Navigating Hidden Organisational Dynamics

On Scale Up Radio, Synthosys co-founder Dr Vanessa Pozzali joined host Kevin Brent to lift the lid on the hidden organisational dynamics that shape culture, leadership, and high-performance teamwork.

Vanessa introduced Synthosys’s signature “iceberg” approach — the idea that most cultural and behavioural dynamics sit below the surface. What teams see and discuss is only a fraction of what actually drives performance. Using the 4C Model, she explained how organisations can uncover unconscious dynamics around collaboration, communication, clarity, and consistency — making the invisible visible. She explored the challenges leaders face when they shift from founder-led to team-led cultures, highlighting how many are promoted for technical excellence rather than people capability.

Vanessa emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence, supervision, and reflective practice to help leaders navigate isolation, ambiguity, and the pressure of decision-making.

The conversation also touched on the foundations of high-performance teams:

• Trust as the gateway to delegation

• Clear and honest communication — including sharing uncertainty

• Balancing results with well-being in an era of hybrid and remote work Vanessa also contrasted cultural norms — from Italy’s direct communication to the UK’s more diplomatic “feedback sandwich” — underscoring why cultural intelligence is essential in today’s global landscape.

Takeaway: Sustainable performance doesn’t come from surface fixes. It comes from understanding — and addressing — the hidden cultural forces that shape how people think, communicate, and collaborate every day.

👉 Listen to Vanessa’s full episode on Scale Up Radio