Long-Term Team Development
Immersive Team Development Program
In today’s rapidly changing world, teams need more than just traditional training or one-off team-building events to thrive. They need immersive learning experiences that challenge their perspectives, foster deep connections, and drive sustainable change. This article outlines a 6-12 month Team Development Program that integrates immersive learning with coaching and action learning to help teams achieve high performance and long-term success.
By immersing teams in real-world experiences that push them out of their comfort zones, we create opportunities for transformative learning that goes beyond the classroom. This program is designed to enhance collaboration, foster innovation, and build resilience within teams, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment.
Why Immersive Learning?
Immersive learning is a powerful tool for team development because it engages the head, heart, and hands of participants. By exposing teams to unfamiliar situations, diverse perspectives, and real-world challenges, we create opportunities for deep learning and behavioural change. Here’s why immersive learning is so effective:
Challenges Perspectives: Immersions push teams to see things differently and question their assumptions, leading to more innovative thinking.
Fosters Empathy: By stepping into the shoes of others, teams develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the people they serve, whether they are customers, colleagues, or community members.
Builds Resilience: Immersions place teams in uncertain and complex environments, helping them develop the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world.
Drives Action: Immersions are not just about learning—they’re about doing. Teams apply what they learn in real-world situations, ensuring that the learning is relevant and impactful.
Program Overview
Our 6-12 month Team Development Program combines immersive learning with coaching and action learning to create a holistic and sustainable approach to team development. Here’s how it works:
Phase 1: Assessment and Planning (Month 1)
Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the team’s dynamics, strengths, and areas for improvement. This may include surveys, interviews, and observations.
Planning: Based on the assessment, create a customized development plan that outlines the team’s goals, key focus areas, and timeline.
Mandate From Team Sponsor: it is essential that each team receives a clear and focussed mandate from their leader.
Phase 2: Immersive Learning and Coaching (Months 2-6)
Immersive Learning: Monthly immersive experiences designed to challenge the team’s perspectives and foster deep learning. These experiences may include visits to local communities, interactions with diverse stakeholders, or hands-on projects.
Coaching: Regular coaching sessions to provide ongoing support and guidance. These sessions may include one-on-one coaching for team leaders and team coaching sessions for the entire group.
Action Learning: Teams work on real projects, applying what they’ve learned in their immersive experiences and receiving feedback from their coach and peers.
Phase 3: Sustaining High Performance (Months 7-12)
Reflection and Adjustment: Teams reflect on their progress and make adjustments to their approach as needed. This may include additional immersive experiences or coaching sessions to address new challenges.
Embedding New Practices: Focus on embedding new behaviors into the team’s culture and daily operations. This ensures that the changes are sustainable over the long term.
Final Evaluation: Conduct a final evaluation to measure the program’s impact and identify areas for further development.
Examples of Immersive Experiences
Here are some in-depth examples of immersive experiences that could be included in the program:
1. Community Engagement: Visiting Harriet’s Recycling Plant in Boxberg
Objective: To learn about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the power of resilience from someone who started with nothing and built a successful business.
Experience:
Meet Harriet and Her Mother: Spend the day with Harriet and her mother, who turned a small recycling operation into a thriving business. Hear their story of overcoming challenges, including limited resources, societal barriers, and environmental constraints.
Hands-On Participation: Participate in the recycling process, from sorting materials to processing them for reuse. This hands-on experience will give the team a deeper understanding of the hard work and innovation required to build a sustainable business.
Community Impact: Engage with local community members who have benefited from Harriet’s business, whether through employment, environmental improvements, or access to recycled goods. Learn how the business has transformed the community and created new opportunities.
Reflection and Application: After the immersion, the team will reflect on the resilience and resourcefulness demonstrated by Harriet and her mother. They will explore how these qualities can be applied to their own work, particularly in sustainability and social impact initiatives.
2. Cultural Immersion: Sharing a Pan-African Meal with Chef Sanza in Yeoville
Objective: To broaden the team’s understanding of diversity, inclusion, and the power of cultural exchange.
Experience:
Meet Chef Sanza: Spend an evening with Chef Sanza, a world-class chef who specializes in Pan-African cuisine. Learn about the cultural significance of the dishes being prepared and the stories behind the ingredients.
Cooking Together: Participate in the preparation of a traditional Pan-African meal, learning about the techniques, flavors, and traditions that define the cuisine. This hands-on experience will foster team bonding and cultural appreciation.
Sharing the Meal: Sit down with Chef Sanza and other guests to share the meal. Engage in conversations about cultural identity, community, and the role of food in bringing people together.
Reflection and Application: After the immersion, the team will reflect on the importance of diversity and inclusion in their own work. They will explore how they can create more inclusive environments and celebrate cultural diversity within their organization.
3. Customer-Centric Immersion: Shadowing Frontline Employees in a Retail Store
Objective: To understand the needs, pain points, and experiences of customers and frontline employees.
