What you promise matters: make your manifesto

Imagine this: a group of teachers from different domains gather. They’re not sure if they should be attempting to plan, teach and play together, or whether the cost of collaboration is just too high compared to the return they and their students might get. So we set out to see that morning whether there is a shared vision of the Arts and Learning, or whether each subject area should go and get on with things in its own, distinct way.

I invite each of the 25 or so people there to share an artefact they’ve brought with them. They have to tell a two-minute story that sums up why that artefact is core to the way they teach and their students learn. They’ve had time to prepare, and so the stories end up being three minutes long, the artefacts ever more complex. At one point, there’s a full-blown wooden marble run that appears in the centre of the floor.

There’s laughter. There are some tears. There is a realisation that this broad collection of artists, musicians, and teachers is, in fact, a team with a cause.

By peeling out one key phrase from each of their stories, I’m also able to cobble together the outline of a manifesto, a set of promises. “This is how we go about our business—are you with us or not?”

And while this manifesto could work for anyone, it really works for the people who spoke those words. Because it’s theirs. So you need to write your own manifesto. Get some help if that’s not your thing. But do it.

What you promise matters: make your manifesto

Manifestos can also appeal to a more general audience. Again at the International School of Brussels, we developed a manifesto with the leadership and admissions teams for the Early Childhood Centre. By sharing stories of why an early childhood centre experience is quite different to a typical 'nursery' or 'childcare' setting, we were able to cut through jargon and create simple language that helps prospective families understand the choice they are making. 

What you promise matters: make your manifesto

Clyde Cottage Nursery in Dunoon created a manifesto with the involvement of 22 staff and leadership, over the course of one afternoon. Initially, it was designed as a way to bring together the team. However, the end product has served multiple functions:

• Staff self-reflection: The promises are displayed on a reflection board, allowing staff to catch each other doing great work that aligns to their shared promises, writing up their observations throughout the day on post-it notes for reflection later.
• Observation: Managers can use the manifesto as a framework for feedback and positive reinforcement.
• Learning logs and documentation of learners' progress is mapped to the promises, helping staff understand where to plan for next. 
  
• Parent communication: The promises are displayed prominently outside and within the nursery, providing a clear message for parents and guardians about the methodology of the nursery.

What you promise matters: make your manifesto

Why a Manifesto Matters

We created the Middle Leader Manifesto in 2021 with 160 aspiring and current middle level leaders who took part in our online course: what did they feel were the key promises any middle leader had to keep? Since then, we've added the voices of another 600 participants to revisit and finesse it every year. Tens of thousands have downloaded it for themselves.

So why does that matter so much to so many people? 

1. It Creates a Shared Purpose
A manifesto helps define what unites your team. When teachers, artists, or leaders articulate their shared commitments, they build alignment and momentum. Without it, collaboration can feel like an uphill battle.

2. It Helps People Make Better Decisions
A strong manifesto acts as a filter. When new ideas or challenges arise, your team can check them against its core commitments. If something aligns, it’s a yes. If not, it’s an easy no.

3. It Reinforces Accountability
A manifesto is not for an audience; it’s a promise to yourselves. It serves as a touchstone for behaviour and priorities, ensuring that your team remains true to what matters.

4. It Attracts the Right People
Just as great companies and creative groups build manifestos to guide their work, a strong manifesto signals what you stand for. It draws in like-minded individuals and helps others decide if they align with your vision.

5. It Provides Stability in Uncertain Times
A manifesto is an anchor. When things get difficult, it reminds teams of their core values, making it easier to stay focused and motivated.

What you promise matters: make your manifesto

A Real-World Example: The Colina Noua Manifesto

In almost every school, ‘belonging’ features as a desired outcome. But while the pandemic created both connection and disconnection in equal measure, there have been few reliable levers to actively generate it—until Colina Noua.

Colina Noua, a newly developed Romanian village, was built from the ground up with lifelong learning and well-being at its heart. Instead of retrofitting learning into an existing space, the investors and educators designed a place where belonging is embedded in the very fabric of the community. The Colina Learning Centre is not just a school—it is the village itself, and learning is part of everyday life.

Their manifesto reflects this:

• We design learning for children and adults. Education is lifelong, and great schools invest equally in students and parents.
• The school’s vision is to foster personal vision. Learning is about crafting your own dreams and building resilience for a lifetime.
• Learning should make a difference now, not later. Every lesson should empower students to act on their world.
• We measure success by well-being and lifelong impact, not exam results. Achievement is about thriving, not just passing tests.
• Mastery is possible where talent, passion, and hard work align. Greatness is achieved through persistence.
• Learning happens everywhere, not just in classrooms. Real learning is woven into daily life and community relationships.
• Relationships sustain transformation. Students learn best in networks of mentors, coaches, and peers.
• Joy and celebration keep learning going. Success is about the journey as much as the destination.

This manifesto has shaped everything in Colina Noua—from curriculum design to job descriptions and community engagement. The impact is now being tested in a state school in Ohio, exploring whether these principles can reshape learning in a more traditional setting.

How to Create Your Team’s Manifesto

Step 1: Gather Stories
Start by reflecting on what truly matters. Ask team members to bring an artefact that represents their teaching, leadership, or creative practice. Have them share a short story about why it matters. This exercise reveals powerful themes.

Step 2: Identify Core Themes
From these stories, pull out powerful phrases, recurring ideas, and commitments. These will form the backbone of your manifesto. Keep them simple and direct, and use "Plain English".

Step 3: Write It in Plain Language
Avoid jargon. Manifestos should feel real, personal, and actionable. Instead of "We strive for excellence," say "We experiment, fail fast, and learn as we go." Your manifesto should sound like something you'd actually say.

Step 4: Make It Visible
A manifesto should be lived, not hidden in a document. Display it where work happens—on walls, in meetings, in onboarding materials. The more it’s referenced, the more it becomes part of everyday thinking.

Step 5: Keep It Alive
Manifestos evolve. Revisit yours regularly and refine it as your team grows and changes.

Final Thought

A manifesto isn’t just a feel-good exercise—it’s a strategic tool for alignment and action. Artists, creatives, and business leaders have long used manifestos to guide their work. The best ones travel beyond their original purpose, inspiring others and creating momentum. If your team doesn’t have one yet, now is the time to start. Because if you don’t define your purpose, someone else will define it for you.

If you want support in listening, synthesising and producing a powerful manifesto for your team, department, school or community, then get in touch now.