While coaching teams, we often hear people speak of “elephants
in the room,” “ghosts of the past”, and “toxicity”.

As we reflect on these expressions, it reminds us that all
relationship systems (including teams and organisations) have history. In
that history, there are inevitably memories of conflicts and confrontations, competing
identities, contested agendas and unmet expectations.

What Jung said of individuals holds true for teams – “Everyone carries a shadow, and the
less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser
it is. At all counts, it forms an unconscious snag, thwarting our most well-meant
intentions.”

These shadows are most often unconscious and unspoken,
playing out in unskilful ways, keeping teams from performing at their best. They
are integral parts of the team identity that are denied, buried,
concealed, rejected or marginalised. They may even be perceived as shameful.

The way to work with these is to bring them, with the
necessary kindness and safety, to awareness, through naming them, and
reintegrating them with our conscious. This helps in fostering a healthy,
high-performing environment.

At CalanaMurray, we have developed a process we have called
the “Story Wall”, in which we encourage teams to engage in conversations
about chapters of their past. It helps them tell stories and explore aspects
that are both joyful and painful. They also agree on the parts they wish to
integrate as they co-create their chapter of the future. Bringing unconscious
dynamics to light can transform team interactions and overall effectiveness.

Does this resonate for you? Are you interested in knowing
more? Would you like to speak to us about what your team might need? Scroll down to the bottom of this page and click to book an appointment with us.

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