Culture Secrets

Turning 55 isn’t a slowdown—it’s a launch point.

In this kickoff episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips introduces a year-long series of short, real-world reflections built around lessons learned through leadership, growth, missteps, and reinvention.

This isn’t polished theory or highlight-reel leadership. It’s honest insight, lived experience, and stories that make you think, laugh, and reflect. Some episodes will be fun. Some will be serious. All will be real.

Welcome to Five at 55.
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.  

What if you could intentionally design the culture you want—not just hope it takes shape on its own?

This week on The Culture Secrets Podcast, Chellie sits down with Adam Schwartz, founder of The Cooperative Way and one of the nation’s leading voices on cooperative leadership and workplace culture. Adam has spent decades helping electric co-ops, credit unions, ag co-ops, and other member-owned businesses strengthen their identity, improve employee experience, and align leadership practices with the values that make co-ops different.

In this deep and practical conversation, Adam shares:

• How a national safety initiative revealed the blueprint for building culture with intention
• Why culture is to an organization what water is to a fish—and what leaders miss when they’re too close to see the truth
• The balance between empathy and accountability that defines strong servant leadership
• Why keeping low-performing employees is not compassion—it’s a “culture suck”
• How surveys, data, and listening help leaders diagnose what’s really happening inside their workplace
• Brilliant hiring practices (from co-ops and beyond) that prioritize cultural fit over résumé credentials
• How co-ops can remain attractive to younger, mission-driven talent without losing their history or identity
• Why you can influence culture even if you’re not in the CEO chair

Whether you work in a cooperative, lead a team of any kind, or care about building workplaces where people can thrive, Adam’s insights will give you clear steps to strengthen your culture—and a renewed appreciation for the power of values-driven leadership.

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 a strong workplace culture actually look like in action—not on paper, but in real life?

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with Bob Brown of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing to explore how culture is built, sustained, and strengthened inside a large, growing organization. From leadership visibility and trust to employee engagement, community involvement, and continuous improvement, this conversation goes beyond theory and into practical, people-first leadership.

You’ll hear how culture “bubbles up” from employees, why accountability belongs to everyone—not just leadership—and how organizations can create environments where people feel valued, connected, and motivated to stay and grow.

Whether you’re a leader, manager, or culture champion, this episode offers real-world insights you can apply immediately—no buzzwords required.

To learn more about building a people-first culture, visit www.chelliephillips.com
or pick up a copy of Culture Secrets wherever books are sold.

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 really changes a workplace culture—and what’s just surface-level noise? In this powerful conversation, Chellie Phillips sits down with Stephen Childs, Chief HR Officer at Panasonic, to uncover the real strategies that transformed Panasonic from a single-location operation into a multi-billion-dollar, award-winning Best Place to Work.

Stephen takes us behind the scenes of their culture journey—from visiting top innovation companies to implementing behaviors-based leadership, enforcing a “no asshole policy,” and aligning every executive around a shared culture model. He shares why ping-pong tables and casual dress codes don’t move the needle, how accountability truly works, and why transparency during crises (including COVID shutdowns) earned Panasonic its best employee opinion scores in the toughest year on record.

We explore:

• Why culture must be treated as a business process—not an HR initiative
• How to get executive buy-in for real, lasting change
• What accountability looks like at every level
• How to align a growing organization around shared values and behaviors
• Why leaders must hear the truth—even when it’s uncomfortable
• How Panasonic cut turnover in half and built deep leadership trust

If you're leading a team, building a culture, or trying to create meaningful organizational change, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply today.

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.  

Leaders set the tone—whether they realize it or not.

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips explores the hidden leadership power of rest and renewal. When leaders are constantly overworked, overstretched, and overwhelmed, it sends a powerful message to their teams: burnout is the norm.

But what if we flipped that script?

You'll learn:

• Why intentional rest is a leadership strategy, not a luxury
• How modeling healthy habits can improve team morale and retention
• Signs you're leading from burnout instead of balance
• Small shifts you can make today to create a culture of sustainability

Want to keep your team energized, engaged, and motivated?
 Start by recharging yourself first.

🎧 Tune in now and discover how to model leadership that lasts.

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 it take to create a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and truly valued — not just as employees, but as human beings?

In this episode, we sit down with Harry Hynekamp, former Vice President of Guest Experience at AMB Sports & Entertainment, part of the Arthur M. Blank Family of Companies — home to the Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation.

Harry shares powerful behind-the-scenes insights into how one of America’s most respected business leaders, Arthur Blank, has intentionally built values-driven cultures that last — whether on the field, in the office, or in the community.

