Why Culture Is the Most Powerful Force at Work (And How to Actually Change It) | Marcus Collins

What if the biggest thing shaping your experience at work isn't your manager, your workload, or your pay, but something most organisations can't even define?

In this episode, Cathal sits down with Marcus Collins, marketing professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, faculty director for the school's executive education partnership with Google, and faculty member at Harvard Extension School. Marcus has led digital strategy for Beyonce, worked on Nike and iTunes initiatives at Apple, and was recently awarded the Thinkers 50 Radar Distinguished Achievement Award.

His book For the Culture: The Power Behind the World's Most Successful Brands has been endorsed by Daniel Pink, Adam Grant, Amy Edmondson, and Katy Milkman. But don't let the word "marketing" fool you. This is a people book, and the conversation goes deep into what actually drives behaviour in any organisation.

Your team might be too big to do its best work.

In this week's Q&A, Cathal and Annette unpack their takeaways from Colin Fisher's research on what makes great teams. The number that stuck: 4.5 people. That's the ideal team size for real collaboration.

They dig into why most leadership meetings are too big to actually solve anything, the goal-setting mistake Colin calls "meet me in California tomorrow," and how the rise of individualism is quietly reshaping how we work in teams.

Annette connects Colin's findings to Google's Project Aristotle research, making the case that psychological safety matters more than ever in an era where "I" is replacing "we."

Plus, a listener shares an update on her career transition: from corporate burnout to building a portfolio that combines consulting with her real passion, acting.

Key topics: ideal team size, goal specificity, individualism vs collectivism, psychological safety, portfolio careers, career transitions.

Guest book recommendations from listeners:→ Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra→ Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker

Got a career question? Head to betteratwork.net and send us a note.

Colin Fisher went from touring the world as a jazz trumpet player to becoming one of the leading researchers on group dynamics at UCL. His new book, The Collective Edge, reveals why the structure around your team matters more than the talent inside it.

In this episode, Colin shares the surprising research behind why orchestra musicians are less satisfied than prison guards, introduces the "California Tomorrow" problem for goal-setting, and explains why 93% of leadership teams can't even agree on how many people are on the team.

We also cover: the optimal team size (it's 4.6), how to "relaunch" teams that are stuck, why competition between teammates is playing with fire, and why the best coaches ask questions instead of diagnosing.

Key topics: group dynamics, psychological safety, team composition, goal clarity, conformity vs. creativity, competition, team coaching, relaunches.

Book: The Collective Edge by Colin Fisher (available now)Connect with Colin: colinamfisher.com | @ColinMFisher on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, BlueSky

Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday at 7am.

She left her job for a direct competitor. Six months in, she wants out.

This week's Q&A tackles a listener career dilemma that most of us have lived through — that sinking feeling when your new job isn't what you expected.

Amy's dealing with a culture mismatch, missing processes, and tanking motivation. Cathal and Annette share practical, honest advice drawing from their own career transitions.

Plus, Annette shares her three key takeaways from last week's conversation with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez on project-driven organisations.

What we cover:→ Why the shock of changing organisations is bigger than we admit→ Finding one friend at work (and why it matters)→ The manager conversation most people never have→ How to protect your personal brand while job hunting→ Annette's sea view analogy — knowing what you need→ Antonio's balanced portfolio approach to projects

Mentioned: "Powered by Projects" by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

Next week: Colin Fisher — The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups

Send your career dilemma: betteratwork.net

Connect: @betteratworkpod on Instagram

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez got fired for trying to bring project management to a top consulting firm.

Today, he's the most published expert on project management in Harvard Business Review and a Thinkers 50 global authority.

His new book "Powered by Projects" makes a bold claim: Every organization is project-driven, but the leaders don't know it.

