Description

🎧 Three reasons to listen

1. Rethink performance problems – Learn why most performance issues aren’t people problems at all, but symptoms of unclear systems, roles, and ways of working.
2. Lead for impact, not burnout – Discover how leaders unintentionally drive burnout by asking individuals to compensate for broken systems—and what to do instead.
3. 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 practical, grounded discussion for leaders who want to improve performance without pushing their people towards burnout.

Key themes & insights

• Why organisations instinctively blame individuals instead of examining systems
• The three layers of performance: system, team, individual
• How invisible architecture (strategy clarity, roles, decision rights, rhythms) shapes behaviour
• Why leaders end up compensating for broken systems—and the cost of that
• The limits of individual development in poorly designed environments
• How teams can regain agency by improving their own ways of working
• Meetings as a powerful (and often overlooked) leverage point

Memorable moments

• “When the system lacks clarity, people compensate with effort—and effort without clarity leads to burnout.”
• “Great performance should be easier, not harder.”
• “Leadership is creating the conditions for other people’s success.”

Practical takeaways

• Before investing in coaching or training, ask: What in our system is making performance harder than it needs to be?
• Zoom out one level when diagnosing issues—look first at clarity, structure, and ways of working.
• Start at team level: improve meeting purpose, decision flow, and operating rhythms to build momentum.
• Assume positive intent and competence; if people are struggling, the environment is usually the issue.

Brooke’s media recommendation

Shrinking (Apple TV+) - a smart, witty series starring Harrison Ford that explores ageing, relationships, therapy, and humour—with surprising depth.

About the guest

Brooke Lewis is a qualified coach and experienced executive with more than 20 years in organizational development and leadership across industries including technology, financial services, manufacturing, and non-profit. Throughout her career, she has been most energized by helping people grow — coaching, mentoring, and creating the conditions for others to thrive.

An in-demand certified SquadifyPro team coach, Brooke works with leaders and teams to unlock their potential, elevate performance, and lead with authenticity and impact. She believes true leadership isn’t about titles or hierarchy — it’s about creating the conditions for others to thrive and building environments where people and business succeed together.