Episode #136: A Simple Process for Solving Team Problems Together

Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, Suzie Price is joined by Douglas White to unpack the power of emotional fitness in leadership. Together, they explore how emotions—often dismissed or avoided at work—are actually critical signals that shape trust, clarity, and performance.

Through grounded stories and practical insights, the conversation reveals why regulating emotions isn’t about shutting them down, but about using them to guide better decisions and stronger connections. They discuss how emotional fitness equips leaders to handle conflict with calm, create safety in teams, and shift from reactivity to resilience.

Whether you’re navigating stress, leading people through change, or striving to build healthier workplace dynamics, this episode provides a practical roadmap for turning emotional awareness into a leadership advantage.

Read the transcript for Episode 136 below and discover how emotional fitness can transform the way you lead, connect, and perform.

Takeaways of Episode #136 --- 

• Alignment Turns Friction into Flow: When teams name problems out loud and work together to find solutions, they create clarity, shared ownership, and buy-in. This structured facilitation process helps teams move from stalled conversations to aligned action—transforming tension into teamwork.
• Simple, Repeatable Steps for Real Results: The Team Problems / Team Solutions method gives leaders a clear, easy-to-follow framework for surfacing challenges, prioritizing them, and brainstorming solutions together. It’s adaptable for in-person or virtual settings, and it works across industries—from city governments to corporate HR to nonprofit boards.
• The Payoff Is Measurable and Cultural: Aligned, engaged teams can achieve up to 30% efficiency gains, while poor communication can cost organizations millions. Beyond the numbers, this process builds trust, reduces drama, and fosters a high-commitment, low-drama culture—one decision and one conversation at a time.

In this episode:

Suzie Price [00:02:36]: “High-performing teams don’t avoid problems—they name them and solve them together. It’s about creating clarity, ownership, and momentum.”

Suzie Price [00:13:31]: “Leaders don’t need all the answers. They create the space for the answers to emerge. This process fosters honesty, responsibility, and actionable solutions.” Douglas White [00:25:51]: “The strength of the team is each individual team member. The strength of each member is the team.”

Suzie Price [00:32:39]: “When teams work together to solve problems, they unlock collective wisdom and make decisions that drive success—no blame, just solutions.”