Have you ever found yourself avoiding a task, not because it's difficult, but because you simply don’t have the right tool to do it effectively? This seemingly simple idea has deep implications in both personal and professional environments, especially when it comes to teams trying to collaborate, communicate, and grow.
Diana McCall, co-founder of Better Than Unicorns, recently reflected on this powerful realization during a debrief:
"A lot of times, we don't do things or don't enjoy doing things because we don't have the right tool to do them," she shared. "It’s not that the task is too hard, but rather, without the proper tools or frameworks in place, the task becomes frustrating or unappealing."
This insight perfectly captures one of the most common obstacles we see in team dynamics: avoidance. Whether it’s debriefing after a project or engaging in tough conversations, teams often shy away from tasks that could lead to breakthrough growth, simply because they lack the tools or knowledge to approach them effectively.
At Better Than Unicorns, we’ve witnessed time and again how teams can thrive when they’re equipped with the right tools. But we’ve also seen the hesitation that comes when those tools are missing. Many teams fail to prioritize debriefing and reflective practices, not because they don’t see the value, but because they don’t have a reliable framework to follow. The debrief becomes something to dread or avoid entirely.
It’s not uncommon for team members to feel frustrated after an incomplete or unstructured debrief. Diana explains, "They’re not avoiding it because it's not important; they’re avoiding it because they don’t have the tool to navigate it well." Without a clear path forward, these critical moments for learning and improving get lost.
One of the cornerstones of Better Than Unicorns’ approach is what we call the “Harvest”—the moment after an experience when the real learning happens. The Harvest is where insights are gathered, where mistakes are deconstructed, and where teams reflect on what went right and what could be improved.
It’s in the Harvest that we teach teams how to "fail better." Failure isn’t something to be feared or hidden away; it’s a natural part of growth. The right tool, in this case, is a structured approach to reflecting on those failures, distilling the learnings, and applying them in future endeavors. We give teams the confidence to confront their missteps and turn them into stepping stones toward improvement.
At Better Than Unicorns, one of the key tools we offer teams is the Focused Conversation Method. This method provides a structured framework for debriefing, allowing teams to explore their experiences in a way that feels manageable and productive. Rather than stumbling through unstructured reflections, teams can engage in a clear, guided process that helps them extract meaningful insights from their work.
The Focused Conversation Method is particularly effective in helping teams turn uncertainty into clarity. Teams learn how to ask the right questions, engage in reflective dialogue, and ultimately walk away with actionable insights. When used regularly, this tool ensures that teams don’t just reflect on their work—they improve with every iteration.
Diana emphasizes, "This is the tool that can change everything. Teams that debrief well fail better. They take their mistakes, learn from them, and grow faster. It’s a skill set that sets high-performing teams apart."
At Better Than Unicorns, we believe that every team has the potential to excel—if they have the right tools. Whether it’s through virtual reality team-building exercises, collaborative problem-solving challenges, or the structured Focused Conversation Method, we equip teams to face challenges head-on, learn from their experiences, and continuously grow stronger.
As Diana insightfully pointed out, having the right tool changes everything. "It’s not about making the task easier; it’s about making it possible." When teams are given the frameworks they need to succeed, they become more comfortable with the discomfort of growth and more willing to take on challenges.