At EBLI, an education business dedicated to empowering literacy educators and tutors worldwide, challenges within the team had reached a tipping point. The team described the previous environment as one of chaos, inefficiency, and poor communication. However, after undergoing a transformative journey of change management and leadership development, the results speak for themselves: EBLI has evolved into a cohesive, collaborative, and empowered organization.

Here’s how EBLI turned the tide, in the team’s own words.

The Problem: A Culture of Chaos and Reaction

"Chaos. Lots of lack of productivity, confusing, and poor communication which bogged down everything," said one team member, describing the workplace before the transformation. Another added, “The company as a whole was more chaotic and putting out fires as they came up. There wasn’t a lot of support from upper management, and their doors were closed the majority of the day. Everyone's jobs seemed to overlap. I'm certain it cost us lots of money.”

This reactive, fire-fighting mentality left employees stressed and uncertain about priorities. Many team members admitted to avoiding asking questions due to fear or lack of clarity, which led to wasted time, missed opportunities, and a lack of alignment with the bigger picture.

"I didn’t always understand the 'big picture,'" one team member shared. “We had many projects running simultaneously, and it was extremely stressful. A lot of stuff got missed.”

Even in meetings, the lack of structure and inclusivity added to the inefficiency:
"Staff meetings typically only one or two people talked,” said a team member. “I avoided asking questions. Not feeling safe enough to [ask] cost valuable time.”

The Solution: Purposeful Systems and Leadership Development

EBLI’s transformation began by addressing its core issues: communication, structure, and alignment with long-term goals. With guidance, the organization introduced clear processes, intentional planning, and a leadership approach rooted in collaboration and transparency.

The changes included:

• Structured Meetings: Meetings were redesigned to encourage equal participation, individual reporting, and intentional planning.

• Clear Priorities: Projects were streamlined into manageable "big rocks" and "medium rocks," enabling the team to focus on what truly mattered.

• Defined Roles and Processes: Job responsibilities were clarified, procedures were mapped, and verbal and written commitments were introduced.

• Improved Communication: Feedback loops, follow-up meetings, and tools to foster self-regulation and active listening became part of the culture.

The Results: A Thriving, Empowered Team

The team’s feedback highlights the profound impact these changes had on their work and morale:

"We went from chaos to knowing what is going on, and the team does too! Meetings are structured with individual reporting and creating intentional cohesive plans for everyone at once.”

"The focus is on a long-term plan with short sprints. [We're] prioritizing. I can breathe a little bit better knowing the plan, knowing what the priorities are for the coming quarter.”

"We spend more time collaborating and figuring out a plan. This has been helpful."

"In the past, I often didn’t get the collaboration and feedback I needed. Now, we have a follow-up meeting set to discuss progress and ideas. I get the collaboration I needembedded within that process.”

"When I think about our communication before, my insecurities would take over. [Now] I understand this isn’t about me. The way that I show up is changing. Self-regulation, staying calm, makes a night-and-day difference when those kinds of rubs come up."

"I now work more efficiently because I have a better understanding of the 'end goal.' Having processes and procedures and mapping out tasks gave me enough insight to start planning and managing my responsibilities better."

"With the new structures in place, everyone is given a chance to speak, and everyone is more mindful about listening and respecting the space of others. This keeps getting better each week."

A New Beginning for EBLI

The transformation at EBLI is a testament to the power of intentional leadership and systems design. By fostering a culture of collaboration, structure, and mutual respect, the organization has turned chaos into cohesion, enabling its team to thrive both individually and collectively.

As one team member summed it up:
"The lengths you have gone to and continue to go to for the best and highest of this mission and for each of us—it is truly astonishing and beyond admirable!"

EBLI’s journey is a reminder that even the most chaotic organizations can achieve clarity and alignment with the right tools, strategies, and mindset.

Inspired by EBLI’s transformation?  Contact us to learn how we can help your team achieve clarity, cohesion, and success. Together, we can turn your challenges into opportunities for growth.