Responsible Leaders - Healthy Cultures

Columbia Business School Professor Paul Ingram joins Tobias Sturesson to explore why values matter for leaders and how to transform them from vague concepts into practical leadership tools that drive better decision-making and authentic leadership.Drawing from research with over 10,000 senior leaders, Paul reveals the striking gap between knowing values matter and actually using them effectively. This conversation moves beyond theory to practical application, showing how clear values reduce stress, increase resilience, and help leaders stay true to themselves when facing difficult choices and organizational pressures.In this episode, we explore:(00:00) Why good people make decisions they later regret(03:39) Defining values as our stable principles of evaluation (06:05) Cultural influences on values and finding common ground globally(11:51) Research benefits of getting clear on personal values(15:56) Building daily practices for prospective and reflective value use(21:21) Why values only matter when they cost us something(25:22) Balancing self-interest with positive impact on others(31:26) The slippery slope of temptation and ethical decision-making(36:04) Connecting organizational and personal values in large companies(37:24) Why company values can make people less ethical‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available hereFor more information, please visit: https://www.healthycultures.co/

Why do so many organizations struggle with cultural dysfunction despite having strong values statements and well-intentioned leaders? Tobias Sturesson and Andreas Almlöf reveal the launch of a movement designed to bridge the gap between leadership intentions and everyday actions. This episode marks a pivotal transition from knowing what good culture looks like to actively practicing the habits that create it. You'll discover a framework for leading with integrity when pressure is highest and learn why sustainable change starts with personal accountability.In this episode, we explore:(04:34) Why responsible leadership requires intentional practice(08:39) Four commitments that define responsible leaders(11:04) Closing the gap between values and actual behavior(12:56) Creating conditions where people can flourish(14:46) Breaking the silence and inviting uncomfortable feedback(19:56) Stories of leaders who transformed their approach(22:28) What makes this podcast different from others(27:44) How to join the responsible leaders community(29:44) Building a world free from unhealthy workplace cultureTo read more about the movement, please visit: https://www.healthycultures.co/ ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available ⁠here⁠.

Stephen Nguyen-Duc is Chief Compliance Officer at GE Healthcare and a veteran leader who has built ethics and compliance programs for global healthcare powerhouses like Eli Lilly, AbbVie, and Medday. Across more than two decades, Stephen has seen compliance evolve from a box-ticking exercise to a deeply human journey. In this episode, he joins host Tobias Sturesson to break down why organizational integrity is never just about rules – and why surprise is compliance’s greatest foe.In this episode, we explore:(05:00) Integrity as a daily habit(06:30) Rethinking compliance and culture(11:16) Building cultural health together(13:14) Tone at the top misalignment(16:27) Ownership as key to organizational change(21:23) Awareness vs action in organizations(25:44) Cultural health and awareness(28:58) Fostering a culture of listening(32:40) Driving behavioral change together(33:28) Cultural impact on business tools(38:04) Understanding the trust equation(42:44) Empathy and ethical leadership(47:30) Integrity drives business performance(48:27) Optimistic industry progressLinks mentioned:The Trusted Advisor – BookStephen Nguyen-Duc’s LinkedIn‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Caterina Bulgarella is a renowned social scientist with over 20 years of experience in organizational culture transformation and assessment. As a leading expert in culture measurement and a co-creator of the widely used Two Factor Model of Ethical Culture, Caterina brings powerful insights into the deeper layers behind workplace data.In this episode, host Tobias Sturesson dives into the pitfalls of traditional engagement surveys and the value of understanding what culture truly means within organizations. Together, they unpack why much of what leaders think they know about culture and ethics is often just the tip of the iceberg, and how to get to the roots beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore:(00:00) Understanding workplace culture insights(05:21) Behavioral insights and measurement journey(09:18) Insights beyond generic feedback(13:27) Understanding organizational culture mechanisms(17:00) Restructuring meaning for cultural change(20:41) Survey credibility and ethical behavior(23:25) Pressure's impact on leadership dynamics(26:16) Two-factor ethical culture model(29:51) Measuring ethical organizational culture(32:51) Insights through dialogic stories(37:25) Respecting history, embracing difference(39:27) Values, culture, and context(44:06) Root causes and cultural awareness(48:34) Embracing curiosity for positive changeLinks mentioned:Connect with Caterina Bulgarella on LinkedIn‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

