In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, success requires more than just a group of talented individuals working towards a common goal. It requires a cohesive team that is motivated, productive, and able to adapt to new challenges. As Georgina Woudstra, author of “Mastering the Art of Team Coaching”, states, “team coaching is about taking a group of talented individuals and turning them into a high-performing team.”
The Benefits of Team Coaching
According to Woudstra, team coaching can help teams identify their strengths and weaknesses and work together to overcome challenges.” One of the most significant benefits of team coaching is improved communication. Effective communication is essential for any team to function properly, and as Woudstra notes, “team coaching can help teams develop a shared language and create a safe space for open and honest communication.”
Another benefit of team coaching is increased productivity. As Woudstra states, “team coaching can help teams identify and focus on their priorities add.” By setting clear goals and developing strategies to achieve them, teams can work more efficiently and accomplish more in less time.
Finally, team coaching can help improve team morale. As Woudstra notes, “team coaching can help create a positive and productive work culture.” By addressing the factors that are preventing teams from working together effectively, team coaching can create a positive work environment that fosters motivation and engagement.
The Team Coaching Process
According to Woudstra, the team coaching process involves several steps, starting with an initial session engaging with the whole team to generate a shared understanding of the objectives of the team coaching programme and clarifying the team leader, team member and team coach’s roles. This is often followed by a discovery phase, designed to get the team aligned about their “Why?” – the purpose for being a team – as well as identifying the team’s strengths and development opportunities. The discovery phase findings then inform subsequent Team Coaching Sessions, each of which turns a key to unlock aspects of the team’s potential.
One of the key challenges of any leadership group, team or individual development programme is how learning is transferred from “away-day” sessions to the workplace context. Live Action Coaching is a powerful form of team coaching designed specifically to support the integration of learning into new habits and sustainable change. In each Live Action Coaching session, the team goes about a “normal” business meeting, ideally in their usual place of work, whether in-person or virtual. The meeting follows the team’s agenda and, rather than being facilitated by the coach, the team leader (or another team member) chairs or facilitates the meeting – like they normally would. The coach plays the role of a benevolent ghost, observing how the team works together, with a particular focus on the application of the learning they have worked on in previous team coaching sessions. For example, say the learning goals for the team are “to listen to and explore diverse perspectives and to respectfully challenge each other’s thinking”, then this is what the coach would be looking for. As in a game of football, the team is “on the pitch”, and the coach is on the sidelines!
In conclusion, “team coaching is about unleashing the power, purpose and potential in any team.” By improving collaboration, productivity, and morale, team coaching can help teams work together more effectively and achieve better results. If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, consider investing in team coaching. Your team will thank you for it, and your business will reap the rewards.
Here are six reasons why someone should consider training as a team coach:
- Help others achieve their full potential: As a team coach, you’ll have the opportunity to work with individuals and teams to help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
- Make a positive impact: By helping, teams collaborate more effectively, work more efficiently, and improve their performance, you can make a positive impact on the lives of others and on the success of the organisations you work with.
- Develop valuable skills: Team coaching requires a range of skills, including communication, leadership, and problem-solving. By training as a team coach, you’ll develop these skills and enhance your ability to work with others.
- Expand your career opportunities: As organisations recognise the value of team coaching, the demand for skilled team coaches is growing. By training as a team coach, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.
- Experience personal growth: Team coaching can be a challenging and rewarding experience. By working with teams and individuals from different backgrounds and industries, you’ll gain new perspectives and insights that can help you grow both personally and professionally.
- Contribute to a better world: By helping teams work together more effectively, you can contribute to a better world. When teams are able to communicate, collaborate, and achieve their goals, they can create positive change in their organisations and beyond.
Consider training as a team coach if you’re passionate about helping others, enjoy working with teams, and want to develop valuable skills that can help you succeed in your career.
