280,000+ Views on LinkedIn

One Team One Dream

The cultural operating system that enables teams to adapt, innovate, and deliver extraordinary outcomes—especially in the AI era.

Joel Spurling
Senior Director, Technology Executive
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Yesterday I lost my job. As I sit with that reality, I've been reflecting on what's happening in corporate America today.

For years, the best companies thrived because they built contagious cultures—places where teams rallied around each other, raised the bar, and treated people with dignity and respect. To me, the standard was simple: be a good human. Assume positive intent. Move the needle forward.

But in some recent experiences, I've seen those basics fade. Vulnerability, learning from mistakes, asking for help—things that should be signs of strength—are too often seen as weaknesses. Self-preservation replaces teamwork, and toxicity erodes trust.

A mentor of mine often said #OTOD—One Team, One Dream. When teams adopt that mindset, something special happens: people stop focusing only on their roles and instead focus on each other and the mission.

That's when I've seen the most extraordinary outcomes as a leader—when teams feel safe, have "air cover," and can innovate together.

I believe the companies that will win in the future—especially as AI and rapid innovation reshape business—are the ones that never lose sight of this: culture and teams come first.

The basics I tell my 6-year-old still apply in the workplace: be kind, have empathy, and lift each other up.

Because at the end of the day, the greatest advantage any organization has isn't technology or process—it's people who believe in one another and the mission.

Why 280,000 People Connected With This

This post struck a nerve because it named something people feel but rarely talk about in corporate settings: the gap between what organizations say they value and how teams actually behave.

What People Experience Daily

  • • Fear of asking "dumb" questions
  • • Protecting your role instead of serving the outcome
  • • Meetings where no one challenges bad ideas
  • • Teams that work in parallel, not together

What OTOD Makes Possible

  • • Safe to admit "I don't know"
  • • Collaboration over competition
  • • Ideas challenged without personal attacks
  • • Teams aligned around shared outcomes

The Three Questions That Matter

When the answer is "yes" to all three, something powerful happens.

1

Do I like who I work for?

Leadership that creates psychological safety, models vulnerability, and cares about outcomes—not just optics.

2

Do I like who I work with?

Teams that collaborate, challenge ideas without attacking people, and celebrate both wins and learning from failures.

3

Do I like what I do?

Work that matters, connects to purpose, and allows you to bring your best ideas forward—not just execute orders.

Why OTOD is Critical in the AI Era

AI isn't just changing what we do—it's changing how we need to work together. The teams that will thrive aren't the ones with the best tools. They're the ones where people can be vulnerable about what they don't understand yet.

When AI redefines your role: Teams with psychological safety can say "I'm not sure what my job looks like anymore" and collectively figure it out.

When tools evolve faster than training: OTOD cultures admit "I don't know how to use this" and learn together.

When experimentation is required: Teams aligned around outcomes celebrate learning from failure.