Introduction 10
Why this book? 11
The structure of this book 14
How to read this book 20
Chapter 1 Humanizing team performance 22
Why it matters 27
A story to tell: From ‘me’ to ‘we’ 28
Three human-centred tactics 35
Tactic 1: Invest in understanding the human dynamics within the team and its impact on performance 35
Tactic 2: Never stop investing in trust and psychological safety 51
Tactic 3: Conduct team coaching interventions in a safe and reflective setting 53
Summarizing the main points 65
How to get started 67
Introduction and chapter 1: Key references and interesting reads 71
Chapter 2 Humanizing collaboration across teams 74
Why it matters 79
A story to tell: ‘Us’ versus ‘them’ 79
Three human-centred tactics 86
Tactic 1: Invest in decoding the human dynamics in the collaborative 86
Tactic 2: Strengthen the foundation of trust and facilitate open dialogue 97
Tactic 3: Put the real issues on the table before taking action 100
Summarizing the main points 107
How to get started 109
Chapter 2: Key references and interesting reads 114
Chapter 3 Humanizing culture shifts 116
Why it matters 121
A story to tell: Who needs to change first? 122
Three human-centred tactics 127
Tactic 1: Start by installing psychological safety 127
Tactic 2: Build capabilities to deal with the emotional side of change, starting from introspection 130
Tactic 3: Discuss culture at the different levels of the organization simultaneously 135
Summarizing the main points 163
How to get started 165
Chapter 3: Key references and interesting reads 170
Chapter 4 Humanizing leadership 172
Why it matters 177
A story to tell: Uncomfortable reflections 178
Three human-centred tactics 183
Tactic 1: Develop reflective leaders who are more aware of their own emotions and functioning 183
Tactic 2: Explore and articulate what you do, why you do it and its impact on performance 185
Tactic 3: Invest in understanding what holds you back from (further) developing as a leader 202
Summarizing the main points 213
How to get started 214
Chapter 4: Key references and interesting reads 219
Chapter 5 Humanizing future-proof organizations 222
Why it matters 227
A story to tell: Speed, Gears and Brakes 229
Three human-centred tactics 234
Tactic 1: Start with purpose, future success, the work to be done and the context around it 235
Tactic 2: Explore and grasp the full organizational potential by focusing on structural, motivational, and behavioural elements 238
Tactic 3: Minimize structures while focusing on empowered networks, critical behaviours, trust and fun 245
Summarizing the main points 253
How to get started 255
Chapter 5: Key references and interesting reads 262
chapter 6 Bringing it all together 264
A systems psychodynamic approach 267
The five-step approach to humanize your strategy 269
Critical roles to humanize your strategy 277
Chapter 6: Key references and interesting reads 281
My concluding letter to you as a leader 283
About the author 289
About the illustrator 291
A word of thanks 292
