What is it?

Six practical team workshops using the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model to build trust, clarify roles, solve conflicts, and move teams to high performance effectively.

Why is it useful?

These workshops help teams clearly visualise and track their development. They provide a shared language to openly address challenges, quickly identify issues, and build trust. By clarifying purpose, roles, and expectations at each stage, teams improve alignment, accountability, and performance, making it valuable for all types of teams.

The Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model was developed by Allan Drexler and David Sibbet in the 1980s, mapping seven stages teams move through from orientation to high performance and renewal.

Objectives

• Clearly define their team’s purpose and objectives.
• Improve trust and openness within their teams.
• Identify specific issues holding them back.
• Agree on clear roles and responsibilities.
• Gain tools to sustain high performance without burnout.

Process

Workshop 1: Clarifying Team Purpose (2 hours)

Title: Getting Started Together

Materials Needed:

• Virtual whiteboard (e.g., Miro)
• Video conferencing platform

Workshop Plan

1. Brief welcome and introductions (15 min)
2. Define team purpose together on virtual whiteboard (20 min)
3. Story-sharing activity in breakout rooms (30 min)
4. Create a "Team Commitment" list of behaviours (30 min)
5. Reflection and closing comments (25 min)

Workshop 2: Established Team Facing Conflicts (3 hours)

Title: Building Trust, Clarifying Goals

Materials Needed:

• Flipchart paper or virtual whiteboard
• Sticky notes (digital or physical)

Workshop Plan

1. Open discussion on current team challenges (30 min)
2. Trust-building exercise (e.g., personal storytelling, small groups) (40 min)
3. Clarify and prioritise shared team goals (45 min)
4. Develop actionable steps to achieve these goals (45 min)
5. Group reflection and commitment (20 min)

Workshop 3: Project Team Struggling with Execution (2.5 hours)

Title: Clear Roles, Clear Commitments

Materials Needed:

• Role clarity templates
• Task-tracking tools (Trello or Asana)

Workshop Plan

1. Brief review of current state and challenges (20 min)
2. Clarify roles with a simple role-mapping exercise (30 min)
3. Confirm clear task ownership and deadlines (40 min)
4. Group alignment check-in (30 min)
5. Commit publicly to responsibilities (30 min)

Workshop 4: High-Performing Team Approaching Burnout (2 hours)

Title: Sustaining High Performance

Materials Needed:

• Visual timeline of team achievements
• Reflection prompts on sustainability

Workshop Plan

1. Reflective discussion celebrating achievements (30 min)
2. Group exercise: identify signs of burnout and stress (30 min)
3. Brainstorm strategies to sustain energy and engagement (30 min)
4. Set new, energising goals together (20 min)
5. Wrap-up and commitment to renewal actions (10 min)

Workshop 5: Cross-Functional Team Needing Alignment (2.5 hours)

Title: Aligning Cross-Functional Teams

Materials Needed:

• Large visual board or digital collaborative space
• Clear templates for shared goals

Workshop Plan

1. Identify shared challenges across functions (20 min)
2. Clarify and visualise overarching team objectives (30 min)
3. Map individual departmental roles to these objectives (40 min)
4. Create action plans for cross-functional collaboration (40 min)
5. Closing commitments and check-out (20 min)

Workshop 6: Team After Major Organisational Change (3 hours)

Title: Reset & Renewal Post-Change

Materials Needed:

• Timeline or visual representation of recent changes
• Reflection and planning tools

Workshop Plan:

1. Open reflection: acknowledging change openly (30 min)
2. Group discussion about what feels uncertain or unclear (40 min)
3. Collaborative redefinition of team purpose post-change (50 min)
4. Setting refreshed priorities and objectives (40 min)
5. Commitment and reflection (20 min)