Episode Summary: 

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes interviews Eimear Marrinan, VP of People Experience at HubSpot, about how HubSpot has built and maintained a thriving corporate culture.  

The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work, the role of feedback and transparency, and the importance of intentionality in fostering meaningful employee engagement. Eimear shares practical advice and insights into aligning company values with the needs of employees and customers alike. 

Key Takeaways: 

• HubSpot’s culture code acts as a guiding principle for hiring, management, and decision-making. 

• Constructive, candid feedback fosters personal and organisational growth. 

• Remote and hybrid work require intentional strategies for communication, engagement, and productivity. 

• Managers need upskilling and support to lead effectively in dynamic work environments. 

• Culture is an evolving product shaped by data, feedback, and leadership alignment. 

• Aligning leadership around core principles enhances company mission and employee connection. 

• Challenges faced by Big Tech reveal the need to balance employee well-being with business priorities. 

Chapters: 

• 00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast 

• 07:01 HubSpot's Culture Code and Its Importance 

• 12:05 Feedback and Transparency in Organisational Culture 

• 20:04 Intentionality in Communication and Management 

• 25:44 The Importance of Intentionality in Management 

• 36:01 Balancing Family Culture with Business Needs 

In this episode, Scott discusses the power of storytelling in organisations with Des Moore and Shelly Hayward from The Cumberland Building Society.

They explore the importance of a common narrative during transformation, the co-creation process that engaged employees, and the significance of events like Cumberland Calling in celebrating the organisation's story.

The conversation emphasises the need for authenticity, emotional connection, and the ongoing evolution of the narrative as the organisation continues its journey.

1. Storytelling is critical for effective communication in organisations.
2. A common narrative helps unify employees during transformation.
3. Co-creation of the story fosters ownership and engagement.
4. Emotional connection is key to engaging employees.
5. Leadership involvement ensures authenticity and inspires trust.

• 00:00 Introduction to Storytelling in Organisations
• 02:19 Transformation Journey at Cumberland Building Society
• 07:10 The Importance of a Common Narrative
• 10:34 Co-Creation of the Cumberland Story
• 16:47 Cumberland Calling: Celebrating the Story
• 21:52 Engaging Leaders and Customers in the Narrative
• 27:15 The Positivity: Celebrating Pride in the Organisation
• 32:17 Continuing the Story: Future Directions

Episode Summary 

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes welcomes Tim Threipland from FranklinCovey to discuss the critical role of trust in organisational culture and leadership. They explore how trust impacts performance, the effects of the pandemic on work culture, and the importance of intentionality in building high-trust environments. The conversation highlights the need for leaders to extend trust, create psychological safety, and navigate the complexities of hybrid work. Tim emphasises that trust is not just a soft skill but a vital component of business success, urging leaders to focus on measurable outcomes and engage employees in the process of building a trusting culture. 

1. Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership and thriving organisational cultures.
2. High-trust cultures foster agility, leading to faster decision-making and improved performance metrics.
3. Trust is not just a soft skill—it's a measurable and critical business outcome.
4. The pandemic has spotlighted vulnerabilities in organisational cultures, offering opportunities for growth.
5. Fear-driven, control-oriented leadership erodes trust and limits organisational potential.
6. Psychological safety is the foundation of trust and must be intentionally nurtured within teams.
7. Leaders must actively design and sustain cultures that prioritise trust to achieve long-term success.
8. Employees play a vital role in trust-building by clearly communicating their needs, contributions, and feedback.
9. Trust flourishes through consistent, transparent communication and alignment of expectations.
10. Extending trust as the default approach empowers teams and reinforces a culture of mutual respect.

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 05:02 Understanding Trust in Organizations 11:53 The Impact of the Pandemic on Work Culture 18:01 Navigating Fear and Control in Leadership 25:10 Building High Trust Cultures 29:52 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts 

Have you ever witnessed patterns of communication that didn’t seem helpful or productive in your teams? Leadership and communication go hand in hand, and who better to unravel this intricate relationship than Marsha Acker. As the CEO of Team Catapult, Marsha understands that there is more to leadership than just technical prowess; it’s about understanding people dynamics and creating a safe environment for open and honest communication. 

Throughout the episode, Marsha dives into the complexities of leadership and effective communication within teams, self-awareness challenges and discusses the significant shift from individual to systemic thinking, shedding light on the growing popularity of team coaching.

