To thrive in a rapidly changing, global environment, organizations must be creative, nimble, adaptable, open-minded and results-oriented. Teams are key to success, whether they have been brought together for short-term projects or are formal and long-standing elements of an organization. Teams use collaboration, rather than competition, to produce results. Innovation, flexibility, speed, collective wisdom, securing of resources and support—all the things necessary for an organization to thrive in the 21st century—are fostered within an effective team setting.
Teams exist
to produce
sustainable
results
When teams are performing at their best, the organization as a whole will experience greater productivity, employee satisfaction and growth. The team itself will be able to sustain its success—and thus its positive impact—over the long term.
At Sage Portfolio Group, we have chosen to focus our efforts as a company on assisting teams to achieve their maximum potential. Our motto is "Teams exist to produce sustainable results". Sage Portfolio Group has an innovative approach to working with teams.
Sage Portfolio Group specializes in the Organizational and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) model developed by Marita Fridjhon and Faith Fuller. ORSC has an impressive pedigree, tracing its lineage back to the organizational systems work of Peter Senge; the analysis of high performing teams by Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith; the positive psychology research of Martin Seligman, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton; the studies conducted by John Gottman at the University of Washington’s Relationship Research Institute and by R.J. Marshall and J. M. Lowther for the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization; and Daniel Goleman’s pioneering work in emotional intelligence. Sage Portfolio Group coaches who work with teams have completed rigorous, intensive training in the ORSC program.
ORSC team coaching, or “team systems work” as it is referred to at Sage Portfolio Group, examines the team as a system rather than as a group of individuals. The coach, or “team systems worker”, facilitates group interactions and provides a safe, inspiring space for the team to articulate its needs and values. "The team is the system," says Sage Portfolio Group CEO Melanie Parish, "and all the wisdom is in the team already. Our role is to bring out that team voice. We teach teams to relate positively with and about each other."
Research has established a strong link between the productivity of teams and the nature of the relationships on the team. The most successful teams are those that score high on productivity factors (alignment, accountability, decision-making, leadership etc.) and what are referred to as “positivity” factors (trust, respect, optimism, camaraderie, constructive interaction etc.). Research has shown that a team that increases its positivity will be more productive.
Sage Portfolio Group administers a team assessment tool which measures the team, not individual group members, according to the productivity and positivity success factors. Results are presented in an easy-to-understand profile and are used as a starting point for discussion and action planning. Team systems work often involves a day-long session, broken into segments of between 30 and 90 minutes, that includes team building and examining real-life business problems. “This isn’t about stepping away from work to navel-gaze for a bit”, says Parish. “Sage Portfolio Group’s priority is to maximize the effectiveness of teams and help them get the organization’s work done, whether it is in a workshop or retreat format, or in a day-to-day business setting.” Follow up to the in-person session occurs in a conference call setting for a pre-determined length of time. For sample programs, click here. Program costs vary depending on the scope of the program, including any follow-up, but are in line with fees charged by corporate trainers.
Does all the positive talk and relationship building pay off in the end? "Absolutely," says Parish. "Optimism, respect, camaraderie, and constructive interaction provide a strong foundation for problem solving, because team members trust each other. Team systems work helps teams to find their 'sweet spot' - the place where their skills and passion meet - to share that positive energy and pass it to others. When teams find their voice, they can accomplish great things. Most effective organizations want to hear the team voice and respond to it." Ultimately, these teams are more creative, receptive, productive, inspirational and willing to take risks. The organization as a whole becomes more viable and able to retain employees. For more on specific outcomes for your team, click here.
For more information on team systems work, team building, team coaching or a team building seminar, please click here or call us at 1-800-592-2303.
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