An operations exec at a mid-sized manufacturing firm asked for help with a pressing issue. He revealed:
“My team is ‘eking by’ with subpar performance. Even though they have clear objectives and ample skills, they lack drive. Everyone’s doing the bare minimum. I can’t figure it out, but it’s been dragging on for a while.”
While having clear objectives is great, teams also need a strong sense of shared vision and enthusiasm. Mediocrity doesn’t have to be the norm. It can be changed with the right strategy and leadership.
What sets apart a team that merely survives from one that truly thrives? The key lies in shifting focus from just completing tasks to fostering genuine engagement and recognition.
In this episode, I’ll share how this exec turned his situation around with a targeted coaching plan to build a culture of high performance.
It’s pretty common for ops teams to deal with communication barriers like information silos, misunderstandings, and lack of transparency, which can undermine collaboration and trust. For me, it’s a privilege to help them navigate these challenges.
From the start it was clear that the root of this client’s problem wasn’t a lack of skill or clear objectives. So, we embarked on a journey to elevate a functioning team to one that excels. We approached this through four strategic phases:
Enhancing Team Health with Open Communication
First, we focused on a psychologically safe environment. This meant establishing a space where team members felt comfortable taking risks without fear of repercussions.
We began with private coaching sessions for the leader and the entire team, to uncover underlying issues and develop personalized growth strategies. These sessions provided insights into hidden strengths and areas for improvement, laying the groundwork for a more cohesive team dynamic.
Next, we held team coaching sessions. Team coaching improves team health through reflection and guided inquiries. It’s designed to address the real-world challenges a team faces and is tailored to their needs.
A ‘culture of nice’ had prevented honest dialogue, leaving issues unresolved for months, even years. In these “safe space” meetings, team members were empowered to share their hidden concerns, offer constructive feedback, and resolve long-standing issues.
This shift helped team members feel supported, valued, and re-engaged. It paved the way for more transparency and effectiveness.
Then we leveraged diverse perspectives. Recognizing that different skills, experiences, and viewpoints could lead to innovation, we held an inclusivity workshop.
Using the Enneagram system, team members gained deeper insights into each other’s personalities and motivations. Working with this framework revealed strengths and potential friction points. It became a powerful resource to keep their team dynamic healthy.
Last but not least, we held structured problem-solving sessions that demonstrated how diverse perspectives could lead to new solutions. Team members began to recognize the unique strengths each person brings, and created a space where every voice was valued.
From Good to Great: The Impact of Team Coaching on Morale and Performance
Through these sessions, the team:
- Clarified individual goals and roles
- Established new team objectives
- Developed new communication protocols, and
- Began trusting each other to understand their responsibilities, reducing overlap, and
- Worked out how to make conflict a resource for them instead of a breaking point.
The results were remarkable. Within a few months, the team made significant gains in both morale and performance. They moved from merely meeting expectations to actively pursuing excellence together. As their productivity increased, they gained a reputation for innovation.
They also rediscovered the fun of collaboration. In our last meeting, the client smiled and said:
“The results speak for themselves. I’ve got the dream team now!”
Mediocrity is not a destiny, it’s a choice. Choose to lead your team to greatness.
Today I’ll leave you with this question: What would it mean for your team’s success if everyone felt safe to share their honest opinions and ideas?
If you liked this episode, you might be interested in Episode 33, ‘3 Keys to Empowering Your Ops Team’. You’ll find it at yourfuturerealized.com/33.
You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.
