IMPACTFUL Teamwork

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, hosted by Julia Felton, the discussion centers on the critical importance of setting personal boundaries for fostering healthy relationships and successful teamwork.

Drawing from her book 'Unbridled Success' and her experiences with horses, Julia illustrates how boundaries function similarly to fences – providing security and clarity in relationships.

The episode delves into the detrimental effects of not having boundaries, how saying 'no' can be vital, and the necessity of aligning boundaries with personal values and identity.

Julia also shares practical strategies for maintaining boundaries, emphasising trust, co...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton explores the complexity and diversity of leadership by discussing the concept of 'wearing different hats.'

Drawing from her recent experience managing a hospitality team at the Paris Air Show, Julia identifies and elaborates on ten key leadership roles: the Mentor, the Coach, the Defender, the Translator, the Cheerleader, the Therapist, the Janitor, the Student, the Mirror, and the Compass. Each role is vital as it provides the right kind of support to team members at the right time.

Julia also announces an upcoming...

In this episode of 'Impactful Teamwork,' host Julia Felton delves into the complexities of leading and influencing people in matrix organisations. Drawing from her corporate experience and recent research from the Center for Creative Leadership, Julia outlines the importance of forming relationships across various boundaries within an organisation to achieve greater collaboration, innovation, and overall success.

She discusses the five types of organizational boundaries—horizontal, vertical, stakeholder, demographic, and geographic—and offers practical strategies for effectively managing these boundaries to build stronger, cross-functional teams.

Julia underscores the vital role of psychological safety and the bene...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton delves into the critical factors behind high-functioning teams. She discusses why some smart and capable teams struggle to perform despite clear roles and responsibilities, attributing it to hidden issues such as the lack of psychological safety and team energy dynamics.

Exploring concepts like the momentum equation (energy + alignment = momentum) and the Team Alignment Trifecta (role clarity, relational trust, and rhythmic flow), Julia emphasises the importance of energy alignment in achieving team success.

She shares personal anecdotes and introduces tools to help leaders decode and...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton explores the critical importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Drawing from her book 'Unbridled Business: Unlocking Nature’s Wisdom to Reinvent Leadership,' Julia delves into how the business environment directly affects productivity, creativity, and overall team performance.

She discusses the various external and internal threats businesses face today, including technological advancements, competitive pressure, and poor leadership. Julia explains how feelings of safety and a strong company culture can lead to enhanced trust, cooperation, and innovation. She also highlights the crucial roles of endorphins, dopamine, se...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton explores the concept that not all teams are the same by delving into the key factors that drive team effectiveness.

Drawing insights from the book 'Teams That Work: The Seven Drivers of Team Effectiveness,' Julia examines five important areas: reliance, membership stability, task consistency, proximity, and similarity. Listeners will learn how these factors influence team dynamics and discover actionable strategies for leading different types of teams effectively.

The episode also introduces tools like the GC Index to better understand and manage team distinctions...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton delves into the intricacies of building effective teams by debunking five prevalent myths about teamwork. Drawing from personal experiences, industry studies, and insights from the book 'Teams That Work: The Seven Drivers of Team Effectiveness', Julia addresses misconceptions such as teamwork being a distraction from real work and the notion that team harmony guarantees success.

The episode also introduces the seven drivers of team effectiveness, setting the stage for deeper discussions in future episodes. Tune in to understand how to unleash the true superpower of teamwork...

n this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton explores how nature can teach us about leadership and organisational development.

Drawing inspiration from Dr. Kathy Allen's book 'Leading From the Roots,' Julia discusses viewing organisations as living systems, embracing dynamic energy, and fostering a mindset of co-creation and collaboration. The podcast delves into the importance of recognising and channelling the inherent energy within teams, promoting positive energy through authentic relationships, reciprocity, and shared higher purposes.

Julia also highlights the need for leaders to let go of outdated practices to foster innovation and...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, the host discusses the critical importance of reinvention in business leadership to stay competitive in the rapidly changing 21st-century landscape.

