When you strip business down to its core, it’s about people. Every deal, every partnership, and every bit of growth comes from how well your team works together. Real culture comes from integrity, empathy, and a shared belief in doing things the right way.

Strong teams start with trust. They create an environment where people can make mistakes, recover, and keep moving forward. Leaders who protect that culture and put their people first build something that lasts. They attract talent that wants to grow and stay part of something meaningful.

In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Aaron Strauss shares what it takes to build a high-performing team that endures. He talks about why integrity shapes culture, how empathy becomes a true advantage, and what great leaders do to keep their teams performing at the highest level.

1:11 – Trust, empathy, and the foundation of sustainable performance

2:19 – Integrity as the first principle of leadership

4:04 – Creating psychological safety inside high-performing teams

6:05 – Team first vs. customer first and why it’s not a contradiction

8:18 – Avoiding mediocrity and keeping a culture of innovation alive

11:18 – Recognizing and developing star, solid, and struggling performers

12:22 – Why soft skills and human connection are the next competitive edge

13:47 – The pitfalls that quietly destroy culture

17:04 – Building a culture of “we can figure it out”

18:03 – Resilience, mindset, and how leaders manage setbacks

21:01 – Generosity, perspective, and putting people before yourself

Mentioned In The Secret to Building a High-Performing Team That Actually Lasts

A.Y. Strauss | LinkedIn

Aaron Strauss on LinkedIn

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)