The High Five!

This episode explores the staggering statistics behind leadership mediocrity and discusses why so many managers fall short. We dive into actionable ways to align team goals, share a real story about the power of Teamangle Conversation Cards, and preview our upcoming free Teamangle webinar on December 12. Plus, we sprinkle some lighthearted banter about gym zombies and Brett’s Spotify Wrapped.The ReviewWe discuss Greg's post, Leadership’s legacy problem—and how to solve it, and unpack why 82% of managers struggle with leadership and discuss ways to address the legacy of poor leadership. From aligning team goals to creating accountability frameworks, we highlight how leaders can improve. Plus, we share a real-life example of how Teamangle Conversation Cards helped a team overcome misalignment and foster productive conversations.We also published two Teamangle articles this week:How to align goals for team successThe power of shared goals: how one team unified around a common purposeThe AskIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, join us for our free Teamangle webinar on December 12 at noon ET. Here’s how you can help:Register now to gain practical strategies for better communication, collaboration, and culture.Share with a friend or colleague who could benefit from building stronger teams in 2025.Let’s make 2025 your team’s best year yet!The Hit ListBrett’s Picks:Listening: My embarrassing Spotify Wrapped.Reading: Pantone’s color of the year 2025Greg’s Picks:Listening: David Bowie’s 1. Outside.Watching: The PenguinReading: The General Intelligence Tsunami, Arena MagazineThe High FiveThis week’s high-five goes to our growing audience! Thanks to all who are signing up for the webinar, joining our email list, and connecting with us on LinkedIn. Your support keeps us inspired and excited to bring you even more great content!

From Thanksgiving vibes to the memories that make us smile, we’re diving into the holiday vibes, exploring how you can turn your family gathering into a fun team-building experience. team-building experience. Plus, we’re launching our free Thanksgiving Conversation Cards game—perfect for family bonding and keeping the peace at the dinner table. Oh, and we’ll be TikToking all about them this weekend, so stay tuned! Get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even download something your family will actually enjoy this year.The ReviewHere’s what’s on the table:Turning Thanksgiving into a fun family-building experienceDiscover our free Thanksgiving Conversation Cards game—a fun spin-off from the original set we designed to help teams align and thrive. This one’s for family bonding, not work emails.How we came up with the idea and how we're so excited about making stuff!What’s our favorite card?The AskDo us a favor—share our Thanksgiving Cards far and wide! Seriously, let everyone know. Put it on your Facebook, and don’t worry when your Aunt Sheila can’t find the download button. Just tell her to email us.The Hit ListBrett:Listening: The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess by Chappell Roan (plus, check out her NPR Tiny Desk Concert)Reading: Into the Wild by Jon KrakauerWatching: Game of Thrones (finally)Greg:Listening: Music from the 90s like Tribe Called QuestWatching: Bad MonkeyReading: Do HopeThe High FiveThis week, we’re high-fiving gratitude.The best teams—and families—offer gratitude to one another. It feels good, strengthens relationships, and builds trust. So this Thanksgiving, take a moment to say thanks. You’ll be surprised how far it goes.Happy Thanksgiving from Same Team Partners! 🦃 🍷 🥧

In this episode of The High Five, Greg dives into his new project, Unseen, exploring the growing issue of loneliness and how it affects us all. Meanwhile, Brett reacts to a thought-provoking Behavioral Scientist article on "bursty communication," sparking a lively discussion on remote work, collaboration rhythms, and why the “watercooler” metaphor needs a reboot. Plus, a look into this week’s Teamangle posts and exciting updates about the first-ever Teamangle webinar!The Review Here’s what we covered this week:Another take on remote work: burstiness is the new watercoolerBrett reacts to an article from Behavioral Scientist, challenging the idea of the "watercooler" and offering a fresh perspective on remote team dynamics:Why "the watercooler" was never where work happened.How "burstiness" fosters focus and collaboration in remote teams.Teamangle Blog Highlights:Feedback that fuels growth: How one team’s open dialogue changed everythingClarity through confirmation: how feedback loops improve team communicationThe Ask We’re hosting our first-ever Teamangle webinar on December 12 at noon ET! Join us to learn about aligning, adapting, and achieving with your team. Register now!The Hit ListBrettListening: Live Through This by HoleWatching: Nobody Wants This on NetflixGregReading: The Physicist and The Comedian: Finding Your 12 Feynman Problems & Leveraging Martin Short’s 9 Categories to Be More ProductiveReading: Designing DXThe High Five This week’s high-five goes to us—for sending out email campaigns about Teamangle to all our contacts. It felt a little weird, but hey, this is business. Hate the game, not the player!

