logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
33m 1s

345: The Shocking Truth About High-Perfo...

MAMIE KANFER STEWART
About this episode

You’ve probably heard that hiring the best talent is the key to building a high-performing team. But what if that’s only half the truth? Thankfully, today’s guest will reveal what it really takes to build the best team ever.


Today’s guest is David Burkus. One of the world’s leading business thinkers, David’s forward-thinking ideas and bestselling books are changing how companies approach leadership, teamwork, and collaboration. 


A skilled researcher and inspiring communicator, David is the bestselling author of five books about business and leadership. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages. Since 2017, David has been ranked multiple times as one of the world’s top business thought leaders. 


In this episode, David shares why the best teams aren’t necessarily the most talented—they’re the ones with the strongest culture. He breaks down three key elements that make teams thrive, including the incredible story of Alan Mulally’s turnaround at Ford Motor Company.


Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we dive into practical ways to get your team actively involved in cultivating a strong culture.


Join the conversation now!


Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.



Conversation Topics

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (01:15) What makes a team the best team ever?
  • (03:40) Why the “team” makes the talent, not the other way around
  • (06:32) The three core elements of high-performing teams
  • (10:15) How Alan Mulally saved Ford through cultural change
  • (20:10) Culture is not built; it’s cultivated
  • (21:13) Steps to start moving your team culture in the right direction
  • (26:59) How gratitude and impact statements improve motivation
  • (28:09) A great manager David has worked for
  • (30:22) Keep up with David
  • (33:53) [Extended Episode Only] How team members can actively participate in cultivating a strong culture
  • (38:43) [Extended Episode Only] The importance of specificity in team communication


Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here


Keep up with David Burkus


- Follow David on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to David’s YouTube channel here

- Grab a copy of his book Best Team Ever! Here


Free PDF Guides for Manual of Me and Team Charter 


David is providing members of Podcast+ with two guides - The Manual of Me and Team Charter which he speaks about in the extended episode. 


Originally conceived by Ben Dattner, Manual of Me is a really useful tool for showing people how they can best work with you.


The Team Charter is a living document that will be used to develop shared understanding and expectations about working together as a team moving forward.


To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.


---------------------


The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.


Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!


Up next
Aug 5
369: Make Work More Fun Without Losing Your Professional Edge with Bree Groff
What if the biggest threat to your team’s creativity and performance isn’t the workload but outdated ideas of what “professionalism” should look like?It’s easy to fall into the trap of performative professionalism: obsessing over sounding smart, dressing the part, and following i ... Show More
30m 47s
Jul 29
368: The 7-Step Focus Formula Highly Productive People Swear By with Mridu Parikh
Self-distraction is one of the biggest productivity challenges we face today. It’s easy to get lost in the constant flow of thoughts. A simple “I need to remind Kevin to send me that document,” takes us away from our current activity, preventing us from completing the tasks that ... Show More
30m 29s
Jul 22
367: How to Deal with Toxic People at Work Without Quitting with Dr. Sheela Reddy
Do you walk out of meetings feeling more exhausted than empowered? Are toxic behaviors affecting your team? Navigating a workplace with individuals who show signs of narcissism, Machiavellianism, or psychopathy can be incredibly challenging. But understanding the root of these to ... Show More
30m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
5 Biggest Team Building Mistakes w/ Netflix Legend Patty McCord
How do the best founders build exceptional teams? Learn how a practical approach to HR can transform the culture at your startup. In this episode, Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and author of 'Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility,&# ... Show More
1h 6m
Jul 2024
How to Stop The 7 Deadly Work Stressors
#95 Stressed out at work? When should you just find a new job? In this episode, Liz Fosslien dives into practical strategies to navigate the 7 Deadly Work Stressors in order to thrive in stressful work environments. She explores the importance of real downtime, from setting clear ... Show More
48m 1s
Oct 2024
Creating High-Performance Teams That Drive Results
Building high-performance teams begins with understanding your organization’s “what” and “why” and then finding the right people to drive them forward. In this episode I discuss the four essential ingredients to building high-performance teams. Here's what we cover in this episod ... Show More
34m 3s
Feb 2025
5 Simple Rules for Meetings That Don’t Suck (and Actually Get Sh*t Done)
Are your meetings a productivity black hole? You're not alone. In the world of product management, meetings can make or break your team's success. But what if you could transform these time-sinks into powerful tools for alignment, decision-making, and innovation? In this episode, ... Show More
47m 12s
Apr 2024
Episode 681: #BizTipFriday Digital CEO Series: 10 Ways to Add Value for Your Audience
There are so many things you can do beyond just creating training videos that will provide MASSIVE value to your clients and customers, and in this #BizTipFriday, I give you 10 of them (plus some bonuses)! Not only will these strategies transfer your knowledge, wisdom and content ... Show More
19m 24s
Jul 14
Episode 777: 9 Subtle Success Habits You MUST Master to Have Any Success
Are you an entrepreneur feeling stuck, frozen, or overwhelmed by your business growth? Do you know what to do but struggle with consistent action? Today, I reveal the 9 subtle, yet essential habits and distinctions that are transforming my students' businesses. And guess what? Th ... Show More
27m 47s
Mar 2024
#661: The Copywriting Tips & Trends You Don’t Wanna Snooze On In 2024 with Laura Belgray
My friend, today's episode is truly a treat! My fantastic guest and I go way back (I'm talking 15 incredible years) and she is a real-deal copywriting genius who had her first million-dollar year just as she turned 50. She's here to share all of her proven copywriting tips and tr ... Show More
1h 1m
Jul 2024
How to Focus and Think (Cal Newport)
Check out my book Million Dollar Weekend, which helps you start businesses in just 48 hours. Check it out at milliondollarweekend.com.   In today's episode, I caught up with a talented, award-winning author and professor of computer science at Georgetown University, Cal Newport.  ... Show More
57m 4s
Jul 2024
He makes $100M/year but will die with $0 (Bill Perkins)
FiveTaco is the easiest way to find software for solopreneurs, from productivity tools, to the latest AI tech to help run your business. In this week's episode, I sit down with Bill Perkins, a successful hedge fund manager, film producer, author, and high-stakes poker player. Bil ... Show More
1h 7m
Sep 2024
274: Navigating the PMO Journey: Insights from an Experienced CEO
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Hi, IMPACT Driver!   If you’ve ever wondered how executives really think about project management and strategy, you’re in for a treat.   🎙️In this special ... Show More
48m 16s