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Case Study
Turning Staff Unrest into Collaboration at PLAHS
Client: Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Services (PLAHS)
Industry: Community Services
Challenge: Staff unrest, poor team dynamics, and unclear communication pathways.
The Problem
Before The Huddle, PLAHS was experiencing growing unrest among staff. Results from internal surveys and conversations painted a clear picture: fractured relationships, low collaboration, and a general sense of disconnection. Carolyn, the CEO, knew something had to change. But where to start?
“We had staff unrest in our service. I wanted to improve working relationships and collaboration. We needed the right tools and support to address what was happening beneath the surface.”
Our Approach
At The Huddle, we believe that leadership challenges are never solved with a cookie-cutter solution. Every team is different – and so are the root causes of tension.
For PLAHS, we began by creating a safe space for honest conversations. We worked closely with Carolyn to unpack what was really going on – not just from a process level, but on a human one. What were the staff feeling? What weren’t they saying? And where were the invisible barriers holding the team back?
From there, we co-designed a roadmap tailored to the real needs of the team and its leadership. This included:
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Leadership coaching sessions focused on empowering Carolyn with the language, tools, and confidence to navigate sensitive conversations and lead with clarity.
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Cultural diagnostics that went beyond the surface to reveal deeper dynamics affecting trust, communication, and psychological safety.
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Team strategies that helped reframe conflict as an opportunity for growth, not blame.
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Ongoing support and check-ins to make sure momentum wasn’t lost – because change doesn’t happen overnight, and Carolyn didn’t have to do it alone.
Our approach wasn’t about handing over a report and walking away. It was about walking with Carolyn – side by side – so that real, lasting change could take hold.
We don’t just give you a script. We equip you to write your own – with your people, your purpose, and your power at the centre.
“If you're struggling with team dynamics, don’t go it alone. The Huddle doesn’t just give advice – they walk with you until things are working. They help you implement steps you can actually manage, then check in on your progress. It’s real, it’s personal, and it works.”
The Outcome
The shift at PLAHS wasn’t just visible on the surface – it was felt throughout the organisation.
What began as unrest evolved into renewed confidence and capability. Carolyn, once navigating complex staff dynamics on her own, now had a clear framework and expert support guiding every step.
With The Huddle by her side, Carolyn was able to:
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Lead difficult conversations with confidence and empathy, without the fear of making things worse.
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Support her team through conflict, turning previously avoided topics into opportunities for progress.
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Create structure and clarity, allowing her team to feel more secure, seen, and supported in their roles.
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Feel more empowered in her leadership, knowing she had the tools and guidance to back up her intent.
But perhaps the most meaningful outcome? A tangible lift in the emotional tone across the organisation. Staff began to open up.
Communication improved. The energy shifted from guarded and tense to collaborative and constructive.
“I now have the tools and language to support my staff through challenges – and the confidence to step into those conversations with care.”
This is the kind of outcome we work towards at The Huddle:
not just change you can measure, but change you can feel.
We help leaders face the hard stuff — with heart, skill and strategy.
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