Case Study:
Transforming a Data & Engineering Team into a High-Performing Team & Department
Client Background
A team of data analysts and engineers within a large organization. The team had recently transitioned under a new manager, and there were challenges stemming from past departmental changes and evolving leadership styles. The team was underperforming and struggling with trust, collaboration, and alignment.
The Challenge
The team faced several barriers to success:
Adjusting to a new manager’s leadership approach
Unresolved tensions from historical changes in the department
Ineffective team dynamics and communication patterns
A reputation across the company as a low-performing group
The Approach
Over the course of a year, I worked with the team and individual members through a blend of team coaching, individual coaching, and leadership development.
Manager Development
Coached the new manager on leadership style, communication, delegation, and inclusion.
Strengthened the manager’s ability to build trust and engage the team effectively.
Team Coaching
Facilitated workshops on communication, decision-making, and project collaboration.
Helped the team define their culture, articulate what high performance meant to them, and identify how to close the gaps in relationships and processes.
Celebrated wins and reinforced positive progress to build confidence.
Creative and Experiential Techniques
Used interactive tools such as LEGO® Serious Play, collaborative exercises, and reflective activities to encourage fresh perspectives and team bonding.
Cross-Departmental Alignment
Supported collaboration with adjacent teams and leaders, ensuring cohesion across the wider department.
The Results
Through this structured process, the team experienced a dramatic shift:
Team dynamics became open, collaborative, and supportive
The manager developed a more inclusive and empowering leadership style
The team gained confidence, improved communication, and embraced shared ownership
The department’s reputation transformed, becoming highly regarded across the company
Client Testimonial
Jonathan Palmer
Data & Analytics Lead
“Yesh was instrumental in turning a dysfunctional team which lacked direction and was compromised by internal frictions into a lean, high velocity, highly functional team with significantly improved internal relationships. She listens, coaches, facilitates and challenges constructively in order to bring about operational change.
Yesh stands out as a result of her ability to improve teams through well judged interventions, using humour and pragmatism to navigate tricky internal dynamics but also being bold and decisive when she senses a more direct challenge is required.”
Verify Jons testimonial on my LinkedIn recommendations feed - here