The Future Of Teamwork with Dane Groeneveld

In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane chats with Gourab Mukherjee, co-founder and CEO of Aktivo Labs. Chronic disease and healthcare costs are rising every year in an unsustainable way. In response, Aktivo Labs has made it their mission to prevent chronic disease globally by focusing on lifestyle-driven, modifiable risk factors. Gourab explains how data and technology are transforming how companies support employee health, how fostering a culture of belonging and inclusivity can elevate team engagement, and how a data-driven approach to wellness can promote inclusivity. Finally, Gourab shares his perspective on how generative AI is changing the way we work as teams.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast02:13 Gourab’s Journey and Activo Labs04:37 The Importance of Preventative Healthcare06:34 Economic Incentives for Healthier Workforces09:54 Building a Health-Conscious Workplace Culture17:12 The Role of Technology in Health and Wellness37:46 Generative AI's Impact on Team Dynamics41:06 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane sits down with Jeff Frick, founder of Menlo Creek Media and host of the podcasts Work 20XX and Turn The Lens, to talk about how technology plays into teamwork today. Jeff shares about how his early experiences in the tech industry led him to focus on leadership and communication in the context of the future of work. Jeff then discusses how remote work has shifted traditional methods of ideation and team collaboration, and increased the need for psychological safety and inclusivity in decision-making. Together, Jeff and Dane reflect on how technology has made previously inaccessible resources widely available, opening doors for innovation across the globe, and stress the need for organizations to treat employees as whole individuals, not just resources. Overall, Jeff highlights the need for embracing technology while also ensuring that human skills, like leadership and communication, are not neglected.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast02:19 Jeff's Journey: From TV Store to Media Executive03:26 The Impact of COVID-19 on Media and Work04:58 The Evolution of Work and Technology06:20 AI and the Future of Communication07:53 Leadership and Communication in the Modern Era16:49 The Shift in Leadership Styles20:47 The Role of AI in Decision Making and Negotiation24:02 Human vs. Machine Negotiation24:46 Embracing Change and Innovation25:32 Creating Conditions for Success26:14 Amazon's Leadership Philosophy27:06 Frugality as an Innovation Driver28:47 Encouraging Discretionary Effort29:30 Blameless Retrospectives37:01 Managing Human Energy38:16 The Future of Education and Technology44:13 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane chats with Ashley Jablow, coach and founder at Wayfinders Collective, about bringing authenticity, energy, and one’s whole self to teamwork. Ashley shares her journey from working in the nonprofit and innovation sectors to running her own business. Dane and Ashley discuss the importance of reflection and how team members can help you see strengths you may not recognize in yourself. Ashley also talks about the value of coaching and facilitation skills and using creative tools like alter egos to encourage different perspectives and foster psychological safety during brainstorming sessions. Tune in for practical ways to bring authenticity into your team!00:00 Welcome to the Future of Teamwork02:08 Ashley's Journey: From Silicon Valley to Wayfinders Collective04:18 The Power of Design Thinking and Innovation05:51 Embracing Iteration and Experimentation09:52 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Team Feedback18:21 Discover, Define, Imagine, Iterate: A Practical Approach23:51 Balancing Long-Term Vision with Immediate Action25:22 Navigating Ambiguity and Trust in Iteration26:35 Balancing Risk and Experimentation27:04 Introducing Constraints and Honest Conversations29:25 Designing Alliances for Effective Teamwork32:09 Documenting Alliances and Ensuring Alignment35:17 Facilitation Skills and Handling Conflict40:44 The Power of Alter Egos in Team Dynamics46:05 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane sits down with Massimo Backus, author of Human First, Leader Second, and founder of Massimo Backus Leadership. Massimo shares his journey of discovering self-compassion after a humbling experience in leadership and how that shaped how he now approaches leadership with self-awareness and self-compassion. Massimo advocates for emotional fluency within teams. He argues that when teams can freely express emotions, the emotions pass more quickly, helping people make clearer, more thoughtful decisions. They also reflect on the evolution of leadership, noting how we've been conditioned by industrial-era mindsets to always strive for progress even though we're human. Listen to learn how self-compassion, accountability, and open dialogue can foster healthier, more productive workplaces.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork02:06 Massimo's Journey to Self-Compassion04:09 The Power of Self-Compassion in Leadership09:00 Implementing Self-Compassion in Teams19:45 Practical Tips for Team Check-Ins25:05 Embracing Vulnerability and Humanity26:47 The Evolution of Work and Social Contracts29:34 Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance32:14 Challenges of Servant Leadership34:19 Personal Accountability in the Workplace41:17 The Importance of Transparency43:29 Developing Self-Compassion Skills46:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this important conversation on The Future of Teamwork, Dane chats with Sonya Sepahban, CEO of OurOffice, about the importance of curiosity, data-driven DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) initiatives, and how organizations can create lasting business impact through inclusive practices. Sonya shares her journey of discovering how DEI efforts, when combined with proper business metrics, can drive both diversity and financial success. Together, Dane and Sonya explore the significance of psychological safety and transparency in the workplace. Tune in to learn how DEIB isn’t just about benefiting underrepresented groups, but improving the work environment for all employees.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast01:29 Meet Sonya Sepahban: From Aspiring Astronaut to DEIB Leader02:02 Sonya's Journey: Embracing Curiosity and Overcoming Challenges04:53 Breaking Barriers: Sonya's Experience in Engineering and DEIB08:23 The Importance of Data in DEIB Initiatives12:33 Engineering Mindset in DEIB: Connecting the Dots15:58 Challenges and Strategies in Promoting DEIB26:35 The Mission of OurOffice and the Role of Ganesha27:24 Building the Platform in India27:43 The Symbolism of Ganesha29:07 Meeting Organizations Where They Are29:56 Understanding Organizational Drivers32:34 Connecting Data for Better Insights36:23 The Importance of Historical Data38:37 Real Business Results from DEIB Efforts44:47 Creating a Psychologically Safe Space48:00 Sustainable Systems Leadership49:07 Conclusion and Contact Information

