When Executive Team Coaching Isn’t the Right Starting Point: The Individual Problem Trap
“...when you have an individual problem, you need an individual solution”
Of course we’re going to say executive team coaching is a powerful lever for transforming leadership teams—and we know it’s not a magic fix for every problem.
…Especially when what’s holding your team’s performance back is one person’s unskillful behavior.
When leaders ask us if team coaching is right for them and we suspect this is the case, putting everyone in a room for team coaching isn’t just the wrong move—it’s a waste of your team’s time, trust, and budget.
Watch out for the Individual Problem Trap:
Is this about the team, or is it really about one person’s inability (or unwillingness) to step up? If it’s the latter, don’t punish high performers by making them sit through “team development” that’s really about someone else.
Executive team coaching is best for shifting team dynamics, not repairing the ripple effects of one leader’s actions.
Trying to “solve” an individual problem with a group solution erodes trust, wastes everyone’s time, and sends the message that accountability doesn’t matter.
The fastest way to real progress when it’s really about an individual?
Targeted, one-on-one executive coaching with the individual
Direct intervention with the team leader to assess: is this really a team challenge…or are you avoiding a tough conversation with one person?
Want to stop tiptoeing around real issues and actually move your team forward? Let’s talk about what will truly increase performance.The issue just keeps showing up.
