Finland’s First University-Level Team Coaching Programme

Spring is a season of renewal, and this year at Henley, we’re piloting new programmes. Despite the fast pace, it’s essential to pause and reflect on what exciting and innovative things we’ve accomplished with our new initiatives. Last year, we expanded our coaching offering with a groundbreaking programme: the Professional Certificate in Team and Systemic Coaching, held in Finland for the first time. As the Programme Manager, I would like to share what the programme offered, how participants experienced it, and why it could be the perfect opportunity for you to enhance your team coaching skills.

The programme in a nutshell

Henley’s Team & Systemic Coaching Programme is carefully designed for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in leading and coaching teams. The programme provides practical tools to develop team dynamics and address systemic challenges. It is particularly suited for team leaders, HR professionals, and those working in the field of coaching. Upon completion, participants are eligible to apply for the ICF Team Coaching Accreditation (ACTC).

The programme consists of three in-person workshops complemented by online components. Last year, the workshops were held in Helsinki and at our Greenlands campus in the UK. This year, we’re adding an extra layer of internationality by hosting the third workshop in the heart of Copenhagen.

Since I had only joined Henley a few months before the programme began, I was just as captivated by Greenlands’ lush surroundings, historic campus buildings, and the peaceful Thames River as the participants. The workshop days combined theory, diverse group and individual exercises, and, of course, coffee breaks. The spring session at Greenlands even allowed participants to complete partner exercises outdoors in the sunshine.

Greenlands_PCTSC

A transformative journey

From an organiser’s perspective, this group of participants was the perfect cohort with whom to kick-start my Henley career. They developed a great sense of camaraderie from the outset and welcomed me warmly, even though I wasn’t a participant myself. Their motivation and enthusiasm for learning were truly inspiring. But what did they think of the programme?

I interviewed three participants after the programme concluded, and here are their reflections on the top three highlights.

Outstanding experts:
Participants particularly appreciated the programme’s tutors, Lucy Widdowson and Paul Barbour, who created a supportive and compassionate atmosphere. Their openness in sharing their experiences and imperfections encouraged participants to grow. Lucy and Paul have worked together for years and co-authored the book Leading Top Performing Teams (2021). Participants were also thrilled to have input from Professor Peter Hawkins, a pioneer in team coaching.
Innovative learning methods:
The programme’s structure, where participants got familiar with the theoretical content in advance of the workshops and focused the in-person sessions on application and reflection, received praise. This approach suited the participants’ learning styles and allowed them to make the most of their time together.
Practical exercises:
A central feature of the programme was giving every participant the opportunity to practice and apply their newly acquired skills with a real team, building a coaching process for them. Teams could be coached individually or in pairs (co-coaching), and the co-coaching format, in particular, proved to be a valuable learning experience that boosted confidence. For participants unable to find a team within their networks, Henley supported them in sourcing pro bono teams.

As Programme Manager, I’ve had the privilege of closely following the participants’ journeys. One participant described the experience as “transformative.” Staying in touch with the participants has been easy, and supporting them throughout this journey has been incredibly rewarding for me. The sense of community and inspiration during the training days made the experience unique, and I’ve heard that their private WhatsApp group has been an essential source of support beyond the official sessions.

Team coaching is a future-proof skill that has the potential to revolutionise workplace culture. As one participant summed it up at the end of our interview,

“I’m so glad I joined this. This really feels like next-level stuff.”

If you, too, want to take your skills to the next level, join the next Team and Systemic Coaching programme, starting in March 2025.

Learn more about the programme and apply today.

Here are our recent graduates: Ulla Jones, Maarit Tiililä, Taina Kokkarinen, Sari Vuohtoniemi, Saara Karhula & Ari Nuutinen, as well as Michaela Ramm-Schmidt & Valtteri Tuominen, who are missing from the picture.

Leading-coaching-teams We are also proud to present our new 3-day programme for team coaching: Leading & Coaching Teams: Empowering teams to thrive, a cutting-edge programme for leaders and managers passionate about driving high performance in today’s complex environment.