We Not Me

Dan Hammond & Pia Lee
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Exploring how humans connect and get stuff done together, with Dan Hammond and Pia Lee from Squadify. We need groups of humans to help navigate the world of opportunities and challenges, but we don't always work together effectively. This podcast tackles questions such as "What makes a rockstar team?" "How can we work from anywhere?" "What part does connection play in today's world?" You'll also hear the thoughts and views of those who are running and leading teams across the world.

  1. 6D AGO

    Three hidden patterns that could be holding your team back

    Teams often struggle with hidden dysfunctions that disguise themselves as positive behaviours, like pretending everything’s fine when it isn't, making decisions in corridors rather than as a team, and heaping blame on a single person rather than addressing systemic issues. These patterns are particularly insidious because they hide under seemingly good intentions, making them difficult to spot and address. Noj Hinkins is a team coach and leadership development consultant. He’s been working with senior teams for the past 15-20 years, typically at director level and above, doing one-on-one coaching, team building, and leadership development work. He specialises in identifying dysfunctions that can hold teams back. Three reasons to listen Recognise when toxic positivity is preventing your team from addressing real problems and creating a disconnect between team membersIdentify and eliminate covert processes that override team decisionsSpot scapegoating patterns where teams blame one person for systemic issuesEpisode highlights [00:12:50] Team patterns in 2026[00:14:19] Toxic positivity[00:24:23] Covert process[00:30:33] Scapegoating[00:41:39] What to do first if you spot these patterns[00:43:34] Noj's media recommendation[00:44:53] Takeaways from Dan and PiaLinks Covert Processes at Work, by Robert MarshakSo Far So Good, by the Blue Moon – Noj’s media recommendationTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    51 min

  2. JAN 23

    Balancing artificial and human intelligence

    In a working world where the conversation is increasingly dominated by AI, we need to consciously prioritise human connection and old-school practices, like face-to-face conversations, physical books, and time for deep thinking, to avoid becoming trapped in a cycle of constant acceleration that ultimately undermines our wellbeing and what makes us fundamentally human. Jon Whittle is the former CEO of CSIRO's Data61, Australia's national AI research and development centre. He led a team of around 500 scientists, engineers and support staff across Australia. Jon’s working is transitioning to helping organisations understand and adopt AI in an effective, human-centred way, particularly with boards and leadership teams. Three reasons to listen To reframe AI adoption around human needs rather than pure efficiencyTo discover the risks of outsourcing human connection to AIAo learn how to adopt old-school practices that preserve your humanityEpisode highlights [00:10:24] Leading hundreds of scientists and engineers[00:13:14] What it means to be human in an AI world[00:23:25] The danger of sharing problems with AI rather than other humans[00:31:33] What Jon has learned from classical Indian dance[00:36:18] AI for Business[00:39:55] Jon's media recommendation[00:42:06] Takeaways from Pia and DanLinks Connect with Jon via LinkedInAI for Business – Jon’s bookCSIRO presents: Everyday AI – Jon’s podcastTurning Down the Noise – Jon’s media recommendationTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    53 min

  3. 12/19/2025

    How do you lead a team through economic uncertainty?

    Leading through uncertainty means accepting complexity rather than fighting it. The most powerful tool for doing so is clarity. While conventional wisdom suggests focusing on trust-building and communication skills, Squadify data shows that starting with clarity – specifically around shared goals, processes, and measures of success – is what actually transforms groups of individuals into cohesive teams and drives performance. Three reasons to listen Learn to befriend uncertainty and focus on what you can influenceDiscover how to build team cohesion through clarity rather than trust exercisesUnderstand how teams work together as the key performance driverEpisode highlights [00:02:31] Jamie's question[00:03:36] Befriending uncertainty[00:05:38] Are you a team, or a TINO?[00:08:51] The sixth dysfunction in teams[00:11:12] The trigger question for high performance[00:13:42] Doubling down on humanity[00:16:41] Coming up in 2026Links Track and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    20 min

  4. 12/05/2025

    Can you have a leaderless team?

    Autonomy in teams requires clarity, not chaos. Successful autonomous teams need defined authority over coordination, transparent processes, and intentional facilitation to empower people whilst maintaining alignment and effectiveness. Jon Barnes is a facilitator, coach, and co-founder of Pala, and he focuses on helping teams and organisations become more autonomous. His approach spans a spectrum from making hierarchies feel less hierarchical, to helping teams operate fundamentally without line management. Three reasons to listen Create clarity in team structures by defining authority and decision-making processes upfrontBuild psychological safety and engagement through effective facilitation techniquesBalance empowerment with appropriate holding by learning when to let go and when to provide directionEpisode highlights [00:12:22] the two types of waste in teams[00:18:10] What does leadership look like away from hierarchy?[00:21:44] Self-management in highly-pressurised teams[00:25:37] The myth of self-governance[00:27:12] Unhelpful self-management patterns[00:32:47] Jon's biggest two levers[00:35:32] Jon's media recommendation[00:36:59] Dan's media recommendation[00:41:12] Takeaways from Pia and DanLinks Connect with Jon via LinkedInHumankind, by Rutger BregmanLonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – Jon’s media recommendationThe Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley – Dan’s media recommendationFrom the Core, by John Wineland – Pia’s media recommendationTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    46 min

  5. 11/21/2025

    Is it OK to have a big team? (Q&A with Dan & Pia)

