In this week's episode, Scott McInnes sits down with Christine Armstrong, to dive deep into the critical importance of connection in the workplace. Together they explore how workplace trends have eroded relationships and the role of intentionality in creating a thriving organisational culture.

Christine offers practical strategies to rebuild trust at work and really nurture those vital human connections.

Key Takeaways:

• Connection is a deliberate act, not a happy accident

• Hierarchical and operational policies inadvertently undermine trust

• Connection thrives on small, frequent interactions, not grand initiatives

• Trust is the foundation for difficult conversations and authentic connection

• The middle layer of work relationships has been lost to societal and organisational shifts

• Organisations should design work around human needs, not assumptions of tradition

• Simple listening and positive reinforcement are the most cost-effective trust builders

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Connection in the Workplace

02:20 The Importance of Connection

05:20 Impact of COVID on Workplace Connections

08:09 Rebuilding Connections: Strategies and Initiatives

11:39 Creating Learning Moments and Engagement

14:12 Responsibility for Connection in the Workplace

19:50 Navigating Difficult Conversations

23:46 Assuming Positive Intent in Communication

27:02 Meeting Diverse Needs in the Workplace

30:40 Consequences of Weak Connections

35:06 The Power of Listening to Rebuild Connections

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Connect with Christine:

LinkedIn | Website

In this week's episode, Scott is joined by authors Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig as they delve into practical strategies for fostering trust, vulnerability, and inclusion in organisations, and explore the nuances of psychological safety. This episode reveals how small changes can lead to profound shifts in workplace culture.

· The definition and emotional experience of psychological safety

· The importance of vulnerability and courageous communication for leaders

· How default behaviours and default settings impact team inclusivity

· The role of self-awareness in changing organisational culture

· Micro habits and deliberate experimentation to embed safety practices

· Managing reactions and emotional responses in high-stakes interactions

· The connection between risk-taking, failure, and innovation

· Designing inclusive rituals and meetings to foster belonging

· Practical tips for leaders to create psychologically safe teams today

00:00 - Introduction to psychological safety and why it matters 02:26 - Defining psychological safety and its emotional impact 03:01 - The visceral feelings of safety versus threat 10:00 - Turning awareness into default behaviors to reduce exhaustion 13:02 - The role of self-awareness in behavior change 17:15 - The responsibility of senior leaders in setting cultural tone 22:08 - Balancing expertise with vulnerability for authentic leadership 26:36 - Creating space for understanding and curiosity in conversations 32:16 - Embracing risk and failure as catalysts for growth 37:39 - Designing meetings intentionally to foster participation and belonging 40:00 - Closing thoughts and resources

· Psychological Safety Playbook

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Connect with Minette & Karolin:

Karolin Helbig on LinkedIn | Minette Norman on LinkedIn

In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes talks to Alan Stracey, a certified ADHD Coach and Founder of WhereFocusGoes, to explore the nuanced world of neurodiversity. They discuss how understanding and accommodating neurodivergent conditions can transform workplace culture and unlock individual potential.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What is neurodiversity and how do neurodiverse conditions manifest?

• The importance of language and perception around neurodiversity in workplaces

• Practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse colleagues and leaders

• The role of coaching, especially ADHD coaching, in empowering high performers

• Legal protections and Disclosure: When and how to share a diagnosis

• The Manual of Me: A tool for fostering understanding across teams

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Welcome & the importance of audience engagement
• 02:49 - Alan's background and journey to neurodiversity advocacy
• 04:14 - Personal impact of ADHD diagnosis and newfound understanding
• 09:15 - Defining neurodiversity and common conditions
• 10:40 - Social versus medical models of neurodiversity
• 11:33 - The situational nature of neurodiverse experiences
• 14:02 - Language and workplace perceptions around neurodiversity
• 15:35 - Challenges in disclosure and reducing stigma
• 16:46 - Legal protections and practical steps for disclosure
• 18:09 - Supporting neurodiverse colleagues: practical tips
• 20:37 - The Manual of Me: empowering inclusive teams
• 21:32 - Common misconceptions about coaching and ADHD coaching approach
• 28:19 - How coaching helps neurodiverse individuals rediscover their brilliance
• 35:59 - The power of space and time for reflection in coaching
• 36:20 - Supporting colleagues with neurodiverse conditions and the importance of understanding

