The Tandem Method
What Is the Tandem Method?
Tandem packages theory and research to help you quickly and easily to measure the quality and effectiveness of your coach-athlete relationship in minutes.
Data-driven exploration of the coach-athlete relationship in a single dyad, between a coach and an athlete, or an exploration that involves an assessment of the coach-athlete relationship in an entire group or team of athletes.
Tandem is a powerful relationship tool. It is fast and accessible and can deliver rapid results to remove obstacles to performance success.
Why Is the Tandem Method Important?
Measuring the quality of the coach-athlete relationship in single coach-athlete dyad or in an entire team or organisation (e.g., squad, club, NGB) means that you have the data needed to build coach-athlete relationships and performance cultures that work really well.
By tangibly assessing the quality of the human connection and its impact, athletes and coaches start developing awareness about the relationship they have with one another while at the same time explore ways to enhance and manage it effectively.
Its significance lies in the evidence that shows quality relationships affect both performance and wellbeing.
How Does it Work?
Based on scientific evidence, the psychometric properties of the statements contained in the Tandem Method have been found to be valid and reliable. This means that the statements have the capacity to accurately measure the relationship quality, yielding results that can be trusted.
It contains a total of 26 statements in an online form, measuring the quality and effectiveness of the coach-athlete relationship
The online form takes 5 or so minutes to complete
It generates results in seconds that are expressed in 4 dimensions (Closeness, Commitment, Complementarity and Co-orientation)
It captures the current state of the coach-athlete relationship
It enables conversations that are critical to performance and wellbeing
It offers recommendations and a self-directed plan to develop and maintain resilient, effective and successful relationships
It raises awareness and understanding of what is required to build and maintain quality and successful relationships with one another
Relationship quality is dynamic phenomenon and this means it can change over time. Thus measuring its quality at regular intervals helps understand its course especially at infliction points such as important upcoming events (e.g., major competitions), as well as injury, burnout, performance slumps
Become Certified in the Tandem Method
Become certified in The Tandem Method – if you are a member of an organisation, for example, National Governing Sport Body, a sport or performance psychologist, a coach developer, a performance director, a freelance consultant or in a people/culture manager role.
Becoming certified means that you have the knowledge and the practical skills to make a difference. It gives you license to responsibly and authoritatively administer Tandem and start
(a) supporting the development of quality coach-athlete relationships and
(b) enabling the development of a positive relational culture within which athletes and coaches thrive independently and together.
Training involves a deep exploration into the main concepts of The Tandem Method, an understanding of how to accurately measure the quality of coach-athlete relationships and an appreciation of the various communication strategies available to build resilient and successful relationships.
The aim is to develop relationship awareness and relationship management skills both of which form components of emotional intelligence that can be readily imparted to coaches and athletes.
Courses are planned throughout the year. Feel free to contact us to register interest.
What to Expect from Tandem Certification Courses
Course Overview
2 x 3 ½ hours of facilitator-led session plus a short debrief session
virtual via Zoom/Teams or face to face
one-to-one solo consultant or group
Practical Experience – set up Tandem reports, debrief individuals, discuss results with individuals, dyads, or teams and discuss and co-create solutions (self-directed).
Learning Resources
Certificate
Course Outcomes
Gain an understanding of the main concepts that underpin The Tandem Method
An introduction to Tandem, measuring relationship quality
Understand the role and significance of relationships for thriving teams and organisations
Building and maintaining good quality relationships via communication/relationship maintenance strategies
Appreciate the impact of the wider environment within which relationships develop