Team coaching Overview Team Coaching is a method of leadership training, combining theory and practice. The work always originates from the manager’s own situation and questions at issue, with the mutual aim to develop and strengthen each person in the role as a leader/manager. The definition of coaching In team coaching managers will meet in a group in order to bring up questions, problems, ideas related to the leadership situation. The team will be conducted by a coach. The team members as well as the coach will provide each participant of the team with feedback on the questions that are brought up and the way choosen to handle the situation. Coaching in a team develops the awareness about both strength and development areas for each participant of the team. A group of 6 – 8 managers meets every month or with other intervals considered to be more convenient for the group. The members of the group come from either the same or various other organisations. If they do come from the same organisation it is important that they represent the same level, i.e. that no member has their superior manager in the team. Otherwise the dependence may hinder the openness in the team. However, if there is an agreement about it, some exceptions from this rule may be allowed. Course of action An agreement is made between the participant and the coach about the course of action and the goal for it. The work is then conducted by the coach, based on a ”contract” with descriptions of goals, expected results, the role of the coach, methods of evaluation, professional secrecy, dates, expected presence and absence and other practical arrangements. The team members have an obligation to preserve secrecy. This is a prerequisite for the openness required of a qualified result. The contract will be used regularly to follow up, evaluate and judge if changes of the work will be needed. The work will be based on the contribution from the participating managers with cases at hand where they would like their own issues, problems and behaviour to be illuminated and scrutinized with helpful feedback, comments on how to handle them, using the others’ experience. There will be a follow-up of every such issue at the consecutive meeting in order to further enhance the learning. The coach promotes this with theoretical perspectives and skills helpful to an increased understanding of what really goes on. The team may use different modes of work; participants may have consultative talks with each other, role plays, reflection processes, etc. The coach will suggest these working methods. Effects The team members will each be given considerable chances to increase their leadership directly within the various modes of work used by the team. increase their theoretical proficiency of leadership, organisation theory, change management, etc. enhance the clarity of their assignment as manager and leader. reflect how their own work compares to that of the others.