IN THIS EPISODE:

The Origin Story:

- Almost went professional with Real Madrid (broke his knee)

- Got fired for pitching project management ("too tactical")

- The moment that sparked his mission

Getting HBR to Listen:

- Chased Harvard Business Review for 5 years

- The pitch: "Everyone's a project manager but nobody knows it"

- Became their most published PM expert

COVID Changed Everything:

- 3 days to do what used to take 3 months

- Laser-sharp focus on priorities

- Then we lost all that knowledge

The Project-Driven Organization:

- Shift from operations to transformation

- AI taking over operations; people work on projects

- "Back to normal" doesn't exist

Three Dimensions Framework:

1. Organization (culture, structure, governance)

2. Leadership (prioritization, HR, performance)

3. Value Creation (operations, execution)

Key Examples:

- Haier: Stop projects if no value in 3 months

- Fixed to exponential mindset

- Lean governance (match intensity to risk)

Best Advice:

- Do the hardest thing first every day

- Care about people (Marshall Goldsmith)

- Speak up constructively to leaders

KEY QUOTES:

"Your projects are your future. If you do them wrong, you put your future at risk."

"During COVID we did in 3 days what took 3 months. Then we went back to thousands of projects going nowhere."

"There's no back to normal. Change will happen."

About Antonio:

- Author: "Powered by Projects" & "HBR Project Management Handbook"

- Thinkers 50 ranking (2023, 2025)

- 25 years corporate (PwC, BNP Paribas, GSK)

- Website: antonionietorodriguez.com

Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.

New episodes every Thursday (+ special Sunday episodes!)

Hosted by Cathal Quinlan & Annette Sloan

betteratwork.net

Q&A episode answering a tough leadership question from Emer, plus Annette's takeaways from Laura Gassner-Otting.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Thank You Email Goes Viral:

Cathal's email praising his daughter's teacher went around the whole school. Miss Smith said "You'd be surprised how little that happens." Why recognition matters more than we think.

Annette's Laura Takeaways:

- The Four Horsemen of Success (money, title, power, prestige) and why we chase them

- The Forces (Calling, Connection, Contribution, Control)

- "Refuse not to be happy now"

- Balance = being yourself everywhere

- Do Laura's quiz

Listener Question: New Leader, Difficult Team Member

Emer started a new leadership role. Most of her team is on board. But one woman has "taken a total dislike" to her. The woman ignores everything Emer says.

Annette's advice:

1. Work as team to agree on values/behaviors (clear is kind)

2. Get to know this person - seek to understand

3. Might be anxiety, trauma, nothing to do with you

4. Build connection and safety

Cathal's advice:

1. Start with YOU - is this about YOUR need for validation?

2. Imposter syndrome from previous org?

3. Ask open questions: "How are you finding it?" "Any concerns?"

4. Discuss ways of working

5. Reality check: She might just be difficult/jealous/wanted the job

6. If intractable after doing the work, she might need to go

Key Insights:

"You'd be surprised how little that happens." - Teacher receiving thank you

"Refuse not to be happy now. Balance is being yourself in work and life." - Annette

"Let's be real. She might be a piece of work. But we try to be fair." - Cathal

Resources:

Laura Gassner-Otting's quiz

Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net

Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.

New episodes every Thursday.

Hosted by Cathal Quinlan & Annette Sloan

Laura Gassner-Otting (Wall Street Journal bestselling author) joins Cathal in the London studio to challenge everything we think we know about success.

This is Laura's UK/Ireland podcast debut, recorded at Christmas after a mulled wine with incredible energy.

IN THIS EPISODE:

The Four Horsemen of Success (and why they drive Laura batty):

1. "I'll be happy when..." - Life is short. Refuse to not be happy NOW.

2. Purpose - Your job doesn't need a white hat to have purpose.

3. Follow your passion - The "live, laugh, love" tattoo of career advice.

4. Balance - We need alignment, not balance. Code-switching is exhausting.

Need to Make vs Want to Make Numbers:

We all have two numbers. Need to make: bills, food, school. Want to make: Claridge's vs Holiday Inn, Rolls Royce vs Hyundai. In between are the sacrifices you'll make.

Caroline's Story:

Laura wanted to promote her to VP. Caroline said no thank you. She'd just had a baby and wanted to be present. Three years later, she got promoted. Still with the firm 10 years after Laura sold it.

Eleanor Roosevelt: "We would worry much less about what other people thought about us if we realised how seldom they did."

Whose Goal Is This?

We define success at 17-18 before our frontal lobe is fully formed. Laura dropped out of law school - it was her fourth grade teacher's goal, not hers. Give yourself grace to change.

