The CultureCon Podcast

Alignment sounds simple until Monday happens. Nick and Zach sit down with Kate Zappitelli, Principal Consultant at Karrikins Group and Chair of the Alignment Institute, to unpack why agreement is not enough for people-first leaders. Kate shares how real alignment requires clarity, connection, commitment, and courage, especially when teams are stuck in side conversations, unclear expectations, or old habits. From AI adoption to intentional optimism, she challenges leaders to model the behaviors they want to see, name what is getting in the way, and build the muscle of alignment every day. If you have ever left a strategy session energized only to watch the work fade by Monday, this conversation will help you turn good intentions into consistent leadership action. Additional Resources: Connect with Kate on LinkedIn Get the book: "Make HOW Matter" Learn more about Karrikins Group Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Agreement is not the same as alignment. Side conversations weaken trust and team alignment. Leadership requires consistent communication and intentional energy. AI adoption starts with leaders experimenting personally. Sustainable alignment depends on clear team commitments.

Culture only eats strategy for breakfast when the culture isn't aligned with the strategic aims of the business. In this episode, ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay discuss with special guest Joey Williams, Engagement & Development Specialist at Healthpeak Properties (NYSE: DOC), how organizations can achieve competitive advantage when their leaders are able to consistently activate the intentional culture that will fuel business growth. This is what organizational resiliency and agility is today, leaders continual monitoring and aligning of culture with strategy by celebrating and coaching the right things and not tolerating the wrong things. A healthy culture that's in service of the goals of the business acts as shock absorber for employees as uncertainty and tumult abounds. Additional Resources: Connect with Joey on LinkedIn Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture feeds strategy when both are aligned Values need behaviors, not just wall posters Stay interviews uncover what people really need Leadership buy-in makes culture work sustainable Trust matters most during messy business moments

The AI conversation just got real, and Nick and Zach are taking us inside the inaugural CultureCon AI Summit to unpack what actually happened in the room. From hope and hesitation to leadership buy-in, ethical responsibility, and the very human need for connection, this episode explores why AI is not just a tech topic, it is a culture topic. 🤖 Nick and Zach reflect on what surprised them most, including the wide range of AI maturity across organizations, the tension between experimentation and regulation, and the big questions leaders cannot afford to ignore. They also get honest about their own relationship with AI, from productivity breakthroughs to the anxious pull of immediacy. At the heart of it all is a reminder people-first leaders need right now: AI may change how we work, but creativity, connection, and human judgment are becoming more valuable than ever. This is a grounded, timely conversation for anyone trying to lead with both curiosity and responsibility in the age of AI. Additional Resources: Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: AI is now a workplace culture conversation. Leaders must balance innovation with ethical responsibility. AI maturity varies widely across organizations. Human connection remains the heart of work. Creativity and people skills are increasingly valuable.

AI is changing how work gets done, but it's also raising the bar for leadership. In this special live episode, hosted by Jason Cochran of People Forward Network, Heather Haas and BJ McKay explore what it means to lead when AI is reshaping the workplace. While much of the work people are paid to do can now be automated, leadership is not one of those things. Together, they unpack what they're seeing across organizations today, from the growing gap between high-performing leaders and everyone else, to the lack of clarity many teams face around how AI should be used. The conversation centers on a simple idea: Leadership isn't being replaced. It's being revealed. And the leaders who bring human connection, empathy, creativity, and critical thinking to their work will shape what comes next. Additional Resources: Learn more about ADVISA's new Leading with AI training experience! Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Leadership remains deeply human despite AI advancement AI raises expectations, not reduces leadership responsibility Human connection drives meaning, trust, and performance Slowing down improves long-term strategic decision making Self-awareness separates thriving leaders from struggling ones

In a world starving for real connection, what if the answer is as simple and as radical as pulling up more chairs? 🍽️ Nick and Zach sit down with Tim Jones, Founder and Executive Director of Longer Tables, to explore how shared meals can break down barriers, spark belonging, and remind us what it means to truly see one another. Tim shares the heart behind Longer Tables and why the table has become such a powerful symbol in his work. From creating spaces where job titles are left behind to helping leaders model vulnerability first, this conversation is a masterclass in building cultures where people feel safe, valued, and fully human. Along the way, Nick, Zach, and Tim reflect on memorable meals, meaningful leadership, and the moments that stay with us long after the table is cleared. If you care about connection, belonging, and leading people in a more human way, this episode will leave you challenged, encouraged, and ready to set a longer table. Additional Resources: Connect with Tim on LinkedIn Learn more about Longer Tables Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Belonging begins when leaders model vulnerability first. Shared meals create space for deeper human connection. Job titles often block authentic relationships at work. Presence and storytelling help people feel truly seen. Great leaders set tables, not just agendas.

