Team issues rarely start with the team.
More often than not, they stem from:
🌿 Unspoken expectations & hidden agreements – When things aren’t made clear, people fill in the blanks (often incorrectly)
🌿 Gossip & ‘lower looping’ – When communication from the top is vague or inconsistent, backchannels form and assumptions take over
🌿 Lack of accountability – When poor behaviour goes unchecked, resentment grows and people start wondering, “Why bother?”
🌿 Mismatched roles & disengagement – If team members aren’t in the right seat or don’t get the support they need, they can underperform or quietly start looking for the exit
🌿 Leaders holding all the power – When team members don’t feel empowered to take ownership, they hesitate, second-guess or disengage
🌿 No space for healthy conflict – If teams don’t know how to navigate tough conversations, tension builds and passive-aggressive behaviour takes over
If you’re noticing tension or disconnect in your team, it might be time to dig deep. Here are some questions you can start with:
1. Are expectations clear or am I assuming they’re understood?
2. Are we giving real feedback or just hoping people figure it out?
3. Have we created a culture where people feel safe to communicate honestly?
4. Do our team members feel genuinely valued or are we just ‘managing’ them?
Most team issues can be traced back to leadership, culture and communication, which is great news because it means you can fix it from the top.
If you need some support in building an effective and happy team, see our Team Development Services, including PRINT® and Leadership Coaching.