Don’t Fear the Friction — Reframe it

This is the 3rd episode in our team series, and it’s focused on team friction. In this episode, Shelley and Drew explore the why, what, and how of a commonly misunderstood dynamic in team life: friction. Shelley shares how friction can be a precursor to team conflict and sometimes activates a leader’s flight, fight, or freeze response.

A better approach is to reframe friction and lean in without taking over. Shelley emphasizes presence, curiosity, and early intervention: listening for subtle cues, pausing agendas to clarify concerns, and empowering teams through tools like code words to reset conversations. One tool Shelley introduces is the Team Heat scale as a way to identify friction before it turns into dysfunction.

Ultimately, the episode’s message is clear: friction is not the enemy. When leaders lean in, they can transform tension into creative energy, alignment, and high performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Friction is a normal team process that represents progress as teams get more involved in getting the work done.
• Friction often results from a lack of information, misalignment, or stress.
• Leaders are best positioned to move friction to high function by leaning in, getting curious, and creating space for the team to work through it.

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