BJ McKay hosts a roundtable of ADVISA Leadership Consultants, who discuss the biggest problems they're hearing in the workplace today, and actions companies can take to help solve them. Additional Resources: Connect with Mandy on LinkedIn Connect with Kye on LinkedIn Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture equals repeated behaviors and shared language Activation from above drives sustainable transformation Data cuts through assumption and subjective storytelling Leadership is a job requiring defined skills Training alone rarely produces lasting behavior change

Culture is happening whether you design it or not. The real question is, is it accelerating your strategy or quietly sabotaging it? Live from CultureCon 2024, Jasmine Bellamy sits down with Jeff Lindemann of WD-40 Company to unpack what it truly means to create the culture you want. Jeff shares why culture is not an HR initiative but a CEO responsibility, how belonging became the foundation of their global organization, and why they run the business from the strategy down instead of the spreadsheet up. 🌎 From a 9x return on value creation to a market cap growth from 350 million to 3.5 billion, Jeff makes a compelling case that employee engagement is not a soft metric. It is a competitive advantage. If you are a people-first leader who wants culture to fuel long term value, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to lead with intention. Additional Resources: Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Intentional culture accelerates business strategy execution Belonging drives engagement and long term value Culture is a CEO responsibility, not HR task Strategy down beats spreadsheet up leadership Engagement directly correlates with financial performance

ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay share favorite highlights and key takeaways from the conference every leader should know. Plus, they explain how each topic relates to the ATLAS framework for achieving cultural competitive advantage. Additional Resources: Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture is a feeling, backed by strategy and spine. Coaching access reduces emotional burdens on managers. Listening isn't agreement; it's creating connection. Mindset drives leadership, resilience, and adaptability. Culture lives in daily conversations, not corporate posters.

What if the reason culture isn't working is because leaders think they've already figured it out? Elaine and Hattie sit down with Karen Richards, founder of Uniquely Global and executive coach to top global leaders, to expose what's really going on in boardrooms when it comes to culture, and what's not. Karen brings decades of experience across industries, from elite sports to global brands, to reveal the truth about leadership blind spots, emotional intelligence, and the quiet gap between performance and people. Through real stories and hard-won insight, she shows why coaching isn't just about behavior change, it's about identity, instinct, and owning your shadow. This isn't a conversation about soft skills. It's about the hard work of leadership. Karen challenges every leader to stop outsourcing culture and start doing the internal work that changes everything, from how you show up in a room to how people show up for you. No scripts. No safe answers. Just honest conversations about what's possible when we stop doing things by default and start doing them by design. Tune in for fresh perspectives, future-focused thinking, and ideas bold enough to actually change things. Additional Resources: Connect with Karen on LinkedIn Connect with Hattie on LinkedIn Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn Learn more about Fauna Follow Fauna on LinkedIn Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture is the fuel behind sustainable performance. Leaders must embrace emotional intelligence to grow. Self-awareness unlocks team and business potential. Coaching reveals the gap between knowing and leading. Ask: "What am I missing?" regularly.

W. Edwards Deming was famously quoted as saying, "A bad system will beat a good person every time." After decades of training, coaching, and consulting with leaders, ADVISA has seen that five drivers create cultural competitive advantage for organizations. The final driver is one of the most important: Systems That Support Leaders. In this episode, Steve Edwards, President & General Manager of City Wide Facility Solutions, joins ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay to dig into why systems matter – and how you can put systems to work for you. Additional Resources: Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Learn more about City Wide Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture killers must be addressed quickly and directly. Systems should support, not stifle, your people. Leadership consistency builds team trust and performance. Frontline ideas often spark business growth. Complaints reveal quality opportunities and loyalty potential.

What if the real unlock to thriving workplace cultures isn't fixing what's broken, but amplifying what's already strong? Jasmine Bellamy sits down with Vibhas Ratanjee, Senior Practice Expert at Gallup, to explore how organizations can build strengths-based cultures rooted in affirmation, not audit. Drawing from over two decades of research and consulting at Gallup, Vibhas reveals how focusing on what's right with people, not what's wrong, can radically shift culture, engagement, and performance. From the origin of CliftonStrengths to insights on Gen Z's workplace disconnect, this episode is packed with data, stories, and deeply human takeaways. If you're a people leader ready to ditch the deficit mindset and unlock the full potential of your team, this conversation will change how you think about strengths, feedback, and the real work of culture. Additional Resources: Connect with Vibhas on LinkedIn Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Strengths-based leadership begins with knowing your own gifts Most organizations undervalue what's working well Feedback should amplify strengths, not fix weaknesses Only 1 in 3 use strengths daily at work Connection to culture is alarmingly low, especially in Gen Z

Want great insights to help you lead your people? You need data. "Actionable People Data" is the fourth driver of cultural competitive advantage in the acronym ATLAS. Data helps you increase employee engagement. Plus, by informing decisions, data reduces the burden on you to know the right thing to do. ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay discuss the critical importance of understanding employees' motivations, needs, and experiences in qualitative and quantitative ways. Additional Resources: Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Data is only powerful when applied consistently. Cultural fluency requires ongoing training and reinforcement. People data reveals how to meet employee needs. Manager access to data enables real-time action. Culture becomes tangible with the right analytics.

What if the key to thriving teams isn't just better benefits or ping pong tables, but bold conversations, deep listening, and shared ownership of culture? Live from CultureCon2024, Nikki Llewellyn Gregory sits down with Gianna Driver to unpack the real meaning of employee engagement. From Silicon Valley boardrooms to culture-shifting conference stages, Gianna shares her personal journey through pivotal career moments, the evolution of engagement post-pandemic, and how both leaders and employees must co-own the energy of their workplace. You'll hear why listening is the most underrated leadership skill, how to respond when the vibe of your company shifts, and why chasing alignment, not just paychecks, leads to true career fulfillment. Whether you're leading a team or navigating your own fork-in-the-road moment, this episode delivers fresh perspective, heartfelt stories, and one powerful challenge that could change your workplace forever. Additional Resources: Listen to more episodes Live from CultureCon on Fringe Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Engagement evolved dramatically during the pandemic. Listening is foundational to effective leadership. Employees share responsibility for workplace culture. Curiosity bridges conflicting perspectives at work. Joy and alignment outweigh financial incentives.