Explore every episode of the podcast Responsible Leaders - Healthy Cultures

Tobias Sturesson sits down with Dr. Donna Hicks, Harvard conflict resolution expert and creator of the Dignity Model, who spent three decades mediating the world's most painful conflicts alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

This conversation reframes dignity as the missing link in healthy culture. You'll learn why dignity isn't the same as respect, how the brain processes a dignity violation like a physical injury, and what it takes to build organizations where people feel safe to speak up and truly flourish.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Why people confuse dignity and respect, and why it matters

(05:13) Decades mediating conflict from the Middle East to Colombia

(08:20) Searching for the one word that opened every door

(11:22) What Archbishop Tutu taught Donna about shared humanity

(16:15) Why toxic cultures are filled with dignity violations

(20:30) Defining dignity as our inborn value and worth

(22:09) How the brain processes dignity injury like physical pain

(25:29) When violations get embedded into systems and structures

(28:24) The 10 elements, and why safety is most often violated

(40:36) The bully who finally had his suffering acknowledged

(45:03) Integrating AI without systematically dehumanizing people

(48:04) Assessing whether your culture honors or violates dignity

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here

For more information, please visit: https://www.healthycultures.co/.

Dr. Teemu Reiman shares insights from 25 years studying safety culture in nuclear power, healthcare, and defense. He contrasts how two Japanese nuclear plants hit by the same 2011 tsunami had vastly different outcomes based on their organizational cultures.

This conversation reveals why safety is fundamentally a leadership and cultural challenge, not just a technical one. You'll discover practical frameworks for building organizations that learn from failure, close the gap between procedures and reality, and create environments where expertise trumps hierarchy when safety is at stake.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Why culture determined two nuclear plants' fate during tsunami

(02:42) Leadership credibility through actions, not safety slogans

(08:23) Learning from Fukushima versus Onagawa nuclear plant responses

(25:50) Work as imagined versus work as done gaps

(27:34) Overdesigning systems after incidents makes things worse

(28:23) Breaking organizational silence and encouraging real feedback

(30:03) Why separate safety, quality, ethics cultures compete destructively

(35:36) Building sensitivity to operations and preoccupation with failure

(40:37) Resisting oversimplification when investigating complex problems

(41:27) Deferring to expertise over hierarchy in safety decisions

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here

For more information, please visit: https://www.healthycultures.co/.

Columbia Business School Professor Paul Ingram joins Tobias Sturesson to explore why values matter for leaders and how to transform them from vague concepts into practical leadership tools that drive better decision-making and authentic leadership.

Drawing from research with over 10,000 senior leaders, Paul reveals the striking gap between knowing values matter and actually using them effectively. This conversation moves beyond theory to practical application, showing how clear values reduce stress, increase resilience, and help leaders stay true to themselves when facing difficult choices and organizational pressures.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Why good people make decisions they later regret

(03:39) Defining values as our stable principles of evaluation  

(06:05) Cultural influences on values and finding common ground globally

(11:51) Research benefits of getting clear on personal values

(15:56) Building daily practices for prospective and reflective value use

(21:21) Why values only matter when they cost us something

(25:22) Balancing self-interest with positive impact on others

(31:26) The slippery slope of temptation and ethical decision-making

(36:04) Connecting organizational and personal values in large companies

(37:24) Why company values can make people less ethical

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here

For more information, please visit: https://www.healthycultures.co/

Tobias Sturesson sits down with Mwana Lugogo – veteran Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at global pharmaceutical company Takeda – to explore the hidden gap between knowing the right thing to do and actually being able to do it.

This first episode of the Responsible Leaders - Healthy Cultures marks a pivotal shift from responsibility and ethics as a compliance exercise to ethics as a leadership practice, grounded in culture, humility, and human behavior. You'll discover the critical difference between training and practice, and learn a practical model for building environments where people can act on their values – even under pressure.

Make your commitment to responsible leadership and get equipped to lead with integrity and transform your culture on: ⁠https://www.healthycultures.co/⁠

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Why good people in organizations make decisions they later regret

(02:42) Finding common ground across cultures and regulatory contexts

(08:23) Overcoming the health illusion and uncovering organizational blind spots

(25:50) Why we treat a behavior problem like a knowledge problem

(27:34) Building environments where courage is less necessary

(28:23) Shifting from ethics training to intentional leadership practice

(30:03) Scaling values through a global ambassador program

(35:36) Staying anchored in turbulent times when norms are rewritten

(40:37) What you only discover when values become costly

(56:09) Moving from "can we?" to "should we?" as laws lag behind technology

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here

Why do so many organizations struggle with cultural dysfunction despite having strong values statements and well-intentioned leaders? Tobias Sturesson and Andreas Almlöf reveal the launch of a movement designed to bridge the gap between leadership intentions and everyday actions. 

