What is it?

A workshop based on the Bateson & Dilts Pyramid that you can use to align a team's purpose, identity, beliefs, behaviours, and environment.

Why is it useful?

This workshop will help you gain a deeper understanding of your team’s dynamics and practical tools to create a more engaged, connected, and high-performing group.

The Bateson & Dilts Pyramid, also known as the Logical Levels of Change, was developed by Robert Dilts in the 1980s and 1990s, building upon the earlier work of anthropologist and social scientist Gregory Bateson on logical categories of learning and communication.

Objective

To align the team’s purpose, identity, beliefs, actions, and environment to foster a cohesive, effective, and supportive team dynamic.

Resources Required

• Time: 4-5 hours
• Number of People: About 4-20
• PowerPoint slides or a whiteboard for the presentation
• The Bateson & Dilts Pyramid summary & key insights
• Action Plan Template
• Large paper on the wall
• Flip charts for recording discussions
• Marker pens

Process

Step 1: Clarifying Team Purpose (45 minutes)

Objective: Align the team with a shared sense of purpose and contribution.

Activity: "Defining Our Why"

1. Discussion: Begin with a group discussion. Ask, “Why does our team exist?” and “What larger purpose do we serve in our organisation or community?”
2. Individual Reflection: Each member reflects for 2 minutes and writes their thoughts on sticky notes.
3. Group Share & Synthesis: Members share their ideas, identifying common themes to create a unified purpose statement.
4. Create a Team Purpose Statement: Draft a concise purpose statement that resonates with everyone.

Step 2: Shaping Team Identity (45 minutes)

Objective: Establish a shared team identity that aligns with the purpose.

Activity: "Who Are We as a Team?"

1. Brainstorming: On a flip chart, write, “Who are we as a team?” Discuss qualities that reflect the team’s identity.
2. Small Group Work: Divide into smaller groups. Each group lists words or phrases describing the team’s identity.
3. Group Share & Consolidation: Share descriptors and select key traits representing the team.
4. Create a Team Identity Statement: Draft a short identity statement that will serve as a foundation for identifying the team's core beliefs and values.

Step 3: Exploring Beliefs and Values (45 minutes)

Objective: Uncover and align our team’s core beliefs and values that drive our behaviours.

Activity: "What Drives Us?"

1. Group Discussion: Explain how beliefs and values influence thinking, feeling, and acting. Ask, “What core beliefs and values guide how we work together and make decisions?”
2. Individual Reflection: Team members write down beliefs and values they think are essential to success on sticky notes.
3. Group Share & Categorisation: Place sticky notes on a flip chart or whiteboard. Group similar ideas into themes.
4. Synthesise: Agree on 3–5 core beliefs and values that align with the team’s purpose and identity. Record these as guiding principles.

Step 4: Connecting Actions to Purpose, Identity, and Beliefs (60 minutes)

Objective: Identify behaviours and capabilities that align with the team’s purpose, identity, and beliefs.

Activity: "Bringing Our Purpose and Identity to Life"

1. Reflection: Ask, “What behaviours and skills do we need to embody our purpose, identity, and beliefs?”
2. Individual Brainstorm: Team members write down actions and skills on sticky notes.
3. Group Share & Categorisation: Place sticky notes on a large paper or whiteboard, grouping into behaviours (what we do) and capabilities (how we do it).
4. Action Plan: Identify 3–5 key behaviours and capabilities. Develop an action plan with actions, ownership, and a timeline.

Step 5: Shaping Our Environment (45 minutes)

Objective: Identify environmental factors that support or hinder our purpose, identity, beliefs, and actions.

Activity: "Creating Our Ideal Workspace"

1. Discussion: Introduce the idea that environment significantly impacts how effectively the team lives its purpose, identity, and behaviours. Ask, “What aspects of our physical or social environment support or challenge our work together?”
2. Brainstorm: Each team member identifies aspects of the current environment that either help or hinder success (e.g., physical workspace, team meetings, communication tools). Write on sticky notes.
3. Group Share & Categorisation: Place sticky notes on a flip chart under “Supportive Environment” and “Challenging Environment.”
4. Identify Changes: Discuss which environmental factors can be changed to better support the team.
5. Action Plan: Develop an action plan to adjust the environment (e.g., reorganise workspace, set new communication norms, regular check-ins). Assign ownership and timeline.

Closing (15 minutes)

1. Discussion: Reflect on how changes to the environment can enhance the team’s ability to align with purpose, beliefs, identity, and behaviours.
2. Commitment: Each member shares a personal or team commitment to nurturing an environment that supports collective goals.