The Inner Team

Methods Monday: The Inner Team: Clarity Through Inner Voices

Do you know the feeling of being torn inside?One part of you wants to embrace change, while another prefers to hold on to security. Or you’d like to finally speak your mind, yet an inner voice holds you back: “Better stay quiet, this could get uncomfortable.”

This is exactly where the model of the Inner Team, developed by Friedemann Schulz von Thun, comes in. It reveals that we don’t carry just one single voice inside of us, but often many – like a team of different parts of our personality.

The Idea Behind the Model

The Inner Team is a model for better self-understanding. Every person has inner voices that represent different needs, values, and perspectives. Some voices are in harmony, others are in conflict. When they are all heard, a situation can be seen from multiple angles. This creates new options for action – especially when we feel stuck or unable to move forward.

Examples of Inner Voices

• The Courageous One: “Go for it, this is your chance!”

• The Safety-Oriented One: “Think twice, this could be risky.”

• The Perfectionist: “It has to be better before you show it.”

• The Pleasure-Seeker: “Take a break and treat yourself.”

• The Critic: “This isn’t good enough, you need to try harder.”

• The Peacemaker: “Let’s give in to avoid conflict.”

Each voice has its purpose. But when they all speak at once, it can lead to confusion and a lack of direction.

Das innere Team nach Friedemann Schulz von Thun

A Practical Example

One client faced the decision of whether to leave her secure corporate job and take the leap into self-employment.

Several inner voices spoke up:

• The Adventurer: “This is your chance to finally do your own thing!”

• The Safety-Oriented One: “You have a steady salary and structure here – why risk it all?”

• The Visionary: “With your business, you can make a real impact and bring your ideas to life.”

• The Skeptic: “What if it doesn’t work out and you fail?”

• The Family-Oriented One: “Think about how this will affect your family and your free time.”

By making the voices visible and exploring their relationships, the client gained a clearer picture. The fear of failure was present, but more as a protective mechanism. At the same time, it became clear that both the longing for self-fulfillment and the desire for security needed to be taken seriously.

In the end, she chose a middle path: reducing her hours at the company while gradually building her business. A decision supported by her entire Inner Team.

The Impact for Clients

• All voices are heard – even the quiet ones that are often overlooked.

• Activating resources – each voice also carries strengths that can be used.

• Decision-making – clarity emerges through inner dialogue.

• Acceptance and reconciliation – one develops deeper self-understanding and integrates the diversity within.

Application in Coaching and Everyday Life

The Inner Team is particularly useful when we feel blocked or torn. In coaching, the voices can be made visible – for example, through constellations in the room, visualizations, or working with cards.

In everyday life, questions like these can help:

• “Which voices are speaking right now?”

• “Which messages are important, which are distractions?”

• “How can I find a balance that feels right for me?”

Why the Model Is So Valuable

The Inner Team fosters self-reflection, clarity, and decision-making ability. It shows that contradictions are not a weakness, but a sign of inner diversity. When the voices come together, we act with more coherence, authenticity, and awareness – in both our professional and personal lives.

And the simple realization that every voice has its place can already be transformative in the way we treat ourselves.

Conclusion

The model of the Inner Team is a powerful tool for resolving inner conflicts, making decisions, and creating a coherent self-image. Those who know and lead their Inner Team gain more clarity – and appear more convincing to the outside world.

Feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about the method or get to know your Inner Team better.

Yours,

Johanna