Why do the same challenges keep showing up, even when the people, projects, or circumstances change?
In this episode, David and Suzanne explore the patterns that shape collaboration. Moving beyond individual behaviour, they examine how relationships, structures, history, and everyday responses can reinforce the very challenges people are trying to resolve.
From tighter control that leads to less information sharing, to rescuing that creates dependence, well-intended actions can produce unintended consequences. Making these patterns visible helps teams understand their contribution and create opportunities for change.
In this episode, we explore:
- What it means to look at collaboration through a systems lens.
- How our responses influence what others do next.
- Why past experiences and unwritten rules continue to shape present collaboration.
- How a systems perspective expands accountability.
- Three ways to begin shifting a pattern: make it visible without labelling people, locate it across the system, and understand what it is trying to protect.
- How collaborative coaching helps teams build their own capacity to see and shift patterns together.
A question to take into your work
What does your response make more likely to happen next?
Think about a collaboration where the same issue keeps returning. What sequence keeps repeating? What past experience, belief, or unwritten rule might be influencing it? Where could one small, observable change interrupt that sequence?
When we make the invisible visible, we create choice, and the possibility of a different pattern.
What is Space to Lead?
Welcome to Space to Lead—the podcast where leaders and teams come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Every episode, your host David LeBlanc will have engaging conversation with leaders, exploring fresh insights and strategies that inspire leaders to create dynamic, engaging cultures.
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We'll dive into conversations with visionary leaders and industry experts who are transforming teams and shaping the future of leadership. Whether you’re leading from the front or working within a team, Space to Lead is here to spark ideas and help you lead with purpose and passion.
So, take a deep breath, make some space, and let’s lead together!"