Key points include the obsolescence of traditional business models, the rise of AI, and the necessity for continuous change. The episode explores how leaders can adopt nature-inspired cycles of reinvention, shift from top-down decision-making to empowered teams, and implement pillars such as anticipation, experimentation, and collaboration.

Additionally, practical steps like building reinvention systems and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability are highlighted to help organisations...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, hosted by Julia Felton, guest Simon Bowen, creator of the Genius Model and founder of The Models Method, discusses the profound impact of models on teamwork and communication.

He explores how visual and structural models clarify complex ideas, enhance believability, and facilitate deeper understanding. The conversation highlights the vital role of leadership characterised by respect, clear communication, commitment, and courage.

They also explore the importance of values and purpose in creating effective and resilient teams. Simon emphasises that leadership is not just a role but a responsibility...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, Julia Felton discusses how business leaders can overcome productivity challenges by adopting the TOADD Model: Train, Outsource, Automate, Delegate, and Discipline.

Julia highlights the importance of codifying strategies into models to make complex information more digestible and actionable. She also shares personal experiences and practical tips on leveraging team strengths, outsourcing tasks, and maintaining discipline to enhance productivity.

00:00 Introduction to Impactful Teamwork

00:34 Understanding the Productivity Problem

01:59 The Importance of Models

04:40 Introducing the Toad Model

04:50 Training: The First Step to Productivity

09...

In this week's edition of 'Impactful Teamwork,' host Julia Felton delves into the pivotal findings from the 2025 Deloitte Human Capital Survey. The episode examines how organisations can navigate the tension between the need for stability and the demand for agility in a world of constant change.

Julia discusses the alarming statistics that reveal a majority of workers feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change and offers insights into creating a balanced work environment. Key points include the need for reimagined organizational structures, the increasing importance of cross-functional teams, and the evolving criteria for employee career...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Felton delves into the concept of 'Teamship,' a transformative approach that shifts focus from individual leadership to collective team responsibility.

Julia discusses the limitations of traditional top-down leadership in today's dynamic business environment and advocates for Teamship as a more sustainable, engaging, and effective model. She introduces the 'Unbridled Teamship Roadmap,' which she developed from her own experiences and the principles outlined in Keith Ferrazi's book 'Never Lead Alone.'

The episode explores how Teamship fosters trust, energy, and curiosity within teams, leading...

In this special birthday edition of Impactful Teamwork, the host reflects on the podcast's one-year journey, emphasizing the importance of consistency and celebration in building high-performance teams. They highlight how regular, predictable actions foster trust, psychological safety, and engagement among team members. The host also discusses the powerful impact of celebrating milestones, both big and small, in boosting morale, motivation, and fostering a culture of recognition. Emphasizing the neurological benefits, they urge leaders to make acknowledgment a strategic lever for success. The episode concludes with personal anecdotes and practical tips on effective celebration, encouraging leaders to reinforce positive behaviors...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton delves into the crucial topic of connection, emphasising its heightened importance in the age of AI.

Julia draws insights from various experiences, including workshops and her book 'Unbridled Success,' to explore how authentic human connections can enhance leadership, teamwork, and communication.

Through stories about AI-generated mistakes, personal anecdotes, and real-life examples involving animals and personal interactions, Julia demonstrates the importance of engaging with others visually, intellectually, emotionally, and verbally. By focusing on trust, leadership, and connection, she outlines how genuine relationships drive business performance and...

n this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton explores the deeply personal topic of the law of legacy, inspired by the recent passing of her horse, Coach Toby. Felton highlights the importance of intentional legacy planning for leaders and discusses how Toby exemplified impactful leadership. She shares insights and personal anecdotes to reinforce the idea that a leader’s true value is measured by what they leave behind. Felton also emphasizes the need for succession planning and living the legacy we wish to leave. The episode encourages leaders to consider their long-term impact and influence on future generations.

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork podcast, host Julia Felton chats with David Cox, a media operations and team leadership expert with over 15 years of experience. They discuss the critical role of teamwork in business success and how David transformed a chaotic team at ViaPlay into a high-performing unit.

