Ever meet someone who skips the small talk and dives straight into their medical history? This week, we’re talking about vulnerability at work—when it helps, when it hurts, and how to navigate the awkward middle.
From Foo Fighters to Figma to feelings, we’re covering reinvention, recognition, and the realities of leading with empathy. Inspired by Greg’s latest Same Page column, we dig into why some disclosures connect while others create distance—and how leaders can respond without making it weird.
The Huddle
Brett’s launching DPM Summer School—a 12-week cohort for project managers who want to lead like humans, not robots. Greg’s geeking out in Figma and following the latest product drops from Config
The Review
When vulnerability backfires
We all want to work on teams where people can be real. But sometimes vulnerability lands wrong—too early, too much, or in the wrong setting. Instead of connection, it creates distance.
This week, we unpack:
- How to draw the line between honesty and oversharing
- What leaders can say when disclosures change the room’s energy
- Why discernment matters—and how to teach it without shutting people down
- Real stories of vulnerability done right
Also on Same Page this week:
- Celebrating small wins: how recognition builds resilient teams
- Building stronger teams through consistent recognitionThe Ask
The Ask
We’re taking the pulse on how folks are really doing. So tell us:
Are you in survival mode or living your best life?
If you had to rate yourself from 1 (barely making it) to 10 (living the dream), where are you today?
Write to us: highfive@sameteampartners.com — we’re listening.
The Hit List
What we’re reading, writing, watching, and listening to this week:
Listening:
- Foo Fighters (self-titled debut) — Brett’s in his reinvention era and this scrappy debut is the perfect fuel.
Writing:
- It's time we stopped asking for vases. — a sharp critique of transactional AI use and formulaic thinking—arguing that real innovation comes from changing the ask, not perfecting the prompt.
- Thinking about going out on your own? Read this first. — a blunt checklist for anyone romanticizing freelance life.
- Project management isn’t dead. AI just made it more human. — AI can’t lead a team, but it can save you from another bad meeting.
Watching:
- Sinners — historical drama meets vampires, but make it GOOD.
- Warfare — haunting, quiet, and powerful. Greg says it lives up to the buzz.
Reading:
- Abundance by Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson — techno-optimism that doesn’t feel like a delusion.
The High Five
The next playbook is in the works. Stay tuned for the drop—and thanks, as always, for being here.
