The business landscape is rapidly evolving and leaders are often grappling with outdated structures and shifting workplace dynamics. The systems we inherited—built on compliance and hierarchy—are crumbling under the weight of modern expectations. To thrive, organizations must embrace a new paradigm: prioritizing people strategy as the foundation of business success.
Andrea Brummett, CEO of ReddeHR and Pabulum Group, is on a mission to revolutionize the way businesses approach HR. She challenges leaders to flip the script, placing people operations at the heart of strategic planning rather than treating them as an afterthought. This shift is crucial in achieving what she calls “Total Organizational Sustainability” through the Symbiosis Effect—a model that aligns business goals with people-first leadership.
The Core Elements of the Symbiosis Effect
The Symbiosis Effect comprises ten key elements that work together to create a thriving, resilient organization. However, the real power of this model lies not just in recognizing these elements, but in the order in which they are prioritized and mastered. Here’s a look at the ten components:
- Psychological Safety – The foundation of trust, openness, and honest communication in the workplace.
- Emotional Intelligence – Equipping leaders with the ability to understand, manage, and respond to emotions effectively.
- Inclusive Leadership – Ensuring diverse perspectives are valued and integrated into decision-making.
- Purpose and Values Alignment – Defining and embedding organizational values into everyday business operations.
- Collaboration – Encouraging a culture of teamwork, shared goals, and mutual support.
- Adaptability – Building resilience to navigate change and unforeseen challenges.
- Systems Thinking & Organizational Design – Creating structures that support both business and employee success.
- Mutual Outcomes (Win-Win Thinking) – Establishing strategies where employees and organizations thrive together.
- Sustainability – Implementing long-term business practices that consider social, economic, and environmental factors.
- Measurement & Evaluation – Continuously assessing progress to refine and optimize strategies.
Prioritizing Psychological Safety and Mutual Outcomes
Among these ten elements, two stand out as critical starting points: Psychological Safety and Mutual Outcomes.
Psychological safety is not a checkbox—it’s an ongoing, daily commitment. It determines whether employees feel empowered to voice ideas, admit mistakes, and collaborate effectively. Without it, engagement suffers, innovation stalls, and retention plummets. Leaders must create an environment where trust and vulnerability are not just encouraged but protected.
Mutual outcomes, or what Andrea refers to as win-win leadership, shift the focus from transactional employer-employee relationships to true partnerships. It’s about aligning organizational success with individual fulfillment—ensuring that growth benefits both the business and its people.
Rethinking Human Resources: People Over Process
Traditional HR functions were designed for control and compliance. But today’s workforce demands a human-centered approach. Instead of treating employees as resources to be managed, organizations must recognize them as active contributors to business success.
This means evolving from outdated, rigid structures and embracing flexibility, transparency, and autonomy. It means acknowledging that employees bring their whole selves to work—and that fostering well-being directly impacts performance.
Leadership as a Continuous Journey
Implementing the Symbiosis Effect requires self-awareness and accountability at every level of leadership. Psychological safety and mutual outcomes are not static achievements—they require daily reinforcement and continuous learning.
For leaders ready to embark on this journey, the key takeaway is clear: Business success follows when people thrive. Prioritizing people strategy is not just an HR function—it’s the foundation of a sustainable, high-performing organization.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into these principles, Andrea Brummett is launching a leadership series on the Working Forward podcast, where she’ll explore the future of work, disruptive HR practices, and strategies for achieving true organizational sustainability. Stay tuned!
Listen to the Episode: Gut + Science 259: The Symbiosis Effect: Achieving Total Organizational Sustainability
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritize People Strategy First – Business success follows when organizations treat people operations as a strategic priority rather than an afterthought.
- Psychological Safety is Foundational – Trust and open communication are essential for a thriving workplace. Without psychological safety, innovation and engagement suffer.
- Win-Win Leadership Creates Sustainability – Mutual outcomes ensure that both the business and its employees benefit, leading to long-term organizational success.
- HR Must Evolve – Traditional human resources models focused on compliance are outdated; a people-centered approach fosters growth and well-being.
- Leadership is a Continuous Journey – Achieving organizational sustainability requires self-awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement.
Things to listen for:
[00:00:00] Andrea is passionate about changing HR practices.
[00:04:25] Prioritize people over financial targets for success.
[00:06:52] Shift in work-life balance and human impact.
[00:10:42] Prioritize foundational components before moving forward.
[00:14:24] Survival through adaptability and mutual outcomes.
[00:21:12] Building relationships through self-awareness and trust.
[00:24:56] Prioritize basics, aim for mutual symbiosis.
[00:27:24] Building leadership and team with psychological safety.
[00:36:28] Importance of home and reconnecting with nature.
[00:38:27] Prioritizing components is crucial for moving forward.
[00:40:40] Take action with the information provided.
