Building Better Cultures – Details, episodes & analysis

Summary 

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenge of disconnection in the workplace with guests Susie Leacy and Kevin Empey. They explore the impact of remote work on employee connection, the role of leadership in fostering a cohesive culture, and the importance of intentional strategies to build relationships among employees. The conversation also touches on the multi-generational workforce and the need for organizations to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to meet diverse needs. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that connection is a shared responsibility between leaders and employees, and that fostering a culture of connection is essential for organizational success. 

Takeaways 

• Disconnection is a significant challenge in modern workplaces. 

• Connection is essential for productivity and resilience. 

• Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering connection. 

• Organizations must adapt to maintain engagement in remote work settings. 

• Intentional strategies are needed to create opportunities for connection. 

• The multi-generational workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities. 

• Onboarding processes should focus on building community and connection. 

• Employees have a role in co-creating workplace culture. 

• Flexibility in work arrangements comes with shared responsibility. 

• Connection should be prioritized over merely addressing disconnection. 

Chapters 

• 00:00 Introduction to Disconnection in the Workplace 

• 04:47 Understanding the Challenge of Disconnection 

• 09:01 The Importance of Connection in Modern Work 

• 12:03 Bridging the Gap: Building Cohesion and Engagement 

• 16:15 Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce 

• 21:55 Intergenerational Connections in Care Settings 

• 24:35 Bridging Generational Gaps in the Workplace 

• 29:42 Intentional Onboarding and Cultural Integration 

• 33:06 Creating Community in a Hybrid Work Environment 

• 39:13 Co-Creating Culture: The Role of Employees and Leaders 

Summary 

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenge of accountability for values with guests Karen Jones and Karen Hackett. They explore the importance of articulating and embedding organizational values, the role of managers in fostering a culture of accountability, and the potential pitfalls of weaponizing values in the workplace. The conversation also touches on the significance of onboarding processes and the need for open communication and feedback within organizations. 

Takeaways 

• Accountability for values is a significant challenge for many organizations. 

• Values must be articulated and understood to be effectively lived. 

• Creating a culture of feedback is essential for accountability. 

• Managers play a pivotal role in releasing the energy of their teams. 

• Onboarding processes should embed values from the start. 

• Psychological safety is crucial for open conversations about values. 

• Values can be weaponized, leading to defensiveness in feedback. 

• Organizations need to be bold about their current culture and desired future state. 

• Storytelling can help connect employees to organizational values. 

• Time is a critical factor in enabling managers to engage with their teams. 

Chapters 

• 00:00 Introduction to Accountability for Values 

• 01:24 Understanding Organizational Culture 

• 04:18 Insights from the Mind the Gap Report 

• 06:19 Bringing Values to Life 

• 11:03 Accountability in Practice 

• 17:17 Weaponization of Values in the Workplace 

• 22:16 Building a High-Performance Culture 

• 24:53 The Role of Managers in Organizational Success 

• 30:01 Empowering Middle Managers 

• 37:22 The Importance of Storytelling in Leadership 

• 37:49 Effective Onboarding Practices 

Summary 

In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of non-verbal communication in leadership, the journey of a brain hacker, the power of subconscious storytelling, the role of empathy in communication, and the science behind influence through mirroring and rapport. They emphasize that effective leadership requires understanding and harnessing these elements to create a positive organizational culture. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of influence, decision-making, resilience, and leadership. They explore how to effectively negotiate by understanding body language and the importance of gut instincts in decision-making. The discussion also emphasizes the need for mental resilience through acceptance and positivity, especially in challenging times. Finally, the speakers highlight the significance of authenticity in leadership, advocating for genuine connections with team members. 

Takeaways 

• 99.9999% of leaders leave communication skills on the table. 

• Leadership is a mindset, not a position. 

• Cultural leadership involves leading teams effectively. 

• Subconscious behaviors drive our actions and decisions. 

• Storytelling is crucial for effective communication. 

• Empathy is essential in today's volatile world. 

• Tactical empathy can enhance leadership effectiveness. 

• Understanding non-verbal communication is vital for leaders. 

• Influence is built on trust and rapport. 

• Effective storytelling involves hooks, tension, and payoffs. Influence can be achieved through understanding and mirroring body language. 

• Trusting your gut instinct can lead to better decision-making. 

• Life is messy, and accepting that can lead to personal growth. 

