Culture Secrets

AI can help you write faster, organize ideas, polish your message and create more with less time.

But there is one thing it should never replace:

Your point of view.

In this solo episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips explores the growing tension between AI-assisted content and authenticity.

Using AI does not automatically make content fake. The better question is whether the human behind the content is still present in it.

Chellie shares how she uses AI as a practical tool to support her work while still protecting the ideas, experiences, stories and opinions that make her voice her own.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  Why AI assistance and authenticity are not opposites 
•  How lived experience creates content AI cannot replicate 
•  The difference between using AI for leverage and using it to manufacture credibility 
•  The Alignment Test for judging authenticity online 
•  Five questions Chellie uses to make sure AI-supported content still sounds like her 
•  Why your stories, opinions and perspective may become even more valuable as generic content gets easier to produce 

AI can polish your voice. It can amplify your voice. It can help you distribute your voice.

But don’t hand it your voice.

Use the technology.

Take the leverage.

Just don’t outsource yourself.

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

AI can help us work faster, organize better and do more with the time we have.

But there are some things Chellie Phillips believes we should never hand over.

In this episode of 5 for 55, Chellie shares the five things she won’t outsource to AI:

• Judgment
• Point of view
• Relationships
• Stories
• Responsibility

From using AI to research, organize ideas and improve efficiency to knowing where the human line should remain, this episode explores the difference between using technology as a tool and allowing it to replace the very qualities that make our work meaningful.

AI can assist us.

It can amplify us.

It can help us work smarter.

But it cannot experience our lives, build our relationships or take responsibility for the decisions made in our name.

The goal isn’t to avoid AI.

It’s to know which parts of yourself aren’t available for outsourcing.

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

AI is changing how we work—but successful AI adoption may have less to do with the technology than we think.

In this solo episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips explores why AI is ultimately a leadership and culture challenge. She shares how she uses AI as an everyday tool to research, organize ideas, improve processes and work more efficiently—while drawing a firm line at outsourcing judgment, relationships and human connection.

Research suggests employees may actually be more ready for AI than the organizations they work for. So when leaders see resistance, the better question may be: Have we created the trust, clarity, training and psychological safety people need to adapt successfully?

Chellie explores:

• Why AI is an amplifier—and what happens when we use it inside broken processes
• The human leadership skills becoming even more important in an AI-enabled workplace
• Why employee “resistance” may actually signal an organizational readiness problem
• Four questions leaders should ask as they introduce AI
• What AI can enhance—but can never replace

The organizations that thrive with AI won't simply have the best technology. They'll combine technology with strong leadership, healthy culture and people who know how to think, question, learn and trust one another.

AI may be the tool. Trust is the transformation.

Learn more about Chellie Phillips, her books, speaking and leadership programs at chelliephillips.com.

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

In this episode, Chellie Phillips welcomes Tess Fyalka to the Culture Secrets Podcast for a conversation about what happens when high-performing employees step into leadership roles and discover that leading people requires a very different set of skills.

Tess is the founder of Angle Coaching and Communication and the author of Walking the Leadership Ledge: The “New” Leaders’ Guide to Building Resilience and Confidence at Every Step. Her work focuses on helping leaders build the confidence, communication skills, and team alignment needed to lead effectively.

Chellie and Tess discuss why new leaders often struggle with delegation, accountability, difficult conversations, and communication. Tess shares how leaders can stop assuming people “just know” what success looks like and start creating clarity through regular conversations, feedback, and shared expectations.

They also explore Tess’s Team Alignment Pact, a tool that helps teams define what trust, communication, accountability, and respect look like in action. As Tess explains, culture doesn’t improve because people agree on nice-sounding words. It improves when teams define the behaviors behind those words and revisit them often.

Key takeaways from this episode:

The shift from individual contributor to leader requires a new mindset.

Delegation is not just about taking work off your plate; it is about developing your people.

Avoiding accountability conversations often protects the leader more than the employee.

Regular feedback makes difficult conversations less scary and more productive.

Communication styles that worked before promotion may not work the same way in leadership.

Team alignment depends on defining what trust, respect, accountability, and communication look like in action.

Curiosity is one of the simplest and most powerful tools a leader can use to build a stronger team.

Connect with Tess Fyalka:

Website: walkingtheleadershipledge.com
Business Website: anglecoaching.com
LinkedIn: Search for Tess Fyalka
Book: Walking the Leadership Ledge is available on Amazon in Kindle, Audible, and paperback formats.