Key discussions include:

1.     A self-leadership quest: How to work with other humans

2.     An insight into communication dynamics and the four speech acts

3.     Communication patterns in teams and organisations

4.     The principle of bringing offline conversations into the room

5.     Are leaders holding back from being vulnerable at work?

6.     The edge of leaders in navigating fast-paced business environments

7.     Change management: The importance of explaining the why  

8.     The evolution of team coaching and the benefits of coaching as a system

9.     Recommendations for leaders navigating change

Plus lots more!

With a focus on the evolving nature of leadership in today’s fast-paced environment, Marsha emphasises the importance of embracing vulnerability and diverse perspectives. This episode will help leaders drive positive change, improve communication, and build better organisational cultures by understanding speech acts, introducing shared language, and focusing on team dynamics.

“It’s impossible, I think, for any one person to be able to have all the answers anymore. But yet, I think that’s an edge. I think it’s leftover from what we believe we think about leaders and what they’re supposed to be able to do, to what they need to do today.” – Marsha Acker.

ABOUT MARSHA ACKER

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-acker-3486a72/

Book: https://buildyourmodel.com/

Work: https://teamcatapult.com/

ABOUT SCOTT McINNES: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you’re struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

Can clear communication and the power of the pen have a transformative impact on your business? Absolutely! Get ready to discover all the 'write stuff' as we explore the influence of intentional communication with the founder of High-Value Writing, Erin Lebaqz.

In this episode, Erin takes an in-depth look at how leaders can foster trust, respect, and belonging through thoughtful and deliberate writing, creating an environment where people feel supported and acknowledged. Being a good writer isn't solely about getting your message across; it's also about understanding your audience.

Erin emphasizes the importance of considering different cultures and generations in your writing and unveils the role of emotion, including the surprising credibility boost that can come from emojis.

Key discussions include:

• The power of writing and the cost of miscommunication
• Clarity: The key to confusion-free communication
• Effective communication in a post-pandemic work environment
• Leadership Models: Can written communication impact organisational culture?
• Write like a leader: Tips on mastering intentional writing
• The rising role of emotion in writing
• Writing for you VS writing for others
• The key to unlocking your writing confidence 

Plus lots more!

Erin provides all the tips for avoiding the high cost of miscommunication and shares the secret to boosting your writing confidence, reminding us that writing is situational, which we are all experts on. So, hit play now and get ready to build better cultures through the written word!

"The biggest connection in today's world between writing and business success is employee retention. People leave workplaces when they don't feel happy or appreciated or their growth is cared about. And where do we get those messages, through communication." – Erin Lebaqz.

ABOUT ERIN LEBAQZ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlebacqz/

Work:

https://www.highvaluewriting.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@HighValueWriting

Get the High-Value Writing book:

https://www.amazon.com/High-Value-Writing-Real-Strategies-Real-World/dp/1667805517

ABOUT SCOTT McINNES: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you're struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

How does the saying go? Is the glass half full, or is it half empty? Now, apply this to DEI in the workplace, and you'll see our guests, Christiane Bisanzio and Aleksandar Damchevski, challenge this very notion.

In this episode, Aleks and Christi delve into the evolving landscape of DEI, highlighting the progress made and the work that still needs to be done. This episode revolves around their insightful book, The Other 364 Days, and the profound idea that DEI should not be merely a day-long celebration but a year-round commitment in every workplace.

Throughout the discussion, we hear how organisations prioritise external appearances over internal actions, the responsibility of leadership in fostering diversity and inclusion, and the crucial part of setting precise and measurable inclusion goals. Aleks and Christi also reflect on common oversights made during event celebrations like Pride Week and International Women's Day.

Key discussions include:

• The glass half full: A reflection on the progression of DEI
• Are workplaces becoming more divided or more diverse?
• Risk VS Opportunity: The two approaches to DEI
• Who is responsible for driving diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces?
• The importance of understanding and addressing internal biases and behaviours to create a more inclusive culture
• Key pitfalls hindering the success of organisational DEI Initiatives
• How authenticity can create more hope and drive change
• Is unconscious bias training ineffective?
• The flourishing link between DEI and ESG
• The one simple change that will transform your workplace

"DEI is never a destination. It's always a journey. So this is never ending, it never stops, you have new trends, new topics, new themes coming up, but the overall importance of DEI remains." - Christiane Bisanzio.