Chapters 

• 00:00 Unlocking Non-Verbal Communication in Leadership 

• 05:07 The Journey of a Brain Hacker 

• 09:49 The Power of Subconscious Storytelling 

• 14:59 Empathy and Communication in Leadership 

• 20:01 Influence Through Mirroring and Rapport 

• 21:30 The Art of Influence and Negotiation 

• 23:12 Trusting Your Gut: The Role of Instinct in Decision-Making 

• 28:42 Building an Unbreakable Mind: Acceptance and Positivity 

• 37:53 Authenticity in Leadership: The Key to Connection 

Coming from backgrounds in workplace relations and global marketing, David Macleod and Nita Clarke seemed like the perfect team to undertake a research project on behalf of Peter Mandelsen, the then UK Secretary of State. They knew there was a better way to improve productivity in the UK workforce.

In 2009, David Macleod and Nita Clarke published their findings as 'Engage for Success'.

Since then they created a movement to raise the profile of Employee Engagement and shine a light on good practice and the significant benefits it can bring to organisations and their people.

Show Notes:

2.50 – A bit of David and Nita's background – 7.00 – Why was the report commissioned? – 8.40 – Four ways to improve business – 10.40 – Most companies are still in command/control – 12.45 – Put your people first - 16.00 – Enabler 1 – Strong Narrative – 20.30 – Enabler 2 – Engaging Leaders – 23.50 – Recognise good behaviour! - 26.00 – Enabler 3 – Employee Voice – 31.00 –Enabler 4 – Act with Integrity – 35.30 – Why is global disengagement so high? – 39.00 – The people agenda is in the boardroom now – 42.30 – Success is about the people, stupid – 47.30 – What has COVID-19 taught us? – 50.30 – Learn more about Engage for Success

Pedro Angulo (not a Kerry name as he reminds us!) is Head of Leadership Development in AIB.  

As he told us in his first appearance on this podcast (Ep8), his focus is on helping leaders to be the best they can be and ensuring they "show up" in a way that's engaging, respectful and caring.

​In this episode, we focused heavily on the past few months of COVID lockdown, what has set leaders apart and some of the things we've learned that businesses should be looking to retain.  Outside of AIB, Pedro is Programme Director in the IMI and is a former President of the Irish Chapter of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).

Show Notes:

2.30 – People and leaders in times of change – 4.40 – The impact on how leaders lead? – 5.40 – Key stages of crisis leadership – 8.30 – Flexing leadership styles – 10.15 – Reflecting and self-awareness - 12.15 – Firefighting the 'urgent-important' – 15.00 – Good leadership is about direction and energy – 17.40 – We need to challenge assumptions more - 19.00 – Trust, leadership and flexi-working – 23.00 – Practical tips for successful flexi-working – 30.00 – Culture – rewarding what's right – 32.00 – Purpose and values to grow culture – 32.30 – Culture change takes time – PERSIST – 35.15 – How do we grow from this? – 39.40 – Retaining positive practices

By her own admission, Carole Ann's career is a bit of mixed bag.

From a degree in Applied Languages and Business to the Diageo Graduate Programme and on to a number of sales and marketing roles.  A spate in ad agencies followed before Carole Ann moved to Coca-Cola where she headed up experiential marketing before becoming Head of Digital. ​

She left Coca-Cola in 2013, having become unwell herself, and turned instead to leadership coaching and then to mental health and wellbeing coaching.  In 2018 she founded I am Here to help organisations put people and mental health at the heart of their cultures.  She's also a former Irish Rugby Captain.

Show Notes:

2.40 – A bit about Carole Ann – 6.00 – I am Here – 12.00 – The power of values – 13.40 – Conscious leadership and the rise of the mental health agenda – 15.00 – Looking after your staff is just good business - 17.00 – We've learned a lot about leadership from Covid – 21.05 – How do leaders create safe team cultures – 27.00 – Tools to help build resilience through change – 34.00 – The lower of listening as a leader – 36.40 – Empowering vs telling – 38.40 – Leaders need to learn from Covid – 39.00 – If only I'd known 10 years ago… 'Get you know yourself'

With over 70 years of IC experience between them, Katie Macauley, Chuck Gose and Mike Klein joined me for this episode.  We discussed what the world will look like for IC Teams post-Covid, the role of leaders as communicators and much more. 

​Katie is a 30-year Internal Communications veteran. She is the founder of AB, one of the UK's longest-standing internal communications agencies and the host of The Internal Comms Podcast. 

