Culture by Design, Not Default: Leadership Lessons with Delise Simmons

What if your culture isn’t just an HR buzzword—but your organization’s most powerful performance lever?

In this conversation, I sit down with Delise Simmons—keynote speaker, culture strategist, and founder of Culture Think Tank—for a candid, energizing talk about the real drivers of great culture. From her early days shaping the Southwest Airlines ethos to launching JetBlue and building data-driven tools that measure emotional ROI, Delise brings the receipts.

And yes, she really did say:

👉 “You can’t spell culture without cult, baby.”

We explore:

• Why chasing employee happiness is a trap—and what to focus on instead
• How to measure culture as a behavioral phenomenon, not just vibes
• The top 3 things employees are begging leaders to do more of
• How Gen Z’s relationship with anxiety is changing leadership forever
• Why your values mean nothing without defined behaviors

Whether you lead a team of 3 or 3000, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership.

• Learn more about Culture Think Tank
• Connect with Delise Simmons on LinkedIn
• Check out our full Culture Series at ledevpartners.com/podcast

If you’re designing your offsite or planning your culture strategy—this episode is your blueprint.

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