This episode marks a pivotal transition from knowing what good culture looks like to actively practicing the habits that create it. You'll discover a framework for leading with integrity when pressure is highest and learn why sustainable change starts with personal accountability.

In this episode, we explore:

(04:34) Why responsible leadership requires intentional practice

(08:39) Four commitments that define responsible leaders

(11:04) Closing the gap between values and actual behavior

(12:56) Creating conditions where people can flourish

(14:46) Breaking the silence and inviting uncomfortable feedback

(19:56) Stories of leaders who transformed their approach

(22:28) What makes this podcast different from others

(27:44) How to join the responsible leaders community

(29:44) Building a world free from unhealthy workplace culture

To read more about the movement, please visit: https://www.healthycultures.co/

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available ⁠here⁠.

Caterina Bulgarella joins Tobias Sturesson and Andreas Almlöf to unpack the big lessons from 2025 and what’s ahead for companies navigating rapid change. Together, they dive into how organisations can cut through performative culture work, truly prioritise human dignity, and harness technology – especially AI – without losing sight of what really matters. 

In this episode, we explore:

(01:43) Opening reflections on organisational culture in 2025

(04:51) Professional work across multiple countries and cultures

(06:37) Contrasting cultures: Sao Paulo insight

(10:06) Integrity and business culture

(16:06) Cultural health and innovation

(17:30) Tech founders’ impact and risks

(23:03) Redefining workplace culture

(27:33) Technology, limits, and human loss

(31:34) Substance over image in workplaces

(33:20) Performative culture and reality

(38:00) Understanding culture through AI insights

(42:00) Transforming data into strategic insights

(44:39) Narrowing focus for deeper insights

(48:49) Prioritising cultural health and integrity

(50:28) Corruption accountability signals progress
‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Stephen Nguyen-Duc is Chief Compliance Officer at GE Healthcare and a veteran leader who has built ethics and compliance programs for global healthcare powerhouses like Eli Lilly, AbbVie, and Medday. Across more than two decades, Stephen has seen compliance evolve from a box-ticking exercise to a deeply human journey. In this episode, he joins host Tobias Sturesson to break down why organizational integrity is never just about rules – and why surprise is compliance’s greatest foe.

In this episode, we explore:

(05:00) Integrity as a daily habit

(06:30) Rethinking compliance and culture

(11:16) Building cultural health together

(13:14) Tone at the top misalignment

(16:27) Ownership as key to organizational change

(21:23) Awareness vs action in organizations

(25:44) Cultural health and awareness

(28:58) Fostering a culture of listening

(32:40) Driving behavioral change together

(33:28) Cultural impact on business tools

(38:04) Understanding the trust equation

(42:44) Empathy and ethical leadership

(47:30) Integrity drives business performance

(48:27) Optimistic industry progress

Links mentioned:

The Trusted Advisor – Book

Stephen Nguyen-Duc’s LinkedIn

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Tobias Sturesson and Andreas Almlöf dive deep into the crucial role that values play in shaping organizations and leadership. Values are far more than just words on a wall; they’re the principles that guide tough decisions, even when those choices come with real costs or discomfort.

You’ll also hear personal stories about valuing honesty in leadership, wrestling with failures, and fostering environments where tough conversations about ethical dilemmas are not only safe but necessary. Plus, the episode offers practical frameworks and questions to help leaders navigate values-based decision-making under pressure.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Reflecting on core values

(06:45) Integrity through actions, not words

(08:09) Values guiding tough decisions

(11:40) Wrestling with corporate values

(17:09) Aligning personal organizational strategic values

(19:31) Living true to core values

(22:15) Embracing dilemmas and trade-offs

(27:31) Living and aligning with values

(31:04) Navigating values amid strong pulls

(33:55) Modeling values-based leadership

(35:41) Staying true to our values

(39:10) Stand up, fail and keep trying

Links mentioned:

‘Patriot’ by Alexei Navalny

‘Walking the Talk’ by Carolyn Taylor
‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Caterina Bulgarella is a renowned social scientist with over 20 years of experience in organizational culture transformation and assessment. As a leading expert in culture measurement and a co-creator of the widely used Two Factor Model of Ethical Culture, Caterina brings powerful insights into the deeper layers behind workplace data.

In this episode, host Tobias Sturesson dives into the pitfalls of traditional engagement surveys and the value of understanding what culture truly means within organizations. Together, they unpack why much of what leaders think they know about culture and ethics is often just the tip of the iceberg, and how to get to the roots beneath the surface. 

