At the top of the hierarchy in most organisations are a group of individuals with responsibility for delivering results across each area of the business. Imagine that you are part of that senior leadership group but instead of working together as a team, each person is competing fiercely, creating tension and blocking change. If life at the top is a battle, what impact does that have on the rest of the organisation? 
The Ask
In a large commercial company the senior team were preparing for significant organisational change. The team had a history of working in silos, often competing for resources, but for the change to be successful the organisation needed the senior team to align and work more collaboratively. Unfortunately, there were deep misunderstandings among team members, a lack of trust and a sense of competition making it impossible for the group to work together effectively as a team for the benefit of the organisation.
Within the group there was one person in particular – let’s call him Stephen – who dominated the conversations. Others found themselves shot down, their voices silenced, and problems not dealt with. The team leader was unsure how to manage this dynamic which led to a toxic atmosphere and passive aggressive culture with frustrations bubbling to the surface in unproductive ways.  
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​We were brought in to address these challenges and support the team in developing a more effective and cooperative dynamic.
The Shift
The team strengthened their interpersonal connections and became a team where each person’s strengths and skills are appreciated as part of the whole. This gives them a solid base to build on as they establish what success will look like in the context of the organisational changes they needed to implement.
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Stephen, once seen as a dominating figure, began to show his softer side, fostering a more open and collaborative environment. He is more aware of his natural communication tendencies and the impact that they were having and has adjusted his approach for better outcomes. Others on the team also learned more about themselves as an individual and as a team member, improving their communication skills to enable better teamwork. 
The Answer
Our first step was to create a safe and engaging space where team members could explore their personal values and motivations as leaders. We used creative tools like values cards and storytelling exercises to help team members express what mattered to them. We also incorporated a communications game to highlight unique strengths and improve individual and collective awareness of team dynamics.
By creating a fun and non-threatening environment, we helped team members see past their assumptions and get to know each other on a deeper level. Stephen participated actively, and through these exercises his positive intentions and genuine motivations became clearer. He was revealed to be more of a misunderstood teddy bear rather than an aggressive grizzly bear. His assertiveness, once viewed as domineering, was shown to be an unintentional result of his passion and commitment.
As we worked with the team on their language and communication styles, team members began to recognise how their ways of speaking and reacting were impacting relationships and outcomes. For example, rather than dismissing differing views outright, they learned to hold judgment and explore multiple perspectives. With a foundation of trust and appreciation as well as some new tools to handle conflict more constructively, they are now better able to have those difficult conversations.
So What?
We often find that senior leaders struggle to perform effectively as a team. The Team’s transformation highlights how important it is to create intentional space for team development. This isn’t about forced team building exercises, but it’s about creating space for bringing awareness of team patterns that aren’t serving the team well and creating alternatives so they can work together more effectively.  Stephen, once seen as a dominating figure, emerged as a respected and valued team member.  
In this case, the team development exercises resulted in improved interpersonal connections to provide a solid foundation for the team to navigate the upcoming organisational changes.  If you are in a similar position where team dynamics are making it harder for a team to work together effectively, we can help.  When a team is caught in a groove it can be very difficult to do without an external facilitator. If this feels familiar, we can help.