Increasing team performance and managing mental health cases at a Big Three consultancy 

Challenge 

A Learning & Development leader at a leading management consultancy firm asked us to train managers in several European offices on team management, and to upskill HR on how to manage mental health cases. The challenges:

  • Managers | People management is massive topic that’s awash with ideas that don’t translate well into the real world. We had to combine solid theory with practical reality. 

  • HR | Mental health cases are among the most difficult people issues. We had to equip HR with a simple but effective toolkit that would work in different contexts in an area you have to get right. 

Approach 

Our way of thinking was a strong match with the firm, so tailoring our solutions was quick and efficient. For the Team Management programme, we combined our training modules to create two sessions: 

  • Releasing Your Team’s Potential | How to get the best from teams and the individuals within them.

  • Navigating Behaviour and Conflict | Right-sizing slippery slopes and holding key conversations. 

Each session provided the focused and practical approach needed. Managers had time to apply the tools to their teams and share with their peers. 

For the HR training, we created a session covering: 

  • Professional | Making good judgement calls throughout a case. 

  • Personal | Managing your own wellbeing. This is especially important for HR professionals dealing with upsetting and risky cases.  

Results

  • Excellence | The firm rated each session on a five-point scale. The sessions were rated as ‘Excellent’, the highest level. Our partner at the firm singled out our collaborative approach and “ability to touch on such sensitive topics without making it heavy.” 

  • Capability |  Managers found the sessions engaging, relevant, and practical. The level of connection and sharing was so high they felt it was peer coaching. 

  • Adoption |  HR immediately started using our approach to handling sensitive conversations at the firm. 

  • Ongoing | We now facilitate new manager training and have provided individual support to people at the firm.