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Understanding workplace culture insights

(05:21) Behavioral insights and measurement journey

(09:18) Insights beyond generic feedback

(13:27) Understanding organizational culture mechanisms

(17:00) Restructuring meaning for cultural change

(20:41) Survey credibility and ethical behavior

(23:25) Pressure's impact on leadership dynamics

(26:16) Two-factor ethical culture model

(29:51) Measuring ethical organizational culture

(32:51) Insights through dialogic stories

(37:25) Respecting history, embracing difference

(39:27) Values, culture, and context

(44:06) Root causes and cultural awareness

(48:34) Embracing curiosity for positive change

Links mentioned:

Connect with Caterina Bulgarella on LinkedIn
‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Tobias Sturesson kicks off a new season of Leading Transformation Change with co-host Andreas Almlöf. Building on insights from his work with global leaders and his acclaimed book You Can Culture, Tobias unpacks the game-changing role of repairing trust inside organizations.

Tune in to hear practical strategies for leaders navigating crises, high-pressure environments and everyday cultural tensions… at a time when AI, regulatory upheaval and shifting values are rewriting the rules of leadership.

In this episode, we explore:

(05:15) Navigating change with AI, values and DEI

(11:19) Why trust is leadership’s most valuable capital

(13:22) Accountability and cultural reform in leadership

(17:58) How regret can drive real growth

(20:45) Building customer trust through openness

(23:02) How culture and design shape accountability

(29:42) Why unaddressed issues create distrust

(32:38) Steps to repair harm and rebuild trust

(34:39) Owning responsibility through vulnerability

Links mentioned:

The Power of Trust – Book

The Power of Regret – Book

Listen to Daniel Pink: Unlocking the Power of Regret

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

What does it really mean to build AI responsibly, at Google scale?

In this episode, we sit down with Jen Gennai, the person Google turned to when it needed to build ethical AI from the ground up. Jen founded Google’s Responsible Innovation team and has spent her career at the intersection of trust, safety, and emerging tech.

From advising world leaders on AI governance to navigating internal pushback, Jen opens up about what it actually takes to embed ethics into one of the fastest-moving industries on the planet.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• The importance of early ethical considerations

• Trust as a core pillar of technology

• Navigating AI’s impact on fairness and discrimination

• The future of AI-human relationships

• Building AI literacy in organizations

• The intersection of regulation and innovation

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jen Gennai on LinkedIn

T3 Website
‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

What does it take to build a culture that not only survives but thrives across global teams? In this episode of Leading Transformational Change, host Tobias Sturesson sits down with Alicia DeFreitas, Global Head of People & Culture at BDO, to explore the key elements that make an organization’s culture truly flourish: respect, growth, and purpose. They dive into the challenges of aligning these values across diverse teams and discuss the ongoing journeys of diversity, equity, and psychological safety.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• Unlocking the power of cultural diversity in HR
• Scaling vision and purpose across global teams
• Creating a culture of psychological safety that drives performance
• Turning diverse perspectives into a competitive advantage
• Aligning leadership actions with core organizational values for lasting impact

Links mentioned:

Connect with Alicia DeFreitas on LinkedIn

BDO

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Bob Langert, former VP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at McDonald's, and Jay Barney, author of ‘The Secret of Culture Change’, join Tobias Sturesson to explore the nuanced journey of leading transformational change within an organisation. Drawing from decades of experience, Bob shares how McDonald's navigated criticism to embrace a proactive approach to social responsibility, while Jay highlights the significance of actions over words in fostering a true cultural shift. 

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• Navigating criticism and fostering partnerships

• Actions as the foundation for cultural change

• Embracing vulnerability to strengthen trust

• The journey from defensiveness to proactivity

• Trust and its impact on business success

• Inspiring change through leadership actions

• Building authentic stories from transformative practices

Links mentioned:

101. Embrace Vulnerability: Insights from Ann Tenbrunsel and Lenny Wong on Avoiding Blind Spots and Navigating Human Fallibility

‘The Secret of Culture Change’ by Jay Barney

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Bruno Roche, former Chief Economist and Managing Director at Mars Corporation, is now leading efforts at ONEsociety, a foundation and consultancy aiming to drive systemic change in the impact economy. Bruno shares his expertise on navigating today's geopolitical landscape, technological advancements like AI, and the ethical frameworks that underpin sustainable societal progress. Discover how businesses and leaders can steer through unprecedented global changes with integrity and mutuality at the core.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• The battle for AI control in society
• Maintaining equilibrium amidst global chaos
• The new relationship between economics and ethics
• Navigating corporate responsibility and values
• Mutual relationship vs. transactional thinking

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Today we hear from Ann Tenbrunsel, the David E. Gallo Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Notre Dame, and Lenny Wong, a retired research professor at the US Army War College. Explore how positive illusions about our ethicality lead to overlooked blind spots and understand the importance of embracing vulnerability for fostering trust and learning within corporate cultures. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand and navigate the ethical challenges in leadership and organisational behaviour.

