NHS Midlands and Lancashire used Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) to help several teams at different stages of their team development to work together effectively and build stronger connections.

Background

SDI is a self-assessment tool that helps people understand what gives them a sense of self-worth and what’s important to them when relating with others. It is a practical and useful self-awareness instrument that delivers proven business and personal outcomes that increase relationship effectiveness.

Over the past year, we have implemented SDI for team development. This included supporting newly formed teams to build stronger connections, establish their identity and plan for future collaboration. We also worked with more established teams to understand motivations, leverage strengths, manage conflict and improve communication.

Action

We conducted a detailed assessment of the team’s needs and goals to ensure they aligned with each other. Using SDI helped us to understand:

• individual motivations and values
• team strengths 
• possible conflict areas.

We then analysed the SDI assessment, combined with insight into team dynamics and performance, allowing us to tailor the design and delivery of development sessions:

• Standalone leadership sessions
• Team development sessions, providing a safe space for discussions
• One-to-one and team coaching focusing on personal and team development
• Integrated sessions within broader organisational development programmes, such as initiatives to support management of change.

Impact

The implementation of the SDI tool yielded significant positive outcomes for the teams.

Facilitation of stronger relationships: SDI provided valuable insights, fostering acceptance, trust and constructive dialogue among team members.

Conflict resolution: By identifying individual motives, values and strengths, SDI enabled the team to navigate conflicts more effectively, reducing underlying tensions and improving understanding

Building Relational Intelligence: Through guided discussions on common ground, areas of disagreement, and decision-making processes, the team developed a deeper understanding of one another, fostering effective communication and collaboration.

Co-designing strategies: The teams were equipped to identify individual and collective strengths, raise and address conflicts in effective manner and co-design strategies aimed at deepening connections and ensuring continued success in future endeavours.

Feedback

“The SDI session provided invaluable insights into the strengths, areas for improvement and motivation drivers of individuals within our team. By understanding these dynamics, we were able to identify key areas for personal and professional development.

“The SDI training significantly expanded our knowledge of interpersonal dynamics and team management. It has enabled us to build stronger relationships and improve collaboration.”

Elizabeth Miller
Director of Nursing, NHS Midlands and Lancashire

For more information

For more information about our workforce transformation services please see our workforce transformation page or please contact us.