect, and support one another, we’re not just building structures. We’re building community. We’re building change. We’re building each other.
Reflection by
Tshepiso Motloung