The rising importance of team coaching in modern workplaces

Recent research, such as the Atlassian State of Teams 2024 report, reveals that teams are busier than ever but are accomplishing less. This paradox of busyness and reduced effectiveness highlights the critical need for skilled team coaching, making it a prudent investment for experienced coaches and people professionals including HR practitioners and organisational design consultants.

Atlassian’s report stresses the scale of the problem with an estimated 25 billion hours lost annually due to ineffective collaboration within the Fortune 500. Teams are simply not performing mission-critical work due to disjointed goals, excessive meetings and difficulties in sharing information. This chaotic environment presents a ripe opportunity for team coaches to step in and make a substantial impact.

The changing nature of work

The way we work has transformed significantly, demanding that team dynamics and collaboration methods evolve accordingly. As stated in the Atlassian report, a staggering 93% of executives believe that teams could deliver similar outcomes in half the time if they collaborated more effectively. Yet only 24% of teams are engaged in what it calls mission-critical work. Teams are frequently spread across too many objectives with 64% of knowledge workers feeling constantly pulled in multiple directions. Furthermore, 70% of these workers agree that progress would be more attainable with fewer, more specific goals.

Teams are overwhelmed by notifications and meetings with 65% of knowledge workers priortising quick responses over progress on key tasks. In organisations with poor meeting cultures, 50% more time is spent on unnecessary meetings rather than focusing on high-priority work. Additionally, 55% of knowledge workers struggle to track down information despite knowing many colleagues and 50% have worked on projects only to later discover that another team is doing the same work.

The role of team coaching

In this challenging environment, the role of team coaching becomes indispensable. Team coaches help high-performing teams build the right foundations for effective teamwork by improving processes, practices and tools. The Atlassian research identifies three critical questions top teams address to enhance their effectiveness:

1. Are we working on the right things? Innovative teams prioritise high-impact work over short-term performative goals. They regularly assess whether their work aligns with mission-critical goals, significantly boosting their effectiveness, productivity and adaptability by over 4.6 times.

2. Do we have time to make real progress? Effective teams manage their time wisely, avoiding productivity theatre- the act of appearing busy without actual progress. Teams that plan and track work consistently across all members are 1.6 times to be genuinely productive.

3. Is knowledge easy to find and understand? Teams that make information self-serve are significantly more effective and productive. When information is readily accessible, teams are 4.9 times more effective and 4.4 more times productive and adaptable.

Professional recognition and standards

The importance of team coaching is further highlighted by the efforts of professional bodies such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), EMCC Global and the Association for Coaching (AC). These organisations have recognised the growing field of team coaching and have established competencies and accreditation levels to ensure high standards. Their work legitimises team coaching as a vital discipline and provides a framework for coaches to develop the vital skills to meet the evolving needs of modern teams.

A smart investment in continuing professional development

For experienced coaches and people professionals with backgrounds in facilitation, coaching and organisational development, investing in team coach training can be a shrewd business move. The demand for skilled team coaches is clear, given the current challenges and complexity faced by teams. By gaining experience in this area, professionals can offer invaluable support to organisations, helping them to navigate the complexities of modern work environments and achieve greater success.

In conclusion, as teams face increasing pressures and uncertainty, the role of team coaching becomes ever more critical. The recent findings shared in the State of Teams demonstrate the inefficiencies in current team collaborations and accentuate the need for professional team coaching. By investing in team coach training, professionals can significantly enhance team performance, drive mission-critical work and ultimately contribute to more effective and productive organisations.