Sometimes teams – be that two people or a larger group – need help to work more effectively together. This could be in the context of a permanent work group, a management team, a project task force or even a whole department away-day.
We start by listening to understand what the purpose of the team is and what may have been getting in the way of their performance or what is it they want to do better. That could be to make better or faster decisions, solve a particular problem, generate more creative ideas, put plans into action, build trust or simply get on better. We also look at the broader system within which the team operates, to ensure that we understand what interventions may be needed to support lasting change.
Sherwood then works alongside the team, using a combination of coaching and facilitation and perhaps even training the team in new skills or reviewing processes, to help them overcome the challenges that they have been facing. A better understanding of how different individuals have different styles of working, for example using psychometric tools, may also be helpful.
We may work with a team as a one-off activity or as part of a longer programme; either way, we help the team to learn from experience and sustain improved performance.
Facilitation case study
Strategic direction for a London city firm
A large London city firm set up a project team of young partners to think about the strategy of the firm. A Sherwood facilitator worked with the team and the managing partner to identify what the purpose of their work should be. It was clarified that their job was not to try and set the direction of the firm, but to explore why at this stage in its development focusing on strategic direction was particularly important and what processes the firm should use to get the most effective input across the partnership.
The Sherwood facilitator led an away-day for the project team, getting them to identify and address “the biggest and best questions” to which the firm needed answers. From there the group developed options in answer to the key questions and looked at potential benefits and constraints. The Sherwood facilitator continues to provide coaching at a senior level within the firm.