Key topics include the importance of mutual trust, emotional intelligence, hiring for attitude, leveraging AI to improve job roles, and the continuous evolution of leadership and team dynamics.

David shares insightful strategies and real-life examples on building cohesive teams, developing a culture of accountability, and...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton introduces the BANI framework, a concept that redefines our current world beyond the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) model.

Coined by futurist Jamais Cascio, BANI stands for brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible. Julia explains how BANI reflects today's chaotic and unpredictable environment and explores the implications for leadership.

She delves into each element of BANI with real-world examples and emphasises the need for resilient, empathetic, adaptive, and innovative leadership to navigate this new reality. Julia also highlights five core competencies for leaders to thrive in a...

In this week's edition of Impactful Teamwork, the Julia Felton delves into the concept of 'zombie leadership'—an insidious form of leadership that persists despite being outdated and ineffective.

Julia introduces the term and explores its impact on teams and organisations, highlighting eight axioms of zombie leadership that contribute to stagnant, hierarchical command structures. Emphasizing the need for adaptive, emotionally intelligent, and disruptive 'trailblazing leaders,' the episode encourages listeners to question prevailing leadership norms and seek innovative, nature-inspired models to build more engaged, high-energy organisations.

The host offers personal anecdotes and research insights to un...

The episode delves into the multifaceted applications of the GC Index, a tool used to measure and map individuals' energy for impact in various roles. The discussion spans its use among diverse clients from small consultancies to large corporations. It emphasises how recognising different proclivities—Game Changer, Strategist, Implementer, Polisher, and Playmaker—can optimise team performance, enhance productivity, and foster better collaboration.

The conversation between Julia Felton and Nathan Ott, Chief Polisher at the GC Index, also highlights real-world examples of how understanding individual impacts has helped teams achieve their goals more effectively and supported diversity and incl...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton shares insights from her recent encounter with boxing legend Frank Bruno. Drawing from Bruno's resilience, discipline, and mental toughness, Julia highlights three key lessons applicable to business leadership: the importance of resilience in overcoming setbacks, the value of discipline and hard work, and the necessity of mental toughness in facing adversity.

Julia also provides examples from nature and relevant business models to illustrate these concepts, emphasising the role of supportive environments in fostering success. Tune in to learn how to navigate challenges and lead with the mindset of...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork Podcast, host Julia Feltner discusses the critical elements needed to build high-performing teams: trust, energy, and curiosity.

Julia shares research findings and real-life examples, including lessons from nature and horse herds, to illustrate how these elements work synergistically to create unstoppable teams. She explains the dimensions of game-changing trust, the importance of energy management, and how fostering curiosity can lead to reinvention and sustained momentum in business.

Reflective questions and practical strategies are provided to help leaders enhance their team's performance and adaptability.

00:00 Introduction to Impactful T...

In this episode of the 'Impactful Teamwork' podcast, host Julia Felton delves into the vital role of trust in team dynamics, sharing a personal story about rescuing and building trust with two horses, Bracken and Thistle.

Julia explains how lessons learned from her equine experiences can be translated into business strategies using the ABCD model of trust by Ken Blanchard—Able, Believable, Connected, and Dependable. The episode explores the impact of trust on employee engagement, productivity, and relationship-building, especially in today's remote and hybrid work environments. Julia encourages leaders to reflect on their methods for fostering trust an...

n this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton is joined by resilience coach Russell Harvey. Russell shares his definition of resilience as 'springing forward with learning,' differentiating it from the traditional idea of 'bouncing back.' They discuss the importance of pausing, re-energizing, and reflecting to build resilience, introducing the concept of a 'resilience wheel' that focuses on seven key aspects: attitude, purpose, confidence, adaptability, support network, meaning, and energy. The conversation also explores practical strategies to balance team welfare, prevent burnout, and enhance productivity through strengths-based delegation and fostering a trustful work environment. The episode ends...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, hosted by Julia Felton, we explore five significant disruptive shifts shaping the corporate world in 2025. From the end of traditional corporate advantages to the rise of swarming leadership and continuous reinvention, Julia delves into how these changes demand adaptability, agility, and innovative strategic planning.

