We Not Me

Engagement surveys and team data are tools for understanding and supporting teams, not targets to achieve or sticks to beat people with. Simply gathering data for the sake of a good score is counterproductive and potentially disengaging. This information should be used to genuinely understand team dynamics, spot trends, and identify areas where support is needed to build authentic engagement and commitment to the organisation. Jenni McNeil is the head of Information Security at Contact Energy in New Zealand. She leads a geographically diverse team focused on protecting the cyber resilience of the organisation. Jenni tarted in sales and became a manager at 25, switching to technology as an IT support technician before pivoting to cybersecurity. Her current team includes a mix of experience levels, from recent graduates to industry veterans with 25 years of experience, spread across different locations. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Jenni via LinkedInA Court of Thorns and RosesIn Pursuit of the Secure BoardTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

Organisational effectiveness isn't just about making team members more productive, but [roperly structuring teams and understanding how they work together. Small teams with high trust can make decisions quickly and maintain better context of what they're building, while being mindful of the cognitive load placed on members. Matthew Skelton is the author of Team Topologies. He developed patterns for team organisation and devops that were adopted by companies like Netflix and Accenture. His work focuses on how to structure teams effectively in organisations, particularly looking at concepts like team cognitive load and team interaction modes. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast FlowThe jazz ensemble: the ultimate team?Team Topologies’ Uswitch case studyConway's lawEmpowered Agile Transformation: Beyond the FrameworkArchitecture ModernizationFrozen IILeave us a voice note

AI technology has the potential to enhance team dynamics and human relationships… if used thoughtfully. In this episode, Dan and Pia explore how AI can help with team communication and collaboration, while raising questions about finding the right balance between AI assistance and maintaining genuine human connection. For this episode, Dan and Pia are joined by ChatGPT, using OpenAI's advanced voice technology to participate in the conversation and provide answers to questions. ChatGPT is assisted by Squadify’s Chief Technology Officer Ian Smith. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance OrganizationResearch by Richard HackmanThe Five Dysfunctions of a TeamTeam of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex WorldTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

Nearly 60% of women are worried about job losses due to AI, but only 22% are actively adopting it. This reflects a broader pattern of workplace inequality, where tech revolutions risk leaving women behind. The solution lies in leadership, embracing vulnerability and authenticity, focusing on short-term clarity, and not pretending to have all the answers. But does it also lie in Sheryl Sandberg’s “lean in” philosophy, or does this encourage women to behave more like men in order to fit in? This episode’s guest is Sheela Subramanian, who has had an extensive career in tech leadership, including roles at Google, Slack, and Salesforce. She's the co-author of How the Future Works, a bestselling book about flexible work and teams, focusing on how leaders can navigate change. She's a mother of two young daughters and balances multiple roles including being a wife, mother, daughter, and speaker. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Sheela via LinkedInHow the Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams to Do the Best Work of Their LivesTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

Effective leadership in tech means crafting a collaborative culture where growth happens through real-world challenges and strong interpersonal connections – not individual technical accomplishments. Rob Dinsmore has an extensive background in leadership and team development, particularly in technical organisations like Cisco. He built a highly regarded programme for top engineering talent, helping these specialists expand their leadership skills and integrate them across the company to produce meaningful, business-driven outcomes. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Rob via LinkedInTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

Effective teaming requires intentional design and can’t be achieved simply by putting people together on a project. Teaming by Design emphasises the importance of embedding team effectiveness skills within the context of real work, rather than teaching it as a separate subject. This approach recognises that valuable teaming skills are often developed through practical experience and reflection, rather than through theoretical instruction alone. For this episode, Dan and Pia are joined in-person by Sara Beckman, who developed the concept of "teaming by design" while teaching MBA students. Sara works on integrating team effectiveness training into various courses, particularly in innovation, design, and new product development, and has conducted research on team dynamics, including studies at Hewlett Packard. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Sara via LinkedInBooks by Claire KeeganDemon CopperheadRough SleepersTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