In this episode, we explore:

• The illusion of personal ethicality
• Embracing vulnerability to build trust
• Balancing high values with human flaws
• The impact of ethical blind spots
• Motivated blindness in decision-making
• The role of formal and informal systems
• Moving beyond moral licensing

Links Mentioned:

You Can Culture by Tobias Sturesson

025. Lenny Wong: Uncovering a Culture of Dishonesty

065. Ann Tenbrunsel: Are we as ethical as we think?

Ann Tenbrunsel’s work

Lenny Wong’s research works

As we celebrate our 100th episode, we've invited Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery and Klaus Moosmayer, Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer at Novartis, to dive into the essential role of humility in leadership. Together with host Tobias Sturesson, they explore how acknowledging imperfections, owning mistakes, and repairing trust can lead to significant positive shifts in organizational cultures.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• The roots and virtues of humility

• Humility vs. corporate arrogance

• Balancing transparency and investor expectations

• Personal journeys to embracing humility

• Effective responses to corporate scandals

• The pitfalls of corporate forgetfulness

• Building a culture where ethics thrive

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

In this episode, our host, Tobias Sturesson, reads the introduction of his book You Can Culture, which delves into his personal experience of becoming complicit in a toxic culture. We hope it offers you a compelling and insightful introduction to the concept of the four transformative leadership habits the book explores.

You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success, launches October 8, 2024.

Read more on youcanculture.com, pre-order it on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

In this special episode of Leading Transformational Change, we dive deep into the essential habit of ‘Getting Humble’ from my book, ‘You Can Culture’. I am joined by Andreas Almlöf from Heart Management to explore why humility in leadership is crucial for fostering a thriving, ethical culture in organisations. Listen in to hear an excerpt from the book, as well as practical advice on embracing vulnerability, taking ownership of cultural issues, and the power of reflection in maintaining values alignment. 

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• Key insights from the ‘You Can Culture’ book

• Embracing vulnerability in leadership

• Overcoming fears of showing weakness

• Benefits of admitting mistakes

• Humility vs. arrogance in leadership

• Real-world examples of transformative change

• Rituals of reflection for leaders

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Richard Bistrong is a former VP of sales for a global multinational who faced legal challenges due to FCPA violations. Richard has transformed his career, becoming an advocate for compliance and ethics, and helping organizations navigate the tricky waters of corporate integrity. Richard delves into the complex interplay between corporate success pressures and ethical compliance, sharing candid insights and real-world strategies. This episode was originally released in 2020, but the conversation still rings true today. 

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

• Richard’s journey from success to scandal

• Navigating high-pressure ethical dilemmas

• The role of culture in compliance

• Managing ethical risks in volatile markets

• The critical influence of middle management

• Aligning corporate values with real-world risks

• Vulnerability and proactive communication for leaders

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Mary Shirley is a lawyer with 20 years of ethics and compliance experience, which includes implementing, evaluating and monitoring compliance programs for multinational corporations. Tune in as she discusses the critical role of ethical leadership, her stand against bribery and values-driven decision-making. We’ll also delve into innovative initiatives that encourage ethical behaviour and the significance of integrating integrity into daily operations.

In this episode, we explore:

• Creating a culture of integrity in healthcare

• The risks of merging legal and compliance roles

• Lead with heart, not just a checklist

• Encourage a culture where speaking up is celebrated

• … and the power of sharing compliance updates on LinkedIn

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

In our last episode, we kicked off our digital book launch series with a conversation featuring Alison Taylor, Rob Chesnut, and Ellen Hunt. Today, we have another exciting panel lined up… this time with some of Europe’s leading voices on culture and ethics.

Our discussion will focus on common pitfalls and transformative strategies in shaping corporate culture.

Tune in as we are joined by Guido Palazzo, Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Lausanne, Michaela Ahlberg, Senior Ethics & Compliance Specialist, and Erica Wikman, Vice President of Compliance & Corporate Integrity at Autoliv. 

In this episode, we explore: 

• The ripple effect of bad decisions 

• The importance of inclusivity in corporate culture 

• The ability to listen as leaders 

• Understanding privilege and bias 

• Why it’s important to stay in the grey zone 

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here. 

Today we have an exceptional panel to delve deep into the heart of ethical culture and organizational transformation. We begin first with Andreas Almlöf interviewing Tobias Sturesson about his newest book ‘You Can Culture’. Our panel guests include Ellen Hunt, a leader in the ethics and compliance space, Alison Taylor, former Executive Director of Ethical Systems and a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business, and Rob Chesnut, former Airbnb executive and author. 