This week’s episode is full of fun stories, big updates, and practical tips for improving communication for your team. We cover everything from fiery mishaps to the wild world of icebreakers, all while diving into how brevity's power can change how teams communicate.The ReviewThis week, we dive into the power of concise communication and why “less is more” can make all the difference. Key points include:Be Direct, Be Effective: Brett explains how being specific and clear—like setting deadlines and outlining outcomes—can prevent miscommunication.Examples: Avoid vague phrases like “as soon as possible.” Instead, say, “Please complete this by Friday at 3 PM.”When Icebreakers Attack: Inspired by Greg's conversation with a friend, we discuss how icebreakers can be awkward, even anxiety-inducing. Brett’s “Golden Girls guy” moment is a fun example of how icebreakers can sometimes backfire, but we also share a few favorites that actually work.This week, we published and are talking about:Why less is more: How brevity transformed communication in a busy teamBe direct, be effective: How specificity and conciseness improve communicationWhen icebreakers attackThe AskDownload our first playbook, Your Team Work, Reimagined. This guide introduces the Teamangle framework for diagnosing and enhancing team alignment in communication, collaboration, and culture. It’s packed with insights and a self-assessment tool to help leaders unlock their team’s full potential. Download, read, and share it! The Hit ListBrettListening: SABLE, by Bon IverReading: The Onion Just Bought Alex Jones’ Infowars—No, SeriouslyWatching: It’s Florida, ManGregListening: Low End Theory by Tribe Called QuestReading: The Freaks Came Out To Write by Tricia RomanoThe High FiveHigh five to Rhythm—we’re finally in sync, hitting our stride, and it feels great. Here’s to finding your rhythm and making it work!

This week’s episode is packed with insights, updates, and reflections on hybrid work, our Teamangle content strategy, and more.We start with Brett’s story of waiting 3.5 hours in line to vote, giving him plenty of time to fill out our Election Day Burrito Bingo card, a fun project we pulled together Monday night.The Review This week’s topic focuses on the practicalities of hybrid work and why it shouldn’t be considered revolutionary—it’s just common sense. Brett shares his thoughts on a recent HBR article about Trip.com’s A/B testing of hybrid work, questioning the ethics and practicality of treating work modes as experiments. The conversation also reflects on previous experiences with hybrid work, where flexibility was embraced long before today’s technology made it even easier.This week, we published and are talking about:Why hybrid work isn’t revolutionary—it’s just common senseClear goals, clear results: defining your communication purposeElection Day survival guide: 10 ways to actually stay focused (or fake it) at workThe Ask We need your help spreading the word about Teamangle! If you know people who could benefit from Teamangle or have connections in the podcast world, reach out. We’d love the chance to talk about our insights and impact on other platforms.The Hit ListBrettListening: The Cure, Songs Of A Lost WorldReading: Your Duty Remains The SameGregListening: Underworld, Strawberry HotelReading: Freak Kingdom: Hunter S. Thompson’s Manic Ten-Year Crusade Against American Fascism by Timothy DeneviThe High Five High fives all around this week for Teamangle! The platform is solid, our offerings are ready, and we’ve got our game faces on. Here’s to an exciting launch and helping teams achieve their best year ever. LET'S GO!

