Susanne and her colleagues had a clear goal in mind. "Partly because of the recent changes in the team, we noticed in the workplace that there was a need to get to know each other better. In addition, we were looking for a way to increase transparency in the team and were looking for tools to give feedback in a positive and constructive way." After investigating the solutions available in the market, Yoni Care ended up with a team session from Thomas. The session was in English due to Yoni Care’s international operations. 

At a team session, a Behaviour assessment is first completed by all members of the team. This test takes just eight minutes and gives an accurate insight into preferred workplace behaviour. A detailed profile is made of each team member's strengths and areas of concern, as well as their communication style, their personal contribution to the organisation, motivators and how they behave under pressure. 

The session, delivered by Thomas’ training expert Antoinette, began with an explanation of Marston's DISC theory, as this theory forms the basis of the assessment. A DISC quiz and supporting videos were also features of the training. Theory was interspersed with practical exercises and real-life examples. At the end of the session, everyone received their personal report to take home, containing the results of the assessment. 

Susanne: "What everyone in the team really enjoyed was the interaction during the training. At the end of the session, we asked everyone to write about all their colleagues; what they are good at, what they could change to perform even better, and a request. This feedback is of course very personal and makes everyone aware of their own behaviour and how this behaviour comes across to other people. Everyone also wrote down what they themselves are proud of. Personally, I regularly review the feedback I received from my colleagues."

It has now been several months since the team session. Looking back, Susanne says, "The main aim of the session was to get to know each other better, to further improve mutual cooperation and learn to work more efficiently. I can say that we succeeded in this. Partly because of the openness and willingness of all team members and the pleasant guidance of the trainer. We also found it important to give each colleague a 'gift' in the form of the assessment results. This gives so many insights into yourself, which are useful for the rest of your life." 

The Yoni Care team has also made strides in terms of providing feedback. Susanne: "Giving each other constructive feedback or addressing deadlines, for example, can be difficult. After we attended the session together, this has become easier. Because we understand ourselves and each other better, it is easier to interpret why some people have trouble with certain things. Instead of someone getting annoyed by this behaviour, we can now approach it in a positive way and help each other move forward."

Susanne finds that the team session has led to more mutual trust among colleagues. "Making yourself vulnerable is only possible in an environment where you can assume that everyone is confident about the information being shared. This is definitely the case now. Since the training, it is easier to hold each other accountable for behaviour."