Resources:

Blog for seeking a diagnosis

Blog about reasonable adjustments in the workplace

The Manual of Me

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Connect with Alan Stracey:

LinkedIn | Website

In this episode, Scott McInnes welcomes Wema Hoover, founder of Be Limitless Consulting, to explore the impact of AI on leadership, culture, and work. They discuss how organisations can leverage AI while maintaining a human-centered approach, fostering innovation, and managing change across generations.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The rapid evolution of AI and its influence on the workplace over the past 15 months

• Strategies for integrating AI responsibly through clear guardrails and purpose-driven behaviours

• The importance of human-centered engagement and curiosity in AI adoption

• Cross-generational collaboration and overcoming resistance to change

• Practical steps for building resilient, high-performing teams amid technological shifts

• The future of human-AI hybrid workforces and maintaining organizational culture

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction: The rapid pace of AI change and its impact on organisations
• 02:16 - The hype versus the reality of AI applications in the workplace
• 03:50 - Building guardrails and foundational policies for responsible AI use
• 05:27 - Learning from healthcare: AI enhancing human connection
• 06:34 - The importance of human-centered behaviors in AI integration
• 08:14 - How to align AI initiatives with purpose and culture
• 09:19 - Addressing fears of job displacement and focusing on human skills
• 10:34 - Managing resistance and promoting organisational change for AI adoption
• 12:17 - Creating cross-generational AI experimentation platforms

Resources:

• Leading with Heart in an AI-Driven World

• Unlocking The Collective Genius Across Generations By Integrating the 6th Generation, AI

• Human-Centered AI in Healthcare Interview with Alex Voskanian

Connect with us:

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Connect with Wema Hoover:

LinkedIn | Website

In this week's episode, host Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Stephen Baer, founder of Engagency, as they explore the core principles behind building resilient organisational cultures that thrive on trust, purpose, and people-centered leadership.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The true drivers of employee engagement and retention

• The role of middle management in fostering a culture of trust

• Strategies to communicate purpose and strategy effectively

• Leadership behaviours that inspire and empower teams

• The impact of organisational culture on financial performance

• Practical tips for small organisations to deepen connection

Key Takeaways:

• Why the "Velcro vs. glue" analogy is essential for understanding employee retention

• Insights into why 79% of employees are disengaged and how to change that

• The importance of investing in middle management training and emotional intelligence

• How trust and vulnerability in leadership can transform company culture

• Real-world examples from Microsoft and Home Depot illustrating leadership's impact on performance

• Practical steps for leaders to connect with even the most privacy-focused employees

• The secret to storytelling and recognition that boosts engagement internally

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview

01:23 - Why do people stay or leave organisations? The trillion-dollar engagement question

02:41 - Building organisational loyalty with glue vs. Velcro analogy

03:56 - Why engagement metrics haven't improved over years

04:26 - The three critical components of business success: purpose, strategy, people

05:57 - The importance of investing in middle management and leadership training

06:46 - Cultivating a feedback-rich environment for younger generations

08:43 - How leadership tone from the top influences culture

09:36 - Examples of leadership transformation at Microsoft and Home Depot

11:46 - The power of trust: From conflict to high performance

13:17 - The role of failure as a learning tool in companies like WD-40

14:43 - Leadership styles and cultural impact: Nadella vs. Balmer, Blake vs. Nardelli

16:59 - The importance of authentic leadership and empowering employees

18:08 - Creating psychological safety and facilitating open conversations

21:17 - The role of purpose in engaging both employees and customers

22:19 - How purpose and values cycle through the organization to drive loyalty

24:42 - How organisations can craft authentic purpose

26:27 - Connection versus engagement: which drives better loyalty?

