Team development is a big part of what I do – next week I’m in Aberdeen to coach a geospatial team. People often ask me, what does that look like in practice?
A team workshop typically lasts a few hours to a couple of days (depending on requirements, time, budget). Because every team is different I custom design every workshop around their specific needs and issues. It’s meaningful work with real outcomes – not ‘team building’ where everyone has a bit of fun and then goes home.
For example, I’ve recently helped a senior leadership team improve relationships and communications after a frantic period of change that had caused tensions and frustrations. I’ve worked with a distributed team to create greater cohesion, alignment and collaboration. I’m supporting another team to build more role autonomy, delegation and clarity within the bigger picture. The list goes on.
Fundamentally, it’s about helping people work together more effectively – in a way that everyone feels seen and able to contribute their best.
This rests on building strong relationships, where people are trusted to find their own answers. Therefore every workshop has a strong element of coaching – people coaching each other, and me coaching the team as a whole. This hits two birds with one stone: we work on real issues while practicing vital communication and relationship skills. It’s learning by doing, while making real progress and laying the foundation for positive habits.
As a coach I work ‘emergently’ – usually without slides, and always prepared to rip up the plan if something more important arises mid-session. I’ll never rush a team through a pre-prepared agenda just to get it ‘done’ – this would risk overlooking the very issue that might need addressing.
To design a team workshop, I first agree the purpose and desired outcome with the sponsor/leader. I then speak individually to every team member to gather their perspectives, issues and aspirations. This builds early trust and buy-in, and helps me refine the workshop structure. It also gives us a headstart on the day when we meet as a team.
Every engagement has a mix of activities catering for different energy levels and personal styles. There is usually a blend of individual, paired and group sessions; active and reflective activities; creative and planning tasks; feedback and takeaways.
Most importantly there are debriefs, check-ins and systemic discussions offering ample opportunity for exploration and reflection. What are we noticing here? What are we learning? What needs to change? What is still left unsaid? It’s often in these moments that insights and breakthroughs reveal themselves.
Just imagine, what could your team achieve? Let’s have a chat to find out.
True Horizon Coaching 