Black Onyx Concepts offer a broad range of tailored consultancy services, including risk management, business intelligence and security.  In an effort to enhance team dynamics and individual performance, they engaged Horizons Coaching to deliver DiSC[1] Workplace Profile training, funded by a UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant, via Stoke-on-Trent City Council.  The grant was provided through Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce’s Skills Hub project and was specifically designed for the senior leadership team to foster better collaboration and understanding among team members.

Black Onyx’s senior leadership team were facing challenges related to communication and collaboration. Many team members were skeptical about the training, questioning its relevance and effectiveness. The goal was to shift this mindset and create a more cohesive leadership group.

Horizons Coaching implemented a structured and interactive training program that included:

• Pre-Training Assessments: Each participant completed the DiSC assessment, providing insights into their personal styles and preferences.
• Engaging Training Sessions: The training day was designed to be interactive, with a mix of presentations, group discussions, and activities that encouraged participation.
• Individualised Profiles: Each team member received a comprehensive profile that detailed their communication style, strengths, and areas for growth.
• Real-World Applications: The training emphasised practical strategies for applying the insights gained during the sessions to improve communication and reduce stress and conflict in the workplace.

The DiSC Workplace Profile training yielded significant benefits for the senior leadership team:

• Positive Shift in Attitude: Initially sceptical team members became engaged and enthusiastic participants during the training, actively contributing to discussions and activities.
• Increased Self-Awareness: The accuracy of the individual profiles resonated with team members, enhancing their understanding of their own behaviors and how to best utilise their strengths.
• Enhanced Team Collaboration: The insights gained from the training led to improved communication and collaboration among the leadership team, setting a positive tone for future interactions.
• Foundation for Future Training: Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the team recognized the value of DiSC training and expressed a strong interest in extending this learning opportunity to front-line staff.

The DiSC Workplace Profile training delivered by Horizons Coaching was transformative for the senior leadership team. What began as scepticism evolved into enthusiastic engagement, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in fostering self-awareness and team cohesion.

Black Onyx Concepts’ leadership team highly recommends the DiSC training services to other businesses, recognising its potential to create lasting improvements in team dynamics. Looking ahead, they are committed to collaborating with Horizons Coaching again to extend the benefits of this training to their valued front-line employees, further enhancing the organisation’s overall performance.

Overall, working with the Skills Hub and receiving a training grant has been a positive experience.

[1] DiSC is a personality profile based on assessing (D)ominance, (i)nfluence, (S)teadiness and (C)onscientiousness.

To speak to the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub about support, training and funding streams email: skillshub@staffordshirechambers.co.uk