Some of our work involves coaching and facilitating teams. Some of those are well functioning teams looking to transition to even higher performance. Others are more challenged teams often where team members are struggling to work together in a professional way.

Having completed some recent team coaching it made me reflect on our team in Developing Success and what needs to go on in a coaching business to make it flourish. I recognise that much of what makes a business successful goes on behind the scenes. I wonder as coaches if we pay as much attention to those behind the scene skills as we do about our coaching.

Our recent management meeting covered everything from finance, tendering, continuous improvement, quality processes, client feedback, pipeline, planning for up and coming programmes, social media, remuneration, how we are as a team and future strategy and I’m sure I’ve missed a few other items along the way!

What fascinates me is we are all very different individuals, united behind a shared vision. Thankfully different members of the team get excited by different aspects of the business and their strengths shine through. It was good to notice different opinions being voiced and listened to, different options considered and importantly conclusions drawn and actions noted. We hold each other to account, not always comfortable but important. I notice we pay attention to processes as well as dynamics, recognising one can often have an impact on the other.

Are we perfect? No, we’re not, but at least we can talk about that. That brings me back to something that’s important in the coaching relationship too, and that’s trust and psychological safety. Can we hold different opinions and still listen to each other, can we trust each other to do what we said we would do, in the way that aligns with our values?

All of this takes work, we can’t take it for granted, we need to tend it like we do a garden to ensure the flowers, vegetables and wildlife can flourish. So, thanks team DS and I’ll bring my garden hoe to the next team meeting.

In this months blog, Sue discusses teams; from the teams she coaches and facilitates, to the our team here at Developing Success. Sue reflects on that fact that teams take work and need care and attention in order to thrive. Are you part of a team? If so, how do you tend to the team? Read what Sue has to say and let us know what you think.