Matrix working was proving to be a complex challenge for the Transformation Team at VisitBritain/VisitEngland, with new team members and an ever-expanding workload. They needed to focus on becoming a high-performing team, built on unwavering trust for each other and a single-minded focus on delivering their organisational vision.
After a brief discovery process through confidential one-to-ones with each of the team, we designed and facilitated two workshops for the team away from the office. With the main emphasis on building stronger relationships, we delved deep into what made each person ‘tick’, what was keeping them awake at night and how to get the best out of each other. We adapted Merrill and Reid/Nigel Risner’s work on social styles and ‘It’s a zoo around here’ to understand that elephants, lions, dolphins and monkeys each bring something unique to the party and how people needed to flex their own ‘style’ when working with someone else.
There was an additional focus on high performance and we spent time defining ‘great’ for this team, which resulted in a behavioural team charter that everyone could own. Problem-solving interventions also helped the team to find innovative ways to overcome any barriers to matrix working and establish what each team member needed from their colleagues to be effective.
The final piece of the jigsaw was a detailed look at the organisational vision and how all of the transformation projects fitted in and complemented each other. This exercise gave a real helicopter view, an understanding of individual and organisational priorities, flushing out any conflicts and tensions and helping people have a ‘line of sight’ to the vision.