Culture by Design: Turning Everyday Behaviors into a Workplace That Actually Works
From Mindful Management by Shenandoah Chefalo, 392006
March 3, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
David J. Friedman discusses how leaders can intentionally build workplace culture through daily behaviors and systems.
In this episode, we sit down with David J. Friedman, author of Culture by Design, to explore how leaders can stop letting culture happen by accident, and start building it with intention. From hobbyist to sought-after culture strategist, David shares why culture isn’t defined by lofty and broad mission statements, but by the daily behaviors and systems that shape how people actually show up. He challenges leaders to reframe culture as a clear destination and then design the rituals, practices, and conversations that make those behaviors second nature. If you’re a founder, CEO, or HR leader of a growing company who feels frustrated that your values aren’t translating into real-world behavior, or that culture seems to be slipping as you scale, this conversation will give you a practical roadmap to reset, realign, and lead with intention. For more information on CultureWise and David's speaking engagements, visit the links below: https://culturewise.com/blog/company-culture-operating-system https://davidjfriedman.com/
People in this episode
Host: Shenandoah Chefalo
Guest: David J. Friedman
Topics covered
- workplace culture
- leadership
- intentional culture
- organizational behavior
- company values
Keywords
- workplace culture
- leadership
- intentionality
- organizational behavior
- company values
- culture design
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: CultureWise, Culture by Design, davidjfriedman.com
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