Silent Team Value Selection: A Transformational Approach for Team Coaching

(This method can be found on page 135 of our Coaching Tools Handbook)

Building a strong, value-driven team is essential for any organization. Yet, defining core team values can be challenging, especially when dominant voices overshadow quieter ones. 

The Silent Team Value Selection method offers a structured, equitable way to define and align a team’s core values, fostering collaboration, self-awareness, and a shared sense of purpose. This method, detailed in the MetaFox Coaching Handbook, creates an environment where every team member’s perspective is valued, ensuring more inclusive decision-making and stronger team cohesion.

Research in organizational psychology shows value alignment is pivotal in enhancing team cohesion and reducing internal conflicts. According to Schwartz's Value Theory , shared values form the foundation for mutual respect and understanding, which leads to higher team performance. Teams with aligned values are likelier to make decisions that reflect collective goals and contribute to a healthy team culture. The Silent Team Value Selection method facilitates this alignment by allowing each team member an equal voice, creating a collaborative and organic process for selecting values that reflect the team’s collective identity.

• metaFox’s ‘What Matters!’ Coaching Cards: These cards serve as the foundation for the value selection exercise, offering a variety of values that prompt reflection and discussion.

• Selection Table: Prepare a table with two sections: ‘Accepted Values’ and ‘Rejected Values’ to track the group’s decisions.

• Psychologically Safe Environment: Ensure a space where each participant feels comfortable sharing their opinions without fear of judgment or interruption.

• Silent Selection: Start by allowing each team member to silently review the cards and select values that they believe best represent the team. This quiet process prevents louder voices from dominating and ensures diverse perspectives.

• Vetoing & Discussion: Once selections are made, each member can veto any value by providing a reason for disagreement. This step promotes thoughtful dialogue and ensures that all opinions are considered before moving forward.

• Finalizing Values: After discussions and vetoes, the team collaboratively refines the list of core values. These values are then prioritized and agreed upon as the team's guiding principles.

• Behavioral Definitions: To make values actionable, each team member defines specific behaviors that embody the selected values. For instance, if ‘transparency’ is chosen as a core value, behaviors might include “openly sharing progress and challenges during team meetings.” These definitions ensure that values are abstract concepts and measurable actions that shape the team's daily operations.

• Integration into Operations: Once the values are defined, they should be integrated into the team’s decision-making processes, goal-setting activities, and conflict-resolution strategies. The team ensures its principles are consistently lived out by embedding the values in these daily activities.

• metaFox ‘What Really Matters!’ Coaching Cards: These cards help teams visually and conceptually engage with values, fostering deep reflection and alignment.

• metaFox Values Compass: This tool assists teams in aligning their personal and organizational values, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working toward shared goals.

A startup was struggling with internal misalignment due to differing values among its team members. They implemented the Silent Team Value Selection method to identify shared core values. Using the metaFox coaching cards as part of the team coaching process, each member silently selected values they felt represented the team, and after several rounds of vetoing and refining, they narrowed down the list to a set of principles everyone could endorse.

They then defined specific behaviors for each value, ensuring they were actionable in their day-to-day work. After integrating these values into their decision-making and communication, the team saw a marked improvement in collaboration, morale, and overall performance. Productivity increased by 30%, and team members reported higher satisfaction with their roles and the group dynamic.

Coaching is an ongoing journey of growth—for both you and your clients. If you found the Silent Team Value Selection method useful, you’ll love the metaFox Coaching Tools Handbook !

🔹 Discover 30+ powerful coaching methods to elevate your practice.
🔹 Learn how to use picture cards, value assessments, and interactive exercises to transform team dynamics.
🔹 Gain practical, step-by-step guidance for coaching both individuals and teams.

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