Key insights include the decline of the five-day workweek, the surge in corporate sabotage due to disengaged employees, and the importance of embracing flexible and dynamic business models. Leaders are encouraged to drive these transformations to ensure their organisations remain competitive and thriving amidst ongoing global turmoil.<...

In this New Year's episode of Impactful Teamwork, we usher in 2025 by discussing key leadership transformations necessary for thriving in today's turbulent environment. Reflecting on McKinsey & Company's latest research, the episode emphasises the need for new leadership skills focused on impact, collaboration, and authenticity.

We discuss five critical paradigm shifts— from profit to impact, from competition to co-creation, from command to collaboration, from control to evolution, and from expectations to wholeness—essential for modern organisations. Real-life examples, like Netflix's transformation, illustrate how visionary leadership can drive substantial growth and innovation. The episode concludes with an invitation to cons...

In this New Year's Eve episode of Impactful Teamwork, reflections on 2024 and goal-setting for 2025 are discussed. The host shares insights from a Vision Quest with Stephanie Trager about the importance of aligning energy with goals.

Anecdotes about a 2020 workshop with horses illustrate how alignment impacts goal achievement. The episode also explores reinvention both personally and professionally, including the host’s recent experience of a hacked LinkedIn account and a revamped business logo. Listeners are encouraged to choose their own word for 2025 and consider the energy they want to bring into the new year.

00:00 Welcome and Fes...

In this heartfelt episode, Julia expresses deep gratitude for the listeners of the IMPACTFUL Teamwork podcast over the past year. She highlights the importance of showing appreciation both in personal and professional contexts. Through touching anecdotes, including stories about individuals like Colin and Amber who have significantly contributed to her life, and acknowledgements of colleagues, clients, and partners, she emphasises how genuine gratitude can enhance connections and foster a positive culture in organisations.

The episode wraps up with a meaningful story about the significance of appreciating people in a way that is meaningful to them and closes...

In this episode of IMPACTFULTeamwork, host Julia Felton emphasiSes the critical role of reflection in both personal and professional development. Drawing parallels with nature's cycles, Julia explains how businesses can benefit from periods of rest, reflection, and regeneration.

She also introduces the 'start, stop, continue' exercise to help leaders evaluate actions and strategies throughout the year, not just at year-end. Additionally, Julia highlights the need for different leadership styles during various business phases and stresses the importance of regularly pausing to assess and adjust to ensure continued growth and innovation. The episode concludes with holiday wishes and...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, Julia Felton discusses the critical role middle managers play in fostering talent and shaping organisational culture. Highlighting their often overlooked yet essential contributions, she delves into the pressures they face from both senior leadership and team members, emphasising the need for better support and investment. Felton outlines the key behaviours and attributes needed for effective middle management and offers actionable steps for organisations to empower these vital personnel, ultimately enhancing overall business performance.

00:00 Introduction to Impactful Teamwork

00:12 The Crucial Role of Middle Managers

00:26 Challenges Faced by Middle Man...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton explores how to empower team members using the DiSC profiling system. She introduces the four DiSC profiles — Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness — and discusses how to identify and address the unique needs of each type to foster empowerment, collaboration, and productivity.

Julia emphasises the importance of recognising team members' personality styles and offers practical tips for leaders to elevate and stretch their teams for maximum results. She also highlights the benefits of diverse perspectives and shared leadership in building effective, cohesive teams.

00:00 Introduction to Empowering Team Membe...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton tackles common myths about teamwork and reveals crucial insights for enhancing team performance. She highlights the importance of a balanced mix of individual and collective skills, referring to scientific research and examples such as the U.S. Olympic relay team.

Julia explains McKinsey's identification of 17 health drivers categorised into configuration, alignment, execution, and renewal, which significantly impact team effectiveness.

She also introduces three team archetypes—cycling, relay, and rowing—illustrating different interdependence levels and performance drivers. Listeners are encouraged to assess their team types and focus on e...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton welcomes Andy Pitt, Managing Director of Service Service Recruitment.

