Episode recap

Vanessa Druskat, social and organizational psychologist and author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team, joined the Love In Action podcast to unpack what truly separates average teams from exceptional ones. Her decades of research reveal that it’s not brilliance at the top or superstar individual contributors that drive sustained performance. The real differentiator is a team’s emotional ecosystem—the shared norms, routines, and habits that create trust, belonging, and collaborative energy. By shaping the everyday habits discussed, leaders can create a culture where people feel safe, energized, and committed—conditions that ultimately drive exceptional performance.

Bio

Vanessa Druskat is an associate professor at the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire. As an internationally recognized leadership and team performance expert, Vanessa Druskat advises leaders and teams at over a dozen Fortune 500 and Fortune Global 500 companies. She is the recipient of multiple research and teaching awards. She is the author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team. 

Quotes: 

Takeaways: 

Timestamps: 

0:00:02 Introduction & Episode Overview 

0:02:40 Guest Welcome & Background 

0:05:32 Motivations for Studying Teams 

0:07:10 Defining Team Emotional Intelligence 

0:10:40 Team Norms & Three Core Buckets 

0:15:33 Helping One Another Succeed 

0:16:37 Understanding Team Members 

0:18:55 Demonstrating Caring 

0:23:15 Addressing Unacceptable Behavior 

0:29:43 Measuring Team Success 

0:32:11 Groupthink & Decision Making 

0:33:29 Speed Round: Personal Insights 

0:36:26 Hopes for 2026 

0:37:53 Leadership, Love, and Final Advice 

0:40:53 Connecting with Vanessa Druskat 

0:41:41 Closing Remarks 

Conclusion: 

As we wrap up this episode, remember that extraordinary teams aren’t built by perfect individuals—they’re powered by collective trust, curiosity, and care. Let today be your reminder to reach out, understand, and uplift those around you. When we lead with empathy and foster true connection, the results speak for themselves. Here’s to building teams where every voice matters, and collaboration leads the way. 

Links/Resources: 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-druskat/  

Website - https://www.vanessadruskat.com/  

Team EI Survey – https://www.vanessadruskat.com/survey  

Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647824877?tag=bk00010a-20&th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true  

University of New Hampshire -  https://paulcollege.unh.edu/person/vanessa-druskat