ABOUT CHRISTIANE BISANZIO AND ALEKSANDAR DAMCHEVSKI

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianebisanzio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleks-damchevski-he-she-they-b5589b20/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/OTHER-364-DAYS-DIVERSITY-INCLUSION/dp/2839939290

ABOUT SCOTT McINNES: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you're struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

Workplace culture is as strong as the communication it thrives on and as fragile as a string of miscommunications. Internal communications is the lifeblood of organisations, holding the power to inspire, inform and engage employees. This week, leading internal communications expert and author of ‘Me, Myself and IC’, Emily Hecker, joins Scott to dive right into its indispensable role in shaping organisational culture and unveiling how communication barriers can stunt growth.

This episode is packed to the brim with wisdom as Emily reveals how to gain buy-in from senior leaders and master the art of storytelling to drive your business forward. Emily also shares her advice on making internal comms a core business priority, highlighting the need for clear communication expectations within organisations.

Key discussions include:

• Falling in love with the process of storytelling and creating narratives.
• How to master internal communications.
• The role of internal communication in shaping organisational culture.
• The three tiers of communicators within an organisation. 
• The key to empowering employees to become better communicators.
• Identifying what effective communication looks like.
• The impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on internal communications.
• Don’y shy away from success: The importance of showcasing successes to prove value. and gain leadership buy-in.
• How to provide support to leaders to become effective communicators.
• The three critical elements of effective communication.  
• Plus lots more!

Emily is the embodiment of the power of storytelling, weaving her journey from a writing enthusiast to a corporate communication maestro. This episode is a masterclass on how communication can make or break your workplace culture. So, If you are ready to take the first step towards a more robust, interconnected, and engaged workplace culture, this is a must-listen for you!

“Internal communication is the lifeblood of organisations. Many studies show how it influences productivity, performance and satisfaction, all of which are key components to shaping culture.“ – Emily Hecker.

ABOUT EMILY HECKER:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhecker/

Work: https://www.emily-hecker.com/

Book: https://www.emily-hecker.com/book

ABOUT SCOTT McINNES: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you’re struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

Get ready to blast your workplace culture into new heights with the valuable guidance of this week’s special guest, Eric Stone. Eric is the founder of Clear Path Ventures and an acclaimed author who promises to enlighten your understanding of aligning organisational behaviour with values. 

Throughout the discussion, Eric lays out the five pillars of employee engagement and reveals the correlation between increased employee engagement levels and customer loyalty. Eric also tackles the challenge of maintaining a vibrant culture in remote work settings, emphasising the importance of open communication, ongoing training, and recognition. This episode is an invaluable resource for anyone keen on cultivating a thriving and sustainable culture within their organisations.

Key discussions include:

• A non-complicated rundown of workplace culture
• Five factors to foster a high-performing culture 
• The hiring process: What a character test can reveal
• Measuring organisation culture: An introduction to the six-point inspection
• How employee empowerment can lead to a sustained and unique culture
• The power of sharing stories within an organisation 
• Are your employees performing in sync with company values?
• Is organisational culture maintainable in a hybrid working world?
• The consequences of mandatory office returns
• The importance of being intentional in designing and communicating culture

Plus lots more!

“Any time you have shared values and beliefs, that tends to create really good behaviours. Excellent behaviours over a consistent period of time lead to desirable outcomes.” – Eric Stone.

ABOUT ERIC STONE:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-stone-clear-path/

Work: https://clearpathventures.com/

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Book: Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture by Eric Stone

https://www.ericdstone.com/

ABOUT SCOTT McINNES: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you’re struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

Are you ready to transform your workplace into a haven of well-being? If so, buckle up as Brian Crooke, founder of Workplace Well-being Ireland and Course Director of the Postgrad Certificate in Workplace Wellness at Dublin’s Trinity College, guides us through the ever-evolving landscape of workplace well-being. 

From his journey as a ‘recovering’ management consultant to becoming a well-being advocate, Brian reveals the power of understanding and implementing well-being at the workplace and how it is intrinsically linked to an organisation’s vision and business objectives. Brian also delves into the magic of storytelling, the importance of leaders role-modelling healthy behaviours and creating a culture of permission.

