Case Study - A Management Team Day: Vision, team spirit and action
“Challenging”, “Revealing”, “Visionary”, “Informative”, “Realistic”, “Necessary”. These are some of the words the Senior Management Team of Centurion Management Systems used to describe their day together. They turned broad 10 year goals into a clear and inspiring vision for the next 3 years, agreed actions to get moving on, and built a deeper level of team understanding and commitment. Here, Managing Director Jonathan Richards tells his story of a team day with Neil Scotton.
"I wanted vision and action that takes us forwards as a team, as a business and as individuals – something that would take us towards our shared and independent aspirations for the next 10 years. Having worked with other coaches and facilitators I know how important it is to get the planning right - the processes must not be rejected by any team members. Our day working with Neil several weeks before had been very well received by everyone – and had gained the trust that this was a team process, not a ‘Jonathan’ process.
This day did not disappoint. We manoeuvred through complex issues and at times difficult conversations, rediscovered important ideas, found new insights and can now see a clear way forwards.
There were big surprises too. I discovered just how passionate we are about the environment. Whilst we had been making steps in the right direction we hadn’t really discussed this before. I thought people would be neutral or even against it. The environment is now clearly on our agenda and we will play our part by developing our business practices and doing what we can to help. The cat is out of the bag!
It was also interesting to note when we got onto a subject how little talking and sharing we had actually previously done. We hadn’t been talking deeply like we did on this day. I know now we have the making of being good friends as well as a highly effective business team.
With the outcomes of the day, I know how we will grow as a team, as a business and as individuals. It has given us a good feed and water, and the sun is now up! It’s pulled us together and revitalised us with a common objective. We have seen the further goal and have the passion, desire, hunger and clarity to go for it"
Jonathan Richards - Managing Director - Centurion Management Systems