In this episode, we explore:

• HR and compliance driving positive change

• Intentional integrity and business performance

• The need for advisory and counsellor roles in leadership

• A decentralized approach at Airbnb for ethics and compliance

• Having a culture of disagreement

‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked intricacies of team ethical culture, examining the impact of leadership, shared values, and systemic influences on ethical behaviour. Our guest today is Guillem Casoliva, a Corporate Communication and Reputation Management Specialist, who is currently working with Booking.com on the development of the Compliance & Ethics Programme.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The eight dimensions of team ethical culture
• Speaking up against unethical practices
• Bad apple vs. systemic issues
• Effective culture change interventions, including “Ethics Moments”
• Manage cultural differences if you’re a multinational organisation

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

‘Wilful Blindness’ by Margaret Heffernan

Guillem on LinkedIn

Barbara Kellermani is a renowned expert in the fields of leadership and followership, having dedicated her lifelong work to the study and authoring of numerous books on these subjects. She is a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. She was the Founding Executive Director of the Center, and a member of the Kennedy School faculty for over twenty years.

In this episode, we explore:

• What is bad leadership – and how to stop it early
• Why good leaders are ethical
• The ‘Follower’s Rule’
• The cautionary tales from the Boeing and Volkswagen scandals
• How successful leaders create a truly open and empowering environment

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Barbara Kellerman on LinkedIn

Leadership from Bad to Worse by Barbara Kellerman

The End of Leadership by Barbara Kellerman

Leadership by Barbara Kellerman

Bad Leadership by Barbara Kellerman

Barbara Kellerman’s Website

Jason Lesandrini is the Assistant Vice President for Ethics, Advance Care Planning and Spiritual Health at Wellstar Health System in Georgia, where he leads the strategy and implementation of ethics initiatives. He holds faculty appointments at Mercer University and South College. Jason is a widely recognized expert in outcomes metrics for ethics programs and served as an ethics expert to numerous professional organizations. 

In this fascinating conversation, we delve into the complex landscape of ethics in healthcare and organizational settings. We also unpack the importance of having ethical guides within organizations and the impact of culture on ethical decision-making, the ‘Ethical Buddy System’, end-of-life care dilemmas, and much more. 

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Jason on LinkedIn

Martin Lønstrup is a globally recognized Ethics and Compliance expert with over 15 years of experience across diverse industries and cultures. Martin works as Chief Compliance Officer at Coloplast, with the global responsibility for Business Ethics, Compliance and Data Privacy – and is a leading expert in driving compliance, and culture transformation projects.

Tune into our conversation about the ethical nuances in corporate missions and the potential pitfalls of moral licensing. We will explore how simplifying Coloplast’s code of conduct has made ethical guidelines more accessible and relevant to every employee. We also touch on the importance of fostering a transparent company culture… where questioning and learning from failures are seen as opportunities for growth.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Martin Lønstrup on LinkedIn

Today we hear a unique perspective on Ukraine's dedication to corporate governance and the fight against corruption. Our guest is Gleb Bakalov, the Executive Committee Chairman of the Ukrainian Network of Integrity and Compliance (UNIC). He has been serving as the Chief Compliance Officer of NPC UKRENERGO since 2018, and has experience in the compliance field since 2008, including financial, legal and investment companies in Ukraine and abroad.

Tune in as we explore the significant strides taken to strengthen transparency, attract foreign investment, and counteract the deeply ingrained culture of bribery. Amidst the harrowing backdrop of war, we discuss how Ukrainian organizations and individuals remain committed to ethics and integrity, facing the ethical dilemmas war presents while striving to uphold a culture of speaking up against injustices.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Gleb Bakalov on LinkedIn

Klaus Moosmayer joined Novartis in 2018 as Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. He was previously chief compliance officer at Siemens AG, where he spent 18 years in roles of increasing seniority. He began his career as a lawyer in Germany, specializing in white-collar crime, business law and litigation.

In this episode we explore the reality of ethical dilemmas in the corporate world, the importance of building trust, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, and the value of creating an inviting atmosphere for discussions on ethics and compliance. Klaus also discusses the development of a new code of ethics at Novartis – likening it to the company's constitution.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

‘Blind Spots’ by Ann Tenbrunsel and Max Bazerman

Klaus Moosmayer on LinkedIn

The renowned culture strategist, Stan Slap, is on the show today for a conversation about redefining the way we think about the fabric of company culture. Stan is the president of the international consulting company SLAP and has also worked as a CEO with over 5,000 employees under his direction. He has mentored numerous companies, including Oracle and HSBC, and is the author of ‘Under The Hood’.

We delve into the significance of aligning professed company values with actual behaviours, the power of emotional commitment over financial incentives, and the deep impact of cultural health on organizational success. We also touch on cultural resistance to change and how to foster genuine alignment within the company.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Stan Slap on LinkedIn

‘Under The Hood’ by Stan Slap

SLAP

Rebecca Newton is an Organizational Psychologist with a PhD in psychology, a frequent Harvard Business Review contributor, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, and the CEO of CoachAdviser, a London-based culture agency. She is also the author of ‘Authentic Gravitas, Who Stands Out and Why’, based on her extensive experience coaching executives at companies like Google, Coca-Cola, and Accenture.

