Learn why closing the year with intentional reflection and shared meaning strengthens team trust, cohesion, and momentum for the year ahead.

Many leadership partnerships aren’t broken, they’re just operating at 70%.

Weighed down by low-grade friction that feels tolerable in the moment but quietly slows decisions, drains energy, and compounds into misalignment. Research shows that even mild relationship conflict increases cognitive load and reduces team performance, not because of blowups, but because your brain is running the work and the relationship at the same time.

At Groops, we’re seeing a surge in 2:1 coaching requests for exactly this reason: leaders are realizing that “fine” isn’t efficient, sustainable, or high-performing. This newsletter explores why functional-but-frictional relationships slip into costly patterns, the psychology behind partnership optimization, and how intentional tune-ups can turn a 70% partnership into a 95% one.

The Hygge Contract: What High-Performing Teams Know About Thanksgiving

This week’s newsletter explores how the same psychology that drives high-performing teams can transform your Thanksgiving gathering. We break down the Danish concept of hygge, a shared social contract of collective comfort, and show how naming the “goal” of your holiday can reduce conflict, increase connection, and create a smoother group dynamic.

Think of it as applying your best facilitation skills at home: align on the vibe, protect the we over the me, and create a gathering that feels grounded, warm, and intentional.

A quick, practical read for anyone who leads teams at work, and a family on Thursday.