Team Coaching
This is similar to individual coaching but with the added benefit of the shared experience of learning how to deal with each other whilst working on difficult real-life issues. The key principals of working in teams are learned. These include: really listening to each other; speaking clearly (not aggressively nor being pseudo- nice); supporting (not blaming) each other; holding each other accountable for our commitments and, lastly, acknowledging/ appreciating each others achievements.
When teams learn to perform in this way, all of the difficult issues get discussed, team members feel valued and secure, there is a sense of common purpose and the working environment becomes joyous, honest and healthy. This is much more desirable than pseudo- niceness, pretend-agreement, bar-room complaints and, worse, project sabotage!
Team coaching may be stand-alone, when a coach is used to help a team bond and become more effective for a particular project. It may involve an internal team within an organization, or often to catalyse the efficient functioning of a major project that involves individuals from several organizations.
It tends to work best when individual members of the team are also being coached, or at least, are open to being coached. It also works best when the team members are employees of organizations that have a Coaching Culture and/or where there is a programme of Executive Coaching in place.
