Case Studies
Building lasting relationships with our clients is one of the most important parts of what we do. In order to maintain mutual trust, we have chosen to keep these case studies anonymous. If you want to find out more about the work outlined in a particular case study, please get in touch. We’ll connect you with people who can explain the work we’ve done together.
When teams merge
“It was like a lightbulb had been turned on. I’ve learnt things about myself and my team that make a real difference to how we work. It’s a new beginning for our team. We now have a solid foundation to reach new heights.”
How it started
Our client heads up a crucial team in the UK division of an influential firm, developing pharmaceuticals to target rare diseases. Following a promotion, her remit expanded and she now heads up both the Regulatory and Quality teams in tandem, an entirely new challenge. FiveAndCo. were asked by this leader to help empower her newly blended team. Her hope was that they would understand the possibilities of this recent transition instead of focussing exclusively on the challenges.
The Journey
Our client's job was to use her leadership to bring together the Quality and Regulatory teams. As we listened to her challenge, it was clear that the merging of these teams had caused tension. There was uncertainty about the disruption this change would cause and distrust between new team members.
To add to the challenge, the team work remotely. Misunderstandings and conflicts were common and it seemed no one was truly on the same page. The team was frustrated and morale was low. There was tangible friction, and due to clashes in communication styles, two members in particular found themselves colliding.
It was clear the team needed to come together around a shared sense of purpose, with the tools to make sure that every voice was heard and valued.
We organised an initial short, sharp intervention with the team over a day and a half. For many, it was the first time the colleagues had ever met in person. We ran a workshop which challenged individuals to consider their own thinking and working styles and how they might differ from their colleagues’. We created a safe space for the team to set out their shared values and goals, creating that all-important sense of alignment.
The workshop gave team members the ability to recognise their own communication strengths and blind spots. Through a series of interactive exercises and discussions, we presented them with the tools they needed to understand each other better and resolve conflict when it occurs. These skills were critical for the team as they navigated the challenges of merging two distinct cultures and ways of working. This wasn’t simply two teams joining together, but forging a new, third way.
The results were instantaneous and transformative.
Team members left the workshop feeling energised and motivated to put their new skills into practice. Specifically, there was a fresh understanding of their team voice, proving that when a whole team is united around shared values and a common goal, their capacity to thrive is unmatched and they can make a significant and meaningful impact in the lives of patients.
The Future
This new team now has a mutually-agreed purpose and a set of practical steps to follow when they face challenges. They have been reinvigorated with a sense of belonging and direction. Their remit is a challenging one, balancing an ambitious growth programme with rigorous Regulatory and Quality processes, but they now possess a workable toolkit to approach these challenges as a unified team, allowing them to truly thrive in this new environment.
FiveAndCo. are proud to have played a role in this transformation, and grateful to the leader who made it possible. It was a reminder of the power of communication and the role it plays in building strong, successful teams that ultimately improve the lives of patients.