Learn more from Chellie Phillips:

Visit chelliephillips.com for resources, speaking information, podcast episodes, and more insights on building strong people-first workplace cultures.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a new leader, manager, or colleague who is learning how to lead with more clarity, confidence, and courage.

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

 5 for 55 is the weekly micro-podcast where Chellie Phillips shares one story, one leadership lesson, and one small shift you can apply immediately—in five minutes or less. 

What happens when one of the world's most recognizable brands gets it wrong?

In 1985, Coca-Cola replaced its iconic formula with New Coke. Just 79 days later, it reversed course after overwhelming customer backlash.

Most people remember New Coke as a marketing failure.

I see it as one of the greatest leadership lessons ever.

In this episode of 5 for 55, I share five practical leadership lessons inspired by the New Coke story, including why listening matters more than being right, how humility builds trust, and why change should always have a purpose.

Plus, I'll leave you with one One Small Shift you can put into practice immediately.

Because leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about being willing to listen.

✔️ Why listening is more valuable than assumptions

✔️ The danger of changing something simply because it's "new"

✔️ How admitting mistakes can actually strengthen trust

✔️ Why customer and employee feedback matters

✔️ One simple leadership habit to practice this week

This week's challenge: Instead of defending your next idea, ask: "Help me understand what I'm missing."

You might be surprised by what you learn.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another leader, communicator, or friend.

You can also connect with me at chelliephillips.com and subscribe to my Culture, Coffee & Common Sense newsletter for more practical leadership and communication insights.

Remember...

Growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens one small shift at a time.

And there's no speed limit on growth.

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

Your leadership brand isn’t just what you say about yourself. It’s what people believe about you based on what they experience.

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with Christine Blosdale, The Expert Authority Coach, to explore how leadership brand, visibility, authenticity, and trust all shape the culture leaders create.

Christine shares why becoming a “go-to authority” isn’t about ego or self-promotion — it’s about owning your expertise, communicating clearly, and showing up in a way that builds confidence and connection. Together, Chellie and Christine talk about the signals leaders send, how story builds trust, why imposter syndrome often appears when we’re asked to stretch, and how leaders can become more intentional about the way their teams experience them.

You’ll hear Christine’s personal stories about learning the power of voice and feedback from her mother, stepping into unexpected leadership as a radio station general manager, and discovering how visibility can create deeper trust when it’s grounded in service instead of self-promotion.

If you’ve ever wondered how your presence, communication, consistency, and visibility impact your team, this conversation will help you think differently about your leadership brand — and the culture it creates.

Key Takeaways

• Your leadership brand is not what you claim — it’s what people experience.
• Visibility builds trust when it is grounded in service, not ego.
• Leaders send signals every day through tone, energy, consistency, and action.
• Imposter syndrome often shows up when we are being asked to grow.
• Story helps people understand your credibility, values, and leadership journey.
• Trust grows when leaders are approachable and willing to do the work alongside their teams.
• Clear communication is one of the strongest foundations of leadership authority.

Listeners can connect with Christine through her main website:

ExpertAuthorityCoach.com

That’s where you can learn more about her books, coaching, resources, and her work as The Expert Authority Coach. She also mentioned her book, The Expert Authority Code, which is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.

For anyone who wants to book a complimentary 30-minute chat with her, she shared this link: chatwithchristineb.com

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

People won't remember every meeting you led.

They won't remember every email you sent.

But they'll remember how you made them feel.

In this episode of 5 for 55, Chellie Phillips shares a simple leadership lesson inspired by a quote that stopped her scrolling—and a personal story about the first leader who showed her what trust, encouragement, and belief in others really looks like.

You'll discover why your professional brand isn't defined by your title, résumé, or LinkedIn profile, but by the experience people have every time they interact with you.

In just five minutes, you'll learn:

•  Why your presence speaks before you do 
•  How trust creates lasting influence 
•  Why people remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you said 
•  One simple question to ask before every meeting or conversation 

Plus, Chellie shares this week's One Small Shift—a practical habit you can start using today to strengthen your leadership one interaction at a time.

Because your leadership brand isn't built in one big moment.

It's built every day...

By how you show up.

Enjoyed today's episode?

Subscribe to Culture, Coffee & Common Sense, Chellie's free weekly newsletter filled with practical leadership ideas, communication tips, and one small action you can put into practice immediately.

👉 Sign up here: https://chelliephillips.com/culture-coffee-commonsense/

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

What happens when a business, team, or leader reaches the point where things feel stuck, strained, or maybe even a little broken?

