Insights
How Women Benefit the Bottom Line
Mar 19, 2024 | Media
https://youtu.be/X6kWMceWWS8 Even when women aren’t employed by a company, they can have a huge impact on the bottom line. Dr. Jessica shares insights on how that’s possible on a recent PIX11 broadcast, Dr. Jessica Kriegel
Better Business Results from a Four-Day Work Week?
Mar 19, 2024 | Media
https://youtu.be/5QjLbgHX-DI Hear the pros and cons during this NBC News segment featuring our Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture Dr. Jessica Kriegel.
Leap Boundaries & Barriers with a Single Question
Mar 15, 2024 | Insight
Once you learn to constantly ask “What else can I/we do to achieve the desired result?”, you open doors to new solutions and breakthrough performance.
The Inconvenient Truth About Wages and Company Culture
Mar 15, 2024 | This Week in Culture
I never thought I’d read an article in the New York Times about “Economic Vibes,” but here we are. We are currently experiencing a disconnect between the data and the vibes when it comes to the economy. Wage growth outpaced inflation in 2023, but that means...
Why I Don’t Hate Performance Reviews Anymore
Mar 8, 2024 | This Week in Culture
Performance reviews have long been a hot topic in HR, often criticized and feared, transformed into a source of anxiety by mainstream media narratives. I've been on the fence about them myself, given that at a personal level, I struggle with receiving feedback. When...
5 Fundamental Skills for First-Time Managers
Mar 6, 2024 | Insight
Managing people for the first time can be daunting. Here are the five essential leadership skills every first-time manager should master to set the tone for your new team.
4 Companies Winning with Feedback in the Workplace
Mar 3, 2024 | Insight
These four companies are using feedback-centered culture to drive employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity.
Culture Fit is a Myth
Mar 1, 2024 | This Week in Culture
For too long, buzzwords like "culture fit" have become the holy grail of hiring and organizational harmony. Yet, as we peel back the layers of what makes companies truly successful, we find that the pursuit of culture fit is not just outdated; it's a dangerously...
Beyond Confidence: CEOs’ Crucial Dive into Culture’s Depths for 2024
Feb 23, 2024 | This Week in Culture
The latest scoop from Heidrick & Struggles' "CEO and Board Confidence Monitor: A Worried Start to 2024" is more than just corporate gossip; it's a reality check with the power to transform how CEOs see their roles in today's ever-changing world. It zeroes in on a...
How This Teacher Made Education Go Viral with TED-Ed Director Logan Smalley
Feb 20, 2024 | Podcast
https://youtu.be/SVXpx3_m4vQ?si=7mXWrAPCKSawLCeJ The innovative founding director of TED-Ed, Logan Smalley, shares his inspiring journey in fostering global curiosity and education through creative storytelling. As a visionary in the field of educational content,...
When Rewarding Your Employees Backfires
Feb 20, 2024 | This Week in Culture
Welcome to the corporate twilight zone, where hitting $10 billion in sales is celebrated with... stale cookies. Yes, you read that right. Sephora, in its infinite wisdom, decided that the best way to commemorate an epic sales milestone was by dispatching...
Hear Their Words, But Watch Their Actions: The Real Lessons from Tech’s Top CEOs
Feb 9, 2024 | This Week in Culture
In the high-octane world of tech, giants like Amazon and Meta are not just moving the goalposts; they're playing a completely different game. Amazon, under the no-nonsense leadership of Andy Jassy, has been breaking its own financial records, turning the last quarter...
Miki Agrawal: How to Build Authentic, Purpose-Driven Brands
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mJyzuGcE68 Miki Agrawal is an innovative entrepreneur, continually pushing the boundaries of traditional business models. As a founder, Agrawal has carved a unique path, bringing authenticity and revolutionary ideas to address unspoken...
Are We Killing Performance to Protect the Fragile?
Feb 9, 2024 | This Week in Culture
A male friend of mine was deep in conversation with a female colleague about a project that was going well but needed to take a different approach for the second portion of it. In a moment of candor, he says, "For this next phase we are going to need to be...
How to Spark Lasting Change in Your Organization With Wharton Lecturer and Author Greg Satell
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q165Jzn-nYw&list=PL4VjvIcYQ9WLaJ3Y6mxutxyIS1dh3Pk90 Greg Satell, a renowned journalist and change management strategist, discusses the nuances of driving transformational change in organizations. Drawing from his vast experiences in...
AI Will Change How We Work, but It Won’t Change Why We Work
Feb 9, 2024 | This Week in Culture
Let's explore a subject that's igniting discussions everywhere, from boardrooms to casual coffee breaks and virtual Zoom sessions: the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on our work life. While AI is undeniably reshaping our work methods and...
How Libby Kranz’s Non-Profit is Unraveling a Cure to Pediatric Cancer
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toGTHVrnU4M Libby Kranz shares her personal journey of turning grief into action after losing her daughter to pediatric cancer. She discusses the creation and growth of her nonprofit organization, Unravel Pediatric Cancer, which aims to...
