How can leaders create social contracts that foster true team accountability and shared success?

In this episode, Bill and guest Keith Ferrazzi explore the importance of moving beyond traditional leadership towards a model of “teamship,” where teams hold themselves and each other accountable. Keith also shares insights about the power of vulnerability and candor, and practical exercises like the “stress test” to build high-performing teams.

Keith Ferrazzi is a powerhouse thought leader and author who’s redefining how we connect and collaborate. His latest book is Never Lead Alone.

Topics explored in this episode:

(02:27) From Networking to Vulnerability

* Vulnerability is the key to authentic relationships—even in business settings.

(06:08) Building Co-Elevating Teams

* The goal is not just psychological safety, but teams that push each other to succeed.

(10:37) Practices That Change Culture

* Teams need a social contract and regular “stress tests” to challenge each other productively.

* Keith’s early exposure to empowered teams in manufacturing shaped his view of leadership.

* Siloed work structures limit innovation and responsiveness in today’s fast-paced world.

(20:53) Candor with Compassion

* Candor must serve others’ success, not be used as a blunt instrument.

(34:29) Redesigning Work in an AI World

* Keith advocates for rethinking workflows from the ground up—not just slapping AI on top.

Thanks to Keith Ferrazzi for being on the show!

Learn more about Keith: http://keithferrazzi.com

Get Keith’s book: Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063412578/

Connect with Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithferrazzi/

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

DNVR Buffs Podcast: Is in-state recruiting on the upswing?