Build Better Teams | Team Building, Leadership, Employee Engagement, Strategic Planning & LEGO Serious Play

Shannon Russell | Leadership Facilitator, Team Building Expert, Strategic Planning Consultant & Certified LEGO Serious Play Facilitator
  • 5.0 (1)
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Build Better Teams is the podcast for HR professionals, executives, managers, business owners, and event planners who want to create stronger teams through better communication, collaboration, employee engagement, and strategic planning. Hosted by Shannon Russell, a strategic leadership facilitator and certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator, each episode shares practical strategies, real-world case studies, and innovative facilitation techniques that help organizations improve workplace culture, align leadership teams, and build high-performing teams. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from real leadership retreats, strategic planning sessions, and LEGO Serious Play workshops, plus practical ideas you can use with your own team. Whether you're planning a leadership retreat, team building workshop, strategic planning session, or company offsite, you'll discover actionable ideas you can bring back to your organization. Topics include: • Team building workshops that improve communication and collaboration • Leadership development and management strategies • Strategic planning sessions and leadership retreats • Employee engagement and workplace culture • LEGO Serious Play facilitation and creative problem solving • Team communication and psychological safety • Organizational alignment and change management • Corporate event facilitation and interactive workshops If you're searching for ideas to improve teamwork, employee engagement, leadership communication, strategic planning, or innovative team building activities, Build Better Teams gives you practical tools you can use immediately. Whether you lead a Fortune 500 company, nonprofit organization, growing small business, or remote team, you'll learn how to build trust, strengthen communication, encourage innovation, and create teams that perform at their best. Learn more about Shannon Russell's workshops, keynote speaking, leadership retreats, and LEGO Serious Play facilitation at BuildBetterTeamsConsulting.com.

  1. 6d ago

    Why Networking Makes You a Better Leader: How Meaningful Relationships Build Stronger Teams | #17

    Does the word networking make you cringe? You're not alone. For many professionals, networking feels forced, transactional, and awkward. But what if networking wasn't about collecting business cards or making sales? What if it was simply about building meaningful relationships that make you a better leader? In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell explores why networking has earned a bad reputation, how leaders can reframe it as relationship-building, and why expanding your professional community can strengthen your leadership, improve team communication, and create new opportunities for your organization. Drawing from her own experiences as a business owner, leadership facilitator, speaker, podcast host, and certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator, Shannon shares practical ways leaders can build authentic connections that benefit both themselves and their teams. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why networking gets such a bad reputation • How relationship-building makes you a stronger leader • Why fresh perspectives improve team innovation and problem-solving • How networking benefits your employees, not just your career • Simple conversation starters that create genuine connections • Why leaders should build their network before they need it • How generosity builds trust and long-term professional relationships • Easy ways to grow your professional community online and in person Whether you're a business owner, manager, executive, entrepreneur, or team leader, this episode will change the way you think about networking and inspire you to build relationships that help both you and your team succeed. Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  2. Jul 7

    The Communication Gap at Work: Why Teams Stay Quiet and How Leaders Can Fix It | #16

    Why isn't your team speaking up? If you've ever left a meeting wondering why no one challenged an idea, shared feedback, or contributed to the conversation, you're not alone. Many leaders mistake silence for agreement, when in reality, it often signals a communication gap. In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell explores why workplace communication breaks down, how psychological safety impacts employee engagement, and why traditional meetings often fail to unlock the best ideas in the room. Drawing on her experience as a former television producer and certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator, Shannon shares how hands-on, interactive workshops help teams communicate more openly, collaborate more effectively, and create real alignment. Instead of asking, "Who has an idea?" what if you asked your team to build it? You'll discover why thinking with your hands can transform workplace communication and help every team member feel seen, heard, and valued. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why silence in meetings doesn't always mean agreement • The real reasons employees hesitate to speak up • How communication gaps hurt innovation and employee engagement • Why psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams • How LEGO® Serious Play® improves communication and collaboration • Why participation creates better ideas than presentations • Four simple ways leaders can encourage every voice in the room • How to create a workplace culture built on trust, creativity, and honest communication If you're a leader, manager, HR professional, or business owner looking to improve team communication, employee engagement, and workplace collaboration, this episode will give you practical strategies you can implement immediately. Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  3. Jun 23

    Leadership Lessons from Sports: Team Culture and Volunteer Engagement with Lara Schroeder | #15

