Northern Businessman behind Global Challenge
Battling against the winds, the wrong way round the world, are 17 ordinary men and women led by one professional skipper, Dee Caffari. Windermere based Gavin worked with the team through QI, to ensure they are as prepared as humanly possibly for what lies ahead.
Chocolate PR are working with Gavin, to make sure as many people as possible hear about his involvement with this amazing project and to help companies understand how QI can work with them to create unstoppable teams.
Methods employed to strengthen the team included Strengths Deployment Inventory, which guided the team through how they are likely to react under times of pressure and conflict.
Qi took the crew, who had met only once before, and in 48 hours had transformed them into a highly motivated, complimentary team, focused on one shared goal. Gavin also worked individually with Dee, who is now recognised throughout the whole fleet as one of the strongest skippers in terms of developing and supporting her team.
Dee said: " I was surprised how quickly Gavin identified the things I did differently when I was succeeding to when I wasn't. I have been able to apply those things easily and to good effect".
Emma Bradley, Crew Member said: "The Team Development weekend was fantastic. Without a doubt it brought us together very quickly into a strong team, fired up and ready to go, much quicker than some other crews. I was apprehensive about the weekend because I didn't know any of the crew but now not only have I now made new friends, I am also so motivated to do the race and I am glad it is with this crew and no one else. The Qi team played a key part in this."
The programme used for "Imagine It. Done" drew on Qi's expertise that is more widely delivered in the "QI Experience", an award winning Team Development & Leadership event combining the dynamic environment of the Sea, with land based training, ensuring that the development is embedded back in the work place or deck of a Round the World Race Yacht.
Gavin said: "Whilst ideal for the "Imagine It. Done" team, the QI experience is also used often for businesses and sports teams who are more used to having their feet on solid ground. We do also conduct training on land, it's just that the sea and our 55ft yachts provide the setting for unpredictability, highlighting the importance of teamwork. What's more, the ever changing nature of the sea provides a powerful metaphor for the business world."
Clients Qi are currently working with include Royal Bank of Scotland, Aon and Reliance Security. For more information see http://www.effectiveteamdevelopment.com/