We discuss why culture shouldn't be the sole responsibility of HR, highlighting leaders' need to step up and embrace change collectively. We also touch on Rebecca’s three-pronged approach: engaging leaders with participation, using data to inform decisions, and skill development to ensure leaders are equipped for the journey ahead.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

HBR: HR Can’t Change Company Culture by Itself

Rebecca Newton on LinkedIn

‘Authentic Gravitas’ by Rebecca Newton

CoachAdviser

Today, our special guest is Cecilia Bergman-Eriksson, whose expertise comes straight from the dynamic growth experience of Oatly. Cecilia works as an Interim Manager and leads companies and organizations to overcome critical and complex challenges.

In this episode, we discuss how maintaining a strong culture and values is key during rapid company expansion. Cecilia reveals how spending time with employees, establishing purpose, and embedding values into every process are vital steps toward sustaining transformational change.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Episode 68 with Frank Blake

Episode 64 with Sandra Sucher

Tobias Sturesson and Andreas Almlöf delve into values-driven leadership and its transformative power. They’re looking at why it's essential to align behaviors with organizational values and the risks of disregarding this alignment. They also unpack the Culture Leadership Program, which is crucial for developing the habits and practices that underpin sustainable change.

In this conversation, they challenge outdated notions related to habit formation and emphasize the philosophy of consistency over time to foster these new, crucial habits. Prepare for a thought-provoking session that encourages leaders to lead by example in their commitment to culture change.

Links Mentioned:

Cultureandleadership.org

Steven Rogelberg is a leadership expert who was motivated to write his book ‘Glad We Met: The Art & Science of 1:1 Meetings’ due to the lack of strong treatment around the importance of these activities. Steven is the Chancellor's Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also a professor of Organizational Science, Management, and Psychology and the founding Director of Organizational Science at UNC, Charlotte.

Tune in as we discuss:

• The key elements of effective one-on-one meetings

• Creating a psychologically safe environment

• Why you should not cancel one-on-one meetings

• What are some of the best intentional questions and response choices?

• The ‘listing’ or ‘core question’ approach

• How to give feedback constructively and empathetically

Links Mentioned:

Free guide: https://heartmanagement.org/en/guide/ 

‘Glad We Met’ by Steven Rogelberg

HBR: Make the Most of Your One-on-One Meetings

Steven’s Website

Steven on LinkedIn

Ann Skeet is the Senior Director of Leadership Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Ann teaches ethics literacy for boards in the Silicon Valley Executive Education Center in the Leavey School of Business. She is also a co-author of ‘Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: An Operational Roadmap’. 

Tune in as we discuss:

• The Six Ethical Lenses Framework

• How to incorporate ethical principles into your decision-making

• Why trust is a crucial currency for successful operations

• Some ethical challenges that arise with the implementation of AI

• How do you counter bias in decision-making?

Links Mentioned:

Free guide: https://heartmanagement.org/en/guide/ 

‘Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies’ by José Flahaux, Brian Green and Ann Gregg Skeet

Leading Transformational Change episode with Sandra J. Sucher

Dr. Dan Siegel

Ann Skeet on LinkedIn

Ann Skeet on X

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University

Jay Barney is an American professor in strategic management at the University of Utah. He shares his insights on the crucial link between culture and strategy and how it impacts the success of any transformational change initiative. He emphasizes the importance of understanding group dynamics, the role of HR in shaping culture, and the power of storytelling in creating a healthy organizational culture. 

Tune in as we discuss:

• How does understanding group dynamics contribute to the success of transformation?

• What are some limitations and challenges that HR faces?

• The difference between strategy and culture in leadership roles

• Why do leaders need to think about how to spread and make their story stick?

• Tips to overcome inertia and take action

Links Mentioned:

Free guide: https://heartmanagement.org/en/guide/ 

‘The Secret of Culture Change’ by Jay Barney

Jay Barney on LinkedIn

CultureChangeSecret.com

If You Want Culture Change, Create New Stories – HBR

Melissa Daimler is a culture expert with over 20 years of experience driving and shaping company cultures. She has worked for iconic companies like Adobe, Twitter, and WeWork, where she learned from healthy and unhealthy cultures. Melissa is part of Udemy, an EdTech company dedicated to building a positive and thriving culture.

Tune in as we discuss:

• How constructive debates contribute to learning and growth
• Why the hiring process needs to focus on behaviours and values
• Tips for promoting healthy constructive debate and diverse perspective
• How can global organisations ensure behaviours and values are universally understood?
• What role can CFOs and other non-traditional functions play in driving cultural change?

Links Mentioned:

Free guide: https://heartmanagement.org/en/guide/ 

‘ReCulturing’ by Melissa Daimler

Melissa Daimler on Instagram

Melissa Daimler on LinkedIn

Melissa Daimler's Website

Wendy K. Smith is the Dana J. Johnson professor of management and faculty director of the Women’s Leadership Initiative at the Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware. As we navigate the complexities of sustainability and sustainable development goals, Wendy sheds light on the challenges that arise when making overarching commitments.