27:36 - The three pillars of emotional engagement: greeting, knowing, growing

30:07 - Connecting with non-involved employees and maintaining empathy

31:58 - Using storytelling to reinforce culture and recognition

34:15 - Practical tips for small organisations to enhance connection and culture

35:32 - How to reach Stephen Baer and further resources

Resources:

Stephen's Book: https://stephenbaer.com/#book-section

Patrick Lencioni - Overcoming The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide: https://www.tablegroup.com/product/overcoming-the-five-dysfunctions-a-field-guide/

Connect with us:

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Connect with Stephen Baer:

LinkedIn | Website | Podcast

In this special bonus episode, Scott McInnes and his colleague Sadhbh O'Flaherty are joined by Communications Consultant at Gallagher, Maddison Grigsby, to explore the latest insights from the 'State of the Sector' report on internal communications, focusing on the readiness gap, strategic alignment, and human-centric communication. Maddison shares expert advice on improving manager effectiveness, change management, and leveraging AI for better engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• The evolution of internal communication practices and the importance of continuous improvement.

• The "Readiness Gap": understanding the misalignment between technological potential, leadership expectations, and employee experiences.

• Six key risks impacting organisational readiness: audience burnout, budget constraints, line manager effectiveness, information overload, lack of inclusion of communicators in decision-making, and lack of clear direction.

• The significance of strategy clarity, shared understanding, and alignment in achieving organizational goals.

• The critical role of managers in communication effectiveness and how to empower them with practical tools and frameworks.

• Importance of change management versus change communication, and how emotional responses influence organisational change success.

• The impact of human-centric approaches, including tone of voice, narrative, and bite-sized content adapted for attention spans.

• The persistent neglect of management communication tools and the opportunity for AI to streamline messaging, measurement, and feedback.

• The cultural shift needed to support managers and improve communication effectiveness across organisations.

Chapters:

00:00 Celebrating 150 Episodes and Reflecting on Growth

01:23 Introduction to the State of the Sector Report and Key Stats

02:25 Focus on the Readiness Gap in Organizations

05:44 Understanding the Six Key Risks Contributing to the Readiness Gap

10:07 The Power of Strategy and Shared Understanding

11:00 Leadership's Role in Clarifying Vision and Strategy

12:29 The Importance of Repetition and Clarity in Communication

12:57 Addressing Change and Emotional Responses in the Workplace

15:01 The Significance of Empathy and Human Emotion in Change Management

15:56 Embracing Continuous Change as the New Norm

17:04 The Skill Set of Change Communications and Internal Comms

18:52 Psychology and Employee Resilience in a Volatile Environment

22:56 The Role of Tone of Voice and Storytelling in Engagement

36:26 The Impact of Human-Centric Communication and Simplicity

42:22 The Power of Storytelling and Narrative in Internal Comms

44:39 The Shift Toward Authentic and Human Tone of Voice

48:57 Leveraging AI for Simplified and Impactful Communication

49:17 Practical Tips for High-Performing Teams and Manager Effectiveness

50:41 The Importance of Listening and Feedback Loops

51:56 Closing Remarks and Resources for Better Internal Communication

Keywords:

internal communication, change management, employee engagement, leadership, AI in HR, communication strategy, organisational change, employee trust, storytelling, human-centric communication

Resources:

State of the Sector Report - https://ajg.com/employeeexperience/state-of-the-sector Website link with more Information: inspiringchange.ie/stateofthesector

Connect with us:

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Connect with Maddison Grigsby:

LinkedIn | https://www.ajg.com/employeeexperience/

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures Podcast, host Scott McInnes speaks with Glenda Kirby, Chief Customer Officer at Poppulo, about the evolving role of leadership communication in a fast-changing workplace.

