Hi there. I’m Dr. Bobbi Wegner.

Welcome to The Psychology of Teams and People: Insights from Within. I am a psychologist who lives at the intersection of psychology, business, and technology. I teach organizational psychology at Harvard and spend a lot of time inside companies across the globe. And,  I am also the founder and CEO of Groops. 

Groops bring experts in organizational psychology to help teams deepen cohesion and improve functioning, at scale. AI helps us provide ongoing insights and recommendations - and allows us to see themes across the team, within the organization, and between companies. 

Each message includes (a) noticing and wonderings about everyday psychology at work, (b) a quote to think about, (c) a question to deepen understanding, and (d) something to try. Enjoy! 

Noticing and Wondering

Summer has a particular rhythm across organizations - teams slow down, calendars grow patchier, and the urgency of everyday work softens just a bit. It’s easy to call this the “summer slump,” but I wonder if there’s something more valuable hiding in the lull.

In psychology, we talk a lot about liminal space - the in-between moment where one chapter has paused, but the next hasn’t quite begun. It’s the space where reflection becomes possible, where people make sense of what just happened, and where new intentions begin to form. And while it may not be as dramatic as a big launch or offsite, that quiet in-between moment can be profoundly clarifying.

But in the workplace, I notice we often rush through these natural pauses. Summer becomes something to “get through” rather than something to use. We treat it as downtime instead of prime time for team recalibration.

At Groops, we lean into that space. We ask:

• What patterns are playing out in how we work together?

• Where are we aligned - and where are we not?

• What do we want to be true heading into the fall?

Research supports this practice. According to Harvard Business Review, teams that build in regular reflection points - especially during slower seasons - see a 25% boost in performance over those that don’t. Strategic pauses help people align, reprioritize, and re-engage.

It makes me wonder: What might shift if more leaders treated summer not as a productivity dip, but as a strategic reset? What if instead of coasting through July, we used it to build the culture we want to return to in September?

A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”

Source: Peter Drucker, father of modern management

DEEP-ish QUESTIONS 

• How does your energy shift in the summer and how does your team’s energy shift?

• When things slow down, how does your team typically use the time: reflection, strategy, pulling away, or doing more?

• Looking back on the year so far, what have been the key themes for your team - what’s working, what’s not, and what might you want to try next?

• If you intentionally paused to reflect and recalibrate with a structured approach, what would you focus on first?

SOMETHING TO TRY

Summer naturally shifts the pace of work - but most teams don’t talk about it. Use that shift on purpose.

This isn’t about slowing the business - it’s about pairing focus with reflection so you can stay clear and connected.

Step 1: Normalize the shift
In your next team meeting, take 15 minutes to name what’s changed:

• How is our energy, pace, or focus shifting?

• What must get done this summer—and how will we stay aligned on that?

• What kind of space do we each need to reflect and reset?

Invite open conversation. Share prompts like:

• What’s working in how we operate as a team?

• Where are we feeling stuck or unclear?

• What’s one thing we’d like to try differently?

Step 2: Set a summer strategy session
Pick a time later this summer to reflect more deeply:

• What have we learned so far this year?

• What’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift?

• What will we recommit to heading into fall?

Close with clear priorities, shared agreements, and renewed momentum.

ANNOUNCEMENT: SUMMER RESET

Summer shifts how teams function - and that shift is an opportunity.

Groops is offering a limited-time Summer Reset Package to help your team pause, reflect, and realign before the fall.

Here’s what’s included:

• Team Reflection Framework – A guided session with prompts, discussion flow, and structured reflection.

• Team Insights Snapshot – A quick diagnostic showing what’s working, what’s not, and where momentum can build.

• Strategy Session with a Groop Guide – A facilitated session to align on priorities, deepen connection, and set direction for Q3.

Team development that meets the moment—science-backed, customized, and built for real work rhythms.

Limited spots available. Reply to this email to hold a time for your team.

Thanks for reading and keep on connecting. 

Best,

Bobbi

Bobbi Wegner, Psy.D.
Founder and CEO of Groops​: helping teams feel and function their best
Lecturer at Harvard University in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

If you are curious about the cohesion and health of your team, book a complimentary 30 minute consultation HERE . Shoot me a note to find out more or to submit  a question / problem at work and we will respond anonymously in the newsletter.  info@joingroops.com . 

www.joingroops.com