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

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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

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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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In this week's episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Kim Bohr, President and COO of Spark Effect, about the critical role of trust in organisations. They discuss the findings from the report 'Trust in Turbulence' which breaks down trust into measurable domains and emphasises its importance as a competitive advantage. The conversation explores how disruptions, such as the return to office policies, impact trust, and how organizations can build and rebuild trust through effective communication and leadership practices.

Takeaways:

• Trust is a measurable and critical component of organisational success.

• Disruptions can erode trust in everyday interactions.

• Return to office policies must be communicated effectively to maintain trust.

• High trust organizations see better performance and retention rates.

• Low trust environments lead to increased turnover and disengagement.

• Younger generations prioritize alignment of values with their employers.

• Technology rollouts can significantly impact trust dynamics.

• Managers play a crucial role in translating corporate messages to their teams.

• Celebrating achievements fosters a culture of trust and connection.

• Rebuilding trust requires transparency and accountability from leadership.

Keywords:

Organisational trust, trust in leadership, building better cultures, trust metrics, employee engagement, return to office, trust and performance, psychological safety, technology and trust, trust rebuilding strategies

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Trust in Organizations

02:04Understanding Trust as a Competitive Advantage

04:24The Impact of Disruption on Trust

08:25Return to Office: Trust and Communication

11:51Linking Trust to Organizational Performance

13:57Low Trust and Its Effects on Culture

16:15Attracting Talent in a Low Trust Environment

18:11Technology's Role in Trust Dynamics

20:50Practical Steps to Build Trust

25:56Celebrating Achievements and Building Connections

29:57Rebuilding Trust After a Breach

Link to the report mentioned in the episode:

Report

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Welcome back to a brand-new series of the Building Better Cultures Podcast!

In the first episode of the season, host Scott McInnes is joined by Phil Codd, Managing Director of Expleo in Ireland. They discuss the multifaceted nature of organisational culture, emphasising the importance of aligning leadership and employee cultures. Phil shares insights on employee happiness, effective communication, and the significance of feedback loops in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of hybrid work, the future of organisational culture, and the need for organisations to adapt to a more flexible and inclusive work environments.

Here are some of the key insights from the episode:

· Culture isn't just one thing; organisations have multiple cultures.

· Happy employees lead to happy customers and growth.

· Effective communication is a critical leadership skill.

· Feedback loops are essential for employee engagement.

· Celebrating employee longevity can enhance morale.

· Technology can facilitate continuous feedback in organisations.

· Hybrid work requires new ways of connecting teams.

· Organisational culture is not confined to physical spaces.

· Aligning leadership culture with employee culture is vital.

· Policies should focus on the human aspects of work.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast

03:12 Understanding Organisational Culture

09:54 The Importance of Communication in Culture

12:30 Feedback Loops and Employee Engagement

17:29 Flexibility and Hybrid Working Models

23:51 Challenges of Geographic and Hybrid Work

28:58 Future of Work and Cultural Alignment

Keywords: Organisational culture, leadership, employee engagement, communication, feedback loops, hybrid work, employee happiness, culture alignment, workplace dynamics, future of work Link to the Irish Times article referenced in the podcast

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Summary

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

Takeaways

• Disconnection is a significant challenge in modern workplaces.

• Connection is essential for productivity and resilience.

• Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering connection.

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

• Intentional strategies are needed to create opportunities for connection.

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

• Onboarding processes should focus on building community and connection.

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

• Flexibility in work arrangements comes with shared responsibility.

• Connection should be prioritized over merely addressing disconnection.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Disconnection in the Workplace

• 04:47 Understanding the Challenge of Disconnection

• 09:01 The Importance of Connection in Modern Work

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

• 16:15 Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce

• 21:55 Intergenerational Connections in Care Settings

• 24:35 Bridging Generational Gaps in the Workplace

• 29:42 Intentional Onboarding and Cultural Integration

• 33:06 Creating Community in a Hybrid Work Environment

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

Summary

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

Takeaways

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

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

• Creating a culture of feedback is essential for accountability.

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

• Onboarding processes should embed values from the start.

• Psychological safety is crucial for open conversations about values.

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

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

• Storytelling can help connect employees to organizational values.

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

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Accountability for Values

• 01:24 Understanding Organizational Culture

• 04:18 Insights from the Mind the Gap Report

• 06:19 Bringing Values to Life

• 11:03 Accountability in Practice

• 17:17 Weaponization of Values in the Workplace

• 22:16 Building a High-Performance Culture

• 24:53 The Role of Managers in Organizational Success

• 30:01 Empowering Middle Managers

• 37:22 The Importance of Storytelling in Leadership

• 37:49 Effective Onboarding Practices

Summary

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the third challenge from the Mind the Gap research report, focusing on the importance of learning and development in organizations. Joined by guests Barbara Carroll and Lisa Melody, they explore the significance of multi-generational workforces, the effectiveness of peer learning, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of continuous learning.

The conversation emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt their training methods and embrace diverse learning opportunities to meet the evolving needs of their employees. In this conversation, Scott McInnes, Lisa Melody, and Barbara Carroll discuss the evolving landscape of learning and development, emphasizing the importance of practical experience, mentoring, and the integration of AI in shaping future skills. They explore how organizations can foster growth through stretch assignments and collaborative decision-making, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in streamlining learning processes. 📘 Download Mind the Gap Report: https://www.inspiringchange.ie/mindthegap

Takeaways

• Organizations are grappling with similar challenges in learning and development.
• Learning should be a core value within organizations.
• Different learning methods can enhance employee development.
• Peer-based learning fosters collaboration and accountability.
• Mentoring, including reverse mentoring, is increasingly valuable.
• Leaders must model a commitment to their own learning.
• Creating space for learning is essential for employee development.
• Understanding the 'why' behind training increases motivation.
• Simple interventions can lead to significant improvements in learning.
• Embedding learning in organizational culture is crucial for success. Learning is about practical experience, not just courses.
• The 70-20-10 model emphasizes learning through daily activities.
• Stretch assignments can significantly enhance learning.
• Mentoring plays a crucial role in development.
• Engaging leaders fosters a collaborative culture.
• AI can help identify skills needed for future roles, streamline learning needs assessments and enable more efficient learning material creation.
• Reflection on learning is essential for growth.
• The future of learning will be more personalized through AI.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mind the Gap Research
• 03:53 The Importance of Learning in Organizations
• 09:48 Dynamic Training and Peer Learning
• 16:14 Multi-Generational Workforces and Mentoring
• 20:04 Leadership's Role in Cultivating Learning Cultures
• 28:05 Redefining Learning and Development
• 33:10 The Role of AI in Future Skills
• 43:43 Embracing Change in Learning Environments