The Art of Storytelling to Drive Organizational Change with TED Speaker and Author Karen Eber
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5UANc4CIgA Karen Eber’s journey in storytelling began with her personal experiences and evolved into a professional passion. Her approach goes beyond traditional methods, integrating storytelling into the fabric of leadership and...
Embracing Realistic Business Goals to Achieve Lasting Results with Lloyed Lobo
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9S81ZRlJls Lloyed Lobo, the co-founder of Boast.AI and an expert in community-led growth, shares his journey of building deep, meaningful connections in the business landscape. In this inspiring episode, Lobo discusses the significance...
Inspiring Wholeness: The Cultural Revolution at First United Bank
Feb 9, 2024 | This Week in Culture
In a bold reinterpretation of corporate metrics, First United Bank has introduced 'Key Purpose Indicators', a play on the traditional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This program takes an innovative look at what gets measured. At the heart of First United Bank's...
A Masterclass in Culture with IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdS0UHGkGE4 From leading IKEA, one of the world's largest furniture brands, to championing sustainability and innovation, Jesper Brodin's journey is a remarkable tale of leadership and forward-thinking. As CEO, Brodin has been...
Strategies for Attracting Top Talent with Toptal CPO Michelle Labbe
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo9q-F2ISQU Michelle Labbe, the Chief People Officer at Toptal, shares her expert insights into the rapidly evolving world of HR and talent acquisition. In this episode of Culture Leaders Podcast, Labbe discusses the significant...
Navigating Life’s Toughest Moments: Ryan Leak’s Lessons for Business and Beyond
Feb 9, 2024 | Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r-oAVeF4zo Leak, an acclaimed speaker and coach, brings a fresh perspective on leadership and generosity. In this insightful interview, Leak shares his journey and how he empowers others to unleash their potential. He delves into his...
The Echo Chamber of Social Media and Perception vs. Reality
Feb 9, 2024 | This Week in Culture
A consultant has gone viral on TikTok promoting a networking trick she calls 'corporate flirting' to get ahead at work The concept of "corporate flirting," a viral term popularized on platforms like TikTok, is often misunderstood. Contrary to its seemingly flirtatious...
The Double-Edged Sword of the Open Door Policy
Feb 7, 2024 | This Week in Culture
The open door policy poses a complex challenge in the world of corporate leadership, especially for CEOs. Although the intention is to foster an environment of transparency and accessibility, it frequently unintentionally allows for a steady stream of complaints and...
It’s Time to Retire These Common Workplace Terms – Lessons In Change Management
Feb 7, 2024 | This Week in Culture
The gap between various employee categories has shown to be an ongoing issue in workplaces across the board. The distinctions between hourly and salaried workers, blue collar and white collar, knowledge workers and non-knowledge workers, front line and office,...
It’s Time to Retire These Common Workplace Terms – Lessons In Change Management
Feb 7, 2024 | This Week in Culture
The gap between various employee categories has shown to be an ongoing issue in workplaces across the board. The distinctions between hourly and salaried workers, blue collar and white collar, knowledge workers and non-knowledge workers, front line and office,...
A Shocking Change to the Workforce: Insights from New Pew Research Report
Feb 7, 2024 | This Week in Culture
The changing makeup of the American workforce is highlighted in yesterday’s Pew Research Center report, which focuses in particular on older workers (those 65 and older). Today, we’re diving into the report’s main conclusions and talking about how they affect...
What It’s Like to Work at a Company That Doesn’t Use Email
Dec 4, 2023 | This Week in Culture
When new employees are onboarded at Toptal, a hypergrowth company with a staggering 40% annual growth rate and a workforce of 1200 employees, they’re told: email isn’t our thing. This company is redefining the rules of communication. Toptal has chosen to abandon email...
One Simple Tool For Cascading Your Purpose
Dec 4, 2023 | This Week in Culture
I want to dive into an inspiring initiative that caught my attention in the ever-evolving world of company culture. It concerns a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at a significant electronic company based in Japan, responsible for a 70,000-person workforce with a...
Unveiling the Trust Triangle: Building Authentic Company Cultures
Dec 4, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the UKG Aspire event in Las Vegas, where I had the honor of delivering a keynote on the spotlight stage. It was a packed house, standing room only for 500 people in person and over 400 more tuning in online. The title of my...
Your Job Title Is Holding You Back
Dec 4, 2023 | This Week in Culture
When we think about what we do, it's natural to describe our work with our job titles. We say things like, "I'm the VP of Sales," "I'm a receptionist," or "I am a truck driver." These titles serve as convenient labels for the tasks and activities we perform. However,...
Trust Over Surveillance: A Lesson from Dropbox’s CEO on Remote Work
Oct 27, 2023 | This Week in Culture
As the world cautiously inches back towards in-person work, Dropbox's CEO, Drew Houston, offers a fresh and unconventional perspective that challenges the prevailing norms of the corporate world. "I'd say, 'your employees have options. They're not resources to...
