People Debt: The Hidden Cost Holding Your Team Back

We talk a lot about technical debt in the tech world, but what about the stuff that’s not in the backlog? The team tension, messy communication, unclear roles, and leadership gaps we all quietly work around? That’s what I call people debt, and it’s just as damaging.

People debt is what builds up when we ignore cultural and interpersonal problems to keep moving fast. Over time, it tanks morale, slows teams down, and makes change nearly impossible. Sound familiar?

In this session, we’ll break down what people debt is, how to spot it, and what to do about it. Expect a mix of real talk, reflection, and easy tools you can use to build more trust, clarity, and accountability on your team.

Whether you’re a team lead, engineer, product person, or just someone who’s tired of tiptoeing around people problems, you’ll walk away with fresh perspective and a few ideas to try on Monday.

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