Retail Bank
Leadership Offsite
Opportunity
Two leadership teams within a major Retail Bank were preparing to merge under a potential co-leadership model. The teams and their leaders had differing leadership styles, communication methods and working cultures.
There was a clear need to:
- Build psychological safety and trust across the teams
- Develop mutual understanding between the co-heads
- Clarify collaboration expectations
- Explore how to align leadership styles and navigate potential challenges in working as one unified team
The Bank wanted to engage with a behavioural strategist specialising in the identification and development of elite performance for this opportunity. Hence, a skilled coach/ team facilitator with previous experience with the team leader was specifically engaged by Sheridan Worldwide to support this integration, laying the foundation for effective collaboration and future team structure.
The solution
The facilitator collaborated with key stakeholders to co-design a tailored approach, beginning with Hogan personality assessments for all team members and 1:1 meetings to build rapport and trust.
Delivery included a two-day offsite in May featuring:
- Interactive trust-building exercises
- Facilitated discussions on leadership styles, team dynamics and collaboration
- Group analysis of team strengths and blind spots using Hogan insights
- Open, reflective dialogue to address both individual and collective needs
The facilitator’s pragmatic and engaging facilitation style created a psychologically safe space for honest conversation and alignment. Supported by 1:1 Hogan debriefs this enabled deep insight and a sustainable plan with key metrics along the way.
Impact
Strengthened mutual understanding between both leadership teams, including:
- Improved cohesion and cross-functional collaboration
- Greater awareness of individual and team dynamics
- Opened channels for more transparent communication
- Positive feedback on the facilitator’s insightful, engaging approach
- Ongoing support through 10 hours of ad hoc virtual coaching to aid leadership transition and sustain momentum
“Warren’s work with our CAPL and MS&I teams was nothing short of exceptional. We were facing the complex challenge of merging two high-performing teams with very different cultures, leadership styles and communication norms. Warren stepped in with clarity, empathy and sharp insight. He created an environment of deep psychological safety—something I’ve rarely seen done so effectively—and gave us the tools and frameworks to have the hard conversations that ultimately brought us together as one aligned leadership team.
Joint Head of Retail Bank.