For decades, workplaces have rewarded the “bare minimum partner” of team culture—the leader who delegates without supporting, the teammate who communicates only when something is wrong, and the organization that assumes people will stay engaged simply because they receive a paycheck. But today’s most successful teams are built on very different principles: trust, psychological safety, shared accountability, and human-centered communication.
This session reframes the viral concept of redefining relationship expectations—traditionally applied to romantic partnerships—and applies it to the workplace. What if we stopped celebrating basic behaviors like answering emails, attending meetings, or sharing updates as signs of “strong teamwork”? What if we instead normalized collaboration that feels supportive, equitable, and energizing?
In this interactive one-hour session, we’ll explore:
• The new definition of teamwork: What thriving, modern teams look like—and why the old “command-and-control” style is failing.
• Healthy vs. toxic patterns: How common relationship behaviors (avoidance, lack of communication, power imbalance) show up in organizations—and how to break the cycle.
• The psychology of belonging: Why empathy, clarity, and trust outperform pressure, perfectionism, and hierarchy.
• Strategies to build a healthy team culture: Practical frameworks leaders and individuals can implement immediately to uplevel collaboration.
• Interactive reflection and micro-activities: Participants will evaluate their team’s current patterns and identify shifts to create more supportive, high-functioning environments.
Attendees will leave with a fresh, relatable perspective on team culture—one that replaces outdated expectations with actionable habits that make teams not only work better, but feel better. Because in the same way we shouldn’t praise romantic partners for doing the bare minimum, we shouldn’t settle for bare-minimum teamwork. Thriving organizations start with thriving teams.