    There's a scientific basis for understanding optimal team size, including research on connection complexity, social loafing, and performance data that challenges common assumptions about how many people should work together effectively. In this Q&A episode, Dan and Pia dive into the science and the data, to discover the optimum team size. Episode highlights [00:01:27] Is it OK to have a big team?[00:04:15] The Ringelmann effect[00:07:22] What's the optimum team size?[00:08:18] When is a team a group?[00:10:20] What the Squadify data showsLinks Ringelmann effectTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    12 min

  6. 11/07/2025

    Humans in the age of AI

    While AI will dramatically reshape work and careers – potentially displacing entry-level jobs and creating “companies of one” – the true competitive advantage will lie in taking a human-centric approach to AI adoption, where diverse teams maintain creativity, critical thinking and genuine human connection rather than simply automating away people to maximise shareholder returns. Larry Chao is the founding Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at trustme.ai, a startup building tools for AI governance. He’s also involved with nonprofits like Berkeley Skydeck and the Ethical AI Governance Group, where he helps empower the next generation of innovators to develop AI responsibly. Sunaina Lobo has been a Chief Human Resources Officer three times over, and is now a strategic advisor to trustme.aiand co-founder of Momentum Global HR, where she does strategic HR consulting with an AI lens. Three reasons to listen Understand the trajectory and implications of AI evolution, and what this means for teams and workflowsNavigate the human impact of AI adoption in your organisationMove beyond AI as a differentiator to focus on human connection and diverse thought as the true sources of organisational strengthEpisode highlights [00:12:47] The evolution of AI[00:16:55] AI and teams[00:17:37] Facts emerging from our continued use of AI[00:29:01] The case for responsible AI[00:32:15] The case against the "company of one"[00:41:50] Driving shareholder value while being human-centred[00:43:43] Suni's media recommendation[00:44:05] Larry's media recommendation[00:45:12] Takeaways from Pia and DanLinks Connect with Larry via LinkedInConnect with Sunaina via LinkedInTrustMe.aiSuni’s podcast recommendations:Pioneers of AIThe AII Daily BriefKPop Demon Hunters – Larry’s recommendationHumankind, by Rutger BregmanTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    48 min

  7. 10/23/2025

    The three things holding back teams today

    Successful team performance requires slowing down to achieve alignment before rushing into action. Spending more time upfront ensuring everyone truly understands the problem statement, decision-making roles, and priorities will save significant time, energy, and relationship breakdowns later. Without this foundational alignment, teams waste enormous amounts of time in ineffective meetings, experience constant breakdowns in execution, and carry baggage from unresolved issues that poisons future decisions. The key is to move with discipline and sophistication rather than mere speed, investing in both the technical frameworks and the relational intelligence needed to bring out the best thinking from diverse perspectives. Susan Asiyanbi is the founder and CEO of the Olori Network, an executive leadership practice that works with CEOs, executive teams, and boards, specialising in studying what the strongest executive teams and boards do differently. Three reasons to listen Identify the hidden costs of misalignment in your team, from wasted meeting time to breakdowns in relationships that drain energy both at work and at homeApply a disciplined approach to decision-making that balances speed with rigour through five key strandsReclaim control of your calendar by conducting a time audit that reveals the gap between what you say matters and where you actually spend your energyEpisode highlights [00:09:18] Alignment, themes, and relationships[00:11:06] How to get alignment[00:12:32] What happens when alignment isn't found[00:15:48] Asking the right questions[00:17:32] Decision-making is compromised[00:18:40] The five key components of a decision-making framework[00:26:17] How to move more slowly[00:28:41] How will AI affect decision-making?[00:31:44] What are you prioritising for?[00:37:23] What to try this[00:39:57] Susan's media recommendation[00:40:43] Takeaways from Pia and DanLinks Connect with Susan via LinkedInTeam #1, by Patrick LencioniAI-Generated “Workslop” Is Destroying ProductivityHow to turn a group of strangers into a team – Susan’s media recommendationTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    46 min

  8. 09/18/2025

    The business case for social mobility

    Rather than trying to "fix" people or show them rungs on a ladder, social mobility comes from recognising individuals, giving them psychological safety, and allowing them to fulfil their own potential. Diverse workplaces thrive not because of tokenistic inclusion efforts, but because different voices at the table lead to better outcomes and more successful organisations. Dan and Pia are joined by Arad Reisberg, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at Brunel University of London, campaigner for social justice and social mobility, and co-founder of the Social Mobility Leaders Forum. Three reasons to listen Reframe your understanding of social mobility as social justice, focusing on creating opportunities for people to fulfil their potential rather than just climbing career laddersCreate an environment where people feel comfortable being their authentic selves by asking powerful questions and actively listeningBuild more diverse, successful teams by recognising that different voices at the table lead to better outcomes, challenging conventional thinking about "hiring for fit"Episode highlights [00:09:32] What is social mobility?[00:15:24] How social mobility helps business[00:18:59] How to implement social mobility in your organisation[00:26:31] Arad's media recommendation[00:29:43] Takeaways from Dan and PiaLinks Connect with Arad via LinkedInArad’s media recommendations: the Inward trilogy by Yung Pueblo:InwardClarity & ConnectionThe Way ForwardTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

    34 min
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About

Exploring how humans connect and get stuff done together, with Dan Hammond and Pia Lee from Squadify. We need groups of humans to help navigate the world of opportunities and challenges, but we don't always work together effectively. This podcast tackles questions such as "What makes a rockstar team?" "How can we work from anywhere?" "What part does connection play in today's world?" You'll also hear the thoughts and views of those who are running and leading teams across the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Hammond & Pia Lee
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Squadify
  • Show Website
    We Not Me