The change effect on teams
In every organisation, team change is inevitable. It comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. This case study explores the transformation of an independent recruitment company through the power of team coaching. With team members ranging from new hires to veterans with over 20 years of experience, the company faced the task of unifying a diverse group under a new leadership structure. If you called use a metaphor to describe the essence of the team, you could imagine a busy train station with everyone moving at pace with purpose but getting aggravated when they get stuck behind a fellow pedestrian getting stuck at the turnstiles, rolling their eyes and huffing but not offering to help. They turned to 3WH for guidance.
The Challenge
The recruitment firm had undergone significant structural team change, bringing in new members and promoting new leaders and changing roles. The team was a blend of:
- Veterans with over 20 years of service reminiscing about the past.
- Mid-level members who had been part of the team for about 10 years and respected the new leadership.
- New recruits unfamiliar with the company's history and the so-called "good old days."
While the company remained a pleasant place to work, these changes stirred tension. The seasoned members found it difficult to adapt to the new team change, and the new recruits couldn't relate to the nostalgia of the older members. Leaders themselves were struggling to transition from being team members to stepping up as leaders.
The 3WH Intervention
Initial Assessment
3WH began by conducting an initial coaching session with the leaders to understand the dynamics at play. Based on this, they developed a comprehensive coaching plan aimed at fostering unity, inclusivity and trust within the team.
Establishing a Strategic Working Group
A strategic working group was formed, comprising the most senior consultants. This group was tasked with shaping the future direction of the company and embedding the necessary changes.
The Plan
A series of six group coaching sessions involving both the leaders and the strategic group. Each session was designed to tackle hot topics, address concerns, and identify opportunities for future success.
Session 1 – Building Foundations
The first session focused on unifying the team and laying the coaching foundations. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement, low trust, and uncertainty. This session was crucial for setting the stage for future discussions.
Sessions 2 and 3 – Building Tentative Trust
The second and third sessions saw the team showing tentative trust. Members were cautious and brought their professional personas, revealing their true selves only when others took the first step. We focused on solving specific issues together and identifying and owning actions. These sessions were about testing the waters and building initial trust.
Session 4 – The Breakthrough
Session four was a defining moment. The coaching nudged the team to go deeper. For the first time, members were honest and open, willing to put the team's needs before their own personal agendas. This session marked the transformation from a group of individuals to an aligned, cohesive team. Now they were ready to do the work, and found that is was fun too.
The Result
By the end of the coaching program, let's say the team was on the train together, laughing, chatting, and when ready to move forward, they help each other get off and carry each other's luggage because they wanted everyone to leave together and supported.
The team has experienced healthy challenge and have been invited to engage. They now feel safe to engage, knowing that all voices are welcome, and view conflicting ideas and resistance to change and simply information that something needs to be resolved before they can move forward.
The team had achieved:
- Improved Trust: Members felt safe to share their thoughts and feelings, fostering a culture of openness.
- Unified Vision: The team developed a shared vision for the future, aligning their goals and efforts.
- Enhanced Relationships: Personal agendas were set aside, and relationships within the team strengthened.
- Strategic Alignment: The strategic group successfully guided the company’s direction and embedded the necessary changes.
- More fun: The team actually began to enjoy being with each other, to drop the mask and be themselves. Moments of genuine togetherness, support, and joy became standard.
The transformation of this recruitment company highlights the immense power of team coaching. By focusing on safety, trust, alignment, and relationships, 3WH helped a diverse group of individuals become a unified team and welcome team change.
This case study serves as a testament to the potential of coaching to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Are you ready to transform your team? Connect with 3WH today and take the first step towards a more cohesive and aligned future.