Andy shares his journey from an initial reluctance to join the recruitment industry to eventually buying the company he loved. The discussion moves through the significance of gut instinct in decision-making and empowering team members by trusting them and avoiding micromanagement.

Andy explains his leadership philosophy, focusing on treating employees as he would like to be treated and allowing them to excel in roles that suit their strengths. The conversation also touches on maintaining a positive workplace...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton explores the concept of natural leadership, contrasting it with conventional leadership models. She argues that traditional leadership, characterised by hierarchical and profit-driven approaches, is no longer suitable for today's fast-paced, interconnected business environment. Instead, she advocates for nature-inspired leadership, which emphasises adaptability, collaboration, and resilience, drawing lessons from nature’s diverse and time-tested strategies.

Julia discusses the importance of understanding the dynamic realities of modern business, setting real goals, nurturing people, and taking impactful actions. She shares examples from nature, including ants, geese, and wolves, to illustrate how di...

In this episode of 'Impactful Teamwork,' host Julia Felton discusses 'The Five Behaviours of a Cohesive Team' based on Patrick Lencioni's book, 'The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.' Julia explains the importance of trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results in building effective teams. She shares insights on how these behaviors can create cohesive relationships at work and explores ways to implement these principles using her experiences, including working with horses. Julia emphasizes the significance of vulnerability-based trust, productive conflict, and the role of commitment, accountability, and results-focused teamwork in achieving business success.

00:00 Introduction to Impactful T...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, dive into the transformative world of flow states and their critical role in enhancing team performance and innovation. The host shares insights from training with the Flow Research Collective, highlighting the neuroscience behind high performance and the benefits of achieving flow, both individually and collectively.

Key topics include the four stages of flow, practical tips for creating a distraction-free environment, and the phenomenological characteristics of flow such as time dilation and effortlessness. The discussion also covers the detrimental impact of distractions, the importance of recovery stages, and actionable steps to foster...

In this episode of the 'IMPACTFULTeamwork' podcast, host Julia Felton explores the transition from traditional productivity metrics to innovative human performance metrics.

Drawing from the Deloitte Human Capital Survey and a Hitachi case study, the discussion highlights the importance of measuring worker happiness and its correlation with profitability and employee satisfaction.

Julia explains how modern tools like AI analytics and organisational network analysis can enhance tracking and improving performance. Key topics include overcoming challenges such as productivity paranoia, leveraging data for competitive advantage, and fostering a sustainable approach to business outcomes.

By integrating...

In this episode of Impactful Teamwork, host Julia Felton delves into the essential practice of having 'courageous conversations' in the workplace. She explains how directly addressing issues can prevent underlying turmoil and significantly improve team communication, productivity, and morale.

Citing studies from McKinsey, CPP Inc., and Accenture, Julia illustrates the detrimental effects of avoiding difficult conversations. The episode offers a comprehensive framework for mastering these conversations, emphasizing emotional moderation, thorough preparation, and considering situations from multiple perspectives: self, other, and observer.

Practical advice includes techniques like envisioning and role-playing conversations, maintaining focus, adopting an inquiry...

In this episode of IMPACTFUL Teamwork, host Julia Felton explores the crucial yet often overlooked role of trust in the workplace. Highlighting insights from Patrick Lencioni and her own experiences, Julia discusses how trust impacts team performance and organisational integrity. She emphaises that trust is essential for efficiency, productivity, and engagement. The episode examines how trust has evolved from the industrial revolution to the modern workplace, shedding light on the implications of remote work and COVID-19.

Julia underlines the importance of leaders building trust through transparency, accountability, and open communication while addressing the challenges of distrust. She...

In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork podcast, host Julia Felton discusses the importance of teamwork as a competitive advantage and explores strategies to develop high-performing teams. Inspired by a McKinsey & Company research article, Julia delves into the 'three E’s'—Elevate, Empower, and Energize—as crucial steps for effective organisational transformation.

She shares insights on how to harness the collective energy of team members, the significance of role modelling by leaders, and the necessity of engaging all job levels in the change process. The episode emphasizes creating sustainable conditions for change and effective communication to foster a cult...