Ongoing frictions and conflicts between two individuals, whether they are peers or in a manager/direct report relationship, erodes trust and hinders the ability of the two individuals to work effectively together.
Many times one or both parties simply avoid the other or go “backchannel,” which becomes a cycle that reinforces distrust. The more time that goes by, the harder it is to rebuild that relationship.
Pair coaching is particularly effective for addressing critical issues in a way that builds trust.
Pair coaching is a concentrated engagement that typically lasts two to three months, which is enough time for each individual to develop new patterns and behaviors that stick.
This work is customized for the needs of the people and situation. It includes a blend of one-on-one and joint meetings with the two individuals. The focus of the joint meetings is to get agreement on the gaps in the relationship and what needs to happen to address those gaps and repair trust.
In the one-on-one sessions, we work with the individual to understand what internal or external barriers may be getting in the way of making the desired changes, and to identify specific action steps to overcome those barriers.
Throughout this process, the coach ensures that critical issues are surfaced and addressed in a safe, constructive, supportive way for both parties.