They explore how trust, transparency, and empathy form the foundation of strong organizational cultures, particularly in a world shaped by hybrid work, constant change, and emerging technologies like AI. Glenda shares practical insights from her experience helping global organizations communicate with millions of employees, as well as lessons from her leadership roles at LinkedIn and Indeed.

You will walk away with actionable ideas on communicating through change, building trust within teams, and developing leadership skills such as clarity under pressure, empathy, and authenticity.

Keywords:

Leadership communication, internal communications, organisational culture, trust in leadership, empathy in leadership, clarity under pressure, employee engagement, hybrid work, change management, communication strategy, workplace culture, leadership development, Poppulo, employee experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Trust is built through consistent and transparent communication.

• Communication is no longer occasional - it's continuous.

• Middle managers are a critical communication channel.

• Clarity matters more than ever.

• Empathy is a leadership skill that must be developed.

• Act on feedback.

• Timing and accuracy are essential during change.

• Authenticity strengthens culture.

• Belonging is becoming increasingly important.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest 01:00 – Glenda Kirby's background and Poppulo's global reach 03:00 – Why trust is central to strong workplace cultures 05:20 – Communication overload and cutting through the noise 08:50 – The growing complexity of leadership roles 12:20 – Why organizations still underinvest in communication skills 15:00 – Simple communication techniques leaders can use immediately 18:50 – The importance of empathy and authenticity in leadership 21:00 – Acting on employee feedback and building trust 24:40 – Understanding how different people receive communication 29:00 – Leading teams through constant organizational change 33:00 – The risk of over-communication during uncertain times 35:40 – Final reflections and leadership quick-fire questions 37:30 – The leadership skills that matter most today

Connect with us:

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Connect with Glenda Kirby:

LinkedIn

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, host Scott McInnes is joined by Iain Kirkwood, Chief HRO of EX3, to explore the critical role of people in organisational success. They discuss the importance of clarity in purpose, the necessity of difficult conversations in performance management, and the empowerment of people leaders. The conversation delves into the significance of continuous feedback, the measurement of organisational culture, and the connection between culture and business performance. They also touch on the role of values and behaviors in shaping culture and the importance of a dynamic Employee Value Proposition (EVP).

Keywords:

Organisational culture, employee engagement, leadership, performance management, HR transformation, continuous feedback, employee value proposition, purpose-driven organizations, difficult conversations, accountability

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity around company goals is essential for success.

• Hiring for attitude is more important than hiring for skills.

• Strong leadership is key to aligning people with company objectives.

• Difficult conversations are necessary for managing performance.

• Empowering people leaders is crucial for organisational success.

• Continuous feedback helps in course correction throughout the year.

• Culture can impact business performance significantly.

• Values should translate into observable behaviors.

• An effective EVP should resonate with employees' experiences.

• Regularly revisiting the EVP keeps it relevant and engaging.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast

01:53 Setting Companies Up for Success Through People

05:16 The Importance of Purpose in Organisations

08:10 Navigating Difficult Conversations with Employees

10:56 Empowering People Leaders for Effective Management

14:03 The Shift Towards Continuous Feedback

19:22 Understanding and Valuing Organisational Culture

20:21 Valuing Organisational Culture

22:00 Impact of Culture on Performance

23:45 Performance Management and Accountability

26:03 The Role of Values in Culture

30:01 Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

34:39 Creating a Positive Work Environment

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Connect with Iain Kirkwood:

LinkedIn

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Professor Peter Hawkins, a leading authority in systemic coaching and leadership development. They explore the essential elements organisations need to thrive in the 21st century, emphasising the importance of being purpose-led, stakeholder-centric, and fostering collective leadership. Hawkins discusses the critical role of organisational culture and learning, the dynamics of trust within teams, and the concept of WeQ—collaborative intelligence. The conversation also delves into the nature of connection in leadership and the need for organisations to discover their purpose rather than merely creating it. Hawkins shares practical examples and insights on how organisations can align their efforts to meet the needs of the future, ultimately highlighting the unique contributions that teams can make to drive meaningful change.

