Team Coaching Case Study

Team Coaching with Mélange Coaching

"As a leader of a diverse and high-performing team in the rail sector, I was looking for something that could bring us together in a more meaningful way—something beyond just another away day or strategy session."

We asked Mélange Coaching to work with us to help improve how we functioned as a team. On the surface, we were doing well and had formed as a new team offering an exciting and bespoke new capability into rail. We wanted to relaunch as a team and uncover any frustrations, unspoken tensions, and to test if we were getting the best out of each other. We were keen to explore clarity around each of our roles, that our different communication styles all had space, and that meetings regularly had energy or direction, with new ways of working to make this happen consistently.

From the start, Bernie brought warmth, clarity and structure. She created a safe space where we could have the kinds of honest conversations we just weren’t managing to have on our own. She explained her process clearly, checked in regularly, and adapted things depending on what the team needed, not just following a rigid plan.

"The sessions gave us insight into our team dynamics, how we listen (or don’t), and what each of us brings to the table."

What stood out most was Bernie’s ability to ‘read the room’ and shift the energy when needed. If we were stuck in reflection, she helped us move to action. If things got tense, she slowed us down so we could stay in it safely. Even in a hybrid setup—some of us in the room, one joining remotely—she made it feel inclusive and balanced.

She also helped us develop a team charter, something we now come back to regularly. It acts as a shared reference point when things get pressured or we drift off course. It’s not just a poster on the wall—it’s something we live by.

"The coaching gave us momentum, but it also gave us language and clarity. We're now able to communicate more effectively, especially during challenges."

Looking back, the biggest shift is that we now understand each other better. We’ve built trust, become more honest, and have a clearer sense of how to work with each other’s strengths. It’s made us a more thoughtful, connected, and effective team. 

Julian Ross, Senior Leader, Rail Industry