Welcome to the Podcast on Leading Business Change, focusing on Intentional Culture Change. This series brings together top business minds to share their real-world experiences in driving meaningful change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about transforming their organisation’s culture.

Our guest, Robert Rigby-Hall, offers a genuinely global perspective on culture change, speaking from New York. With over 30 mergers and acquisitions under his belt, and a career that spans industries and continents, Robert has faced—and overcome—the complex challenges of culture change in high-stakes environments.

In this episode, Robert shares insights rooted not in theory but in practical experience. If you’re seeking actionable strategies to lead change in your organisation, this is the conversation you need to hear.

What is intentional culture change?

For many, culture seems like a vague concept, a "black art." But as Robert reveals, culture is a measurable driver of business success. It goes far beyond casual Friday policies or team-building exercises. In fact, Robert walks us through a case study where deliberate culture change resulted in tangible improvements in key business metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), employee engagement, and profitability. Culture isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a strategic necessity.

The difference between business culture and country culture.

Global leaders often struggle to balance these two, especially when expanding into new markets or managing diverse teams. Robert’s experience across dozens of countries gives him unique insights into how companies can build a brand culture that respects local differences without sacrificing core values. For leaders steering complex mergers or global operations, this episode offers invaluable lessons on unifying teams across borders.

Aligning culture with strategy

One of the most critical takeaways is how to intentionally shape company culture to align with business strategy. A misaligned culture leads to disengaged employees, poor customer experiences, and stalled growth. Robert’s insights are highly actionable, whether you’re leading a start-up or managing a multinational.

Employee engagement and profitability

There’s a direct link between engaged employees and profitable business outcomes. Research shows that engaged employees lead to happier customers, which translates to better financial performance. Yet, many leaders struggle to create environments where employees feel motivated and empowered. Robert shares clear, data-driven strategies for building a culture that fosters this kind of engagement, leading to better performance across the board.

Intentionality is key

Culture change doesn’t happen by accident. It needs to be deliberate and planned. Leaders must define the desired culture, communicate it, and most importantly, act in ways that reflect it. Robert emphasises that alignment between leadership behaviour and cultural values is crucial for sustained change. It’s not enough to talk about culture—you have to live it.

Leadership’s role

As Robert points out, the CEO and senior leadership team play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the entire organisation. If leadership doesn’t live the culture, employees won’t either. Consistency from the top is essential for sustaining a strong, positive culture over the long term. This episode drives home the point that cultural transformation starts at the top.

The PJ Tips podcast is designed to give today’s leaders the tools they need to drive effective change—whether that’s cultural, digital, or organisational. Leading change is never easy. It’s often expensive, risky, and full of obstacles. But as Robert demonstrates, with the right approach, culture can become a powerful asset rather than a stumbling block.

Join us to discover how intentional culture change can transform your organisation’s performance, people, and profit. And if you’re looking for further help, do get in touch.