What does it really mean to build AI responsibly, at Google scale?In this episode, we sit down with Jen Gennai, the person Google turned to when it needed to build ethical AI from the ground up. Jen founded Google’s Responsible Innovation team and has spent her career at the intersection of trust, safety, and emerging tech.From advising world leaders on AI governance to navigating internal pushback, Jen opens up about what it actually takes to embed ethics into one of the fastest-moving industries on the planet.Tune in to this episode as we explore:The importance of early ethical considerationsTrust as a core pillar of technologyNavigating AI’s impact on fairness and discriminationThe future of AI-human relationshipsBuilding AI literacy in organizationsThe intersection of regulation and innovationLinks mentioned:Connect with Jen Gennai on LinkedInT3 Website‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Bob Langert, former VP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at McDonald's, and Jay Barney, author of ‘The Secret of Culture Change’, join Tobias Sturesson to explore the nuanced journey of leading transformational change within an organisation. Drawing from decades of experience, Bob shares how McDonald's navigated criticism to embrace a proactive approach to social responsibility, while Jay highlights the significance of actions over words in fostering a true cultural shift. Tune in to this episode as we explore: Navigating criticism and fostering partnerships Actions as the foundation for cultural change Embracing vulnerability to strengthen trust The journey from defensiveness to proactivity Trust and its impact on business success Inspiring change through leadership actions Building authentic stories from transformative practicesLinks mentioned:101. Embrace Vulnerability: Insights from Ann Tenbrunsel and Lenny Wong on Avoiding Blind Spots and Navigating Human Fallibility‘The Secret of Culture Change’ by Jay Barney‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Today we hear from Ann Tenbrunsel, the David E. Gallo Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Notre Dame, and Lenny Wong, a retired research professor at the US Army War College. Explore how positive illusions about our ethicality lead to overlooked blind spots and understand the importance of embracing vulnerability for fostering trust and learning within corporate cultures. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand and navigate the ethical challenges in leadership and organisational behaviour. In this episode, we explore: The illusion of personal ethicality Embracing vulnerability to build trust Balancing high values with human flaws The impact of ethical blind spots Motivated blindness in decision-making The role of formal and informal systems Moving beyond moral licensing Links Mentioned: You Can Culture by Tobias Sturesson 025. Lenny Wong: Uncovering a Culture of Dishonesty 065. Ann Tenbrunsel: Are we as ethical as we think? Ann Tenbrunsel’s work Lenny Wong’s research works

In this special episode of Leading Transformational Change, we dive deep into the essential habit of ‘Getting Humble’ from my book, ‘You Can Culture’. I am joined by Andreas Almlöf from Heart Management to explore why humility in leadership is crucial for fostering a thriving, ethical culture in organisations. Listen in to hear an excerpt from the book, as well as practical advice on embracing vulnerability, taking ownership of cultural issues, and the power of reflection in maintaining values alignment. Tune in to this episode as we explore: Key insights from the ‘You Can Culture’ book Embracing vulnerability in leadership Overcoming fears of showing weakness Benefits of admitting mistakes Humility vs. arrogance in leadership Real-world examples of transformative change Rituals of reflection for leaders ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Mary Shirley is a lawyer with 20 years of ethics and compliance experience, which includes implementing, evaluating and monitoring compliance programs for multinational corporations. Tune in as she discusses the critical role of ethical leadership, her stand against bribery and values-driven decision-making. We’ll also delve into innovative initiatives that encourage ethical behaviour and the significance of integrating integrity into daily operations. In this episode, we explore: Creating a culture of integrity in healthcare The risks of merging legal and compliance roles Lead with heart, not just a checklist Encourage a culture where speaking up is celebrated … and the power of sharing compliance updates on LinkedIn ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Today we have an exceptional panel to delve deep into the heart of ethical culture and organizational transformation. We begin first with Andreas Almlöf interviewing Tobias Sturesson about his newest book ‘You Can Culture’. Our panel guests include Ellen Hunt, a leader in the ethics and compliance space, Alison Taylor, former Executive Director of Ethical Systems and a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business, and Rob Chesnut, former Airbnb executive and author. In this episode, we explore: HR and compliance driving positive change Intentional integrity and business performance The need for advisory and counsellor roles in leadership A decentralized approach at Airbnb for ethics and compliance Having a culture of disagreement ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Barbara Kellermani is a renowned expert in the fields of leadership and followership, having dedicated her lifelong work to the study and authoring of numerous books on these subjects. She is a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. She was the Founding Executive Director of the Center, and a member of the Kennedy School faculty for over twenty years. In this episode, we explore: What is bad leadership – and how to stop it early Why good leaders are ethical The ‘Follower’s Rule’ The cautionary tales from the Boeing and Volkswagen scandals How successful leaders create a truly open and empowering environment Links Mentioned: Cultureandleadership.org Barbara Kellerman on LinkedIn Leadership from Bad to Worse by Barbara Kellerman The End of Leadership by Barbara Kellerman Leadership by Barbara Kellerman Bad Leadership by Barbara Kellerman Barbara Kellerman’s Website

Martin Lønstrup is a globally recognized Ethics and Compliance expert with over 15 years of experience across diverse industries and cultures. Martin works as Chief Compliance Officer at Coloplast, with the global responsibility for Business Ethics, Compliance and Data Privacy – and is a leading expert in driving compliance, and culture transformation projects. Tune into our conversation about the ethical nuances in corporate missions and the potential pitfalls of moral licensing. We will explore how simplifying Coloplast’s code of conduct has made ethical guidelines more accessible and relevant to every employee. We also touch on the importance of fostering a transparent company culture… where questioning and learning from failures are seen as opportunities for growth. Links Mentioned: Cultureandleadership.org Martin Lønstrup on LinkedIn

Klaus Moosmayer joined Novartis in 2018 as Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. He was previously chief compliance officer at Siemens AG, where he spent 18 years in roles of increasing seniority. He began his career as a lawyer in Germany, specializing in white-collar crime, business law and litigation. In this episode we explore the reality of ethical dilemmas in the corporate world, the importance of building trust, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, and the value of creating an inviting atmosphere for discussions on ethics and compliance. Klaus also discusses the development of a new code of ethics at Novartis – likening it to the company's constitution. Links Mentioned: Cultureandleadership.org ‘Blind Spots’ by Ann Tenbrunsel and Max Bazerman Klaus Moosmayer on LinkedIn