Tune in as we discuss:

• Integrating sustainability goals with profitability for businesses
• When is it necessary to prioritise profit versus ethical considerations?
• The concept of "tightrope walking" as a strategy
• Both/and thinking versus either/or thinking
• Embracing serendipity and being open to new experiences in decision-making

Links Mentioned:

Free guide: https://heartmanagement.org/en/guide/

Both/and Thinking

In this episode I switch to the role of guest and I am interviewed by my colleague, Andreas Almlöf. Today we mark the exciting release of our free guide ‘6 Vital Steps to Leading Lasting Culture Change and Making Values Matter’, which we explore in this conversation, including a proven culture change process and how to integrate your values.

Tune in as we discuss:

• What data can be gathered to assess a company’s culture?

• How can leaders effectively develop and integrate better habits?

• The role of senior management in driving culture change

• How to integrate values into everyday conversations and decisions

• The rituals, incentives, and processes that help reinforce values

Links mentioned:

Free guide: https://heartmanagement.org/en/guide/ 

i4cp: Culture Renovation: A Blueprint for Action

To measure the ROI of culture is like measuring the ROI of air. Culture is not optional but a fundamental part of how we operate as a group. 

It influences every aspect of our organization - how we make decisions, think, communicate, collaborate, and perform. 

At the heart of culture are people and relationships. 

While many organizations will claim that they put people first, it’s easy to fall into cultural assumptions, drives, and beliefs that are harmful to our people and, ultimately, to the organization's mission. 

Some time ago, I read a fascinating article in Harvard Business Review about the dangers of a culture that glorifies busyness. 

The author, Adam Waytz, is an award-winning social psychologist and associate professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He’s the author of The Power of Human: How Our Shared Humanity Can Help Us Create a Better World. 

On episode 076 of the Leading Transformational Change podcast, I interviewed Adam about:

• What leads to dehumanization in our organizations, and what we can do to counteract it.

• How AI implementation impacts how we measure the ethicality of an organization

• Why a culture of busyness is a problem, and what we should do about it.

I believe the conversation is relevant for anyone who wants more human workplaces and desires to build healthier cultures. 

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guests, Michaela Ahlberg and Anna Romberg - co-authors of The Grey Zone, on this practical and insightful episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this conversation, they discuss how to promote a healthy, ethical and values-driven culture in your organization. Michaela and Anna also talk about their Responsible Leadership Program - what they were trying to accomplish, what they learned along the way, and what results they’ve seen.
Michaela Ahlberg was instrumental in developing the Ethics and Compliance functions at several large multinational companies as the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Telia Sonera, Volvo Cars, Nokia Siemens Networks and Getinge. Anna Romberg is the current Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Legal, and Compliance at Getinge. She is also co-founder of the Nordic Business Ethics Initiative. Michaela and Anna are co-authors of The Grey Zone.
Duration: 48:03

What constitutes a remarkably healthy culture and a workplace people love being a part of? What about your culture might instead make people frustrated and leave your organization? 

Two critical questions that every leader needs to ask. 

While we face an economic downturn, the job market is still competitive, especially for highly skilled talent. And we all want to be known for building great organizational cultures. 

So what can leaders do? 

Charlie and Don Sull, researchers at MIT and co-founders of Culture X, have conducted the largest systematic study of corporate culture ever, analyzing 1.4 million Glassdoor reviews from more than 500 of the largest employers in the United States. 

They found that toxic culture is the primary driver of resignations. And that even relatively healthy cultures can have toxic elements that must be addressed. They learned that culture can't be adequately measured using only quantitative measures - like employee engagement surveys. And that the most important elements of stand-out cultures are listening to employees and building psychological safety. 

On the first episode of Season 8 of the Leading Transformational Change Podcast, we bring you a conversation with Charlie Sull. 

Charlie's thought leadership has been featured in the Economist, Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, and more.

I hope you will find our conversation as insightful, inspiring, and thought-provoking as I did!

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guest, Aga Bajer, on this practical and helpful episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this conversation, Aga discusses culture myths, how to deal with cultural challenges as your organization grows, how to analyze the health of your culture, and why she believes fun, meaning and belonging are at the heart of a healthy culture.
Agnieszka (Aga) Bajer works with leaders and teams around the globe to help them bring their vision to life. She is the host of the CultureLab podcast and the co-author of “Building and Sustaining a Coaching Culture" - a complete guide on how to embed coaching in an organisation’s DNA.
Duration: 58:55

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guest, Stephen Shedletzky, on this honest and empowering episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this episode, your host Tobias Sturesson discusses the topic of speak-up culture with Stephen Shedletzky who has helped numerous organizations think better about their leadership, purpose, and culture. Stephen Shedletzky worked with Simon Sinek as the Head of Training & Development, inspired by the vision to improve people's work experience worldwide. He is the author of a forthcoming book: Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up, launching in October. His personal story of overcoming a stutter gives a unique perspective on finding our voice in our organizations.

