My Journey

As an engineer, I've been part of various teams—some were productive, others energized me, but rarely did I find both qualities coexisting. It wasn't until I stepped into the role of a program manager, leading my own team, that I experienced a rare synergy of energy and productivity. We surpassed expectations, delivering our product in two-thirds of the allotted time, and the bonds formed endured beyond the project's completion.

This transformative experience inspired me as I pursued a doctorate degree, with a keen focus on understanding how to cultivate teams that are not only productive but also joyful. My journey into academia was driven by a desire to uncover the secrets behind creating such high-performing and fulfilling teams. Despite delving into existing research, I found myself met with more questions than answers. The literature offered mechanical processes but lacked the practical wisdom I sought as an engineer.

My quest for insight led me to unexpected places, including the shelves of the library, where I stumbled upon a book that captured my attention: "The Evolutionary Vision: Toward a unifying paradigm of physical, biological, and sociocultural evolution" edited by Erich Jantsch. Intrigued by the notion of universal principles governing evolution from physical to social systems, I delved into the emerging field of complexity theory upon which Jantsch's work was based. Here, amidst scientific principles that transcended disciplinary boundaries, I found the foundation for my work on teams and cultures.

Building upon this newfound understanding, I collaborated with my colleague Vanessa Druskat to develop Team Emotional Intelligence, which was first introduced in Harvard Business Review. Over time, I integrated Agile practices into my approach, culminating in the development of the Inspired Teams™ framework.

Over nearly seven years of working with teams through the Inspired Teams™ framework, I've witnessed remarkable transformations. Conflicts have melted away, the most dysfunctional members have made remarkable turnarounds and performance soared. By embracing complexity science, I've learned to navigate away from the futile trap of addressing surface-level issues, instead delving into the deeper forces that drive team dynamics. This shift in approach has been transformative—problems dissolve effortlessly as I focus on addressing the root causes rather than fixating on the symptoms, and the problems don’t return.

If you would like to know more about the power of Inspired Teams™ to transform workplace dynamics, I am always happy to discuss how these principles could elevate your team's performance and foster a culture of success. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.