Welcome to Cognitions, the leadership development platform of QI Consulting. Let’s explore how a systemic approach to strategy ‘can help to develop high performing senior leadership teams

Collaboration and effective communication around a shared goal and vision are essential factors in keeping teams motivated. However, teams also need to extend their perspective to encompass horizon watching and be able to predict how decisions in other teams set expectations of them. They need to develop the ability to influence power structures, across ambiguity and complexity, in other systems. The SOAR Hot-Air Balloon Strategy Programme is designed to empower teams to seamlessly transition between a tactical ground-level approach and a strategic horizon oriented focus. Our unique offering is specifically crafted to assist global and senior leadership teams in creating the space for everyone to be heard, increasing their level of comfort with uncertainty and encouraging thoughtful consideration of their impact on the organisation.

Just like in a hot-air balloon flight, high-performance teams start with a clear vision, and set specific goals. The team members need to align their efforts towards a common purpose, ensuring everyone is working towards the same destination. In a hot-air balloon – the pilot and crew need to trust and collaborate with each other to operate the balloon effectively. Similarly, high performance teams rely on trust and effective collaboration among team members. This involves open communication, active listening, and leveraging everyone’s strengths to achieve success. Hot-air balloon flights are highly dependent on weather conditions, requiring adaptability and flexibility to make real-time adjustments. Similarly, high performance teams need to be nimble and adaptable, willing to adjust their strategies and approach, when confronted with unexpected challenges or changes in the external environment. In a hot-air balloon flight, assessing risks, making informed decisions, and ensuring the safety of the team are critical. High-performance teams also need to proactively manage risks, make prompt decisions based on careful analysis, and take collective responsibility for the outcomes.

In a hot-air balloon, the pilot provides leadership by steering a direction, overseeing operations, and guiding the crew. However, successful teams recognize that leadership is not limited to a single individual…. and they can encourage active followership, where each team member takes responsibility and contributes to achieving their collective goals. After a hot-air balloon flight, the team reflects on the experience, identifies areas for improvement, and seeks ways to enhance their performance. Similarly, high teams prioritize continuous learning, feedback, and reflection, to optimize their effectiveness and find opportunities for growth.

Individuals, teams and organisations are also part of bigger systems that encompass not just your organisation but others too, involving internal and external stakeholders and even your competition. We encourage teams to commit to thinking systemically about how they will satisfy future expectations of their stakeholders, and develop their ability to redesign and change systems that are not fit for purpose. This long term approach will ensure teams don’t remain insular, but work towards short term, medium term and long term outcomes. They become adept at building awareness, changing behaviours and creating wider organisational impact.

By exploring the parallels between a hot-air balloon flight and high-performance teams, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the key elements required for developing and sustaining themselves as individuals teams the organisation and across the wider system that you operate in and to achieve outstanding and sustainable results.

If you would like to know more about our Hot Air balloon ‘SOAR’ Strategy approach, contact us and let’s discuss. If you are interested in creating high performance and autonomous teams, that think both systemically, and operationally, Email us, or visit our website at www.cognitions.co.uk for more information.