Are you leading from the calm center, or getting swept up in everyone else’s storm? Ever wondered why teams sometimes put relationships above results, or why it’s so hard to give honest feedback? Today, we’re exploring the powerful force of togetherness in leadership and how it shapes our decisions, our teams, and even our families. From high-performing companies to historic disasters, discover how the drive to belong can both help us thrive and lead us astray—and what it takes to balance connection with individuality.

Highlights

• The “togetherness force” in Bowen Family Systems Theory and its impact on leadership
• The tension between belonging and individuality in teams and families
• Real-world stories: From a loyal manager’s blind spot to the culture at HubSpot
• The dangers of groupthink, illustrated by the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
• How performance reviews and family holidays reveal our need for connection
• Practical steps for leaders to stay grounded and foster healthy individuality
• A challenge to observe togetherness behaviors in your own systems

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction: The Power of Togetherness

00:34 — What is the Togetherness Force?

01:06 — The Pull Between Belonging and Individuality

01:53 — Teenagers and the Tug-of-War for Independence

02:15 — Leadership Story: Justin’s Loyalty and Its Limits

03:09 — Productive Togetherness: Why We Need It

05:43 — HubSpot: A Case Study in Healthy Team Culture

07:26 — When Togetherness Goes Too Far: Groupthink and Conformity

08:15 — The Challenger Disaster: A Lesson in Suppressed Dissent

10:32 — Everyday Examples: Performance Reviews and Family Dynamics

12:18 — Balancing Connection and Individuality as a Leader

13:46 — A Story of Courageous Individuality in the Workplace

15:14 — Summing Up: Staying Grounded Amidst the Pull

16:39 — A Challenge for Listeners: Observe Togetherness in Your Life

17:47 — What’s Next: Performance Reviews and Family Holidays

17:48 — Closing Thoughts

Resources Mentioned

• Book: “True to You” by Kathleen Smith
  Find it on Amazon
• Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
  NASA Challenger Overview

Want to know how Systems Theory could be leveraged in your business? Contact us at https://iridiumleadership.com/ to learn more.