Helen sits down with Scott Smith from People Spark Solutions in the latest episode of HR Untangled. They unpack what really makes a high-performing team, and why so many businesses get it wrong.

They challenge the myth that strong skills automatically lead to great performance, and explore what actually drives results in today's workplace: psychological safety, genuine connection, and a clear sense of purpose. Scott shares real-world examples from his leadership development work across the UK and Ireland, touching on generational shifts, changing expectations, accidental managers, burnout, and the risks of running teams on constant pressure.

You'll also hear why one-to-ones are the 'golden thread' of high performance, how to give feedback that actually lands, and what tends to happen when tough conversations get avoided (spoiler: nothing good)! Expect a mix of practical insight and a few memorable moments along the way, including giraffes, pub-based onboarding, ultra-marathons, and the value of letting teams have the silly moments too.

Whether you're a business owner, line manager, HR professional, or simply trying to make sense of team culture, this episode is packed with ideas you can put into action straight away.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube via the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=343ENhH1TTs