Building a high-performing team requires more than just assembling talented individuals. It's about fostering a dynamic where the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
That's where systemic team coaching comes in. But with so many coaches out there, how do you find the one who can truly elevate your team?
Here's your guide to hiring a systemic team coach who will become a catalyst for collaboration, communication, and peak performance:
1. Deep Dive into Development: Adult Development & Immunity to Change
Great systemic team coaches understand the nuances of not just team dynamics, but also individual development. They're familiar with adult development theory and frameworks like Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey. This equips them to identify patterns within the team that might be hindering progress, and help individuals overcome limiting beliefs and the adaptive challenges hat hold them back.
2. Leading by Example: Coaches Who Invest in Themselves Continuously
The best systemic team coaches are constantly learning and evolving. They invest in leadership development programs, coaching certifications focused on systemic approaches, and ongoing personal and professional growth. Their own commitment to development ensures they bring the latest insights and strategies to your team.
3. Sharpening Their Saw: Supervision for Continuous Improvement
Top-tier coaches don't operate in a silo. They actively seek coaching supervision. Supervision involves working with a Coach Supervisor to continuously improve their skills, address blind spots, and ensure they're delivering the most impactful coaching possible for your team. Think of it as your coach constantly honing their craft to better serve your needs.
4. Unveiling the Bigger Picture: Adaptive Challenges vs. Technical Challenges
Team challenges come in two flavors: technical and adaptive. Technical challenges have clear solutions (e.g., improving systemic thinking). Adaptive challenges involve deeper issues like team culture or navigating complex organizational dynamics. Exceptional systemic team coaches understand this distinction. For technical challenges, they might provide tools and techniques. For adaptive challenges, they'll facilitate conversations and reflections that empower the team to discover their own solutions, fostering self-reliance and long-term growth.
5. Assessing Team Readiness: Are They Open to Change?
Just like individual coaching, successful systemic team coaching requires the team's willingness to be introspective and commit to change. Before embarking on this journey, the coach will assess the team's coaching readiness. This ensures everyone is aligned on expectations and goals, creating fertile ground for positive transformation.
6. A Systemic Lens: Viewing the Team and Team of Teams as a System
This is where the "systemic" part of the equation comes in. The best team coaches are trained in systemic team coaching. This approach recognizes that your team operates within a complex system of interconnected elements (e.g., company culture, individual personalities, external pressures). By fostering systemic thinking, the coach helps the team not only address internal challenges but also consider how their actions impact the larger system. This leads to more sustainable and impactful solutions for the team and the organization.
7. A Focus on Collective ROI: Your Team's Success is Their Priority
The best systemic team coach is laser-focused on one thing: your coaching program's return on investment. They develop tailored coaching programs designed to deliver tangible improvements in collaboration, communication, and overall team performance. Metrics for success are established at the outset, and progress is tracked throughout the coaching journey. A great systemic team coach becomes your partner in building a high-performing team.
Finding the Right Coach: An Investment in Your Team's Future
Systemic team coaching can be a powerful tool for unlocking your team's full potential. By prioritizing these key qualities, you can identify a coach who acts as a guide, facilitating collaboration and propelling your team towards peak performance. Remember, the right coach can make all the difference in your team's journey to success and save you time. Invest wisely, and watch your team rise to new heights.
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