I love a good road trip.
The open road. The adventure. The playlist. The sense of freedom.
And of course, I always make sure the car is in top shape — tyres, battery, oil, coolant. All systems checked and running smoothly.
But here’s a question:
Even if the car is in perfect condition… how much fun will the road trip be if none of the passengers get along?
The engine purrs, the tank is full, but tension fills the air.
Arguments over directions. Snarky remarks. Silence that stretches for hours.
Suddenly, that perfect road trip starts to feel less like freedom and more like a prison on wheels.
This is the reality we see in businesses all the time.
There’s plenty of investment in the mechanics — the systems, processes and structures that make an organisation run.
But far too little focus on the human element — the people driving the business forward and the relationships that shape performance.
And that’s where things go wrong…
Never Ignore the Human Engine
Workplaces run on relationships.
That’s the real operating system of any business.
But relationships are tricky. They’re not plug-and-play. They’re messy, emotional and full of history.
Our brains naturally categorise people into friend or foe — often without us realising it.
This happens instantly, based on:
- Trust & Relatedness – Do they feel like “one of us”?
- Non-Verbal Signals – Facial expressions, body language, micro-expressions.
- Past Experiences – Have they supported me? Challenged me? Ignored me?
If someone feels distant, cortisol (the stress hormone) spikes.
If someone feels familiar and safe, oxytocin (the connection hormone) flows.
These invisible forces shape every conversation, every decision and every meeting.
Now think about an organisation full of:
- Teams that misread each other’s intentions.
- Leaders who don’t recognise how their behaviour sets the tone.
- Employees operating in fight-or-flight mode, rather than trust and collaboration.
It’s no surprise when performance stalls, engagement drops, and innovation struggles.
“The quality of our work depends on the quality of our relationships.”
Judith E. Glaser
How Leaders Can Keep the Journey on Track
Just like a road trip needs a good navigator, organisations crave leaders who actively foster alignment and connection.
Here are three simple ways leaders can create better team dynamics:
Check the Map Before You Set Off
- Do team members share a common vision, or are they heading in different directions?
- Misalignment is often the root cause of workplace friction. Clarify goals early.
Look for Warning Lights
- Watch for signs of disengagement—missed deadlines, quiet meetings, low energy.
- Address issues before they escalate into full-blown dysfunction.
Keep an Eye on the Fuel Gauge
- High performance requires trust, respect, and psychological safety.
- Invest time in real conversations—not just task lists and performance reviews.
“Change happens at the speed of trust.”
Stephen M.R. Covey
Your Business Road Trip: Where Are You Headed?
Right now, many organisations are grappling with friction, discord and dysfunction.
Ignoring the human factor won’t fix it.
Great leaders intentionally create the conditions where teams thrive—because the best strategies in the world won’t work if the people executing them don’t trust or respect each other.
Without trust, connection, and alignment… the road trip to success turns into a never-ending — highly unpleasant detour.
So, where is your team headed in 2025?
A smooth, successful journey… or a trip you’d rather forget?
FPC Can Help
At FPC our Culture Mechanics work with leadership teams across Australia to break toxic cycles, build behavioural awareness, and drive measurable business impact.
Perhaps your team could use a reset and a roadmap for better ways of working in 2025.
You know how to reach us — let’s talk.