Agile isn’t just for software teams – its principles can be effectively applied to HR and other business teams, offering a pragmatic approach to improving workflow and efficiency. It goes beyond flexible working or nimble decision-making, representing a philosophy and set of principles for getting work done more effectively. Nebel Crowhurst is the Chief People Officer at Reward Gateway, and has extensive experience in HR. She’s worked across a variety of industries, helping teams understand and transition to Agile. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Nebel via LinkedInBooks by Natal DankThe Multi-Hyphen MethodTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

International assignments in business require careful preparation, adaptability, and a focus on making a positive impact rather than just “making your mark”. Success in foreign assignments often comes from reinforcing and amplifying existing strengths within an organisation, rather than attempting to overhaul everything. Kevin Asher is a leader, strategist, and innovator in healthcare. He’s worked primarily in the pharmaceutical industry, including medical communications, data generation, and patient group support. He’s a self-described problem-solver, and he joins Dan and Pia to discuss his recent assignment in Italy. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Kevin via LinkedInWhy Motivating People Doesn't Work--and What DoesTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

Employee engagement is in crisis, with staggeringly low levels of engagement across the workforce, particularly among younger employees. This lack of engagement is not only affecting workers' wellbeing, but also has significant economic impact, with an estimated $8.9 trillion lost annually in global GDP due to low engagement. This week's guest is Juliet Owen, business analyst at Squadify. Juliet has a background in economics and works with a database of 2.5 million data points, analysing engagement and team dynamics. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Juliet via LinkedInPivotBurn BookTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

It’s time for a new approach to teamwork: one that minimises distractions, reduces time-blocking communication, prioritises mental health, and promotes independent and efficient work. This management style can lead to more productive teams, with fewer managers and more individual contributors, with everyone focused on their core competencies. Liam Martin is the author of a bestselling book and the founder of a conference focused on remote working, which he believes is crucial for scaling organisations. He advocates for a new management style for remote teams, emphasising the importance of communicating effectively without unnecessary interaction. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Running Remote: Master the Lessons from the World’s Most Successful Remote-Work PioneersRunning Remote on YouTubeThe Entrepreneurial Operating SystemSliteNotion AIFlex IndexFlow: The Psychology of HappinessLeave us a voice note

To bring specialists into teams with different skill sets takes good communication and a knowledge of the history of the team you’re integrating. Doing this well means everyone can point their skills at solving problems. Ash Winter is an experienced software tester who has a particular interest in how teams and organisations work. Ash has been a software tester for over 15 years, and has experience as a consultant, helping organisations improve their testing processes. In his role he’s seen a wide range of team structures and sizes, and he’s particularly focused on the challenges and opportunities of being a specialist within a team. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Ash via LinkedInTeam Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast FlowThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership FableThe Goal: A Process of Ongoing ImprovementThe Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business WinLeave us a voice note

Workplaces need to provide better support and flexibility to parents coming back from having a child. And more needs to be done to redress the imbalance of working mums vs working dads. Jessica Heagren is the founder of Careers After Babies, and an advocate for gender equality in the workplace, particularly for women coming back after maternity leave. Jess has conducted extensive research on the career impacts of having children and has published a report uncovering some surprising statistics that don’t all make for happy reading. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Jessica via LinkedInThe Equal Parent: Why Sharing the Load MattersThe Careers After Babies reportLeave us a voice note

Effective leadership means understanding the needs of all stakeholders, not just your team members. When teams broaden their thinking to their customer base, to the wider ecology, and even to future generations, they make more effective decisions. Professor Peter Hawkins has a lifetime of experience working on systemic team coaching, leadership development, and organisational change. He’s a pioneer in integrating strategic and culture change along with leadership development, and he emphasises the importance of connecting personal, team, organisational, and ecological levels of change. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Professor Peter Hawkins via LinkedInSystemic Coaching: Delivering Value Beyond the Individual5 disciplines of high performance teamsLeave us a voice note

