Responsible Leaders - Healthy Cultures

Tobias Sturesson sits down with Dr. Donna Hicks, Harvard conflict resolution expert and creator of the Dignity Model, who spent three decades mediating the world's most painful conflicts alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu.This conversation reframes dignity as the missing link in healthy culture. You'll learn why dignity isn't the same as respect, how the brain processes a dignity violation like a physical injury, and what it takes to build organizations where people feel safe to speak up and truly flourish.In this episode, we explore:(00:00) Why people confuse dignity and respect, and why it matters(05:13) Decades mediating conflict from the Middle East to Colombia(08:20) Searching for the one word that opened every door(11:22) What Archbishop Tutu taught Donna about shared humanity(16:15) Why toxic cultures are filled with dignity violations(20:30) Defining dignity as our inborn value and worth(22:09) How the brain processes dignity injury like physical pain(25:29) When violations get embedded into systems and structures(28:24) The 10 elements, and why safety is most often violated(40:36) The bully who finally had his suffering acknowledged(45:03) Integrating AI without systematically dehumanizing people(48:04) Assessing whether your culture honors or violates dignity‘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/.

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