Work-Life Alignment > Balance:

You're friends with coworkers on social media. It's already integrated. Stop separating work and life. Find alignment instead. Code-switching is exhausting.

Feeling Seen vs Feeling Loved:

Laura's therapy revelation: She felt loved transactionally (got grades = we love you). But did she feel seen? Could she have said "I don't want law school, I want to be an artist"?

Key Insights:

"I refuse to not be happy NOW. They retire and have heart attacks."

"Follow your passion is the live, laugh, love tattoo of career advice."

"I think we're not too busy. We're too busy doing things that don't matter to us."

"When you find alignment, you just move from one to the other pretty seamlessly."

ABOUT LAURA GASSNER-OTTING:

Author of "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path" and "Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should."

20 years as executive recruiter, sold her firm, now speaker/consultant. Regularly on Good Morning America.

Website: lauragassnerotting.com

Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net

Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.

New episodes every Thursday.

Hosted by Cathal Quinlan

Q&A episode with Annette's top takeaways from Russell Beck + critical advice for dealing with burnout at work.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Annette's 3 Takeaways from Russell Beck:

1. The Rise of Artist Engineers (STEM → STEAM)

Why creativity and art matter more than ever in the future of work. Drawing as a tool for thinking.

2. One Size Fits One

Managers need to understand how each person works best while balancing the team's needs.

3. Work as a Friend Factory

Why having friends at work isn't just nice—it's critical for engagement, retention, and culture.

Listener Question: Burnout at a Major Organisation

Ellie asked: How do I get out of a toxic workplace without destroying my career?

Cathal's advice:

- You need at least 2 months off to recover

- Consider consulting/contract work instead of another corporate role

- Get back to the work you love (not just management drama)

Annette's practical daily tactics:

- 10-minute morning meditation (Calm app)

- Mammalian dive reflex for grounding (2-min exercise)

- Schedule 20-min coffee with work friends

- Weekend self-care: massage, sauna, nature walks

- Career counseling or coaching

- Bill Cowan's career transition process

Key Insights:

"Work can be a friend factory." - Aisha Bousaid

"Employees with a best friend at work are 7x more likely to be fully engaged." - Gallup

"We take jobs for the salary. We quit because of culture." - Bruce Daisley

"Burnout is really real. The longer it goes on, the harder it is to pull back out." - Annette Sloan

Resources:

Books: "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards, "Building a Winning Career" by Bill Cowan

Apps: Calm (meditation)

Better at Work: Better Careers modules at betteratwork.net

Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net

Next Episode: Laura Gassner-Otting on "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody and Carve Your Own Path"

Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.

New episodes every Thursday.

Hosted by Cathal Quinlan & Annette Sloan

You won't lose your job to AI in 2026. You'll lose it to someone who knows how to use AI better.

Russell Beck (author of "The World of Work to 2030" - Leadership Book of the Year) breaks down what's changing in the workplace and how to stay ahead.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- Why AI collaboration beats AI competition

- How technology democratizes work by destroying skills, not jobs

- The 3 skill buckets for 2030: creativity, self-efficacy, leadership

- The JFK janitor who said "I'm helping put a man on the moon"

- Why your manager impacts your mental health as much as your partner

- Active listening: the skill most people aren't using

Russell's key insight: "I'm not worried about whether AI is thinking. I'm worried about whether humans are thinking."

Russell Beck has worked in 25 countries, was European Head of Talent at Yahoo, and now helps organisations future-proof their people strategies.

Book: "The World of Work to 2030" by Russell Beck

Website: imaginethinkdo.com

Submit your career question: betteratwork.net

Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.

New episodes every Thursday.

Our final episode of 2025! Cathal and Annette wrap up the year with takeaways from last week's Smart Conflict episode - plus Annette has a hilarious problem: she can't stop saying the word "problematic."

In this Christmas special, we review key lessons from Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haast's brilliant conversation, thank our amazing community, and ask for your help with Annette's vocabulary crisis.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- Christmas catch-up with Cathal and Annette

- Why last week's Smart Conflict episode is perfect for family gatherings

- Annette's 3 takeaways from Smart Conflict

- The 5 R's framework: Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair

- Singles tennis to doubles tennis: Shifting from adversarial to collaborative

- Annette's "problematic" word problem - we need your help!

