Why Most Leaders Fail (And How to Build Teams That Actually Work) with Simon Mont

Why do so many talented teams struggle to work well together? In this thought-provoking episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Simon Mont, co-founder of Harmonize, to explore why leadership and collaboration often break down inside organizations. Simon shares a powerful insight: expertise does not equal leadership. Most organizations assume that if someone is great at their job, they’ll naturally be great at leading others. But Simon explains that three completely different skill sets are at play: Subject-matter expertise • Organizational development • Leadership When those skills get confused, teams suffer. Leaders become overwhelmed, systems break down, and collaboration becomes chaotic. Drawing from more than a decade of working with 500+ organizations, Simon reveals why effective teamwork must be intentionally designed—not left to chance. In this conversation, you’ll discover: Why teamwork rarely happens naturally • The difference between leadership and organizational development • Why most workplace problems are actually human behavior problems • The importance of psychological safety and clear expectations • How leaders can build systems where people thrive Simon also shares insights from his uniquely interdisciplinary background—blending law, facilitation, mysticism, yoga, and indigenous wisdom to help organizations transform from the inside out. If you lead a team, run an organization, or care about building healthier workplaces, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and collaboration. Connect with Simon Mont Website: www.harmonize.work Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarmonizeWork Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonize.work/?hl=en