What if everything we've been taught about leadership is fundamentally flawed? 

Emma Rutherford's research into Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) leadership principles challenges the individualistic Western leadership model that dominates our organisations.

Drawing from her experience as an organisational development leader and research with high-performing teams, Emma reveals how indigenous wisdom can transform our approach to workplace culture. 

While western organisations celebrate individual achievement and self-promotion, Māori leadership embodies humility and collective success – captured beautifully in the proverb "a kumara never speaks of its sweetness."

Emma's research isn't just theoretical – it's backed by compelling data showing teams led with these principles demonstrate engagement scores 10-15 points higher than organisational averages. These leaders share decision-making, truly listen to their people, and take a holistic interest in their wellbeing across physical, mental, spiritual and community dimensions.

Whether you're leading a team, building organisational culture, or simply interested in more human-centred workplaces, this conversation provides practical wisdom for creating environments where people can thrive. 

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

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We are so excited to have Lyn R Lee on A Dog Called Diversity to talk about her career and her new book Tiny Rice Grains. 

As the former Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Shell, Lyn  shares with host Lisa Mulligan her:

• Remarkable 22-year+ career at Shell
• How her book "Tiny Rice Grains" came about.  
• Her approach to DEI work that focuses on human connection, authentic storytelling, and the power of small, consistent actions that accumulate to create meaningful change.

🎧  Listen in to learn more about:

• Lyn's career path from organizational psychologist to global DEI leader
• Her initial reluctance to take the DEI role
• The importance of women supporting other women
• Creating a legacy of inclusion
• Recognizing when it's time to step back and create space for new leadership
• The symbolism of rice in Asian culture and DEI work
• Writing "Tiny Rice Grains" as part of her ongoing legacy
  
  

Find Lyn's book "Tiny Rice Grains" on Amazon.com, with global availability rolling out between October and December.

Attend Lyn's book events in South East Asia  and London:

• Singapore - 29 August
• London - 9 Oct
• Manila - 7 Nov
• India and Hong Kong Q1 2026

Contact Lyn on LinkedIn if you would like to:

• Hold an event in your organisation, 
• Keynote speaking opportunities, 
• Leader engagements in your organisation, 
• Bulk book orders, and 
• book signings.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...

Have you ever felt suddenly invisible in your workplace despite your wealth of knowledge and experience? This episode explores the often-overlooked challenges of an aging workforce and the urgent need to build bridges between generations.

Lot Hawkins, founder of The Stella Collective, shares her journey from art therapy to qualitative research, and how approaching her 50s sparked a mission to create visibility for women over 45. 

During the conversation Lot and Lisa discuss how workplaces will soon have up to six generations working side by side, and the immense challenges this presents. 

Drawing on her expertise in understanding human behavior, Lot offers invaluable insights into building trust across generational divides through context and understanding rather than confrontation.

Lot and Lisa also discuss Lot's groundbreaking "50 Over 50" initiative celebrating accomplished New Zealand women.

Whether you're leading a diverse team, feeling overlooked in your career, or simply interested in workplace dynamics, this conversation offers a perspective on valuing experience in our youth-obsessed world. 

Connect with the Stella Collective to learn more about building bridges in your organization and creating workplaces where every generation can thrive.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

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Katie Rickson shares her journey living with bipolar disorder, from diagnosis after giving birth to her daughter to finding meaning through advocacy and running her own business with built-in flexibility. 

She shares the neurological differences of bipolar, the impact of hormonal cycles on symptoms, and her journey from shame to self-acceptance through reframing her condition as neurodivergence rather than illness.

Listen in to learn about:

• What bipolar disorder actually is, including the differences between mania and depression
• How hormonal cycles affect bipolar symptoms
• The importance of self-compassion and accepting emotional fluctuations
• Sensory modulation as a practical management technique
• Reframing bipolar from "mental illness" to neurodivergence
• Advocating for workplace accommodations and flexible structures

Grab Katie's pocketbook  👉 30 Things I'd Like You to Know About Bipolar.

