In this episode of Career Sessions, JR Lowry speaks with behavioral scientist Jon Levy to explore what actually makes teams effective and why the answer isn’t what most people think.

Drawing on research across psychology, business, and even sports, Jon breaks down the hidden dynamics behind high-performing teams, including the overlooked role of “glue people” – those who quietly elevate everyone around them.

They discuss:

• Why emotional intelligence matters more than IQ on teams
• The surprising reason too much talent can hurt performance
• What “glue players” do differently and how to spot them
• How influence really works (and why it’s not about power)
• The role of trust, belonging, and feedback in team success

Jon also shares insights from his unconventional work building communities and designing experiences that foster deep human connection.

If you’re leading a team or want to become more effective within one, this conversation will challenge how you think about performance, influence, and success.

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Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/jon-levy/.

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