About this Episode

Every once in a while we are lucky enough to be part of incredibly productive teams - you know the kind.  They're the types of teams that seem to be in a constant state of flow, no matter what happens.  These teams can stay focus seemingly regardless of anything, and they seem to be able to last forever.

But what are the forces at work that create such high performance, unflappable team performance?   And can we apply those forces to any team, and create a replicable process to foster high-performance organic team development, and insert it into just about any team or workplace environment?

In today's episode, my guest, Dr. Pravir Malik, Head of Organizational Sciences at Zappos.com, and I talk about the science of high-performing workplace teams.  By studying Complex Adaptive Systems, Dr. Malik shares how teams can develop the organic ability to evolve into ultra high performance – and by that I don’t just mean output, although that’s definitely part of it, but I mean team engagement, focus, trust, adaptability, longevity.  All of this regardless of the external circumstances.

About Our Guest, Dr. Pravir Malik

Pravir is the Head of Organizational Sciences at Zappos.com (Zappos is the amazing shoe company that revolutionized the online purchasing space, starting from about 20 years ago.  I’m going to say that everything you love about buying online today can be connected directly back to Zappos.  Impossible to overstate their influence on how we shop today – and they have one of the best company cultures on the planet).  Pravir's team is leading the creation and incubation of organizational development technologies, in support of establishing a resilient, high-performing, adaptive organization that will withstand the test of time.  He has been an advisor to the CEO, COO, and CHRO at Zappos, and is the Founder of Zappos Organizational Sciences Consulting.  He also serves as an advisor to several global organizations. In the past, he has served as a Founding Member of A.T. Kearney India, a top-tier global consulting company, and served as the Managing Director Advisory Services for BSR, a leading global CSR consulting company.  Prior to his current position, he led Pricing Operations at Zappos.com.

He has a Ph.D. in Technology Management with a focus on Mathematics of Innovation in Complex Adaptive Systems from the University of Pretoria, an MBA from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management with a focus on Marketing and Organizational Behaviour, an MS in Computer Science from the University of Florida with a focus on AI, and a BSE in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

For More Information

Click here to contact Pravir via Linkedin

Click here to contact Organizational Sciences Consulting

About Pat Perdue

In addition to his consulting, social media, and branding work, Pat Perdue is founder of YCASTR Podcast Solutions - driving employee engagement through custom designed podcasts for your organization. Pat is also a recognized Customer Experience and Sales Leadership professional.  Pat's podcast, Pat Perdue's Customer Experience  Podcast, is one of the leading podcasts on customer experience. You can reach Pat on Twitter at @patperdue or connect on Linkedin here:  Linkedin.com/in/patperdue/