I was speaking with a client recently who is really worried about engaging in any team activities any time soon.   

You see, their recent offsite was a disaster.  In retrospect, they described it as the perfect storm. 

A new leader with limited trust built with the team 

A diagnostic tool that the team did not rate 

A facilitator who lacked empathy 

Leaders who avoid having genuine conversations with colleagues   

A feeling of anxiety amongst the leadership team that is feeling contagious 

This team is far from high performing, in fact they are underperforming as a team.  This new leader has a small window of opportunity to build trust, strengthen the relationships within the team, align the team to the strategy and get them performing.   

The Prescription 

More activity to fix the team right now will not work.  In a team where trust has been compromised, repair and reset work is required.   This includes deliberate activity that is well paced, and in service of where the team is at.  To address the issues there are three areas of focus: 

Connection – Here we create a connection between the person, the work, and the team.  We build trust, develop a greater self awareness of self and others, connect to the purpose of the team and roles and we connect to each other. This connection happens through the work.  It may feel bumpy at times, and we acknowledge that this is part of the process.  At times we will come together beautifully and at others we may feel like we repel from each other.  This is all part of forming a connection that can be sustained.   

Alignment – Just like tetris, we are ensuring all the blocks fit.  We work with the blocks we have, rotating as we need to.  In alignment we are checking for fit and building on our connection.  Once we understand more about ourselves and each other, we can align to our goals.  The goals need to be shared.  If we are both as invested as each other, we will care about achieving the goal.  Like a car needing a wheel alignment, we will check alignment every now and again, but then we are good to go.  We are pointing in the right direction, and it feels great to achieve together. 

Performance– Here we are humming.  It works.  We are doing our thing, doing work that matters with people we enjoy working with.  All components work.  We are all moving in the same direction.  We feel the benefits of individual and collective performance. Others notice it enviously.   We will have bumps and we work through them because that is part of performance.  If our connection is high, and our alignment is a focus, we will make our way through the bumps, stronger and with greater understanding.  

Overcoming team turbulence requires a strategic approach focused on connection, alignment, and performance. By prioritising these three areas, teams can build trust, synchronise goals, and achieve higher performance. With commitment to these principles, even the most turbulent teams can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and success. 

Here’s how we can work together:

💬 One-on-one coaching

🎯 Leadership development and training

🎤 Book me as a Speaker or MC for your next event

Rita Cincotta writes, mentors, and speaks about deliberate leadership. She works with organisations to develop better leaders that support people and businesses to thrive. You can download Rita’s new whitepaper, Deliberate Leadership here.