Don't Drop the Baton! Teams Who Communicate Well, Collaborate Well

Effective team communication shapes company culture at all levels. In this talk, we'll explore habits, principles, and frameworks to foster healthy communication patterns.

Talk given by Sara Hicks and Mathias Meyer for LDX3 in London, June 2025.

Transcript

1. Don’t Drop the Baton! Sara Hicks & Mathias Meyer Teams Who Communicate Well, Collaborate Well
2. Mathias Meyer Sara Hicks intentionalorganization.com
5. Favorite? Favourite?
6. Favorite? Favourite?
7. intentionalorganization.com
14. What do dropped batons look like?
15. It’s not clear where the organization is going. What do dropped batons look like?
16. It’s not clear where the organization is going. What do dropped batons look like?
17. intentionalorganization.com Re fl ect Assess Do The RAD Framework
18. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. We didn’t provide a clear vision.
19. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. We lacked distinct priorities.
20. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. Con$icting Priorities
21. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. Con$icting Priorities Slow Progress
22. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. Con$icting Priorities Slow Progress Constant Fire Drills
23. Do: What does a good hando ff look like? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. There’s an overarching vision. There’s a clear strategy. There’s a focused set of priorities.
24. To increase the number of organizations where people are treated as humans, one leader at a time. intentionalorganization.com Example: Clear Vision Statement It’s not clear where the organization is going.
25. It’s not clear how decisions are made. What do dropped batons look like?
26. It’s not clear how decisions are made. What do dropped batons look like?
27. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. We lacked a process for making decisions.
28. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. No clear ownership or accountability.
29. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. We were hoarding decisions.
30. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. Decisions Pushed Upwards
31. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. Decisions Pushed Upwards Repetitive Discussions
32. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. Decisions Pushed Upwards Repetitive Discussions Decisions Hard to Find
33. Do: What does a good hando ff look like? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear how decisions are made. Decision artifacts are easy to fi nd. Process and decision ownership are clear. The team isn’t blocked.
34. intentionalorganization.com 1. Author 2. Date 3. Decision Example: Simple Decision Records It’s not clear how decisions are made.
35. Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. What do dropped batons look like?
36. Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. What do dropped batons look like?
37. Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. What do dropped batons look like?
38. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. People didn’t feel like they could speak up.
39. Re fl ect: Where did we drop the baton? intentionalorganization.com It’s not clear where the organization is going. We lacked space for feedback or disagreement.
40. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. Limited Feedback
41. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. Limited Feedback Few Dissenting Voices
42. Assess: What are signs to look for? intentionalorganization.com Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. Limited Feedback Few Dissenting Voices Complaints about Lack of Feedback
43. Do: What does a good hando ff look like? intentionalorganization.com Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. Feedback is more than an emoji. Feedback is timely and constructive. Feedback is broken into digestible pieces.
44. Do: What does a good hando ff look like? intentionalorganization.com Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. Feedback is more than an emoji. Feedback is broken into digestible pieces. Feedback is timely and constructive.
45. Do: What does a good hando ff look like? intentionalorganization.com Feedback isn’t fl owing openly. Feedback is more than an emoji. Feedback is broken into digestible pieces. Feedback is timely and constructive.
47. intentionalorganization.com
48. intentionalorganization.com Thank you!