Chuck previously produced the ICology podcast and, more recently, Culture, Comms & Cocktails podcast.  He's worked for brands including GM and Rolls-Royce and is currently Senior Strategic Advisor at Social Chorus. ​

Mike runs a Netherlands-based internal communications consultancy, Changing the Terms. He's worked in internal comms for 20 years before which he managed political campaigns in the US. Links:

Film I referenced re Marriott Hotels – CEO Arne Sorenson -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SprFgoU6aO0&t=11s

Show Notes: 

3.20 – A bit about Katie, Chuck and Mike – 6.50 – Ambiguity, uncertainty, precariousness and progress – 8.40 – Friction in our future plans. 11.40 – New constants will have an impact on workplaces – 14.55 – Companies that are true values-led will thrive – 16.00 – The rise in employee activism – 18.00 – Building stronger cultures in remote workforces – 25.00 – The future impact on IC Teams – 26.30 – Don't tear up the rule book! – 28.00 – Get better at listening – 29.30 – A crisis brings out the IC Heroes – 31.00 – To listen more closely, ditch the annual survey – 33.20 – The role of people leaders during change – be authentic, contextualise and be the truth-tellers - 40.00 – In a crisis, people want honesty from leaders, not authenticity or transparency – 42.00 - What's the one thing you'd do as Head of IC in a new company?

"Adversity becomes a learning opportunity if you know how to process it"

​Ryan had a love of flying from a young age and, at the age of 17 he decided he wanted to be the youngest person to fly a single-engine aircraft around the world, something he achieved two years later. ​

When he was 21, another aircraft-related incident changed his life. He crashed a vintage bi-plane shortly after take-off, had to be cut from the wreckage, was flown to a hospital and, when he woke up he had no feeling below the waist – he'd broken his back. ​

What followed was six months in hospital and 18 months in rehab as he learned to walk again.

Show Notes:

2.00 - A bit on Ryan's backstories – 12.50 – A life-changing plane crash – 14.45 – 'Things happen for a reason, right? – 16.40 – Why are people resistant to change – 18.40 – We spend a lot of time worrying about things we can't control - 20.00 – Ryan's checklist for navigating change – 22.30 – Step One - Gratitude – 25.00 – Step Two - Confidence – 26.15 – Step Three - Resilience – 28.00 – Getting into a more change and challenge ready mindset – 29.30 – Where does empathy fit it? – 31.40 – Change and challenge is personal, adversity isn't a competition – 35.50 – A bit about what Ryan does – 38.00 – If only I'd known 10 years ago…

"Every company needs their people to be advocates for that business" ​

Aisling went straight into her career in 1987, when she chose, rather than going to university, to join AIB.  By her own admission her education, knowledge, growth and expertise came from the school of life and work. ​

She worked at AIB for 29 years during which time she held leadership roles in branch banking, business banking, retail banking operations, strategy and transformation. 

In 2016, she joined Danske Bank UK, Northern Ireland's largest bank as Head of Branch Banking where she leads a team of up to 400 people.

Show Notes:

1.47 - A bit on Aislings career – 5.00 – Culture in retail banking – 9.50 – Culture and collaboration through co-working – 11.30 – What's a leaders role in driving great culture – 13.50 – A leader's language is key - 17.00 – Leaders' roles in driving customer experience – 20.00 – Values, behaviours and recognition are key – 22.30 – Maintaining motivation during change is about WHY – 27.10 – Leaders need to translate key messages – 28.00 – Aisling's leadership role models – 31.00 – Aisling's advice for your 20-year-old self.

"People aren't after more communication, they're after more connection" ​

Jane started her career in the corporate world where she held roles in a number of large organisations including IBM and Sony, where she was Director of Engagement and Change.

​She founded The Culture Builders in 2011 and has since worked with companies around the world, helping them to put greater emphasis on their culture, people and performance.

​She's also a published author in the area of people and culture - The Culture Builders (2012) and Bank of Me (2018).  Most recently she published 'Bank of me – a remote working special edition' (2020).

Show Notes:

2.40 - A delve into Jane's background – 4.42 – The remote working trap – what is it? – 5.10 - The three pillars of culture – what we believe; how we behave; and what we use – 6.50 – What are leaders doing differently? – 9.00 – How can leaders support teams emotionally?– 10.30 – Connection is more important than ever - 11.55 – Equipping middle managers is critical - 14.40 – Repetition is key – 16.00 – Find out how your people feel – 17.50 – This is the time to bring training to life – 19.10 – Practical hints and tips – 30.00 – Recognise what you're learning – 31.30 –There's learning at home too – 34.00 – There is a silver lining to this cloud?