Key discussions include:

1.     Workplace health promotion: Your well-being goes beyond physical health

2.     The three pillars of well-being

3.     The importance of aligning well-being initiatives with an organisation’s vision and objectives

4.     Building a culture of health: Connecting hard data with human stories

5.     CEOs leading the way: How leaders are fostering supportive working environments

6.     How to set up a well-being champion network for continued success

7.     Incentivising and recognising change agents to drive business performance

8.     A spotlight on Irish businesses promoting and sustaining well-being

9.     How you can start improving workplace well-being

Plus lots more!

This episode is your essential roadmap to transform your workplace into a well-being hub. Brian generously shares invaluable advice on how to kick-start your well-being journey, offers his blueprint for establishing champion networks destined for success and reveals the inspiring Irish businesses leading the way.

“Start with why. Why is this important to you and your organisation? I always try and align what an organisation is doing, from a well-being perspective with their organisation’s vision, and business objectives.” – Brian Crooke.

ABOUT BRIAN CROOKE:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancrooke

Work: https://www.workwellireland.ie/

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Article: Harry Goddard, CEO of Deloitte Ireland https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-didnt-have-call-read-email-from-work-2-months-harry-goddard/

See Change - Irish organisation dedicated to ending mental health stigma

https://seechange.ie/

ABOUT SCOTT McINNES: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT SINÉAD EGAN:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sineadegan

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you’re struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

Ever wondered what the secret sauce is for enhancing performance and productivity? Well, wonder no more as culture change catalyst, author and leadership coach Lily Woi is here to unveil how to drive change and boost your working environment.

Lily is no stranger to working with multinational companies to drive change and transformation and believes that creating an environment that fosters high performance and productivity requires a people-centred approach. Throughout this discussion, Lily highlights the importance of focusing on people and acknowledging that they are the core of an organisation's success, creating a unified vision for organisational success and building bridges of trust.

Key discussions include:

1.     An introduction to Lily Woi

2.     Striking a balance between high-performance and people-centred organisations

3.     Business transformation: the top-down and bottom-up approach

4.     Vulnerability in leadership: the benefits and the risks of being a vulnerable leader

5.     The key to setting up a culture of alignment and the crucial role of internal communications

6.     The value of autonomy, empowerment and accountability in the workplace

7.     How to avoid the cycle of failure

8.     Ways to become a more transparent leader

Plus lots more!

Lily's leadership and organisational transformation expertise provide a wealth of knowledge for any business looking to improve its culture. Hit play now to learn how to empower, engage and excel from Lily's valuable experience and insights.

"Creating a more human-centred approach is often the key to enhancing performance and productivity. You are not able to have a high-performing organisation if you don't focus on your people. They are core to your success."– Lily Woi.

ABOUT LILY WOI:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilywoi/

Work: https://lilywoicoaching.com/

ABOUT SCOTT: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you're struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com

Are you striving to become a more courageous leader, challenge the status quo and drive innovation? If so, this latest episode with Joanna Howes, International Coach of the Year and founder of The Change Creators, is for you as we delve into leading with courage, igniting your self-awareness, unlocking high performance and empowering others.

We understand that knowing where to turn for guidance can be challenging if you’re in a leadership role and feeling overwhelmed, and that’s why Joanna is here to help. Joanna dives deep into the attributes of courageous leadership, from empowering others and being vulnerable to taking action and creating clarity. Key discussions include:

• An introduction to Joanna Howes
• Courageous leadership: stepping into the courageous zone 
• What does a courageous leader look like? 
• The relationship with yourself and the importance of looking within 
• The role of courage when driving change in an organisation 
• Unlocking strength through vulnerability and setting clear expectations 
• Leadership 101: the art of communication and listening
• Is there a difference between high-performance and high achievers? 
• The value of a growth mindset and why protecting your energy is vital 
• How you can become more courageous today

Plus lots more!

With the right mindset and guidance, any leader can learn to be brave and create a better culture in their workplace. Hit play now and get ready to learn how you can transition from a reliant leader to an effective one and get the insights you need to grow and become a courageous leader.

“So many leaders think everyone can read their mind and see the world. When you accept they can’t, it’s your responsibility as a leader to paint the picture for them and understand them so they can move forward with you. It takes more time, but it does mean you’ll get the results.” - Joanna Howes.

ABOUT JOANNA HOWES:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

Work: https://thechangecreators.com/

ABOUT SCOTT: 

Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here. 

ABOUT WORKVIVO:  

If you’re struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review it! 

This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com