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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

And tell me—who’s the glue on your team?
Have you ever been that person? What helped—or hurt?

#LeadershipExplored #LeadershipMatters #InvisibleWork #GluePeople #TeamSuccess #BurnoutPrevention #OrganizationalHealth

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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

This is what we explore in Episode 14 of Leadership Explored:
🎧 Assists & Glue People – The Teammates Who Make Everything Work.
Listen at www.leadershipexploredpod.com

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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

So what can leaders do?
✅ Acknowledge the assists
✅ Build recognition systems that value collaboration
✅ Share glue work across the team
✅ Normalize steady, non-performative contributions
This isn’t just culture work—it’s strategy. It’s retention. It’s resilience.

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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

I’ve worked with leaders who are glue people and those who depend on them.
Many don’t realize they’re carrying emotional labor, coordination work, and decision enablement—on top of their actual role.
Over time, it leads to burnout, disengagement, or exit. Quiet attrition, slow culture decay.

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

When glue people leave or burn out, here’s what often happens:
❌ Decision loops fall apart
❌ Miscommunications increase
❌ Friction creeps in
❌ Team trust declines
And yet, the systems in place rarely acknowledge their impact—or protect their capacity.

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

Bias plays a big role:
👀 We reward what we can see (visibility bias)
🧠 We remember what’s recent (availability bias)
🏆 We celebrate flash over follow-through (halo effect)
Meanwhile, your most reliable team member might be doing invisible work that enables everyone else.

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

Most organizations celebrate the "goal scorers."
Big wins, big visibility.
But in sports and leadership, it’s the assists that drive sustainable success.
Research shows teams with more assists outperform those with star-heavy rosters.
So why do we still miss the quiet contributors?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 9d

Every team has a “glue person.”
They’re the ones who smooth handoffs, connect people, create clarity, and elevate others.
They rarely ask for attention—yet everything starts to break when they’re gone.
🧵 Let’s talk about why we overlook them—and why we can’t afford to anymore.

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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

The real power of leadership lies in creating an organization where readiness is part of the culture. Not just a reaction to crises, but a mindset for growth and agility. Let’s discuss—what’s one change you’ve made in your leadership to foster readiness?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from setbacks—it’s about being prepared to adapt in real time. That’s the essence of “We Are Ready.” How are you building a resilient culture where teams adapt and thrive?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

Empowered teams are ready teams. It’s about decentralizing decision-making and ensuring your team has the autonomy to act without needing constant approval. How do you give your team the power to make decisions?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

Psychological safety plays a huge role in readiness. When team members feel safe to speak up and fail forward, they take risks that lead to innovation. How do you foster psychological safety in your teams?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

Readiness isn’t built through perfect plans, but through trust and adaptability. When teams trust each other and have clear shared goals, they can move quickly when change happens. Are you building trust or micromanaging? There’s a big difference.

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

A leader’s true strength is in their ability to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to act, even without a detailed plan. How do you ensure your team feels confident to make decisions when things get uncertain?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 10d

Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks—it’s about cultivating a mindset that prepares teams for anything. Today, we talk about moving from “Be Prepared” to “We Are Ready.” It’s about creating a culture that thrives in uncertainty. What does readiness mean to you?

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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

As leaders, the goal isn't to avoid all risks, but to build the capacity to respond effectively to any situation. It’s about creating a team that can think clearly under pressure and act decisively. How are you fostering that kind of culture in your team? #LeadershipCulture #TeamAgility

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

Preparedness isn't about having a perfect plan; it's about building systems that allow you to move quickly and confidently when things go off course. Leadership is less about knowing everything and more about being ready to adapt when you don't. #Adaptability #LeadershipMindset

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

It’s easy to look at failure as a setback, but a culture of preparedness sees it as an opportunity to learn. After-Action Reviews (AARs) help teams capture insights from both wins and losses—turning each experience into actionable growth. #ContinuousImprovement #AAR

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

Imagine if, at the start of every project, your team took 5 minutes to identify potential risks. That’s a Pre-Mortem in action. It’s a small investment that dramatically improves decision-making and risk management. Have you tried this? How did it work? #RiskManagement #LeadershipTools

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

One of the most overlooked aspects of leadership preparedness? Active Scanning. Leaders often get caught up in the details, but it’s the ability to scan the horizon and detect weak signals of change that separates reactive leaders from resilient ones. #StrategicThinking #ResilientLeadership

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

The concept of "preparedness cadence" might sound simple, but it has a huge impact. Small, repeatable practices—like quick Pre-Mortems and After-Action Reviews—help leaders stay ahead of change and ensure teams are always learning. Are you practicing these in your leadership? #TeamSuccess

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 11d

As leaders, we often talk about "being prepared," but what does that really mean in practice? It's not just about planning for crises, it's about creating a culture of readiness that helps teams adapt to anything. Preparedness is a habit, not a one-time event. #LeadershipDevelopment #Preparedness

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Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 12d

Every day is an opportunity to improve, to evolve, and to lead with purpose. Take a moment today to reflect on your leadership journey. What’s one thing you’ll do differently tomorrow to grow as a leader? 🚀

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 12d

Leaders who develop their emotional intelligence are better equipped to lead through change. EQ is just as critical as IQ when navigating complex challenges. How are you nurturing your emotional intelligence in the workplace?

Ed Schaefer @agileideation.bsky.social · 12d

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built on intentionality. Every quarter is an opportunity to refine our leadership strategies. As Q4 approaches, what are the top 3 areas you’re focusing on to close the year strong?