Teams tend to drift toward dysfunction without intentional leadership, whilst prioritising rapid growth often leads to rushed hiring, misalignment, and toxic culture. I discuss a better approach in this third of a seven-part series with Andres Zylberberg and Richard Peake; that is, to build teams of “curious achievers” – people who are both responsible and inquisitive. 

These individuals elevate performance, strengthen cohesion, and create meaningful impact. When aligned around purpose and values, such teams generate compounding momentum. The foundation is soul: fostering pride in the product, the manager, the team, and the company to sustain long-term success. 

Takeaways 
Growth-focused hiring leads to B and C players who lower overall team performance. 
Curious achievers are both responsible and inquisitive – ideal for building high-performing, soulful teams. 
Toxicity forms when teams lack clarity, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose. 
A-players thrive in environments that value impact, learning, and meaningful contribution. 
Misaligned teams waste energy on low-impact work and interpersonal friction. 
Pride in product, team, manager, and company is essential for retention. 
A better team creates compounding results through trust, accountability, and aligned execution. 

Details of my new book: 
Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/ 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners 

Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ 

Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/
Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO 
Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. 
Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.

Follow me: 
on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles
on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth 

Enjoying the show? Leave a review 

Teams tend to drift toward dysfunction without intentional leadership, whilst prioritising rapid growth often leads to rushed hiring, misalignment, and toxic culture. I discuss a better approach in this third of a seven-part series with Andres Zylberberg and Richard Peake; that is, to build teams of &ldquo;curious achievers&rdquo; &ndash; people who are both responsible and inquisitive.&nbsp;
These individuals elevate performance, strengthen cohesion, and create meaningful impact. When aligned around purpose and values, such teams generate compounding momentum. The foundation is soul: fostering pride in the product, the manager, the team, and the company to sustain long-term success.&nbsp;
Takeaways&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Growth-focused hiring leads to B and C players who lower overall team performance.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Curious achievers are both responsible and inquisitive &ndash; ideal for building high-performing, soulful teams.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Toxicity forms when teams lack clarity, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A-players thrive in environments that value impact, learning, and meaningful contribution.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Misaligned teams waste energy on low-impact work and interpersonal friction.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Pride in product, team, manager, and company is essential for retention.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A better team creates compounding results through trust, accountability, and aligned execution.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Details of my new book: Bigger isn&rsquo;t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/</a>&nbsp;
Watch the episode on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners">https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners</a>&nbsp;
Newsletter &ndash; each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/</a>&nbsp;
Books &ndash; Learn more about our books <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/</a> Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.&nbsp; Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.
Follow me: on <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles">https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth">https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth</a>&nbsp;
Enjoying the show? Leave a review&nbsp;

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.
The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

The Evolution Partners

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.

We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.
We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

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