Stop fixing people. Fix the system

About this episode

The episode discusses how performance issues are often symptoms of systemic problems rather than individual shortcomings, emphasizing the need for leaders to create supportive environments.

🎧 Three reasons to listen Rethink performance problems – Learn why most performance issues aren’t people problems at all, but symptoms of unclear systems, roles, and ways of working. Lead for impact, not burnout – Discover how leaders unintentionally drive burnout by asking individuals to compensate for broken systems—and what to do instead. Practical ways to create momentum – Take away simple, team‑level actions that improve clarity, decision‑making, and execution without needing enterprise‑wide change. Episode overview In this episode, Pia and Dan are joined in person by Squad coach Brooke Lewis to challenge one of the most common assumptions in organisations: that underperformance means someone needs fixing. Drawing on Brooke’s experience in organisational development, the conversation explores how organisations often default to coaching individuals, running workshops, or “upskilling” leaders—while overlooking the system those people are working within. From unclear decision rights and complex matrices to ineffective meetings and post‑Covid ways of working, the episode reframes leadership as creating the conditions for performance, not simply demanding more effort. This is a…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dan Hammond, Pia Lee

Guest: Brooke Lewis

Topics covered

• performance problems
• leadership
• organizational development
• systemic issues
• burnout
• team dynamics

Keywords

• performance
• leadership
• burnout
• organizational systems
• team performance
• coaching
• decision-making

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