Team Assessment and Coaching

In Team Coaching, there are two primary approaches to driving team performance: building on the team's strengths and uncovering weaknesses and blind spots. While leveraging a team's existing strengths can lead to quick wins and boost morale, uncovering and addressing areas of vulnerability is equally crucial for long-term success. Both approaches are valuable, and effective team coaching often requires a balance of the two. This article will focus on the latter approach using Team Profiling assessment to establish a clear baseline of the team's current reality, providing insights into both individual and collective strengths, weaknesses, and dynamics.

PEARLS and the Fiends & Hero Framework

The Fiends & Hero profiling tool is an innovative assessment method designed to uncover the inner dynamics of individuals within a team, identifying predominant internal voices—referred to as "fiends"—that influence thoughts, reactions, and decision-making processes. Rooted in Theory-U, which emphasizes the importance of deep listening, reflection, and letting go of limiting mental models, this tool enables team members to recognize the internal obstacles that hinder their performance and collaboration. By bringing these "fiends" to light, the tool fosters greater self-awareness and paves the way for the emergence of the "Hero" within each individual, and the Team collective.

The PEARLS framework is a comprehensive coaching model designed to guide individuals and teams through a structured process of growth and development. Each element of PEARLS plays a critical role in this journey. Before embarking on Team Coaching, it would be useful to gain clarity on three aspects for the team to be coached:

1. What specific challenges or goals does the team currently face that they would like to address through coaching?
2. How familiar is the team with the concepts of self-awareness and internal dynamics, such as those explored in the Fiends & Hero Model?
3. What is the team’s current approach to learning and development, and how open are they to adopting new methods like the PEARLS framework?

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The PEARLS Team Coaching Design

1. Starting with Purpose: Aligning the Team

The first step in any coaching process is to establish a clear and shared purpose. This can be achieved by facilitating a group discussion where team members articulate their individual goals and how these align with the team's objectives. Using the Hero framework, managers can help team members recognize their unique strengths and how these can contribute to the collective purpose.

Action Steps:

• Conduct a group discussion to align on the team's collective purpose.
• Use tools like the Dialogic Orientation Quadrant (DOQ) to explore diverse perspectives.

2. Leveraging Experience: Storytelling Circles

Experience is a powerful teacher, and in the context of team coaching, it serves as a foundation for learning and growth. Managers can use storytelling circles to encourage team members to share past experiences, particularly 'Hero moments' where they overcame obstacles. This not only fosters a sense of camaraderie but also allows the team to learn from each other's successes and challenges.

Action Steps:

• Organize storytelling circles where team members share experiences related to the challenge at hand.
• Map out key experiences on a timeline to identify patterns and learning opportunities.

3. Shifting Attitudes: Workshops on Growth Mindset

Attitude can make or break a team's ability to succeed. By conducting workshops focused on adopting a growth mindset, managers can help their teams approach challenges with a positive and proactive attitude. Role-playing exercises can be particularly effective, allowing team members to practice responding to difficult scenarios using their Hero Powers.

Action Steps:

• Conduct a growth mindset workshop with activities designed to foster a positive attitude towards challenges.
• Use role-playing scenarios to practice responding to challenges with Hero Powers.

4. Building Resilience: Stress Management and Scenario Planning

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and it's a crucial quality for any team facing ongoing challenges. Managers can implement resilience-building activities such as stress management exercises and scenario planning. Discussing how different Hero roles—like the Tank, Healer, and Damage Dealer—can support resilience provides a practical framework for the team to navigate obstacles together.

Action Steps:

• Engage the team in resilience-building exercises, focusing on stress management and scenario planning.
• Simulate challenging scenarios where team members adopt Hero roles to navigate obstacles.

5. Fostering Continuous Learning: The Learning Lab

In a rapidly changing world, the ability to learn and adapt is crucial. Managers can create a 'learning lab' environment where teams experiment with new strategies and receive real-time feedback. This iterative process allows the team to refine their approach continuously and stay ahead of the curve.

Action Steps:

• Set up a learning lab where teams can experiment with new strategies for addressing challenges.
• Facilitate a feedback loop to discuss what’s working and what isn’t, using the Hero framework to adapt and learn from each iteration.

6. Stepping Out: From Planning to Action

The final step in the PEARLS framework is to step out of the comfort zone and put plans into action. Managers can guide teams through developing actionable steps to address their challenges, using simulation activities to practice these strategies. Emphasizing the role of Hero Powers in effective implementation ensures that the team is not only prepared but confident in their ability to succeed.

Action Steps:

• Guide the team through the development of actionable steps to address the challenge.
• Conduct a commitment circle where each member pledges their role in the action plan.

Conclusion

Implementing the PEARLS framework in team coaching is a powerful way to unlock the full potential of your team. By focusing on purpose, leveraging experience, fostering a positive attitude, building resilience, encouraging continuous learning, and stepping out of comfort zones, managers can create a dynamic and adaptable team ready to tackle any challenge. The Fiends & Hero Model provides an added layer of depth, helping teams to understand their internal dynamics and harness their strengths effectively. In a world where change is constant, these tools and techniques are not just helpful—they are essential for long-term success.

Coach Tom is an Official Member of the Forbes Coaches Council (2024).?Check out the various articles by #CoachTom on AI+Web3, leadership, organization transformation, strategy. Check out his YouTube and stay updated on his exciting projects at:

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