This week on The Future of Teamwork, Dane chats with “accidental workplace strategist” Phil Kirschner, about how to improve the way workplaces run and teams collaborate. Today, they’re talking about how written work guidelines can reduce meetings, encourage a sense of purpose in team members, and improve efficiency. They discuss the importance of dynamic onboarding processes and advocate for a new way to manage the holistic employee experience. Together, they cover the evolving nature of work, especially post-pandemic – and highlight the need for personalization rather than categorizing workers into rigid personas like "anchor" or "mobile" workers. Phil emphasizes that companies should continually ask, "What can we be doing better?" to eliminate inefficiency and improve overall workplace experience.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork01:24 Meet Phil Kirschner: A Journey in Workplace Strategy04:28 The Executive Mindset and Workplace Transformation09:08 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership14:49 Embracing Transparency and Documentation23:30 Remote Work and the Future of Team Dynamics28:15 The Impact of COVID on Organizational Structure29:05 Burnout and the Breakdown of Workplace Systems29:48 Challenges in Onboarding and Employee Experience30:43 The Role of Documentation and Recorded Meetings31:43 Dynamic Libraries and Onboarding Solutions33:17 The Intersection of HR and Operations35:04 Future of Work: Hybrid and Remote Roles38:37 Personalization in the Workplace46:00 Experimenting with Workspaces and Flexibility48:14 Concluding Thoughts and Practical Tips

This week on the podcast, Dane sits down with Sejal Thakkar, Chief Civility Officer, Chief Culture Officer, and keynote speaker. Today, Dane and Sejal explore how creating a culture of civility in the workplace is a crucial part of working well as a team, what microaggressions are and how they show up in the workplace, and her framework for correcting these behaviors through “calling someone in.” She shares how her framework encourages employees to share the responsibility and resolve issues collaboratively at the ground level, instead of bringing it up the chain to their supervisor or HR. Finally, she talks through how psychological safety at work can create a stronger, more effective team. This is a great conversation to combat the growing trend of incivility in the workplace.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast02:09 Sejal's Journey from Defense Attorney to Civility Advocate03:51 Understanding and Addressing Incivility10:27 The Role of Microaggressions in Workplace Incivility19:30 The Civility Action Plan (CAP) Framework24:49 Frustrations with Anti-Harassment Training25:30 Drawing Parallels with the Safety Industry26:32 Introducing the Civility Action Plan27:20 Importance of Alignment in Civility29:12 Promotion and Continuous Learning31:11 Implementing Psychological Safety32:28 Encouraging Collaborative Conflict Resolution42:23 The Role of AI in Promoting Civility44:15 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action Psychological safety at work doesn't mean that everybody is nice to each other all the time. It means that people feel free to brainstorm out loud, to voice half-finished thoughts, to share feedback, challenge the status quo, openly challenge and work through disagreements together, knowing that the organization and the leaders value honesty, candor, truth-telling, and that the team members have each other's backs. 

