Episode 76: Blueprint for Progress: Sculpting Tomorrow’s Team Dynamics with Dane Groeneveld

Guest Bio

Executive and entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in senior business and HR leadership roles spanning various industries and geographies. Prior to most recently joining LEAD3R as Chief Customer Officer, I was Founder & CEO of Enspira, a total solutions human capital consulting firm. Prior experience is with leading organizations such as Accenture, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Expedia, and Biogen. Most recently, led the Human Resources function at Pinterest as SVP, People (CHRO). Studied, lived, and worked in 4 regions, 8 countries, and 16 cities and speaks 5 languages. Founded and operated 3 successful companies. Frequent guest lecturer on the topic of “Business Decision-Making In the Context of Culture” at Northeastern University in Boston, Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, and “Strategies For Growth” at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Undergraduate degree in Italian Language & International Economics from Washington University in St. Louis, and advanced degree in Global HR Leadership from Rutgers University. Features on NBC News and recognized as a “Top Ten Workforce Management” firm by HR Tech Outlook magazine and as one of the “Top 50 Companies to Watch” by Silicon Review magazine. Enspira was named one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces by Inc. Magazine in 2022. Awarded #325 on the Inc.5000 Fastest Growing Companies list in 2023.

Recap & Takeaways

Key Takeaways

• • [00:00] Introduction to the podcast. In this special episode, former guest Kurt Landon interviews the show’s regular host, Dane Groeneveld, about team dynamics in 2024, the impact of AI and technology on teamwork, and adopting a proactive approach to challenges.
  • [1:30] Dane introduces Kurt. Dane Groeneveld, CEO of HUDDL3 Group and usual host of The Future of Teamwork podcast, is a guest on the podcast which is hosted today by Kurt Landon.
  • [1:49] Kurt wants to ask Dane, who has expertise in teams, about his perspective on the new year of 2024 and what trends and fads to expect regarding teams. He wants to know what will be in and out this year and beyond. 
  • [5:56] The pandemic and economic challenges have given leaders more freedom to try new things, but it can also lead to a lack of clarity and checking in with the team. Leaders must be more accountable and visible to their teams and customers, moving away from a siege mentality.
  • [9:16] The conversation revolves around the importance of human connection and shared leadership in driving psychological safety and building confidence in the ever-changing business landscape. Leaders are encouraged to have a non-hierarchical mindset and work with colleagues as business partners to solve problems. 
  • [11:21] Dane discusses the benefits of intergenerational teams, including psychological safety, shared leadership, and reverse mentoring.
  • [18:54] Reverse mentoring involves bringing in a junior or specialized team member to work with the leadership team on real-life problems, providing insights, and addressing blind spots that leaders may have due to their experience and perspective. 
  • [21:44] The concept of technology as a team member is being discussed. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in businesses, it is often being used by teams in a stealthy manner. This is exciting because it means that innovation is coming from the fringes rather than being driven by corporate IT or Operations. 
  • [26:51] Leaders should ensure that AI tools and programs are not biased or negatively affecting how people interact with each other. Building handbooks for bots may be necessary to prevent malicious actors from causing harm. 
  • [31:00] Dane is passionate about personal growth and how it can benefit individuals and teams. Learning is a catalyst that creates a context for problem-solving and encourages sharing of ideas and stories. 
  • [32:42] Learning in practical settings allows for solving current problems with a human impact, such as helping customers, internal teams, and individuals achieve milestones.
  • [38:23] Kurt and Dane discuss the importance of taking personal time to settle and be grateful, comparing it to putting on an oxygen mask before helping others. They emphasize the need to do it every day to build energy and serve others but also to balance it with personal time and recovery to manage stress and anxiety. 
  • [40:33] Dane is an eternal student excited about finding and celebrating problems in a team. He suggests creating clarity in the team’s goals, being visual and time-bounding, and taking risks with fresh ideas. He cautions against being too precise and inhibiting basic human instincts. He encourages finding safe spaces for the team to try out new ideas.
  • [41:00] Gain insights into Dane’s approach to problem-solving and resilience in teams. Discover how adopting a proactive stance on challenges can transform how your team perceives and tackles obstacles, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for learning and growth.
  • [43:48] The conversation covered leadership, teams, non-hierarchical leadership, intergenerational dynamics, lifelong learning, technology, AI, wellness, productivity, and human connection. Key takeaways include the importance of bias for action, human connection, and commitment to lifelong learning, as well as the potential of wellness to inform productivity and human connection.
  • [46:00] Dane reflected on the word “readiness” and emphasized its importance in going on a journey. He expressed excitement about working with Kurt in their new organization, LEAD3R, to help customers and community members. 
  • [47:08] Where to find Dane Groeneveld. 
  • [48:02] Outro and website.