    What can workplace leaders learn from sports teams, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations? Quite a lot. In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell sits down with sports management consultant and facilitator Lara Schroeder, founder of Spark Solutions, to discuss leadership, strategic planning, communication, team culture, and the importance of creating systems that help organizations thrive. Drawing on her experience working with sport and recreation organizations across Canada, Lara shares why strong teams aren't built by accident. They are built intentionally through communication, clear processes, and cultures where every voice is valued. Together, Shannon and Lara discuss volunteer engagement, organizational leadership, LEGO® Serious Play®, facilitation, and what businesses can learn from successful athletic teams. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why process and communication are essential for healthy organizations • How volunteer engagement impacts organizational success • Where communication breakdowns happen most often • Why transparency and consultation matter in leadership • How LEGO® Serious Play® improves team communication and strategic planning • Why leaders don't always need to facilitate their own teams • How great facilitators ensure every voice is heard • Lessons businesses can learn from sports teams and athletes • Why celebrating wins matters for team culture • How intentional leadership builds stronger teams Whether you're leading a business, nonprofit organization, volunteer group, or sports association, this episode offers valuable insights into creating stronger, more connected teams. Connect with Lara Schroeder: Website LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lara-schroeder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkplay306/ -------------------- Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  4. Jun 16

    The Psychology of High-Performing Teams: How Psychological Safety Improves Employee Engagement and Team Performance |#14

    What makes high-performing teams different from everyone else? According to Google's groundbreaking Project Aristotle study, the answer isn't talent, experience, or intelligence. It's psychological safety. In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell explores the psychology behind successful teams and explains why trust, belonging, and open communication are essential for improving employee engagement, collaboration, and workplace culture. Drawing from her own experiences in television production and entrepreneurship, Shannon shares how leaders can create environments where employees feel safe to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, and even admit mistakes without fear of embarrassment or punishment. You'll learn why silence doesn't always mean agreement, how fear damages team performance, and the simple practices leaders can implement immediately to foster stronger communication and trust. In This Episode You'll Learn: • What psychological safety really means and why it matters • The surprising findings from Google's Project Aristotle study • Why high-performing teams are built on trust, not perfection • How fear and silence hurt innovation and employee engagement • Why leaders often mistake silence for alignment • Four practical ways to build psychological safety within your team • How vulnerability and curiosity create stronger workplace cultures • Why disagreements can strengthen teams when handled respectfully • How psychological safety improves collaboration, creativity, and performance If you're a leader, manager, HR professional, or business owner looking to create a healthier workplace culture and build stronger teams, this episode is for you. Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  5. Jun 1

    How to Build a High-Performing Team Without Doing Everything Yourself with Lindsay White | #13

    Are you trying to grow your business while feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate? In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell sits down with leadership strategist and founder of High Voltage Leadership, Lindsay White, for a powerful conversation about leadership, delegation, hiring, workplace culture, founder burnout, and building high-performing teams. With more than 20 years of experience in HR, people strategy, and leadership development, Lindsay helps entrepreneurs and business leaders stop acting as the "Chief Everything Officer" and start building teams that can support sustainable growth. Together, Shannon and Lindsay discuss what separates successful leaders from overwhelmed founders, why delegation alone isn't enough, and how communication, accountability, and trust create stronger workplace cultures. Whether you're a business owner, team leader, manager, HR professional, or executive, this episode is packed with practical leadership insights you can implement immediately. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why CEO does not stand for Chief Everything Officer  • How founders accidentally become the bottleneck in their business  • The warning signs of leadership overwhelm and founder burnout  • How to delegate effectively while maintaining visibility and control  • What makes a healthy workplace culture  • How to hire the right people for a growing business  • Why emotional intelligence and self-awareness matter in leadership  • The importance of feedback, accountability, and psychological safety  • How to empower employees to take ownership and initiative  • Why leaders need to listen more and talk less 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call: https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  6. May 25

    What Netflix’s Company Retreat Gets Right About Team Building: Employee Engagement, Workplace Culture & LEGO Serious Play | #12

    What can a hilarious Netflix comedy teach us about workplace culture, employee engagement, and effective team building? In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell breaks down the new Netflix series Company Retreat and explains why the show accidentally highlights one of the biggest problems with traditional corporate retreats and leadership offsites. From awkward icebreakers and forced bonding exercises to endless presentations and corporate buzzwords, Shannon explores why so many workplace retreats fail to create real connection. More importantly, she shares what actually works when it comes to team collaboration, communication, and employee engagement. This episode dives into the power of active participation through creative team-building experiences like LEGO® Serious Play®, improv workshops, storytelling sessions, and hands-on collaboration activities that help employees build trust, solve problems together, and feel more connected to their teams. In this episode, you’ll learn:  • Why traditional company retreats often miss the mark  • The difference between passive presentations and active participation  • How creative team-building workshops improve workplace communication  • Why LEGO® Serious Play® helps teams collaborate more effectively  • The role of improv and interactive experiences in leadership development  • How memorable offsite experiences strengthen workplace culture  • Why employees remember participation more than presentations If you’re planning a leadership retreat, corporate offsite, employee engagement event, or team-building workshop, this episode will help you rethink how to create experiences your team will actually remember. Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  7. May 18