Takeaways:

• Organisations must be purpose-led, not profit-led.

• Stakeholder-centricity is crucial for modern organisations.

• Partnership with stakeholders enhances organizational effectiveness.

• Teams should be more than the sum of their parts.

• Organisational learning must outpace external changes.

• Trust is essential, but addressing mistrust is equally important.

• WeQ, or collaborative intelligence, is vital for leadership.

• Connection in leadership should focus on shared purpose.

• Purpose should be discovered, not created.

• Organisational culture is shaped by collective patterns.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:13 Essential Elements for Organisations in the 21st Century

05:42 The Importance of Purpose in Organisations

08:25 The Role of Organisational Culture and Learning

12:54 Collective Leadership and Team Dynamics

17:16 Trust and Mistrust in Teams

18:42 The Nature of Team Relationships

22:10 The Concept of WeQ and Collaborative Intelligence

23:13 Connection in the Age of Technology

27:40 Understanding and Defining Purpose

31:30 Leading Towards an Evolving Purpose

37:12 The Unique Contribution of Teams and Organisations

39:47 Organisational Culture and Its Habituated Patterns

41:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with us:

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Connect with Prof. Peter Hawkins:

LinkedIn | Website - Personal | Website - Company

Keywords:

leadership, organisational culture, purpose, collaboration, team dynamics, coaching, stakeholder engagement, collective intelligence, trust, systemic coaching

In this week's episode of the Building Better Cultures Podcast, host Scott McInnes sits down with Joe Lalley, author of 'How Curiosity Can Transform Your Career, Your Team, and Your Organisation.' Together, they explore the power of curiosity in transforming careers, teams, and organisations. Tune in to discover practical insights on fostering curiosity, psychological safety, and innovative cultures.

Keywords:

Curiosity, innovation, psychological safety, organizational culture, design thinking, leadership, experimentation, learning from failure, AI, creative thinking

Key Topics:

• The definition of curiosity as the desire to go from not knowing to knowing

• The role of psychological safety in encouraging curiosity

• Patterns of questions that drive innovation and learning

• The importance of being close to customers for effective curiosity

• The impact of organisational culture on curiosity and experimentation

• The risks and rewards of curiosity in the workplace

• Practical strategies for leaders to foster curiosity

• The influence of childhood and education on curiosity development

• The relationship between curiosity and AI in learning and work

• How to balance curiosity with decision-making and focus

Takeaways

• Curiosity is simply the act of wanting to go from not knowing to knowing.

• Psychological safety is essential for fostering curiosity in teams.

• Ask open-ended questions that challenge assumptions and explore possibilities.

• Being close to the customer enhances the effectiveness of curiosity.

• Organisational culture should be built around experimentation and learning.

• Shortening feedback cycles accelerates learning and innovation.

• Celebrate failures as first attempts in learning to encourage risk-taking.

• Leadership modeling of curiosity and experimentation sets the tone.

• Use examples and data to demonstrate the value of iterative work.

• Encourage questioning and exploration as core organisational behaviours.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Curiosity in Organisations

02:53 Defining Curiosity and Its Importance

05:34 Psychological Safety and Curiosity

08:47 Curiosity in Meetings and Organisational Culture

11:29 Learning from Customers and Iterative Processes

14:48 Creating Space for Curiosity in Organisations

17:36 Embedding Curiosity into Organisational Culture

20:29 The Balance of Curiosity and Action

23:27 Practical Steps for Leaders to Foster Curiosity

26:32 The Impact of Technology on Curiosity

29:08 The Future of Curiosity in the Age of AI

Link to Joe's book:

Joelalley.com/book

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