- Why "problematic" has become problematic

- Thank yous to the team: Phoebe, Harrison, Grace

- Thank yous to listeners: Angela Collins, David Monroe, Linda Menos, Jesse

- Preview: Russell Beck on World of Work to 2030 (first episode back January)

- Christmas wishes and 2026 excitement

ANNETTE'S 3 SMART CONFLICT TAKEAWAYS:

1. The 5 R's Framework - Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair. If you're short on time, focus on REPAIR.

2. Singles Tennis to Doubles Tennis - Move from adversarial (me vs you) to collaborative (us vs the problem together).

3. The Decision Tree - Should I have this hard conversation? The book has a decision tree that helps you work through it.

THE "PROBLEMATIC" CHALLENGE:

Annette has banned herself from using the word "problematic" after realizing she says it constantly. She needs a replacement word that isn't "aligned" (already banned), isn't too rude, and works professionally.

Help Annette! What should she say instead?

RESOURCES:

Smart Conflict Book: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work

Authors: Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haast

Last Week's Episode: Smart Conflict with Alice and Louise

Website: betteratwork.net

Instagram: @betteratwork

ABOUT BETTER AT WORK:

Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. New episodes every Thursday.

We're back in January 2026 with Russell Beck discussing the World of Work to 2030.

Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net

Thank you for an incredible 2025! See you in January 2026.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Cathal, Annette, and the Better at Work team!

Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll, co-authors of Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work, join Cathal in-studio for a masterclass in navigating workplace conflict.

This is our first in-studio episode with 4-camera setup - and it looks stunning.

If you've ever avoided a difficult conversation, taken feedback too personally, or struggled to speak up at work, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- Where their passion for conflict work began

- How they met and decided to write a book together

- The two main conflict styles: harmony-seeking vs goal-focused

- "Get curious, not furious" - the principle that changes everything

- Alice's story: "Feedback isn't that I don't like you"

- Ripcord phrases to exit conversations gracefully

- Louise's lesson: "Just because you're good at it doesn't mean you enjoy it"

- The Conflict Style Quiz (both individual and team)

- Practical scripts for hard conversations

KEY INSIGHTS:

"Get curious, not furious. Whether you're someone who avoids conflict or someone who charges straight in, this principle applies. When you notice you're getting furious, pause and get curious instead." - Louise and Alice

"Every time I heard feedback, I was collapsing it into 'you're not good enough.' Then someone finally said: 'You know this feedback isn't that I don't like you, right?' It was a light bulb moment." - Alice Driscoll

"Just because you're really good at something doesn't mean you enjoy it. And just because other people think you should keep pursuing it doesn't mean you should have to." - Louise van Haast

"I wasn't expecting to have this conversation. I need some time to reflect so I can give you a considered response." - Ripcord phrase for exiting conversations

ABOUT LOUISE VAN HAAST AND ALICE DRISCOLL:

Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll are executive coaches, conflict specialists, and co-authors of Smart Conflict. They help leaders and teams navigate difficult conversations with confidence and skill.

Louise started her career in advertising where she witnessed high conflict and big egos. She became passionate about finding better ways to navigate workplace tension.

Alice grew up as the hyper-aware child analysing family dynamics. She went on to work in human rights NGOs where conflict was constant. Through painful self-awareness moments, she learned how to navigate difficult conversations effectively.

Together, they've created practical frameworks for handling workplace conflict without avoiding it or escalating it.

RESOURCES:

Book: Smart Conflict - How to Have Hard Conversations at Work

Website: thepowerhousecompany.com

Conflict Style Quiz: thepowerhousecompany.com/quiz

Individual and team versions available

Coaching Programs: thepowerhousecompany.com

ABOUT BETTER AT WORK:

Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. We tackle the real challenges of modern work with practical advice you can use immediately.

New episodes every Thursday.

Guest interviews and listener Q&A episodes.

Website: betteratwork.net

Instagram: @betteratwork

Submit Your Question: betteratwork.net

NEXT EPISODE:

Listener Q&A with Annette - Takeaways from this Smart Conflict conversation

Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net