Have you heard our clients describe what happens when they work with us?
Unlocking Potential: From Resistance to Cohesion
When Sam stepped into his new leadership role at a global pharmaceutical company, he inherited more than a team—he inherited a tribe. With deep loyalties to their previous leader and established ways of working, the group viewed Sam with skepticism.
“I was brought in to drive change and growth,” Sam explained, “but faced subtle resistance at every turn. I needed to reshape the leadership team while expanding our scope—all without fracturing what already worked.”
The Challenge
Sam faced a delicate balancing act: honoring the team’s established strengths while disrupting unproductive patterns. Every aspect was in flux—team composition, reporting structures, and strategic direction—creating a potentially volatile situation that required careful navigation.
Our Work Together
We began with a two-day leadership retreat in a lakeside hotel. Observing the boats on the lake, we were inspired to use a sailing metaphor to explore team dynamics in a neutral, engaging context. The carefully designed environment allowed team members to relax, reflect, and consider new perspectives, both individually and collectively.
Following the retreat, I provided ongoing team coaching, offering real-time feedback and helping the group develop more effective collaboration practices. When the pandemic hit, we pivoted to virtual workshops to reset team dynamics and integrate new members.
The Impact
The team experienced remarkable transformation. What began as resistance evolved into cohesion as members realized they were “all on the same side” rather than viewing Sam as an outsider imposing change.
Together, they developed a shared vision, mission statement, and value propositions that created alignment around goals and priorities. Long-standing members became more open to new approaches, while new team members integrated smoothly into the evolving culture.
This foundation of trust and common purpose enabled improved communication and more effective decision-making—ultimately building a unified leadership approach capable of driving meaningful organizational change.
Get in touch and find out how you can get results like this for your team!