The Team Habit That Separates High Performers From Everyone Else

AI isn't creating high-performing teams—it’s exposing the difference between teams that already know how to work well together and those that don’t. In this episode, David Rice sits down with social psychologist and Superteams author Ron Friedman to unpack new research on what separates the top 8% of teams from everyone else. The conversation challenges the assumption that AI is a universal productivity boost, revealing instead how it can amplify poor habits, deepen burnout, and create false confidence when used without judgment.They also explore why the best teams protect focus over busyness, replace brainstorming with brainwriting, rethink meetings entirely, and create cultures where experimentation—not perfection—drives performance. If you're leading people through the AI era, this episode offers a practical blueprint for building stronger teams instead of simply working faster.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ron on LinkedInCheck out Ron’s website and book “Superteams”Free masterclass and discussion guideSupport the show