ATAR: Building Teams That Truly Click
- The Open Mind Institute
- Aug 21, 2025
- 3 min read
We’ve all been in teams where everyone is smart, capable, and driven… yet somehow things don’t quite click. Ideas stay bottled up. Misunderstandings create tension. People play it safe instead of speaking up.
It’s rarely about a lack of talent. More often, it’s about the space between people—how they connect, communicate, and trust each other.
That’s exactly why we created the ATAR Program: to give teams a structured, evidence-based way to strengthen not only their skills, but also their connection and resilience.
So, what is the ATAR Program?
It’s simple, but powerful. ATAR stands for:
Assess – Teams start with our ESA (Essential Skills Assessment) to measure 12 key skills linked to performance and wellbeing.
Training – We run short, focused coaching sessions (usually an hour, fortnightly or monthly) to develop those skills in real time.
Assessment – Teams retake the ESA to see what’s shifted.
Results – The progress is clear, measurable, and something to celebrate.
It’s a full feedback loop: assess → develop → measure → celebrate.
Unlike many leadership or team programs, ATAR doesn’t stop at theory—it gives leaders and teams a measurable roadmap for growth.
Why we developed it
Modern workplaces can be tough. Teams are busier than ever, often spread across locations, and under constant pressure to perform. Some of the biggest challenges we see are:
People feeling disconnected or siloed, especially in hybrid setups.
Stress and mental health struggles that don’t always get talked about, but affect everything.
Training that feels inspiring in the moment, but fades as soon as people go back to “real work.”
We wanted to design something different: a program that addresses both the human and performance sides of work, leaving teams not just more capable, but more connected and supported.
How it works in practice
Here’s how a typical ATAR journey looks:
Teams complete the ESA, uncovering strengths and growth areas across 12 essential skills.
Participants are grouped strategically based on results—ensuring diversity of strengths and perspectives.
They engage in short, powerful coaching sessions, applying concepts directly to their team context.
A second ESA captures measurable growth, turning intangible skills into visible outcomes.
This process builds momentum, keeps learning relevant, and creates a culture where growth is expected—and celebrated.
The power of diversity & psychological safety
One of ATAR’s greatest strengths is how we group people. Instead of placing “like with like,” we intentionally create teams with a mix of communication styles and skillsets.
Why? Because diverse teams are smarter teams—they generate richer ideas, anticipate challenges, and adapt faster. But diversity only works when people feel safe.
That’s why psychological safety is at the heart of ATAR. When people feel safe to share openly—without fear of judgment or rejection—collaboration transforms. Trust deepens. Performance follows.
Why ATAR feels different
It’s measured—you see real, tangible progress.
It’s time-friendly—sessions are short and fit into busy schedules.
It’s scalable—works just as well for small teams as global organisations.
And most importantly—ATAR bridges the gap between what teams know they should do, and what they actually do together every day.
Bringing it back to you
The truth is, most teams don’t fail because of capability—they stumble because of culture.
The ATAR Program helps unlock potential where it matters most: in the spaces between people. It builds not only skills, but also trust, safety, and connection. And when those elements are in place, performance takes care of itself.
So here’s the question: When was the last time your team felt truly seen—not just for their output, but for their potential?
If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with ATAR, we’d love to start that conversation.
Xin Yi Ng (Michelle)
Research & Development Lead
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