Creating a drama free team

I am so thrilled to be sharing today's episode with you! I am joined today by special guest Dennis McIntee, CEO of the Leadership Development Group, author of Drama-Free Teams, and host of the Drama Free Living podcast. Dennis shares insights into creating self-directed, self-motivated work teams that yield great results. Our conversation delves into the challenges of leadership, overcoming overwhelm, and the power of understanding the stories we tell ourselves.

Listen in as Dennis and I explore the concept that feelings are just information, not facts. As leaders, we must refrain from coaching feelings directly but instead focus on coaching the underlying thoughts. Dennis encourages us to ask, "What are you thinking?" when team members express frustration or other emotions. By understanding the thoughts behind the feelings, leaders can guide their teams effectively, shaping positive narratives and fostering a drama-free workplace.

Join Dennis and me as we navigate the world of leadership, sharing experiences and discovering valuable insights on creating thriving, drama-free teams. If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and explore the power of self-directed teams, dive into this episode with Dennis McIntee!

Time Stamps:

[1:10] - Today’s guest is Dennis McIntee!

​​[3:14] - Shifting from counseling to business, Dennis seeks adult-to-adult conversations for self-directed, efficient work teams.

[5:39] - Reflecting on a parenting class, Dennis emphasizes personal growth as a foundation for effective leadership.

[8:56] - Dennis advocates for leaders to clarify results, use tools like intent documents, and empower teams.

[11:45] - Dennis emphasizes the need for diverse facilitators to avoid shutdowns, encourages team-led meetings, and values individual strengths.

[14:00] - Dennis groups busy, overwhelm, and stress together, viewing feelings as information influenced by thoughts.

[17:07] - Dennis advises leaders against coaching feelings directly, instead focusing on understanding thoughts and fostering problem-solving discussions.

[19:02] - Feelings convey stories, often fabricated; wisdom lies in deciphering their narrative. Assigning meaning is subjective.

[21:43] - Dennis explores the concept that everything is made up; leaders shape meaning through storytelling.

[23:20] - Dennis reiterates viewing feelings as information and coaching thoughts instead of trying to directly coach feelings.

Resources Mentioned:

Leadership Development Group - Website

Dennis’ Books

Dennis’ Podcast

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M Pirsig