Experience:
Shadowing Employees: Spend a day working alongside frontline employees in a retail store, experiencing the challenges they face—whether it’s managing customer inquiries, handling inventory, or dealing with difficult situations.
Customer Interactions: Engage directly with customers, observing their behaviors, listening to their feedback, and understanding their needs. This will provide the team with firsthand insights into the customer experience.
Employee Stories: Hear from employees about their daily challenges, motivations, and aspirations. Learn how the organization can better support its frontline staff and improve the overall customer experience.
Reflection and Application: After the immersion, the team will reflect on the customer journey and the employee experience. They will explore ways to improve customer satisfaction and employee engagement within their own organization.
4. Sustainability Immersion: Visiting a Rural Farming Community
Objective: To learn about the impact of climate change and resource scarcity on agriculture and explore ways to promote sustainability.
Experience:
Meet Local Farmers: Spend the day with farmers in a rural community, learning about their daily challenges—whether it’s unpredictable weather, water scarcity, or access to markets. Hear their stories of resilience and adaptation.
Hands-On Farming: Participate in farming activities, from planting seeds to harvesting crops. This hands-on experience will give the team a deeper understanding of the hard work and innovation required to sustain agriculture in challenging conditions.
Community Impact: Engage with community members who have been affected by climate change, whether through crop failures, economic losses, or migration. Learn how the community is working together to adapt and build resilience.
Reflection and Application: After the immersion, the team will reflect on the impact of climate change and the importance of sustainable practices. They will explore how they can integrate sustainability into their own work, whether through supply chain management, product development, or corporate social responsibility initiatives.
5. Technology and Innovation Immersion: Visiting Alexandra Township to Learn About Fibre-Time
Objective: To understand how technology and innovation can bridge the digital divide and create social impact.
Experience:
Engaging with Families: Spend time with families who have benefited from Fibre-Time’s high-speed internet solution. Hear firsthand how access to the internet has transformed their lives—whether through improved education, access to healthcare, or new economic opportunities.
Meeting Business Owners: Engage with local business owners who have leveraged Fibre-Time’s internet to grow their businesses, expand their customer base, and access global markets. Learn how technology has empowered entrepreneurs and stimulated economic growth.
Understanding the Impact: Learn about the broader social and economic impact of bridging the digital divide, including how it reduces inequality, fosters innovation, and empowers communities.
Reflection and Application: After the immersion, the team will reflect on the power of technology to drive social impact and business growth. They will explore how they can create inclusive solutions that address unmet needs in their own markets.
Key Benefits of the Program
Sustainable High Performance: Our program is designed to create lasting change, ensuring that teams continue to perform at a high level long after the program ends.
Tailored to Your Team: We customize the program to address your team’s specific needs and challenges, ensuring that the learning is relevant and impactful.
Real-World Results: By focusing on immersive learning and action learning, we ensure that teams see tangible results from their efforts, which reinforces the value of the program.
Ongoing Support: Our dedicated coaches provide ongoing support and guidance, helping teams stay on track and address challenges as they arise.
Why Choose Us?
Proven Track Record: We have a proven track record of helping teams achieve sustained high performance through our long-term development programs.
Expert Coaches: Our coaches are highly experienced in team development and have worked with teams across a wide range of industries.
Customized Approach: We tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of your team, ensuring that the learning is relevant and impactful.
Specialists in Team Development Across Africa: We work with specialists in team development who have extensive experience working across the African continent. Our facilitators have developed high-performing teams in diverse industries and cultural contexts, ensuring that our programs are culturally relevant and impactful.
Facilitators: We collaborate with some of the best facilitators on the continent, including Steve Hall, Rosie Chirongoma, Nyeleti Magadza, Jabu Mashinini, and others. These experts bring a wealth of experience in team dynamics, leadership development, and immersive learning.
African Expertise: Our facilitators have worked with top companies such as Discovery LTD, Citi-Bank, Sibanye Gold, Standard Bank, Hollard, Publicis, ABSA, and Duke CE, among others. They understand the unique challenges and opportunities of working in Africa and are skilled at designing programs that drive real results.
Next Steps
Initial Consultation: Schedule a free consultation to discuss your team’s needs and goals.
Assessment and Planning: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of your team’s dynamics and create a customized development plan.
Program Launch: Begin the 6-12 month program with immersive learning experiences, coaching sessions, and action learning projects.
Conclusion
Teams need more than just traditional training or team-building events to thrive. Our 6-12 month Team Development Program integrates immersive learning with coaching and action learning to create a holistic and sustainable approach to team development. By immersing teams in real-world experiences that challenge their perspectives and push them out of their comfort zones, we create opportunities for transformative learning that drives lasting change.
With the support of specialists in team development who have worked across the African continent, we ensure that our programs are culturally relevant, impactful, and tailored to the unique needs of your team. Most importantly, we ensure that teams are aligned to achieve key strategic objectives with the business and that teams can operate within the culture of the company they work for.
