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Hi Reader,

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The Bear is back for season 4, and it inspired us to revisit one of our favorite episodes from Season 2, Forks. The focus of the episode is on cousin Richie. Up to this point, he has been mostly defensive, directionless, and stuck in his ways. Just about everyone can’t stand being around him. But then, surprisingly a week training in a different restaurant, gives him a sense of purpose that would lead to meaningful change for him.

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Richie is sent to stage at a 3-star Michelin restaurant and at first, he hates it. He scoffs at the routine, the precision, the standards. But slowly, something shifts. What changes him isn’t just a willingness to reach their level of technical excellence. It's something much deeper. It’s the deep sense of purpose they all have. Every person in that restaurant knows exactly why they’re there: To create an unforgettable experience for every guest.

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That purpose is more than a slogan, it’s alive in everyone. It shows up in their language and rituals. It shows up in their respect for each other and the work. Everyone holds the line, not out of fear, but out of shared belief - both in the purpose and in each other.

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And Richie? He gets caught up in it. He’s seen. He’s trained. He’s trusted. And in that environment of high expectations and deep purpose, something significant and transformative awakens in him.​
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The Power of Purpose and Norms

That’s the power of team purpose and norms. When done right, they don’t just help the team perform better. They have the power to shape who people become.

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Healthy teams with clear purpose have a rippling effect. People end up better, not just at work, but at home too. They end up more confident, more present, and more content.

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The right kind of workplace culture doesn’t just get results, it sends people home whole.

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When a team has clarity of purpose and shared ways of working, it creates a culture that calls people up - to their potential - and in - to true belonging. Even the biggest skeptics, like Richie, can’t help but be changed.

The Team Charter

One way to bring this clarity to life is through a Team Charter, a shared and alive document that defines why your team exists, how you work together, and how you measure success.

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When done well, and done inclusively, it creates a deep sense of purpose, ownership, and direction. Everyone knows what matters and how to contribute meaningfully. A great Team Charter includes:

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Purpose
​Why do we exist as a team? What impact are we here to make?
​Example: “To make our mission visible, ensuring every message we craft moves people to act, aligns teams, and strengthens our brand.”

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Foundational Agreements
​What are our high-level collaboration norms?
​Example: “We assume positive intent, speak directly to one another, and make space for dissent before decisions are made.”

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Vitals
​What are the measurable indicators that tell us we’re being effective?
​Example: “We aim to respond to internal support tickets within 24 hours and close 90% of them within 3 business days.”

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Values
​What essential behaviors do we expect from each other?
​Example: “We show up prepared, follow through on commitments, and give timely feedback with care.”

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Core Rhythms
​What are the key recurring practices that fuel our collaboration?
​Example: “We meet every Monday to clarify weekly priorities, and every quarter we hold a 2-hour retrospective to assess and adjust how we work.”

Getting Started

If your team doesn’t yet have a shared Team Charter, it’s worth creating one. It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to feel really meaningful.

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And if your team is ready to take this work further, we’d love to tell you more about our Leading Together program. We designed it with one core belief: If you want to transform the way your team works, you have to learn and build it together. We'd be honored to support your journey.
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- Shaun & Joe
​www.6levers.co​

Get the 6 Levers Book

In today's fast-paced business environment, creating a healthy and high-performing organization is more challenging than ever. That's where At the Heart of Work comes in - a practical guide that introduces the 6 Levers Framework, designed to help leaders like you align people and systems effectively.

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Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, the insights from this book will equip you to build a resilient, purpose-driven workplace where teams thrive.

Order At the Heart of Work Now! Now available as an audiobook!

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• Are you leading a small organization with big growth aspirations? Learn more about our Leading Together Cohort!​
• Join us for one of our upcoming free workshops!
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