Culture Talks

On this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis and Dave McCauley dig into two of the most debated topics in leadership today.

First: Adam Grant's New York Times research on return-to-office mandates, and why the data suggests ego - not productivity - is often the real driver behind "everyone back in the office" policies. Lorne shares how he built a trust-based, flexible work policy at a 5,000-person bank in 2013, and why it's still paying off today.

Then: the Brilliant Jerk. Lorne and Dave share real stories of toxic high performers - a sales rep forging signatures, an abusive account manager, an F1 team principal, and a lesson from the San Antonio Spurs' scouting reports - to make the case that no organization can afford to keep talent that comes at the cost of culture.

Topics covered:00:00 Intro and 4th of July talk03:00 Adam Grant's NYT article on RTO and narcissism09:00 Building a trust-based work policy17:00 The "collaboration" myth of forced office days30:00 The Brilliant Jerk: why talent isn't worth toxicity37:00 The "recommend to a friend" leadership score42:00 Closing thoughts

Culture Talks is a podcast exploring organizational culture and leadership, hosted by Lorne Rubis and Dave McCauley.

In this insightful episode of Culture Talks, Janice Taylor, a rising expert in emotional wellness and psychology, discusses the critical importance of emotional fitness in personal and organizational success. She explores the differences between mental health and emotional wellness, the impact of emotional injuries, and practical frameworks for leaders to foster emotionally healthy workplaces.

Takeaways: 

• Difference between mental health and emotional wellness

• The emotional system as the foundation of human behavior

• Impact of emotional injuries from childhood

• Frameworks for building emotional fitness in organizations

• The role of leaders in fostering emotional health

In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis and Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett discuss the challenges of toxic leadership in the workplace and the insights from Laura's upcoming book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner.

They explore the impact of toxic bosses on employee well-being, the importance of understanding different leadership traits, strategies, and the need for organizations to create a safe and supportive culture.

The discussion also touches on the balance between compassion and business decisions, and the future of workplace culture.

In this conversation, Kimberly Vaughn, VP of Claims at Amerisure Insurance,

discusses the evolving landscape of leadership, emphasizing the importance of employee

engagement, psychological safety, and the balance between caring for people and achieving

business results. She shares insights on how to address negative friction in the workplace, the

role of AI in enhancing workflows, and the significance of recognition in fostering a positive work

environment. Vaughn also highlights the qualities she looks for in emerging leaders and the

lessons learned from her experiences in swimming and leadership.

What does it truly take to change an organization for the better?

In the latest episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Craig Hampson, Chief Business Enablement Officer at BURNCO, for a no-holds-barred conversation about the realities of organizational change.

We dive deep into the critical role of leadership in this process and uncover why so many well-intentioned change efforts fail. 

In this episode, we explore:

• The high cost of incongruency: What happens when you declare a new vision but don't follow through.

• Why toxic leaders often persist and the damage they cause to culture and progress.

• The non-negotiable link between clarity of vision and genuine commitment from the top down.

• How to ensure your leadership declarations are backed by actionable steps and real cultural investment.

This is a must-listen for any executive, leader, or individual who is genuinely committed to their teams and the health of their organization.

Ready to commit to being better? Listen/watch the full conversation.

In this episode of the Culture Talks Podcast, Lorne Rubis sits down with Taarif (Tim) Jafferi, Chief Business Officer of Happily.ai, to uncover the direct link between employee happiness and your bottom line. Taarif, a former Google employee, shares his firsthand experience of the cultural shifts hurting modern workplaces and the simple, data-backed strategies that can fix them.

How do you MOVE AT THE SPEED OF A STARTUP? 🚀 In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Christie Lagally, the CEO and Founder of Rebellyous Foods, who made the leap from aerospace engineering to revolutionizing the plant-based meat industry.

We dive deep into:

✅ The real challenges of food production & manufacturing innovation.

✅ Why company culture and dignified work are key to disruption.

✅ How to find profound purpose and meaning in your work.

This isn't just a story for vegans—it's a masterclass for any entrepreneur, innovator, or leader looking to make a tangible impact.

In the latest episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Wayne Suiter Matamoros, Partner and Head of Empathy in NYC, dive into a thought-provoking conversation about human-centered design, empathetic leadership, and the role of purpose in solving complex challenges.

Why Empathy Matters in Leadership & Innovation. 

Empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Lorne and Wayne explore how putting people at the center of design and decision-making leads to more impactful solutions, whether in business, social impact ventures, or organizational culture. They discuss:

• How empathy transforms leadership – moving beyond traditional top-down approaches to foster trust and collaboration.

• The challenges impact-driven founders face – staying true to purpose while navigating business realities.

• Practical strategies for embedding purpose in teams and company culture.

• Human-centered design isn’t just for products—it’s essential for shaping workplaces and communities.

• Empathy drives innovation by uncovering real needs and creating meaningful solutions.

Key Takeaways for Leaders & Changemakers

Purpose must be actionable—how to move from intention to implementation.

In this insightful episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Les Gombik explore the shifting dynamics of executive recruitment, leadership effectiveness, and the growing influence of AI in the workplace.

Their discussion sheds light on what makes a great leader, the importance of authenticity, and how organizations can build high-performing teams in an ever-changing business environment.

Lorne and Les discuss the essential traits of successful leaders, emphasizing:

• Followership – True leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about inspiring teams to willingly follow and contribute to a shared vision.

• Authenticity & Integrity – Leaders must be genuine and uphold strong ethical standards to earn trust.

  
  

What Makes an Effective Leader?

Decisiveness & Inclusivity – Striking the right balance between making bold decisions and fostering collaboration is crucial.

In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.

🔬 Why should you care about wastewater?

Most people don’t think about what happens after water goes down the drain—but wastewater treatment is a $200+ billion industry critical to public health, environmental protection, and even climate change. Dr. Bretschger breaks down:

✔ The hidden problems with traditional wastewater treatment✔ How Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical tech makes it cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient✔ Why sustainability innovation is a huge business opportunity.

💡 From Lab to Startup: The Entrepreneurial LeapGoing from scientist to CEO isn’t easy. Dr. Bretschger shares:

🔥 Her biggest challenges in transitioning from academia to business🔥 How to build a mission-driven company without burning out🔥 Why character matters more than skills when hiring a startup team

👩🔬 Women in STEM & Leadership

🤝 Culture, Trust & Leadership Lessons

What does it take to build a high-performing, values-driven team? She reveals:

✅ The #1 trait she looks for in hires (hint: it’s not experience)

✅ How to foster trust and accountability in a fast-growing startup

✅ The hardest leadership lesson she’s learned (and how it shaped Aquacycl’s success)

🌍 The Future of Water Innovation

💬 What surprised you most about wastewater innovation? Let us know in the comments!

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#Wastewater #Sustainability #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #CleanTech #Leadership #Aquacycl #CultureCast