“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

The First Team Trap: Avoiding Toxicity

Sep 17, 2024

18:53

Snipd AI

Explore the delicate balance between team loyalty and executive alignment. The discussion highlights the dangers of putting immediate team goals over broader company objectives. Discover strategies for managing dissent while maintaining empathy and authority. Learn about the profound effects of toxic leadership and the importance of transparent communication in fostering collaboration. The episode emphasizes proactive succession planning to build a healthier workplace culture.

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Quick takeaways

Recognizing and prioritizing the executive team fosters unity, reducing internal conflict and enhancing overall company culture.

Transparent communication during tough decisions engages employees and minimizes toxicity by fostering understanding and acceptance of leadership choices.

Deep dives

Understanding Team Dynamics

The concept of identifying a 'first team' within an organization is crucial to reducing dysfunction and toxicity. When executives prioritize their immediate teams over the overarching executive team, it leads to communication breakdowns and mistrust among departments. This internal conflict often manifests as an 'us versus them' mentality, where individual team loyalties undermine collective goals. By recognizing the need for unity and supporting the executive team's vision, employees at all levels can align their efforts and contribute positively to the company's culture.

Intro

3min

Navigating First Team Dynamics and Company Alignment

3min

Navigating Team Dissent: Balancing Empathy and Authority

2min

Navigating Leadership Challenges and Fostering Team Collaboration

6min

Embracing Transparency in Leadership

5min

You've got your daily team, the folks you work with every day, but then there's the executive squad. Patrick Lencioni’s "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" says that should be your true loyalty, but how does that translate into practice? Nolan and Kelli talk about navigating those tricky waters and avoiding toxic team vibes when the big boss throws down some tough choices.

Explore how HR pros can keep things from blowing up when the executive team calls the shots.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

Support HR Heretics Sponsors:

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KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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RELATED BOOK:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni

https://www.amazon.com/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Fable/dp/0787960756

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:13) The "First Team" Concept

(01:09) Balancing Executive and Functional Teams

(03:07) Importance of Organizational Alignment

(05:58) Handling Team Disagreements with Executive Decisions

(07:58) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview

(10:02) Avoiding Toxic Leadership Behaviors

(11:44) Explaining Decisions to Teams

(13:52) Value of Transparency in Leadership

(15:11) Addressing Team Members' Concerns

(17:01) Managing Team Turnover and Succession Planning

(18:06) Preventing and Addressing Team Toxicity

(18:36) Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

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