This week on the podcast, Dane welcomes modern work coach Mark Cruth. Dane and Mark discuss incorporating storytelling in leadership, effectively sharing stories and messages across larger teams, and the need for foundational teamwork practices and work agreements (instead of another new tool). They then explore the effectiveness of traditional team-building activities and the need for leadership to drive team success actively. Finally, Mark shares his insights on how to build better team relationships and improve teamwork with practical, intentional strategies. This conversation is great for leaders who want to make a better, more synergistically working team.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast01:33 Mark's Beginnings02:22 Mark's Journey into Teamwork and Organizational Design03:38 Transforming Team Practices at Atlassian04:57 The Role of Modern Work Coach09:22 The Power of Storytelling in Team Dynamics17:11 Challenges and Solutions in Remote Work23:05 The Importance of Foundational Solutions24:34 Creating Effective Working Agreements25:50 Communication Tools and Team Norms27:25 Addressing Team Friction28:38 The Role of Leadership in Team Dynamics31:02 Tool Sprawl and Efficiency36:33 The Future of Teamwork40:19 The Value of Internal Consultants45:07 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

This week on the podcast, Dane welcomes Al Dea, founder of The Edge of Work, a talent and leadership development consulting firm. Dane and Al explore leadership and teamwork in the modern workplace, noting the importance of small, consistent actions in building trust to create a positive team culture. Al discusses the power of curiosity in fostering effective teamwork, and shares insights on how being a great teammate can open doors for opportunities and foster collaboration. Together, they highlight the significance of getting in the trenches with your team to lead effectively. The conversation delves into the challenges leaders face when joining new teams, the tension between individual recognition and team success, and the vital role of listening and learning before taking action. This episode is a must-listen for business leaders looking to maximize team potential.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast01:39 Al Dea’s Personal Journeys05:19 The Importance of Curiosity in Leadership08:34 Challenges of Team-Based Work in Business11:37 The Role of Collaboration and Individual Contribution15:57 Innovative Approaches to Team Dynamics21:42 Creating Psychological Safety Through Collaboration24:08 Understanding Resistance to Change26:11 Empowering Team Members to Speak Up34:45 The Importance of Being a Good Teammate39:46 Maximizing Team Potential as a Leader43:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This week on the podcast, Dane interviews Kevin Seiff, founder of Vet Collective and host of the Harder Not Smarter Podcast. Kevin, a former Marine and Navy SEAL, shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Kevin discusses the paths The Vet Collective helps veterans take to achieve their entrepreneurial goals, and highlights the transferable skills veterans bring to the business world, such as leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication. They discuss topics such as self-promotion as an entrepreneur, education and preparation, the importance of choosing the right business partners, and the pros and cons of different business models. This is a fantastic conversation for entrepreneurs on the importance of strategic planning, risk management, and the power of collaboration in achieving business success.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast02:09 Kevin's Transition: Military to Civilian Life06:24 The Birth of the VET Collective07:40 Understanding the Borrow, Build, Buy Paths11:20 The Value of Military Experience in Business23:15 Connecting Veterans with Business Opportunities27:07 Understanding Financial Statements28:12 The Importance of Teamwork in Entrepreneurship29:14 Finding the Right Business Partner31:14 Essential Business Advisors: The ABCs34:21 Navigating Franchise Opportunities39:28 Challenges of Starting a Business from Scratch43:56 Community Support and Growth48:41 Conclusion and Contact Information