The start
Gordon (HR Director) and Cliff (UK President) invite us to work with the UK leadership team to develop their teamwork and a shared 5 year vision. The UK company started only 8 years ago and today has 6000 staff and 460 stores. With continuing fast growth planned and imminent change in the team (including Cliff moving into an EMEA regional role), a shared focus is crucial.

What happened?
It took time to get started (6 months to agree a workshop date!). Directors focused on delivery today were more in functional silos than shaping the future. Get-to-know-you meetings revealed frustrations at being late with the vision, suspicion at preparation work being done by colleagues (is this going to be a fait accompli?) and doubts about whether the team could possibly agree a vision in the time available.

Despite this an initial 2 day workshop produced results: a loose qualitative vision, 5 agreed upon "workstreams" each "owned" by 2 members of the team, and a new sense of capability as a team. However the energy dissipated quickly on return to the workplace. As a "conscience", we reminded directors of their commitments and booked a follow-up meeting. This generated a last minute rush of activity, just in time to take the vision to the next tier (a business planning meeting of 28 "direct reports" the following week).

By the end
Direct reports pleased at last to have a vision, agreed with most of it, and raised certain challenges. Their previously unspoken concern about how to resource the business for growth is now being addressed. Further development is planned for both the leadership team and their direct reports.

How does Cliff view progress so far? "Tony has a very personable approach getting close to the heart of our organisation, effectively, and effortlessly, guiding us to achieve the agreed objectives. The individuals were left with an aligned vision and a real belief in the team's ability to deliver their goals."