    Creative Team Building Workshop Ideas That Engage Employees | #11

    Are your team-building events truly engaging your employees, or are they just another meeting everyone forgets by the next day? In this episode of Build Better Teams, host Shannon Russell explores creative team-building workshop ideas that help organizations improve communication, increase employee engagement, and build stronger workplace collaboration through active participation. Shannon shares why traditional workplace events often fall flat and how hands-on experiences create deeper connection, trust, and alignment inside teams. From LEGO® Serious Play® workshops and improv training to comedy workshops, storytelling experiences, collaborative art projects, innovation labs, and interactive strategy sessions, this episode dives into out-of-the-box team-building ideas that help employees think creatively, communicate openly, and solve problems together. You’ll learn:  • Why active participation creates stronger team engagement  • How LEGO® Serious Play® helps teams “think with their hands”  • The benefits of improv workshops for communication and adaptability  • Why humor and laughter improve workplace culture and psychological safety  • Creative workshop ideas for leadership retreats, offsites, and corporate events  • How hands-on team-building activities improve collaboration and trust  • Why employee engagement matters more than ever in today’s digital workplace If you’re an HR leader, manager, executive, event planner, or team leader looking for innovative team-building workshop ideas, this episode will inspire you to rethink what workplace collaboration can look like. Through hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

  8. May 11

    How to Improve Employee Engagement Without More Meetings | #10

    Are your team meetings increasing… but employee engagement is still low? In today’s workplace, more meetings are not the answer to better communication, stronger collaboration, or higher employee engagement. In fact, too many meetings can lead to disengagement, burnout, and lack of productivity. In this episode of Build Better Teams, we break down how to improve employee engagement without adding more meetings and what actually drives connection, clarity, and contribution inside high-performing teams. If you’re a leader, HR professional, manager, or business owner looking for team building strategies, employee engagement ideas, and better ways to run effective teams, this episode will give you practical, actionable solutions you can implement right away. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:  Why more meetings often decrease employee engagement  The 3 key drivers of engagement: clarity, connection, and contribution  How to replace status meetings with more effective communication systems  Simple ways to ensure every team member’s voice is heard  How to increase team collaboration without adding to your calendar  Why “thinking with your hands” leads to better problem-solving and innovation  How to connect daily work to bigger organizational goals  A real-world example of improving team alignment using hands-on facilitationThrough hands-on team building workshops and strategic planning sessions using LEGO® Serious Play® and other facilitation techniques, I help teams think differently so they can work better together. 🔗 Learn more or book a strategy call with me at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com. Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!

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Build Better Teams is the podcast for HR professionals, executives, managers, business owners, and event planners who want to create stronger teams through better communication, collaboration, employee engagement, and strategic planning. Hosted by Shannon Russell, a strategic leadership facilitator and certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator, each episode shares practical strategies, real-world case studies, and innovative facilitation techniques that help organizations improve workplace culture, align leadership teams, and build high-performing teams. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from real leadership retreats, strategic planning sessions, and LEGO Serious Play workshops, plus practical ideas you can use with your own team. Whether you're planning a leadership retreat, team building workshop, strategic planning session, or company offsite, you'll discover actionable ideas you can bring back to your organization. Topics include: • Team building workshops that improve communication and collaboration • Leadership development and management strategies • Strategic planning sessions and leadership retreats • Employee engagement and workplace culture • LEGO Serious Play facilitation and creative problem solving • Team communication and psychological safety • Organizational alignment and change management • Corporate event facilitation and interactive workshops If you're searching for ideas to improve teamwork, employee engagement, leadership communication, strategic planning, or innovative team building activities, Build Better Teams gives you practical tools you can use immediately. Whether you lead a Fortune 500 company, nonprofit organization, growing small business, or remote team, you'll learn how to build trust, strengthen communication, encourage innovation, and create teams that perform at their best. Learn more about Shannon Russell's workshops, keynote speaking, leadership retreats, and LEGO Serious Play facilitation at BuildBetterTeamsConsulting.com.

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