Find Katie here and at Business in the Bath or connect with her on LinkedIn. Katie offers educational talks about bipolar disorder for organisations, with special availability during Mental Health Awareness Week starting October 6th.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

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Ever wondered why some colleagues approach work so differently from you? It's not just personality—it might be neurodiversity at play.

Jenny Turner, founder of Human Fabric, takes us on a fascinating journey into how different brain types function in the workplace. With approximately 20% of the population being neurodivergent (including conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia), understanding these differences isn't just an inclusion issue, it's a business advantage.

Jenny shares compelling reasons why organisations should embrace neurodiversity: the exceptional talents neurodivergent individuals often bring, the superior performance of cognitively diverse teams, and the enhanced leadership skills developed when managing diverse thinking styles. She reveals how the pandemic created an unexpected testing ground, with many neurodivergent people discovering they could thrive when freed from sensory-overloaded office environments.

Drawing from her personal experience with ADHD, Jenny provides  us with insights into both the struggles (like rejection sensitivity and difficulty starting certain tasks) and strengths (hyper-focus and innovative thinking) that come with neurodivergence. 

Her practical advice for organisations ranges from awareness training to simple accommodation processes that are typically low-cost but high-impact.

The conversation culminates in a profound realisation: we all process information differently, and when we adapt our work practices to accommodate these differences—like separating information-sharing from decision-making—everyone benefits. As AI increasingly handles systematic tasks, uniquely human capabilities like empathy and innovative thinking become more valuable than ever.

Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, manage diverse teams, or simply want to create a more inclusive workplace, this episode offers valuable information on how to harness the full spectrum of human potential.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...

In this episode, we sat down with Iain Schmidt, executive coach, speaker and facilitator who shared his transformative journey to redefine male allyship and inclusion. Iain opened up about his motivations, his desire to be a better role model for his children, and the societal stereotypes he aims to challenge for a more inclusive future.

Iain also went on to explain the complex emotions tied to male privilege, from being applauded for chores to the various stages of denial and anger men often experience. He introduces the grief model as a powerful tool for men to understand and process their privileges and biases. We also touch on systemic issues that allow toxic leaders to thrive and the lack of inspirational male role models, highlighting Iain's belief that true change requires a shift from mere behavioral guidelines to deep, genuine mindset changes.

Iain then shares insights from his own experiences, emphasizing the importance of continuous self-improvement and self-reflection. From challenging the low standards men often set for themselves to advocating for a mindset of abundance over scarcity, Iain’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone committed to fostering gender equality. Tune in to hear this compelling story and actionable steps towards the fight for a more equitable world.

Iain's website links:
https://transformbylearning.com/about-us/
https://blokecoaching.com/
https://foralexandsam.com/

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...

Join the ranks of visionary leaders and cultural champions in our latest episode, as we sit down with John Lombard, CEO of NTT Data. With a tapestry of international experiences enriching our discussion, John unveils the nuances of inclusive leadership that he's masterfully woven through a career spanning continents. From the art of communication across cultural chasms to the personal touches that define his life, including an enduring love for the Collingwood football club, this conversation is a masterclass in empathy, strategy, and the power of patience in the corporate world.

Our dialogue takes a meaningful turn as we confront the disparity in STEM representation, focusing on actionable strategies to empower women and girls in technology. John and I explore how tech giants can foster a culture of diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities that resonate with the ambitions of young female innovators. We also discuss the pivotal role of local leadership and cultural intelligence in steering multinational companies to success, all while highlighting the importance of well-being through sports and passion projects that round out the contours of a fulfilled life.

The episode culminates with an inspiring look at ArtDIS Singapore, a beacon of hope and creativity for individuals with disabilities. Reflecting on six transformative years on the board, we celebrate the triumphs and challenges of advocating for inclusion in Southeast Asia. Our conversation is a reminder of the arts' capacity to kindle joy, build communities, and challenge preconceptions. As we anticipate the future of AI and its potential for inclusivity, we reaffirm our commitment to a tech landscape where innovation and empathy coalesce to shape a more equitable world.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...

