Transforming Team Culture: How Leadership Coaching Took Us from “Passive Execution” to Win-Win Collaboration
Root-Cause Thinking x Trust-Based Communication, A First-Hand Experience of Unleashing Team Potential
The Starting Point: A Desire to Break Free from Old Paradigms
Before receiving leadership coaching, my default approach was “rapid analysis + immediate solution.” On the surface, this seemed highly efficient. Still, whenever a similar issue arose, my team members would react passively, waiting to be told what to do. I longed to transform our team culture and create a safe environment where everyone was willing to take responsibility and initiative without my constant direction.
This coaching journey laid that foundation: it helped me grow while also seeing the team begin to transform!
Strategic Thinking: Identifying the Root Cause
In every coaching conversation, my coach would interrupt, pull me back, and guide me at the right moment, allowing me to slow down, gather my thoughts, and unpack each aspect of the issue. By asking probing questions, I could dig deeper and understand the root cause of the problem rather than rushing to an instinctive solution.
“When I moved away from providing ‘quick answers’ and intentionally created space for discussion and proposals, my colleagues began to step up.”
Alex Wu
Director, Administration & Information Management Department, Bread of Life Christian Church in Taipei
This shift not only benefited me personally but also had a positive impact on the team.
Team Co-Creation: Activating Potential
When I moved away from providing ‘quick answers’ and intentionally created space for discussion and proposals, my colleagues began to step up. They contributed ideas and worked together to develop solutions. As a result, knowledge and experience began to be shared naturally through daily conversations, transforming the team from merely following orders to actively collaborating and co-creating, thereby enhancing the team’s overall capability.
This new operating model allows us to leverage one another’s experiences and fosters our growth as we collaboratively explore issues that arise.
Trust-Based Communication: Encouragement Brings Us Closer
Transforming team culture starts at the top. Through coaching, I realised that I needed to offer more encouragement, affirmation, and gratitude. I began experimenting with starting conversations with positive words.
As I practised this approach, I noticed that my sub-team leaders and colleagues became more open and direct in their discussions. Words of affirmation, encouragement, and attentive listening not only brought us closer together but also fostered a greater sense of trust in our interactions.
Win–Win Results: Upgraded Team Culture
The resources provided by my coach at the appropriate time, whether they are inspiring articles, practical skills, or useful tools, have greatly enhanced my work and even led to breakthroughs.
By developing action plans at the end of each coaching session and consistently applying the lessons I learned, I have also gained tangible and direct feedback in areas such as interpersonal relationships, work challenges, and other aspects of my life.
Seeing the positive results emerging has convinced me that this transformation has created a win-win situation, allowing everyone involved to benefit from one another.