What if a simple cup of coffee could transform your team’s performance? In this episode, Susan and Debbie dive deep into the often-overlooked secret to sustainable business success—relationships. Discover why strong, intentional connections are more than “nice-to-haves”—they are essential, strategic advantages. Learn about the Swedish tradition of Fika, how it fosters trust, communication, innovation, and what it looks like in action—from startups to global teams. Whether you lead a team of 5 or 5,000, this conversation will inspire you to pause, connect, and lead with purpose.
⏰ Episode Breakdown & Key Highlights:
00:03 – Susan sets the tone: Can a coffee break really transform your business?
00:40 – Debbie dives in: Why relationships aren’t soft skills—they’re business essentials.
01:41 – Quality relationships = quality results: Susan breaks down the chain reaction from trust to outcomes. 03:15 – Debbie ties in the concept of “built-in quality” starting from relationships.
04:34 – Blame game vs. Relationship game: The shift that changes team dynamics for the better.
06:01 – Start at the beginning: How to check the relational health of your stakeholders.
06:53 – The business cost of poor relationships: Missed opportunities and slow execution.
07:32 – Enter Fika: The Swedish tradition that rehumanizes connection at work.
08:20 – Susan’s real-world Fika story: How a weekly ritual transformed a fast-growing team.
11:01 – Inclusivity without pressure: Fika’s magic for introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between.
13:13 – Why Fika works: trust, psychological safety, equal voice.
15:09 – Reinforcing culture through ritual: How Fika strengthens values like collaboration and innovation.
16:45 – How to get started with Fika: 4 simple steps to build relational momentum.
20:28 – Virtual Fika? Yes, it still works—even remotely. Just add intention.
22:34 – Scaling Fika in large organizations: Susan’s bold (and successful) experiment with thousands.
26:02 – Measuring success: Stronger collaboration, faster innovation, and aligned action.
28:48 – Call to Action: Schedule your own Fika this week—no agenda, just connection.
💡 Key Takeaways
Business is personal. Behind every innovation, deal, or decision are people—and relationships matter. Trust accelerates performance. High-quality relationships sharpen thinking, improve actions, and lead to better outcomes. Fika is more than coffee. It’s a leadership practice of intentional connection that scales from 1:1s to enterprise-wide impact. Simple habits create cultural shifts. When leaders model authenticity, others feel empowered to connect and collaborate.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Debbie and Susan would love to hear your insights. Share your leadership journey with the Seasons Leadership community on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seasons-leadership-development/
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