One of the most significant shifts this team made over the past year was moving from a group of individual leaders to a truly cohesive executive team.

Early in the journey, it became clear that while each executive was highly skilled and committed to the business, alignment and cohesion were lacking.

Silos had formed, decision-making was fragmented, and trust – while present – was not at the level required for high performance.

As the journey progressed, the team worked intentionally on breaking down barriers, improving communication, and ensuring that they acted together as one leadership body.

Yesterday, they reported that this shift had been game-changing. They now approach decisions collectively, support each other openly, and ensure that a consistent message flows from the executive team down through the organisation.

One of the most powerful lessons from this journey was the realisation that trust is built through accountability, honesty, and the courage to have hard conversations. In the early months, there was hesitancy to challenge each other.

However, as trust deepened, the team started to embrace tough discussions – calling things out in the moment, addressing misalignment directly, and holding one another accountable for commitments.

During our final session, several executives shared how this shift had impacted their leadership.

• One leader noted that their biggest personal growth came from learning to “be the last to speak” in meetings – allowing space for their team to contribute before stepping in.
• Another highlighted how confronting poor performance and in several cases, bad behaviour, has improved morale on the team and brought the team much closer together.

Another key takeaway was the importance of clear, consistent communication.

In the past, messages were diluted as they travelled through the organisation, creating noise and confusion. The executive team recognized that their role is not just to set strategy. It’s also to ensure that every employee understands why their work matters and how it contributes to the bigger picture.

By committing to regular engagement, reinforcing key messages, and ensuring alignment before communicating, the team has been able to create a stronger sense of direction and commitment across the business.

One executive summed it up well …

Perhaps the most meaningful outcome of this journey was the realisation that leadership is not just about results – it’s about people.

This team learned that their primary role is to develop and empower others, creating an environment where people feel valued, trusted, and inspired to perform at their best.

As we closed our final session, the sense of energy and renewed commitment was palpable. This was no longer just a group of executives—it was a unified leadership team, acting with purpose, clarity, and trust.

Their journey isn’t over, but they are now equipped with the tools, mindset, and relationships to lead together, as one.

And that is what truly makes a difference.

Drawing from the experiences of this team over the past year here are some reflection questions to help you do so.