The ten-person management team — spanning programme delivery, finance, MRM, and operations across active MSD programmes — was well-run function by function. The gap was the connective tissue between them. Under pressure, functions pulled in different directions. The team had the technical skills, systems, and structures it needed. The challenge was relational: limited trust, weak cross-functional collaboration, and insufficient psychological safety.
Who we worked with
Swisscontact country management team
Format
9 team sessions, delivered online over a 6 month period
What we did
We began with a diagnostic process to understand the nature of the performance constraint. The evidence pointed to a relational challenge rather than a technical one. The team did not need more training or new systems. It needed a structured process to strengthen trust, improve communication, and build the conditions for effective collaboration. The coaching approach included:
- A confidential coaching space governed by a tripartite agreement, giving all participants shared ownership of the objectives and process.
- Sequential team coaching sessions that worked directly on patterns of communication, trust, accountability, and collaboration across functions.
- Explicit coaching on psychological safety, treating it as a prerequisite for effective teamwork rather than a standalone objective.
What changed
- More open and honest dialogue across functions and management layers, supported by higher levels of trust and psychological safety.
- Stronger collaboration on shared MSD delivery challenges, reducing siloed decision-making and improving coordination.
- Greater willingness to surface and resolve difficult issues within the team, rather than avoiding or escalating them.
- A more adaptive management team, able to respond to implementation challenges with greater flexibility, collective ownership, and accountability.
From the client
“This team coaching experience created a safe and structured space for us to surface and address internal issues that are often left unspoken in day-to-day work. It helped us build stronger trust, clearer communication, and a more open team culture. As a result, we now work with greater cohesion and alignment.”
Arafat Hossain, Country Director, Swisscontact Uganda
Want to discuss how we can help you?
Contact our coaching team to discuss your specific coaching needs and we can tailor a package that suits you and your organisation. Get in touch to find out more about how the process works and indicative pricing.