Duration: 50:25

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guest, Dr. Margaret Heffernen, on this profound and empowering episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this conversation, Margaret discusses how to reimagine the future and not fall into the trap of wilful blindness.
Dr. Margaret Heffernen is an entrepreneur, CEO, writer, and keynote speaker. The author of six books, Margaret’s third book, Willful Blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious at our Peril was named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times. Her TED talks have been seen by over twelve million people and in 2015 TED published Beyond Measure: The Big Impact of Small Changes. Her most recent book, Uncharted: How to map the future was published in 2020.
She is a Professor of Practice at the University of Bath, Lead Faculty for the Forward Institute’s Responsible Leadership Programme and, through Merryck & Co., mentors CEOs and senior executives of major global organizations. She holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath and continues to write for the Financial Times and the Huffington Post.
Duration: 54:47

Welcome to episode 71 of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. Your usual host, Tobias Sturesson, switches into the role of guest and is interviewed by his colleague, Andreas Almlöf. They discuss organizational cultures in crisis, different types of unhealthy cultures, and how to rebuild trust within organizations going through challenging times.
Duration: 35:10

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guest, Dr. Deb Mashek, on this timely and informative episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this conversation, Deb discusses why collaboration should matter, in what cases it becomes critical, and what it takes to foster a culture of collaboration.

Dr. Deb Mashek, PhD is an experienced business advisor, professor, higher education administrator, and national nonprofit executive. Named one of the Top 35 Women in Higher Education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, she has been featured in media outlets including MIT Sloan Management Review, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Hechinger Report, Inside Higher Ed, Fortune, Reason, Business Week, University Business Insider, and The Hill. She writes regularly for Psychology Today. Her book, "Collabor(h)ate: How to build incredible collaborative relationships at work" was released at the beginning of 2023.

Duration: 52:34

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guest, Uri Gneezy, on this insightful episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this conversation, Uri discusses his work on when and why incentives in an organization can backfire and when traditional economic theories fail to explain real human behavior.   Uri Gneezy is professor of economics and strategic management at the Rady School of Management, UC San Diego. As a researcher, Gneezy's focus is on putting behavioral economics to work in the real world, where theory can meet application. Topics include incentives-based interventions to increase good habits and decrease bad ones, Pay-What-You-Want pricing, and the detrimental effects of small and large incentives. In addition to the traditional laboratory and field studies, he is working with several firms, conducting experiments in which they are using basic findings from behavioral economics to help companies achieve their traditional goals in non-traditional ways. He is the co-author of the bestseller, The Why Axis. His forthcoming book, Mixed Signals releases on March 31 2023.  Duration: 52:51

Join your host Tobias Sturesson and his guest, Frank Blake, on this exciting and motivating episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. In this conversation, Frank discusses how incentives matter and why senior leaders need to absorb complexity and deal with values dilemmas and conflicting goals. He also explains what it means to lead from an inverted triangle and how to put concepts like servant/humble leadership into practice.

Frank Blake served as Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot from January 2007 through November 2014, and then as chairman through January 2015. Frank joined The Home Depot in 2002 as executive vice president, business development and corporate operations. Frank previously served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to that, he served in a variety of executive roles at General Electric, including senior vice president, Corporate Business Development. Frank serves on numerous boards including Delta Air Lines (non-executive chairman), Macy’s, and Proctor & Gamble. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a jurisprudence degree from Columbia University School of Law.

Duration: 1:05:37

Happy New Year! Welcome to Season 7 of the Leading Transformational Change podcast. Your usual host, Tobias Sturesson, switches into the role of guest and is interviewed by his colleague, Andreas Almlöf. They discuss what stood out the most throughout the podcast episodes of 2022 and reflect on how to think about culture and values in a time of change and crisis. In addition, Tobias shares about his forthcoming book and why he decided to write it in the first place.

Duration: 36:16

In this episode of the Leading Transformational Change podcast, your host Tobias Sturesson brings back a conversation with Jennifer Chatman from December 2020. In this perceptive and relevant interview with this world-renowned researcher, teacher and consultant on leveraging organizational culture, they discuss what it takes to change and leverage culture, and her research on how narcissistic leadership impacts culture.

Jennifer Chatman is the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professor of Management and a faculty member in the Management of Organizations (MORS) Group at Berkeley Haas. In her research, teaching, and consulting work, she focuses on how organizations can leverage culture for strategic success and how diverse teams can optimize performance.

Duration: 51:32