123 | How to Avoid Culture-Killing DEI Blunders | Aleksandar Damchevski & Christiane Bisanzio
Release Date: 11/09/2023
137 | Storytelling, Stakeholders, and Strategy: Communicating Change Right
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Catherine Fallon about the critical role of change communication in organizations undergoing transformation. Catherine shares her extensive experience in employee engagement and change management, emphasizing the importance of building trust and aligning stakeholders during periods of change. The conversation explores effective strategies for communicating change, the role of middle management, the significance of storytelling, and the necessity of engaging change agents to foster a supportive...
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136 | Navigating Organisational Culture Challenges | Clare Duffield
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Clare Duffield, Assistant Chief Officer for People and Organisational Development at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). They discuss the importance of workplace culture, the challenges faced by policing globally, and the insights gained from a cultural audit conducted within PSNI. Clare shares the findings of the audit, highlighting both concerns and strengths within the organisation, and emphasises the need for trust, recognition, and support in fostering a positive culture. The...
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135 | The Evolving Role of Modern Leadership
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Dara Connolly, CEO of Common Purpose Ireland, about the evolving role of leadership in today's organizations. They discuss the importance of connection, self-awareness, and the need for leaders to adapt in a post-COVID world. Dara shares insights on practical strategies for effective leadership, the significance of mentoring, and the impact of good leadership on society. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to be open, curious, and engaged in their communities to foster positive...
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134 | Unlocking Potential: Neurodiversity, ESG, and Organisational Culture in Action
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Lorna McAdoo, head of ESG at Version One, about the importance of organizational culture, the role of ESG in shaping that culture, and strategies for enhancing employee engagement, especially in a post-COVID world. They discuss the significance of listening to employees, integrating ESG into daily operations, and the potential of neurodiversity in the workplace. Lorna emphasizes the need for organizations to be flexible and proactive in creating an inclusive environment that fosters connection...
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133 | Empathy: The Missing Ingredient in Leadership | Keith Barry
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of non-verbal communication in leadership, the journey of a brain hacker, the power of subconscious storytelling, the role of empathy in communication, and the science behind influence through mirroring and rapport. They emphasize that effective leadership requires understanding and harnessing these elements to create a positive organizational culture. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of influence, decision-making, resilience, and leadership. They explore how to effectively...
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132 | Navigating Middle Management Challenges in Modern Workplaces | Kathryn Whyte
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode, the conversation delves into the intricacies of workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of leadership, purpose, and employee wellbeing. The speakers discuss how culture is shaped by the behaviours tolerated within an organization and the critical role leaders play in modelling desired behaviours. They explore the challenges faced by middle management and the necessity of empowering employees to take charge of their wellbeing. The discussion highlights the need for intentionality in fostering connections and trust within teams, ultimately leading to a...
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131 | Leadership, empathy & diversity lessons from Mumbai | BBC Shorts
Building Better Cultures
When 20 senior leaders from 9 countries gathered in the heart of Mumbai, the lessons weren’t found in PowerPoint decks—they were found in the streets, in conversation, and in shared moments of discomfort and growth. In this episode, Scott McInnes reflects on his experience with the Common Purpose Senior Leader Programme, exploring how a city of contrasts challenged his assumptions, highlighted the power of diversity, and deepened his understanding of bias and empathy. A story about leadership that unfolds not in loud declarations—but in quiet, meaningful shifts.
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130 | From Employee to Owner: The Business of Coffee & Culture
Building Better Cultures
Episode Summary In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with , CEO of , to discuss the company’s incredible transformation over the past three years. Jonathan shares his journey from employee to owner through a management buyout (MBO) and the challenges he faced in reshaping the organisation’s leadership and culture. With a strong focus on communication, trust, and a people-first approach, Jonathan highlights how visibility, vulnerability, and fun play crucial roles in creating an engaged and motivated workforce. He also delves into the...
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129 | The Eight Practices of Credible Leadership | Jenni Field
Building Better Cultures
EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with Jenni Field, CEO of Redefining Communications, to discuss her new book Nobody Believes You and the critical role of credibility in leadership. They explore the eight interconnected practices that define credible leadership and examine how leaders can navigate post-pandemic organisational challenges with empathy, integrity, and self-awareness. Jenni shares research-backed insights on how leaders can build trust, foster a supportive culture, and adapt their communication styles to strengthen...
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128 | HubSpot’s Culture Code and Leadership Insights for Hybrid Work Success | Eimear Marrinan
Building Better Cultures
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes interviews , 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: acts as a...
info_outlineHow 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.
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