Unpacking the Remote Work Premium: The Dollars and Sense of Working from Anywhere
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Earning roughly $6000 without leaving your home sounds pretty good. Meet Emilie Bergstrom, a vibrant 28-year-old with a passion for making a difference. Just a few years ago, she was working the daily grind as a personal assistant in the bustling heart of New York...
Coffee Badging May Be The Secret Driver To Unprecedented Employee Engagement
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Let's dive into an intriguing workplace phenomenon known as "Coffee Badging." This trend is reshaping the traditional office attendance model, and it's something every CEO and leader should be aware of. Bosses want people back in the office, but employees are finding...
Why CEOs with No Values Are Winning
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Did I get your attention? I'd like to challenge a commonly held belief in the world of corporate culture: the idea that corporate values matter. Pause right now and list out the values of your organization. I’ll wait. Could you remember all of them? Have you ever made...
Why It’s Good News for CEOs That Only 27% of Workers Feel They Have a Healthy Relationship with Work
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
HP Inc. unveiled its first-ever HP Work Relationship Index, providing insight into the condition of workplace relationships around the world. This extensive study offers helpful insights into the shifting dynamics of our work culture and is based on surveys from more...
Unlocking the Power of Group Identity: How Belief Adaptability Drives Success in Workplaces and Beyond
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
During my high school years, I wholeheartedly embraced the identity of a theater geek. I not only identified with it but took pride in it, considering my fellow theater enthusiasts far superior to the cheerleaders or the computer nerds. This phenomenon can be...
When Purpose Conceals a Lack of Morality in Leadership
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
How should you respond when your executive team utilizes the purpose statement as a means to cover up a lack of moral compass? It's a question that cuts to the core of ethical leadership, and today, I want to explore it in depth, drawing connections to the...
Breaking the Silence: Supporting Menopausal Women in The Workplace
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Just a few days ago, I turned 40. It got me thinking about the journey ahead and, more importantly, the tremendous support I've experienced from the company I'm proud to work for. Employers all over are finally waking up to the fact that there's a vital group of...
Leading with Heart: Navigating Social Issues with an Authentic CEO Approach
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
I'm sure you all heard something about the unexpected chaos that erupted when Bud Light had the idea to send beers to a trans influencer. This seemingly harmless gesture set off a whirlwind of controversy, throwing both the beverage giant and its CEO smack into the...
Unveiling the Gender Pay Gap in Sports and Beyond
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Kickoff: Celebrating the FIFA Women's World Cup So, who caught the final game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup? The 3 a.m. start time would usually be too early for me, but let me tell you, that game was worth it. A one-score game will never fail to keep me on the...
Navigating the Complexities of Leadership: Embracing Alignment and Fearless Direction
Oct 25, 2023 | This Week in Culture
Lasting impressions are made by those who challenge conventions. But breaking the rules alone does not necessarily translate to achieving business success. As companies face more uncertainties and fears, there's a temptation to resort to leadership tactics driven by...
“The Culture of Hollywood: Uniting Fairness On and Off The Set”
Oct 20, 2023 | This Week in Culture
In the heart of the city of dreamers, or in a more literal sense, angels, you will always find a constant creative frenzy. How could you not, with Disneyland around the corner? But this isn't just another day in Hollywood; it's an event that highlights the struggles...
How To Improve The Front Lines
Oct 20, 2023 | This Week in Culture
There is a recent study from Monster in which 38% of respondents called their boss "horrible" and 54% total gave their boss a 1-2 rating on a five-point scale, with five being the highest. In good (maybe?) news from that survey, 17% did rate their boss as "excellent."...
Which type of culture yields 316% revenue growth?
Aug 4, 2023 | Insight
We conducted research in concert with Stanford University in H1 of 2023, studying 243 organizations in the process. We divided culture into eight attributes, then analyzed the long-term financial implications of each attribute across the 243 companies. Our results...
Understanding Zodiak and bolstering the financial acumen of front-line managers
Aug 2, 2023 | Thought Leadership
Zodiak®: The Game of Business Finance and Strategy is a fast-paced, classroom-based simulation designed to improve the business acumen and financial literacy of anyone whose daily decisions impact the overall health of your organization. You can learn more about it on...
Our Workshops: Culture Equation and Accountability
Jul 31, 2023 | Thought Leadership
We offer two primary workshops to clients. Workshops are smaller engagements (one to 1.5 days) that focus on key topics of culture, prioritization, and change management -- but do so in a compact way that both creates immediate action and gets you some exposure to how...
The State Of Culture Report: Q1 2023
Jul 11, 2023 | Thought Leadership
From January to March 2023, we surveyed professionals of all levels (n=150) across multiple industries about their cultures, their confidence in those cultures, and general organizational success. The questions about culture were open-ended, but we coded responses and...
How culture can be quantified
Jul 11, 2023 | Thought Leadership
Executives often understand the inherent power of culture, but don't understand how it links to financial returns -- which is often, logically, how they are judged. We put together a quick one-pager to show you some of the connections between a strong culture and...