Coaches Heli Teerenhovi and Katja Seppänen help teams improve collaboration using personality profiling.

In today’s work environment, collaboration is increasingly taking place not only within teams but also across various organizational boundaries. Many organizations struggle with the need to collaborate across teams, say coaches Heli Teerenhovi and Katja Seppänen.

They facilitate team development workshops where collaboration is improved by deepening each team member’s understanding of their personality using the Workplace Big Five Profile.

They consider the WorkPlace Big Five, which is designed to enhance understanding of natural tendencies, an excellent tool for strengthening and fostering collaboration.

“When we understand how we differ, we are more likely to accept one another, and it becomes easier to work together. Trust builds, enabling collaboration, and we realize that the other person isn’t being difficult on purpose,” says Seppänen.

The individual debrief of the profile provides a good foundation for coaching

Before the team’s joint coaching session, Teerenhovi and Seppänen have all participants complete the WorkPlace Big Five profile and conduct an individual debrief for each team member.

“The individual debrief ensures that the person understands that the profile results reflect natural tendencies, that there are no right or wrong profiles, and that the tool is especially useful for deepening self-knowledge. This creates a strong foundation for coaching,” explains Seppänen.

Many come to the debrief with skepticism: Am I being measured and labelled again?

“But afterward, they feel relieved and excited to have gained so much insight about themselves. This creates an excellent starting point for coaching, because people are no longer defensive, but are open and receptive,” Seppänen says.

Support in delivering the development programmes

The individual debrief also supports the coaches during the team development workshops, as it gives them an understanding of the participants’ natural traits.

“We are better able to take these traits into account during the session. If someone tends to hold back, we can encourage them to be more open. It requires situational awareness and emotional sensitivity,” Seppänen says.
“Or if we notice group dynamics that might show up in day-to-day work, we break that pattern and, in doing so, create a different kind of experience for the participants and ensure that everyone gets a chance to express their thoughts,” Teerenhovi adds.

Discussing personality traits

During the joint team session, the profile insights are aligned with the theme of the coaching. Seppänen and Teerenhovi select personality traits that typically foster collaboration —or, conversely, hinder it—for group discussion.

“Our approach is strongly rooted in understanding: how can you meet others halfway in different situations and make collaboration smoother? The goal is for people to better understand both their own and others’ behaviour,” Seppänen explains.

Teerenhovi and Seppänen challenge the team to reflect on how their individual differences show up in everyday work and how these can be better acknowledged.

“Team coaching sessions have led to surprising insights and “aha moments”—realizations like: “So that’s how you see it!” Teerenhovi describes.

These kinds of realizations are ideal to guide the discussion forward. For example, how can the team make space for individuals who don’t express their opinions as openly? How can their voices be heard so that everyone’s expertise and perspectives contribute to the shared discussion?

No need to fear emotions

After the team development workshops, Seppänen and Teerenhovi remain available if anyone wants to revisit topics that came up during the sessions.

“Sometimes you notice strong or even difficult emotions, but often they turn out to be part of personal growth along the way. There’s no need to fear them, but it’s important to create a safe space for them,” Teerenhovi explains.

WorkPlace Big Five – a tool for both coaches and organizations

In addition to coaches, WorkPlace Big Five is an excellent tool for organizations themselves, and a growing number of organizations around the world have already added it to their toolkit.

With WorkPlace Big Five, you can:

Develop team performance
Build teams by leveraging the strengths of different personalities
Strengthen the team skills in the workplace

Whether you’re a coach or an organizational leader, read more about WorkPlace Big Five – and take the next step toward more effective team development.

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Heli Teerenhovi is a coach, personal trainer, and WorkPlace Big Five profiler, specializing in self-awareness and performance enhancement.

Katja Seppänen is a coach, mentor, and WorkPlace Big Five profiler.