The Science of High-Performing Teams with Amy Lafko

The Leadership Mistake That Creates Burnout

What’s the real cost of rapid business growth? Leadership expert Stephen Doyle says it’s employee burnout—and most leaders don’t see it coming until top performers start checking out.  In the latest episode of Working Progress, Doyle breaks down why burnout isn’t caused by hard work alone, but by a lack of clarity, purpose, and connection. Learn how great leaders scale companies without sacrificing their people by creating alignment, understanding individual motivations, and removing the barriers that drain teams fastest.

Tools for the Future: Rethinking Leadership in the Age of AI

In this episode of Working Progress, we explore what it means to equip leaders with “tools for the future” in an AI-driven world. TTI Master Distributor for Australia and New Zealand Trevor O’Sullivan dives into how emerging technologies can enhance productivity, personalization, and decision-making without compromising the human connection at the heart of effective leadership. O’Sullivan discusses rethinking AI as a collaborative teammate rather than a competitor, redesigning workflows instead of simply layering in new tools, and fostering a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and trust. But while AI can augment performance and unlock efficiencies, great leadership still depends on intentionality, adaptability, and keeping people at the center of every decision.

Getting More Out of DISC: The Continuum Approach

Edouard Levit, retired TTI Master Distributor, delves into the evolution of the DISC continuum, a new model that transforms the vertical DISC graph into an expanded behavioral analysis examining eight elements of DISC rather than the traditional four.  Levit explains that eliminating ‘low’ scores provides a more complete and positive picture of behavior. Dig into new possibilities for individuals and business leaders, painting a fuller, more colorful picture than the old DISC model. These insights can transform communication, conflict resolution, and connection.

The Science of High-Performing Teams with Amy Lafko

If you want to build a resilient, high-performing team, you have to start by honoring the people who make it possible. Amy Lafko, author of People First, shares how leaders can create strong, engaged teams by shifting from customer- or patient-first models to a true people-first strategy. Her approach focuses on understanding core behaviors, motivations, and natural talents, then aligning individuals with roles where they can thrive. By leveraging assessments and data to create a shared language, Amy outlines how leaders can build “frictionless teams” grounded in trust, clarity, and accountability.

What 2025 Taught Us About Engaging and Retaining Talent

Our last episode of the year features TTI COO Vanessa Boettcher discussing how small businesses can develop and retain talent during a tough economy. Her main advice: know your people, understand their skills, embrace flexibility, and use the right tools.  Vanessa’s biggest leadership lesson of 2025: always ask questions, never assume. Her final advice to COOs: stay connected, stay humble, and remember, people matter.