Insights
The Starling Effect
Just like starlings responding to their nearest neighbors, your team members start making choices that naturally align with collective success. The impact builds exponentially when everyone is tuned into the same frequency.
The result? Teams that can shift direction quickly, respond to challenges collectively, and create something greater than the sum of their individual parts.
The Contagion Effect
Here's the thing about energy: it spreads faster than gossip in a small office. You know how yawns are contagious? Energy works the same way—except instead of making people tired, the right energy makes them unstoppable. The good stuff is contagious. That level of support, that fun, that genuine enthusiasm—it lifts people up and makes them want to maintain the momentum. They try harder, support each other more, and the whole cycle accelerates. But here's what most teams don't want to acknowledge: the negative stuff spreads just as fast.
Communication & Team Connection: Building Trust Through Better Relationships
Every team is a collection of unique perspectives, communication styles, and working preferences. What looks like a simple conversation to one person might feel overwhelming to another. The challenge isn't having different viewpoints—it's creating the shared language and understanding that allows these diverse minds to collaborate effectively
The Icebreaker Police
"It's an icebreaker!" the engineer announced. For the third time.
Instead of asking "What do you do?" I asked "What do you love about what you do?"
That's when our self-appointed icebreaker detective felt compelled to blow my cover. Multiple times.
Complete Guide to LEGO® Serious Play®: Transform Team Communication Through Hands-On Collaboration
At its core, LEGO® Serious Play harnesses the neurological connection between our hands and brain. When teams "think through their fingers," they activate neural pathways that remain dormant during conventional discussions, accessing knowledge and insights that might otherwise remain hidden. This scientifically-backed process helps externalize abstract concepts into tangible models that everyone can see, discuss, and understand.
The Scoreboard Effect: How to Build Team Standards That Stick
Why teams lose their way when scoreboards appear. Discover how to build Core Constants—the unchanging standards that keep teams performing under pressure
Herding Squirrels Ep 06
In this engaging episode, we explore leadership through the lens of trust and vulnerability with John Fly, CTO of FirmPilot. Using LEGO® Serious Play® methodology, John shares powerful stories from his 25+ years in technology leadership, revealing how his approach evolved from technical perfectionism to collaborative partnership.
Minnebar 19
Last Saturday, I had the privilege of presenting "Building Better Teams" at Minnebar 19, Minnesota's premier tech unconference. Over 1000 people gathered on a Saturday to learn from each other, and I got to facilitate a room full of brilliant minds through a hands-on exploration of what makes teams truly exceptional.
Herding Squirrels Ep 04
Join us as we play with Frédéric Rivain, CTO of Dashlane, as he shares insights on building high-performing technical teams through LEGO® Serious Play® methodology. Discover why team "intimacy" and intentional relationship-building are crucial for engineering leadership, how to avoid the dangerous trap of "illusion of alignment," and practical strategies for navigating remote work challenges. From unity and consistency to stepping outside your network, learn actionable advice for technical leaders at every career stage
Herding Squirrels Ep 05
Join host Brandon Wetzstein as he welcomes Jessica Mosley, a quality engineering veteran with over 20 years of experience spanning software development, DevOps, IT, and customer experience. Through innovative LEGO® Serious Play® methodology, Jessica shares valuable insights on team building, leadership development, and creating authentic workplace connections in today's distributed work environment.
Herding Squirrels Ep 03
In this enlightening episode of Herding Squirrels, host Brandon Wetzstein sits down with Cole Christie, Senior Engineering Manager for Site Reliability Engineering at Gap. With 18 years of experience in tech and 10 years in leadership positions, Cole shares profound insights about team dynamics across various industries.
SuperPowers School Podcast
We delve into the science of play in facilitation with special guest Brandon Wetzstein. Discover how play, especially through LEGO Serious Play, transforms adult behaviour and enhances creativity, collaboration, and connection in team settings.
Learn about the surprising benefits of incorporating playful elements into serious work environments and how they can lead to better ideas and stronger team dynamics.