Life-altering events can reveal the strength and resilience of the human spirit, highlight the value of a supportive network, and reveal the power of compassion and understanding. Both of this episode’s guests have had first-hand experience in this area. Returning to the podcast is Gillian Coutts, who suffered a stroke in 2022 and has been on a long road to recovery. By her side, along with Gillian’s husband Steve and her family, has been Gillian’s business partner, Jenny Steadman, who has dealt with her own serious health concerns. This 100th episode is a testament to the power of the We Not Me spirit, and demonstrates what the combination of grit and grace can achieve. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Support Gill’s GoFundMe campaignLeave us a voice note

Sport is more than just a game. It serves as a unifying force, bringing people together across generations and cultures. It teaches us valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and resilience, and it helps build a sense of community and belonging. Patrick Skene is the Chief Creative Officer at Culture Pulse, where he engages multicultural communities across various sporting events. He’s also a storyteller, writing about sport, exploring its deeper meaning and significance beyond just being a game. Three reasons to listen Links Connect with Patrick via LinkedInHidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater ThingsLeave us a voice noteEpisode highlights

There’s a wealth of untapped wisdom and information within our teams, but too much goes unspoken. By choosing curiosity, making it safe for others to share, and creating opportunities to ask and listen, we can access these insights, enrich our understanding, and improve our decision-making. Jeff Wetzler is a human potential and learning expert with a background in business and education. His new book discusses how to tap into the expertise of those around us, and he joins Dan and Pia to share some of the key insights raised through his extensive research into team communication. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and LifeRemaking the Space Between Us: How Citizens Can Work Together to Build a Better Future for AllDiscover what Squadify can do for your teamLeave us a voice note

What can you bring into the workplace that can significantly strengthen team bonds, enhance individual self-expression, and contribute to a healthier work environment? Mette Oscar Pedersen is a facilitator who’s worked with communities, companies, and other groups to bring joy and connection to their work. In this episode, you’ll Episode highlights Links Connect with Mette via LinkedInThe Dance Cure: The surprising secret to being smarter, stronger, happierDiscover what Squadify can do for your teamLeave us a voice note

People often don't speak up in meetings out of fear, a sense of futility, a lack of confidence, or because they just can't be bothered. But active participation and speaking up can significantly advance visibility and career prospects. So leaders and participants alike need to take responsibility for making meetings meaningful and encouraging open communication. Betina Szkudlarek is a professor in International Management at the University of Sydney Business School. Betina has conducted extensive research on why people often do not voice their opinions and what can be done to encourage people to speak up. In this episode, she shares findings from her research, and offers practical steps for both leaders and participants to ensure everyone’s voice is heard…not just the loudest. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Betina via LinkedInDoing Silence: How Silence Is Produced in MeetingsThe Stupidity Paradox: The Power and Pitfalls of Functional Stupidity at WorkHarnessing the power of silenceLeave us a voice note

How much responsibility do leaders have for the psychological safety of their teams? Aren’t psychological hazards an HR issue? Recent changes in Australian law require employers to take steps to ensure not only the physical but also the psychological safety of their employees. This includes identifying and mitigating psychosocial hazards in the workplace, which can have a profound impact on employees' mental health. But what is “reasonable”? This week's guest is Ian Bennett, a legal expert specialising in employment and safety law. He lends his expertise to discussions on workplace safety, specifically focusing on psychological safety and psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Connect with Ian via LinkedInConversations on LoveAnt Middleton’s Head Game podcastLeave us a voice note

Imposter syndrome is a common psychological pattern many of us experience. It makes us doubt our achievements, or feel like we’re going to be exposed as a fraud. Imposter syndrome is usually only experienced by high performers, but there are techniques and mindset shifts that can help us, if not “cure” imposter syndrome, then at least manage it. Clem Pickering is a coach and specialist in the area of imposter syndrome. He has a background in tech, and focuses on supporting leaders in the tech space enhance their people skills and increase their impact. Dan and Pia share their personal experiences with imposter syndrome, and together with Clem explore its prevalence, discuss the impact it has in the workplace, and uncover ways to manage it. Three reasons to listen Episode highlights Links Leave us a voice noteThe Secret Thoughts of Successful Women (And Men): Why Capable People Suffer from Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive In Spite of itThe Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation