Picture this: the scrappy SaaS founder crushing it solo in a basement. It’s a great story. But as Justin Wood kicked off this episode of The Katalog with a grin,
“99.97% of the time, that’s not the case.”
The truth? Building a great startup takes more than caffeine and code. It takes high-performing teams, and that’s what Erik from WorkWolf and Emile from EDS break down in this raw, real-talk episode.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why resumes lie, and how WorkWolf’s digital work passport rewrites the hiring game.
- The characteristics of high-performing teams: behaviour> skills, trust> credentials.
- How psychological safety drives true performance
- Why collaboration isn’t accidental, it’s engineered.
- Tactics for simplifying team processes and embedding rituals for success.
Key Takeaways for Skimmers
- Forget resumes. WorkWolf’s technology utilizes psychometric data to predict behaviour fit.
- Behaviour wins. Emile’s mantra: “Safe teams beat smart teams.”
- Collaboration needs engineering. Great teams don’t just gel, they’re designed.
- Rejection can create opportunity. Treat every candidate with respect and build a reputation.
- Digital tools are key. The future of HR and leadership is driven by behaviour and backed by data.
Old vs. New Playbook
Old Playbook:
- Scan resumes for keywords.
- Trust first impressions.
- Hope for culture fit.
New Playbook:
- Use psychometric data to predict behavior.
- Prioritize trust and safety over raw skills.
- Build rituals and environments where high performing teams thrive.
Diving Into the Details
Erik’s path from staffing to HR tech led to WorkWolf’s digital work passport, a tool that uses psychometric assessments to uncover how candidates actually behave, not just what they claim.
“It’s not just skills. It’s behaviors. It’s Trust. It’s fit. We eliminate guesswork and bias. The system gives you a stack-ranked list of candidates based on how well they’ll thrive in your environment.”
And Emile? He’s all about engineering environments that empower cooperation and safety.
“Leaders need to spend more time creating environments that allow teamwork to thrive. If you don’t do it intentionally, it may happen accidentally and that’s a risk.”
They discussed how psychological safety is essential.
Remember Google’s Project Aristotle? Emile referenced it:
“Safer teams beat smarter teams. Without psychological safety, even the smartest people will spend their time defending turf and egos. Safe teams debate and move forward.”
Erik added that it’s not just about hiring, it’s about collaboration before you even post a job.
“Spend the time. Include the people doing the job to craft the role. That’s how you build clarity and fit.”
Justin’s Take: Storytelling Builds Trust
Justin reflected on how storytelling—both in hiring and team dynamics—is the glue for trust.
“If you look at anyone I’ve ever recommended in my career, there’s a story behind every single one of those recommendations. They’re usually not the prettiest stories, but they’re filled with integrity and grit. That’s what no AI-generated resume can replicate.”
Why This Matters for SaaS Leaders
✅ High performing teams are intentional, not accidental.
✅ Trust and behaviour are the real differentiators in high-speed environments.
✅ Digital tools can replace outdated, bias-prone hiring methods.
✅ Collaboration and feedback loops build long-term resilience.
Where to Connect with Erik and Emile
🔍 Referenced in This Episode
- WorkWolf: https://workwolf.com
- EDS: https://eds.com
- Google Project Aristotle: https://rework.withgoogle.com/print/guides/5721312655835136/
- WorkWolf Digital Work Passport: https://workwolf.com/digital-work-passport
🔥 Heads-up: Katalog is ramping up its 2025 Outreach, and our guest list for the year is filling fast. Want an opportunity to tell your story with us? Contact us and we’ll make it happen. Trust me, you’ll want in. Contact us
📣 Got your own high performing teams strategy? Drop it in the comments and let’s swap stories!
Topics Covered in This Episode
- [00:00] The myth of the solo-founder vs. team-driven success
- [03:00] How resumes fail and digital work passports take over
- [07:00] Psychometric insights into behavior and fit
- [12:00] Designing psychological safety into agile teams
- [18:00] Simplifying collaboration and embedding rituals
- [24:00] SaaS startup team building strategies that actually work
- [30:00] Reframing rejections and creating referral networks
- [35:00] Turning consulting into scalable digital products