Get ready for a spooky twist as tales from work horror stories set the stage! Discover how tailoring communication can elevate team engagement and foster deeper connections. The importance of aligning team purpose is highlighted, alongside insights into enhancing work culture. A powerful diagnostic tool geared towards improving team dynamics is introduced, paired with anticipation for upcoming design trends. Plus, celebrate shared passions, victories, and the magic of Halloween festivities!

In this episode, we reflect on how the end of Happy Cog Austin eventually led to the creation of Same Team Partners and the launch of Teamangle. We each share our perspective on the emotional journey that began with the closure of the Austin office, eventually sparking a new chapter of helping teams thrive. Brett dives into his keynote at the 12th annual Digital PM Summit, where he introduced Teamangle—a framework built on communication, collaboration, and culture. Tune in to hear how the lessons from those early days shaped Teamangle and why the PM community resonated with tools like the Teamangle Conversation Cards.The AskRemember the Fyre Festival? It was supposed to be a luxury event, but it became a viral disaster due to a complete breakdown in communication and planning. Teams didn’t talk to each other, promises weren’t realistic, and the whole thing collapsed. The lesson? If your team’s communication, collaboration, and culture are off, it can all fall apart. That’s why there’s Teamangle—the tool to help spot and fix those cracks before it’s too late.Teamangle gives you a clear view of how your team functions, using data and insights to uncover problems in communication, collaboration, and culture before they become significant issues. With easy-to-use conversation tools and workshops, Teamangle helps teams work better together and ensures you don’t end up with your own disaster. Want to make 2025 your team's best year ever? Check out Teamangle today.The Hit ListBrett:Reading: Japan’s Jimi ‘Mundane’ Halloween Costumes of 2023Listening: Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat by Charli XCXPublished: How and When to Say No to a ProjectGreg:Reading: Alphabet in MotionWearing: Los Angeles Dodgers '47 Royal/White Trawler Clean Up Trucker Snapback HatListening: Cocteau Twins: Heaven or Las VegasHigh Five!This week, we're high-fiving about the completion of another Teamangle diagnostic. If you're interested in learning more, get in touch. We'd love to help.

Discover the vital impact of understanding team communication preferences for enhanced collaboration. Explore diverse communication styles and how they unlock trust and productivity. Insights from a digital project management summit reveal tools that foster alignment. Delve into strategies for onboarding and project initiation, including a new playbook featuring the 'team angle framework.' Plus, enjoy recommendations on entertainment and reflective discussions about personal limitations, friendship, and achievements!

Creative teams are feeling the heat as they juggle tighter budgets and increasing expectations. Personal stories, from spooky prison experiences to real-life team shake-ups, highlight the need for prioritizing team well-being. Communication, collaboration, and culture emerge as critical components for navigating new challenges. The launch of a playbook aims to revolutionize teamwork dynamics. Plus, there's a nostalgic nod to 90s music and reflections on stress management in the workplace.

Big news this week on The High Five! We're preparing for the official launch of the Teamangle, a team diagnostic to help uncover, diagnose, and solve challenges in the areas of communication, collaboration, and culture. We're so excited about this launch, and while nothing is live yet, we've had tons of positive conversations with folks about the work we've done so far. Greg wrote Introducing our new team development and leadership framework, the Teamangle to start discussing the concept and dives into how and why we created Teamangle. Brett shares all of the upcoming Teamangle products and opportunities we have lined up for you. We hope you can feel the excitement!The AskSubscribe to our site at sameteampartners.com so you can receive content updates, and of course, the launch of the Teamangle next week!The Hit ListBrett:Speaking, Oct 14: Digital PM SummitReading: Why Gaming Is Good for the Workplace Greg:Listening: Junior Varsity - Cross the StreetWatching: Bad MonkeyThe High FiveWriting and content marketing! Get ready for all the Same Team Partners content coming your way!Have a wonderful week.