You Need More than Talent to Build a Team – Your Shot of Fearless Culture #384
Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.
Smart leaders have a dangerous addiction: To fix things that aren't broken.
A new manager inherits a high-performing team and immediately rushes to “raise the bar.”
A seasoned executive joins a successful department and challenges everything with his “fresh thinking.”
A promoted team lead wants to put “her stamp on things.”
The intention is always good. They want to make things better, drive more results, and leave their mark.
But here are the red flags:
They ignore (or don’t even know) what’s working
They think everything the previous leader did was bad
They miss the invisible thread that holds the team together
The result is predictable. The talent is still there, but the spark dies. Confidence cracks. Team culture becomes the first casualty of change.
Explore this week's newsletter:
My latest article → Why Smart Leaders Make Poor Teams
Resources to improve your team culture
Stay fearless, my friend.
Gustavo
🙌 Help Me Reach 10,000 Stories
That "missing ingredient" I mentioned about my book? I found it in your stories.
Over 2,000 people have already shared conversations they regret—the ones that didn't happen or went sideways. Each story reveals something new about why we avoid the conversations that matter most.
Share yours or read what others regret.
In Case You Missed It
→ Why Team Culture Is More Powerful Than Company Culture
Ask Your Team This
What does great work mean for our team?
⚠️ Try This
Surface disagreement intentionally:
After a decision is made, ask team members to respond with a yes or no to these three statements:
“I agree with this decision.”
“I feel that I was part of making this decision.”
“I will take action to honor/implement this decision.”
This technique forces people to speak their minds, leaving no room for guessing.
🍦 Feed Your Curiosity
The Key to Managing Stars? Think Team
Why Leadership Teams Fail
🔎 Do You Really Know How to Improve Culture?
Your team says they value collaboration, but people still work in silos. You believe asking for help shows strength, but everyone suffers in silence.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: Most leaders are managing a culture that exists only in their heads.
The Culture Design Masterclass helps you see what's really happening:
Uncover your actual culture (beyond the values on your wall)
Identify the hidden gaps blocking change
Design a culture that drives the behaviors you actually need
Join the Culture Design Masterclass.
“Gustavo is amazing! I had been waiting for this class for months and it was worth the wait! I’m excited to continue the certification journey because one day is just not enough for the amount of wisdom he has to share.”
– Michelle
Registration open for July and August
Our culture design programs have 100+ 5-star Google Reviews.
Connect & Collaborate With Gustavo
New to the Demystify Culture newsletter? Subscribe for free.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn
Explore my culture design services
Join the Build a Fearless Culture program. Registration is open for the next cohort. Learn to intentionally design all the key building blocks of work culture. Book your seat: Build a Fearless Culture Program – September 2025
Gustavo Razzetti
CEO, Fearless Culture
Such an important reminder. Not every change is an improvement, especially when it ignores what’s already working.
Loved this insight.
in quiet strength and sound,
Afterforever ✨🎵