Why Some Teams Fail While Others Thrive with Vanessa Druskat

Introduction

Why do some teams thrive while others seem destined to fail, even when they have the same resources, leadership, and talent? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony sits down with Vanessa Druskat, an expert in emotional intelligence and team dynamics, to unpack the real drivers behind high-performing teams. Vanessa shares insights from decades of research, teaching, and consulting on how leaders can foster trust, belonging, and collaboration that lasts.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Youtube or your favorite podcast platform.

Key Topics Covered

• Why “individual grit” isn’t enough to make a team succeed.
• The truth about psychological safety and why it’s hard to build.
• How emotional intelligence works at the team level, not just the individual level.
• The importance of belonging and “knowing each other” in building collaboration.
• Why most executive programs fail to teach real team-building skills.

What Makes Teams Succeed or Fail?

Vanessa opens the conversation by asking a provocative question: if the same leader works with multiple teams, why do some excel while others flop?

“It’s not just about you, it’s about the dynamics of the team. Some groups create magic, while others break down, even with equally talented individuals.”

She explains that team success often comes down to relationships and interactions, not individual capabilities alone. The environment matters more than any single “star performer.”

Psychological Safety: Powerful but Hard to Build

Psychological safety has become a leadership buzzword, but according to Vanessa, few people know how to actually create it.

“Psychological safety is crucial. But telling leaders they need it without explaining how to build it is like telling someone to just ‘be confident.’ It doesn’t work.”

She emphasizes that leaders must foster habits and group norms that make everyone feel safe to contribute, fail, and try again.

Emotional Intelligence at the Team Level

While emotional intelligence is often framed as an individual skill, Vanessa argues that teams need to develop collective awareness and empathy.

“It’s not about one leader being emotionally intelligent with their people. It’s about creating a culture where everyone looks out for each other, recognizes needs, and adjusts behavior for the team’s success.”

The Need for Belonging

Humans crave validation and acknowledgment within groups. Without it, fear takes over, damaging collaboration.

“Belonging is the need that rules them all. If people feel invisible in a team, they disengage. Great teams make sure everyone feels seen and valued.”

Simple practices like asking what excites or worries people about the work, instead of surface-level 'fun facts', can foster deeper connections and improve team performance.

Vanessa’s Hot Take on Leadership Training

Vanessa doesn’t hold back on criticizing executive development programs:

“Most leadership training is all about the individual. Leaders love that, but nobody’s teaching how to actually build teams that work together. That’s the real skill gap.”

"Belonging is the need that rules them all. Without it, teams can’t truly perform." – Vanessa Druskat

About Vanessa Druskat

Vanessa Druskat is an author, researcher, and professor specializing in emotional intelligence and high-performing teams. Her book 'The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups that Outperform the Rest' is published by Harvard Business Review Press. Connect with Vanessa on  LinkedIn or visit vanessadruskat.com.