Awoke to find the cabin buried in snow, at least 3 metres high. The wind blowing a keen 50 mph lowered the temp to -30.

We picked up from the previous day with a teach back of the main MVS’s and then we went onto talk about conflict in teams. How to prevent and manage conflict when it occurs. We went through the dynamic triangle which brought to life conflict sequences for the group. We started but did not finish the most productive responses exercises as my snow plough lift to Haugostol arrived. I jumped on and sped through 10 foot drifts to the station, where I was dropped off 4 hours early. Faced with the prospect of sharing a hut with some Norwegian campers (Wiffy) I decided to hitch to Geilo. From there I caught 2 trains and a plane and jumped in the car to arrive home at 0130.

Felicity the expedition leader was pleased:

“…..I can’t tell you how beneficial it has been. We finished the final task which then led on to a general discussion and everyone agreed that the sessions with you had accelerated the team bonding process and that we all felt that we understood what we had seen of each other a little more and that we felt more confident moving forward as a group.

I personally found the system fascinating and would love to do more. Several members of the team would like to make a list of things that drive them to conflict etc which I think might be the sort of thing covered by the ‘dashboard’ you mentioned?

I also have to mention that the guys not in on the sessions have since been spotted placing themselves on the triangle and discussing their blue-ness or green-ness. As you predicted red, green, blue and hub behaviour are terms that are already being used by all.

Thanks again Rob and I hope that we get a chance soon to talk further about an association between Mission and the expedition”

Wednesday 04 March

Awoke to a gale and snow up to the window tops. A relaxed morning writing emails and preparing for the team session.

I was to follow Justin a nutritionist, who covered the latest advice on eating the right foods for the expedition and the level/type of physical and mental preparation required for 60 days down south.I was reminded of our nutrition when we won the Polar Challenge in 2004, fuelled on Curly Wurlys and Pink Shrimps; we lost 30% of our body weight.

The session covered Mission’s model of high performance teamwork. Focusing exclusively on the Culture of the team. This was achieved with the help of the SDI. We covered the SDI curriculum up to conflict. The team were predominantly blue green in make up and had the makings of strong and solidly cohesive team. Borrowing red and green behaviours and defining the performance parameters would be their challenge moving forward.

Meanwhile the storm had been blowing a constant Beaufort 7-8 all day confining all to the Hyter. We were to spend the evening spinning dits ahead of the last session the following day.

Mission offered to support the commonwealth ladies expedition set to walk unsupported to the South Pole this Christmas. Mission trained the Pink Lady Pole cats in 2005 for the second Polar challenge and Felicity Aston was part of that team. She is the leader of this expedition to the South Pole.
The commonwealth ladies expedition (as detailed on the web site) aims to be the first all female team from the commonwealth to haul themselves unsupported to the pole.
The team of 16 have been flown to Norway for their first training programme. They have come from Jamaica, Ghana, Singapore, India, New Zealand and the UK. Some have never seen snow before. Their first week in Norway was the selection week. 16 would soon become 8.

Mission offered to support the development of the team in this second week. Sponsored by Personal Strengths who supplied the SDI instrument, I would start the ball rolling with an 8 hour session on how to become more effective as one team. Developing anawareness of motivational diversity within the team will help them prevent conflict and to become better communicators.One of the main reasons why teams fail is their of lack of confidence to challenge and to be authentic with their colleagues. To genuinely operate in an interdependent fashion demands that its individuals put their needs behind those of the team. For individuals to act in a selfless way takes time to achieve. The sooner a team can get to this stage the quicker teams perform to their potential.That was to form the focus for my session. What follows is an account of my journey to help the team get there.
Monday 02 March: Managed to get away and board the flight in time arriving in Oslo for 2100 hrs. Thereafter I was stung for a £10 bus fare. Yes its true what they say, it is expensive in Norway and I hadn’t drunk anything yet. Arriving at the plush Thon hotel in a retail park next to a garden centre 10 miles outside of Oslo I checked in and went in search of that beer. Directed to walk 400 metres through 8 foot snow drifts to a very nice restaurant. I arrived and it was very nice with very nice prices too.

I walked on by and found the chicken premiere with fries to be a worthy alternative.I got my head down soon after.Tuesday 03 March. Awoke to a hearty breakfast of boiled eggs and roll mop herrings, uhmm nice. Boarded that expensive bus again and made my way to the train station. Wearing a flat cap and sporting 3 days growth (given up shaving for lent) I boarded the train and headed for Haugostol some 5 hours north.Trains are nicer in Norway. They are clean and serve hot dogs that look appetising and decent coffee. I was in heaven as the snow covered banks flicked past me. 300 Kroner later I got off and met Pete, Felicity’s other half and loyal supporter. We drove 45 mins along the E7 to Bergen to arrive at an isolated settlement of 3 huts. Glorious sunshine, the first in days (was this a good omen?) and I borrowed some skis for a quick tour of valley. I saw the team ski in from their 3 day mini expedition, looking very tired and moving at a snails pace. Some engineered PR shots later and they convened for shepherd’s pie later that evening. A lively group they relived their previous 3 days and went to bed content. Meanwhile I chatted through Felcity’s expectation for my session before turning in.