From shifting the language from “hire” to “select” to placing storytelling and recognition at the heart of their employee experience, you’ll discover how real culture is created and sustained. Plus, you’ll learn about the “Walk In My Shoes” initiative, where leaders experience frontline roles firsthand to better understand and serve their teams.

This episode is a masterclass in activating values, building trust, and leading with empathy.

If you care about leadership, team engagement, and creating environments where people love to work — don’t miss this one.

🔑 Topics we cover:

• Why they say “select” instead of “hire” — and why it matters
• The role of recognition and storytelling in shaping behavior
• How executive leaders stay connected through the “Walk In My Shoes” program
• What it really means to build a V.A.L.U.E. Culture
• Why people may forget the event or building — but never how they were treated

✨ This episode is packed with real-world lessons any leader can use to elevate their culture from good to unforgettable.

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.  

DEI is facing growing scrutiny—and not just in boardrooms or courtrooms. Many companies are realizing that traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives often fall short of creating real culture change.

In this episode of Culture Secrets, host Chellie Phillips introduces a bold alternative: the V.A.L.U.E. Culture Framework.

Instead of chasing compliance or one-size-fits-all strategies, V.A.L.U.E. invites leaders to build workplace cultures grounded in Vision, Accountability, Leadership, Uniqueness, and Engagement. You'll hear how this people-first approach fosters real belonging, boosts performance, and drives trust from the inside out.

🔑 What we’ll explore:

• Why DEI policies are falling short in today’s environment
• How the V.A.L.U.E. formula redefines inclusion and respect
• Real-life examples of workplaces that thrive through culture—not checklists
• How to start embedding V.A.L.U.E. into your team’s everyday behavior

If you're ready to move from performative to purposeful, this episode is your roadmap.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to build a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed.

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.  

Welcome to Season 2 of Culture Secrets! We’re kicking things off with a conversation that goes beyond strategy and into the soul of leadership.

In this episode, Chellie Phillips sits down with Amy Lynn Durham—founder of Create Magic At Work and a trailblazer in workplace emotional and spiritual intelligence. Together, they explore how EQ (Emotional Intelligence) and SQ (Spiritual Intelligence) are essential tools for leaders who want to create cultures of connection, meaning, and purpose.

You’ll discover:

• How self-awareness and self-talk shape your leadership impact
• The difference between managing people and leading with presence
• Simple ways to cultivate EQ and SQ in your leadership journey
• Why tapping into intuition and empathy matters more than ever in today’s workplace

Whether you lead a team of 2 or 200, this episode will inspire you to lead from the inside out.

🔗 Learn more about Amy’s work at createmagicatwork.net

🎧 Hit play—and let’s build a more connected, conscious workplace together.

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.  

Welcome to another empowering episode of the Culture Secret podcast! In this thought-provoking edition, we dive deep into the heart of workplace culture, shining a spotlight on a fundamental aspect that holds the key to success: accountability.

Join me as we uncover the transformative power of accountability in cultivating a thriving workplace environment. From small startups to large corporations, fostering a culture of responsibility and ownership is the driving force behind innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction.

Discover how accountability not only bolsters individual performance but also enhances team dynamics, promoting collaboration and synergy. Unravel the connection between clear communication, goal alignment, and accountability, and unlock the untapped potential of your workforce.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode equips you with actionable takeaways to implement accountability strategies from the ground up. Unleash the true potential of your workplace, fueling an upward spiral of excellence, and future-proofing your organization.

Join me on this enlightening journey towards building a workplace culture that inspires, motivates, and embraces accountability as the beating heart of success. Tune in now to gain invaluable insights and make your mark in the world of thriving workplaces.

**Key Topics:**
- Understanding the essence of accountability in workplace culture
- Nurturing responsibility and ownership among employees
- Communication, goal setting, and accountability: A symbiotic relationship
- Fostering collaboration and synergy through shared accountability

Don't miss this illuminating episode filled with wisdom and actionable advice that will transform your workplace culture for the better. Subscribe to the Culture Secret podcast now and be part of the journey towards building a thriving and accountable work environment. Together, let's unlock the true potential of your organization!

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.  

Valuing you employees and demonstrating leadership are two key components to building a strong people centered culture in the workplace. There’s been a lot of talk about how not to treat your employees thanks to reports detailing President Biden's fits of anger and profanity laced tirades after earlier announcing he would “fire on the spot” anyone who treated staffers with disrespect. 

The  point is it doesn’t matter if you are Commander-in-Chief or a CEO or the leader of a production line,  your title doesn't make you a leader. There's a big difference between being a boss and a leader. Employees have big expectation of leadership, especially if you are working to build a human-centered culture in the workplace. People believe behavior over words. Titles mean crap if your behavior doesn’t line up. 

The question we're asking this week is: Are you a boss or a leader?

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.