5 years of impact in one of New
Zealand’s largest government
departments

For her Masters thesis, Master TetraMap Facilitator, Conny Huaki, explored the overall effectiveness of TetraMap in enhancing team dynamics and personal understanding within one of New Zealand’s largest government departments between 2018 and 2023.

The agency employs over 10,000 people across 200 locations. TetraMap was introduced as a way to improve team dynamics and communication, and to help staff better understand themselves and those around them.

Conny’s fascination with this topic stems from both her personal involvement in the workshops, and her passion for seeing the ‘oho’ or awakening in participants when they experience TetraMap for the first time.

Here are some of her findings.

Measuring impact:

Using participant feedback forms from more than 600 people who attended the ‘Why are you like that?’ workshops held between 2018-2023, Conny was able to identify some common themes and insights into the training’s effectiveness and impact.

Some of the key things noted included:

• Workshops were fun and Interactive: Terms like “fun,” “interactive,” “engaging,” and “energetic” were frequently mentioned.
• Personal insight gained: Participants valued learning about their own elements and those of their colleagues. This understanding was seen as beneficial for improving team dynamics and communication.
• Facilitator’s delivery: The facilitator’s knowledge, energy, and ability to create a safe and inclusive environment were highly praised. Participants noted that the training was respectful, positive, and tailored to various learning styles.
• Practical application: The practical application of TetraMap concepts to everyday work, and life, was appreciated. Participants found the training thought-provoking and relevant to their roles.
• Diversity and inclusivity: The training’s support for diversity and its ability to help participants appreciate differences between people were highlighted as significant benefits.

Participants also indicated several areas they could see themselves implementing the training directly. These included:

• Workplace Interactions: Participants noted how TetraMap could help improve communication and understanding within teams, promote better collaboration, and enhanced team dynamics.
• Personal Development: TetraMap promoted increased self-awareness and appreciation of different working styles, which participants agreed would lead to more effective interactions at work and home.
• Ongoing Use: Many participants planned to use the concepts learned in future team meetings, project planning, and everyday interactions in their personal life.

This feedback comes from over 60 different workshops held over the 5-year period, and spans across a diverse range of teams and roles (including organisational management) within the department.

Enhancing impact

Here at TetraMap, we are always looking to grow and strengthen the learning experience we deliver, which is why participant feedback forms are so valuable to us. And while Conny found the feedback was overwhelmingly positive in her study, there were some challenges and areas for improvement noted.

One of these was ensuring consistency in delivery across different locations and facilitators, and maintaining engagement over time – particularly in years where fewer workshops were held. To address this, a standardized curriculum and facilitator training programme was developed. We also implemented ongoing support and resources after training to encourage continuous application of our concepts after the workshop ended.

Other points to note included:

• Many participants felt that more time was needed to fully delve into the material and discussions.
• Suggestions included incorporating more digital media, providing clearer instructions at the beginning, and allowing more time for reflection on quotes and information presented.
• A few participants suggested setting guidelines for personal comments to ensure they remain relevant and constructive.

This is feedback we continue to look at it, and why studies like Conny’s are such an important resource to us to strengthen the way we deliver our workshops and our impact.

Final remarks:

Conny’s research shows that TetraMap has had a significant positive impact for the organisation’s staff, enhancing their understanding of diverse working styles and improving team dynamics. The feedback indicates a strong appreciation for the training’s interactive nature and practical applicability, with suggestions for minor improvements to enhance the experience further. We were also able to identify areas we have improved on, based on participant feedback.

Overall, the workshops have contributed to a more cohesive and understanding workplace environment, aligning with the organisation’s goals.