On Thursday, March 5th, I had the privilege of delivering an impactful session on “Teamwork: The Role of Gender in Team Performance and Development” to a cohort of 18 trade union leaders from across the Caribbean. This facilitated session was a focal point of the recent Trade Union Education and Gender Education Workshop hosted by the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT).
My presentation provided a deep dive into how gender dynamics operate within the workplace, outlining actionable strategies to achieve equitable team balance without relying on traditional stereotypes.
Rather than a standard lecture, the cohort was highly instrumental to the session’s success. The participants actively engaged with the material, sharing their unique regional views through robust discussions and collaborative group work. Together, we navigated critical frameworks and regional data, focusing on:
• The Basics of Team Development: Utilizing Tuckman’s stages of development (forming, storming, norming, and performing), we highlighted how societal expectations and gender norms actively influence conflict resolution and team cohesion.
• The Caribbean Context (2020–Present): We placed a spotlight on regional disparities. While women in the Caribbean outpace men in educational attainment by 86%, their labour force participation lags by over 20%. We identified the “unpaid care gap”—where women spend up to three times more of their day on domestic labour—as a systemic barrier that prevents women from taking on the extra, unpaid ‘hustle’ often required to reach top leadership roles.
• Gender’s Influence on Teamwork: We unpacked the divide between ‘task’ roles (driving projects forward) and ‘maintenance’ roles (organizing schedules, taking notes, keeping the peace). Society often conditions women to take on these vital yet invisible maintenance roles, which are frequently overlooked in promotions.
• Leadership Styles: We emphasized the need for diverse teams to balance both transactional and transformational leadership styles to truly thrive.
• Barriers to Gender Equity in Teamwork: We discussed implicit bias and stereotyping, the double burden, microaggressions, and a lack of sponsorship.
• Implications on Team Performance: We examined the loss of diverse perspectives, decreased morale and engagement, and inefficient talent utilization.
• Strategies for Inclusive Team Development: We explored actionable steps, such as defining roles by skill rather than stereotype, rotating maintenance tasks, implementing structured communication, and fostering continuous awareness.
• The Role of Educators and Unionists – Moving Forward: Finally, we addressed the crucial role educators and unions must play in breaking down these barriers to shape a more balanced future.
My experience
Although I attended the workshop as a presenter and an executive of the CUT Status of Women’s Committee, the experience was truly a two-way learning opportunity. Connecting with 18 leaders from across the region reminded me that, despite our different islands and systems, we share many of the same concerns as educators and trade unionists.
The conversations we had strengthened my belief in the importance of unionism within our organizations. Our unions give us the collective voice we need to advocate for fair compensation, equitable policies for both men and women, and safe working environments where teachers are protected from harassment and burnout. One issue that came up repeatedly was educator mental health. It was a powerful reminder that, as leaders, we must work together to close the gaps and actively support our teachers’ well-being.
I am sincerely grateful to the Caribbean Union of Teachers for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Education and Union workshop. The experience has helped me grow both as a union member and as a leader.
Perhaps the biggest lesson I took away was the value of networking. Building relationships across the region strengthens solidarity, allows us to learn from each other’s advocacy strategies, and fosters genuine camaraderie. I look forward to sharing what I learned with our local union so that we can continue working toward stronger collaboration, better recognition of the invisible workload teachers carry, and a more inclusive and supportive organization for everyone.
