Challenge

A non-profit leadership team in environmental education faced resource constraints and sector instability that created stress and overwhelm. Despite a clear organizational purpose, the team struggled with internal alignment. Day-to-day firefighting overshadowed strategic goals, undermining fundraising and organizational sustainability. Misunderstandings about roles, priorities, and accountability were common, and the team leader was overwhelmed with responsibilities that needed to be redistributed across the team.

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Approach

Through seven structured team coaching sessions, Fenneke implemented a systemic approach focused on three areas:

1. Assessing Team Dynamics using individual interviews, surveys, and the High Value Creating Team Questionnaire to understand current versus desired future states;

2. Developing Key Team Skills including role clarification, empathetic communication, conflict resolution, and distributed leadership strategies;

3. Creating Sustainable Change by establishing SMART goals and KPIs, defining shared practices, and appointing "Champions" to maintain accountability beyond the engagement.

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Impact

• Enhanced Team Dynamics: Communication became more open and transparent, psychological safety increased, and the team developed stronger collaboration and shared responsibility

• Improved Organizational Effectiveness: Clearly defined roles, streamlined decision-making, and refined meeting structures freed up time for strategic work and prioritized fundraising efforts

• Sustainable Leadership Development: Distributed leadership reduced over-reliance on a single leader, while Champions maintained momentum and embedded continuous improvement.​