Spiralling and Squirrelling: Why hybrid teams need clarity, not just flexibility

We’ve all been there, spiralling in our own heads, overthinking a task or decision because we’re working in isolation. Or squirrelling away on a plan we’re convinced will help the team . . . only to realise no-one else had input, context, or even awareness of it.

In a hybrid world, this happens more than we’d like to admit.

And while working independently isn’t the problem, working in silos is. When we’re not aligned, even the best intentions can lead to wasted time, duplicated effort, and frustration. That’s when people start to disengage. “Why do I bother?” becomes the silent refrain.

We all want to add value. But not in a vacuum.

The Hidden Cost of Going It Alone

Spiralling and squirrelling aren’t just emotional states, they’re productivity drains.

• In Great Britain, 17.1 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. (Source: gov.uk)
• Over 40% of remote workers report a negative impact on their mental well-being, with isolation and loneliness as key contributors. (Source: Oxford Academic Group)
• In the US, stress and loneliness-related absenteeism costs the economy $154 billion annually. (Source: hhs.gov)

And when it comes to working in silos, the numbers are even more staggering:

• Knowledge workers waste an average of 5.3 hours per week searching for information or waiting for responses. That’s over 6.5 weeks of lost productivity per person, per year. (Source: panopto.com)
• Fortune 500 companies lose $31.5 billion annually due to poor knowledge sharing. (Source: www.shrm.org)

This isn’t just about productivity. It’s about morale, innovation, and the ability to execute as a team.

• When we feel disconnected, we disengage.
• When we duplicate work, we burn out.
• When we don’t see how our work fits into the bigger picture, we stop trying to contribute.

Go Slow to Go Fast

The fix isn’t more meetings or tighter control. It’s clarity.

When teams take the time to align on purpose, priorities, and who’s doing what, we move faster, with less friction. That’s the essence of “go slow to go fast”: pause to plan together, then execute with confidence.

It’s not just about what the plan is. It’s about how we communicate it, how we keep people involved, and how we make sure no one’s left behind.

The Power of Purpose and Guardrails

In our latest Get Amplified episode with Darren Thayre, he talks about the importance of having a clear purpose and decision-making guardrails. These give people the freedom to act without constantly checking in. They empower individuals to contribute meaningfully, even when working alone, because they know how their work fits into the bigger picture.

When that’s missing, people spiral. They squirrel. They burn out. And the team suffers.

Six Questions Every Team Should Answer

If your team is feeling scattered, this is a great place to start. These six questions from Patrick Lencioni, are a fast, powerful way to surface misalignment and create a shared foundation for decision-making:

• Why do we exist?
• How do we act?
• What do we do?
• How will we succeed?
• What is most important right now?
• Who must do what?

Have each team member answer them individually (no conferring, and no marketing speak!) Then compare notes. If the answers vary wildly, that’s your signal: it’s time to align.

▶️ Watch the short video on the Six Critical Questions

From Spiralling to Alignment

Spiralling and squirrelling are symptoms of something deeper: a lack of shared direction. When teams don’t have a clear plan or purpose, individuals fill the void with their own assumptions, often in isolation. That’s why intentional team building is so vital.

Why Intentional Team Building Matters More Than Ever

Focusing deliberately on team dynamics isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential if your team is going to perform at its best.

Before you can move forward, it’s important to take an honest look at where your team is today.

Are you just getting by, low on energy, struggling to collaborate, buried under competing priorities, and unclear on where you’re headed?

Or maybe you’re a solid team of smart, capable individuals who perform well independently. But deep down, you know your team could be more – a truly united force that consistently hits ambitious goals and sets the bar for hybrid working collaboration.

The difference between surviving and thriving starts with awareness and a plan to close the gap.

Take the First Step Toward a Thriving Hybrid Team

That’s where our FREE Team Speed Indicator comes in.

It’s a quick, practical way to get a data-driven snapshot of how your team is really functioning, what’s working and where things might be slipping through the cracks.

In just a few minutes, you’ll gain insights into the key areas of purpose, trust, clarity, and simplicity. Whether your team is just getting by or ready to level up, this tool helps you take focused action where it counts most.

It’s your first step toward building a more connected, high-performing team, where everyone feels heard, engaged, and set up for success.

▶️ Take the Team Speed Indicator

Recognised as the Best Team Performance Improvement Solution

We’re thrilled to share that Amplified Group has been named “Best Team Performance Improvement Solution 2025” by Corporate Vision Magazine.

This recognition means the world to us. It reflects our mission: helping tech organisations execute faster and smarter through the power of people working together.

It’s proof that teams like yours can unlock hidden productivity and collaboration, no matter how dispersed your setup is.

Read more: Best Team Performance Improvement Solution

If you’d like to explore how we can help your organisation strengthen collaboration and performance across your teams, we’d love to chat with you. Please get in touch.

A Bit About Us

We are an award winning team coaching company dedicated to accelerating organisational performance. We partner with leaders to navigate complex change and operational challenges to unlock the full potential of their teams. Despite the ever-increasing use of technology, organisations are powered by people.

How fast you go is determined by how you work together. We are passionate about the difference we can make in partnership with our clients.