Bike widowhood—a club I never expected to join, yet here I am, swapping stories with Sally Fenner, an author whose life reads like an adventure novel. My husband's obsession with mountain biking led us to Sally and her equally bike-mad husband, Mark, but that's just the starting point. Sally takes us on a narrative journey from the rugged trails of mountain biking from Canada to Mexico off-road to an enchanting carp fishing lake in the French countryside, painting a vivid picture of an unorthodox honeymoon and a life that embraces the unexpected. 

Sally's tale is one of transformation, from the bustling life in Sydney to the pastoral calm of France, where fish farming has become the family business. Our conversation weaves through the challenges and triumphs of rural entrepreneurship, the parallels between nurturing massive carp and majestic horses, and the quirky little details that make life so rich. It's an episode brimming with laughter, authenticity, and the kind of storytelling that might just reel you in, hook, line, and sinker.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...

Discover the unexpected power of keeping your day job with side hustle guru Dannie Lyn Fountain, as she unveils her journey and the critical importance of income diversification. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the synergies between ADHD, autism, and side hustling—a discussion that promises to enlighten and inspire. With Dannie's latest book, "Keep Your Day Job," she shares not just her own trials, including being fired for her entrepreneurial endeavors, but also hands-on strategies for balancing corporate life with your passions on the side. Her wisdom, akin to that of a side hustle cult leader, is both guiding and galvanizing, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of juggling multiple pursuits.

Then, we peel back the layers on how ADHD and autism intersect in professional settings, discussing the strengths these conditions can contribute to our side hustles. I open up about my own path through ADHD and the eye-opening realization of being autistic, revealing how these characteristics can be harnessed for success rather than seen as obstacles. The conversation also covers the nuances of executive functioning and why workplace accommodations are critical, underscoring a potent synergy between ADHD hyperfocus and autistic special interests that can transform a side hustle into something extraordinary.

Closing out the episode, we celebrate the recognition of my article in a Harvard Business Review publication and confront the current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. We address the troubling trend of companies sliding away from their DEI promises and stress the need for ongoing, authentic efforts to foster true cultural change. As the "original side hustle gal," Danny leaves us with a resonant message: to support the vast array of professional and personal choices we face and to come together for an annual progress share—a call to celebrate our diverse journeys in work, life, and everything in between.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...

Have you ever found yourself caught in a cycle that seemed impossible to break free from? Emma Gilmour, the driving force behind Hope Rising Coaching, certainly did. Both her candid revelations about navigating the alcohol culture, her journey through neurodiversity, and the empowerment found in confronting societal standards will resonate with many. We cover her past, along with the challenges of being autistic and ADHD, and how it led to a transformation that is nothing short of inspiring.

Rethinking our relationship with alcohol isn't just about cutting back; it's about understanding the deep-seated beliefs and marketing ploys that have shaped our perceptions. This discussion helps to reveal the alcohol industry's allure, examining the empty promises of relaxation and the deflective 'drink responsibly' rhetoric. We expose the ways women have been uniquely targeted and how this has affected our collective consciousness. This episode is a call to question the narratives we've been sold and to recognize the power of education and self-awareness in rewriting our stories.

Later in the episode, Emma introduces us to the Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment, offering hope and practical support for those reassessing their drinking habits. Her insight into the value of diverse thinking paves the way for societal change, and we share how to reach her for anyone drawn to her message. This episode isn't just a podcast; it's a journey towards understanding and change, with Emma Gilmore as our guide.

Support the show

The Culture Ministry we specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.

We do this through:

🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work

🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose

🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.

🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.

We love working with organisations who know change is needed.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

Sign up to our newsletter.

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured in Feedsp...