In this episode of the Culture Secrets Podcast, Chellie Phillips talks with Josh Post, an operations executive, business owner, fractional COO, and business turnaround specialist who helps small to mid-sized companies stabilize, strengthen leadership, align teams, and create operational clarity.

Josh shares why culture is often the “canary in the coal mine” before bigger business problems show up. He and Chellie discuss the warning signs leaders often miss, including unclear communication, inconsistent accountability, low trust, too many meetings with too few decisions, and the gap between what leaders know in the boardroom and what employees experience every day.

The conversation also explores how personal loss can shape leadership, why self-awareness may be the most important trait a leader can develop, how leaders unintentionally self-sabotage, and why accountability only works when trust and clarity come first.

You’ll also hear Josh’s practical advice for leaders who want to turn things around in the next 90 days, including how to define the leader your organization needs, build a clear business model, and invite your team into solving the problems that matter most.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move a team from chaos to clarity, this episode will give you practical insight and a fresh perspective on what culture turnaround really requires.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why culture problems often show up before financial or operational problems
• How leaders can recognize early warning signs inside their teams
• Why clarity is essential for vision, values, and accountability
• How to balance coaching and accountability as a leader
• The role self-awareness plays in leadership growth
• Why trust is rebuilt by being honest and inviting the team into the solution
• Three practical moves leaders can make in the next 90 days

Guest Contact Information:
Connect with Josh Post on LinkedIn: Josh Post
Visit his website: josh-post.com
Special page for Culture Secrets listeners: josh-post.com/culturesecretspodcast

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

What does your leadership brand say about you when you’re not in the room?

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with business strategist, speaker, author, and personal branding expert Mike Kim for a practical and deeply human conversation about reputation, trust, storytelling, reinvention, and the leadership signals we send every day.

Chellie first met Mike through one of his workshops while she was trying to figure out how to turn her books, ideas, and experiences into a business. What stood out then still stands out now: Mike is real-world, genuine, honest, and practical. He’s worked with some of the biggest voices and thought leaders out there, but remains humble, approachable, and refreshingly human.

Together, Chellie and Mike explore why personal brand is not about becoming an influencer or chasing attention. It’s about reputation. It’s about values. It’s about how people experience you, how you communicate, and whether your actions match what you say matters.

They also dig into the role of AI in today’s workplace. Mike shares why he sees AI as “a calculator for words” — a powerful tool, but not a replacement for human voice, lived experience, taste, empathy, or discernment. In a world where technology can help us create faster, this conversation is a reminder that leaders still have to do the deeply human work of building trust.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why every leader has a brand, whether they intentionally shape it or not
• The difference between recognition and attention
• How values shape influence more than information alone
• Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use to connect
• How leaders can become more aware of the signals they send
• What AI can help with — and what it can never replace
• Why reinvention often starts by recognizing the skills and experiences you already carry
• How to think about your reputation, voice, and leadership presence with more intention

Mike also shares practical questions leaders can use to get clearer about what they stand for, including: What bothers you? What breaks your heart? And what problem are you trying to solve?

If you’re a leader, communicator, entrepreneur, author, or professional trying to show up with more clarity and authenticity, this episode will help you think differently about your voice, your values, and the reputation you’re building every day.

Because culture is shaped by trust — and trust is shaped by how we show up.

Connect with Mike Kim

You can learn more about Mike Kim and follow his work through his newsletter and LinkedIn.

Newsletter: Mike publishes his newsletter every Tuesday. Sign up at mikekim.com/letter.

LinkedIn: Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. His handle/screen name is realmikekimtv.

Website: Visit mikekim.com to learn more about his books, speaking, workshops, and resources.

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.  

A few months ago, I met a friend for dinner and experienced something surprisingly frustrating. We weren't upset because the food was slow. We were frustrated because no one seemed to know we were there.

That experience sparked a bigger leadership lesson.

Whether you're leading a team, serving customers, communicating during a crisis, or managing change, people don't expect you to have all the answers immediately. They do expect to know someone is paying attention.

In this episode, I share a simple restaurant story and the five communication habits that help leaders build trust before people have to ask what's going on.

Key Takeaways

•  Why acknowledgment matters more than immediate answers 
•  How silence creates uncertainty and erodes trust 
•  The importance of sharing what you know, even when you don't know everything 
•  Why people need to understand next steps 
•  How proactive communication strengthens relationships 
•  The connection between feeling seen and feeling valued

Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.  

Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.