Building Emotionally Intelligent Teams with Vanessa Druskat

In this week’s episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I speak with Vanessa Druskat, a globally recognized expert in team performance and author of "The Emotionally Intelligent Team." Vanessa shares the inspiration behind her research, highlighting the gap between anecdotal advice and evidence-based practices for building successful teams. She discusses the importance of cultivating esprit de corps—meaning a sense of belonging, value, and psychological safety—within teams, and emphasizes that this must come from both leaders and team members.

Our conversation explores practical norms and routines that emotionally intelligent teams use, dispelling myths around individual emotional intelligence versus collective TeamEI. Vanessa provides actionable examples, such as brief check-ins, team charters, and structured feedback mechanisms, underscoring the need for leaders to be intentional, especially in remote or hybrid environments. Questions from the live audience explored topics such as the role of team charters, overcoming ineffective norms, and the courage required to embrace feedback and conflict constructively. The episode is packed with research-backed insights and practical strategies to help leaders create high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams.

What You’ll Learn

- Great teams do things differently… and intentionally.

- The importance of assessing your team’s norms (anonymous surveys work wonders!).

- Develop a charter and revisit it regularly.

- Make feedback part of your culture rather than a once-a-year event

- How to lead remote/hybrid teams effectively.

- Why you want to finish meetings with a Plus/Delta.

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) – Welcome to the Podcast

(10:25) - Defining Team Emotional Intelligence vs Individual EQ

(19:56) - Common Team Norms: Good, Bad, and Misunderstood

(24:32) - Creating and Using Team Charters

(27:12) - Activities to Build Understanding and Belonging

(32:11) - Best Practices for Team Assessment

(36:54) - Feedback and Accountability in Emotionally Intelligent Teams

(41:20) - Constructive Conflict and Avoiding Sidebar Conversations

(49:33) - Emotional Intelligence in Remote and Hybrid Teams

(54:33) - Final Reflections

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Team Emotional Intelligence, Team Norms, Self-awareness, Psychological Safety, Feedback Culture, Team Rituals, Team-Building, High-Performing Teams, Team Assessment, Team Charter, Remote Teams, Hybrid Teams, Collaboration, Accountability, Sense of Belonging, Respect, Onboarding, Team Effectiveness, CEO Success