133 | Empathy: The Missing Ingredient in Leadership | Keith Barry
Release Date: 05/15/2025
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...
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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 negotiate by understanding body language and the importance of gut instincts in decision-making. The discussion also emphasizes the need for mental resilience through acceptance and positivity, especially in challenging times. Finally, the speakers highlight the significance of authenticity in leadership, advocating for genuine connections with team members.
Takeaways
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99.9999% of leaders leave communication skills on the table.
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Leadership is a mindset, not a position.
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Cultural leadership involves leading teams effectively.
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Subconscious behaviors drive our actions and decisions.
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Storytelling is crucial for effective communication.
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Empathy is essential in today's volatile world.
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Tactical empathy can enhance leadership effectiveness.
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Understanding non-verbal communication is vital for leaders.
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Influence is built on trust and rapport.
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Effective storytelling involves hooks, tension, and payoffs. Influence can be achieved through understanding and mirroring body language.
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Trusting your gut instinct can lead to better decision-making.
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Life is messy, and accepting that can lead to personal growth.
Chapters
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00:00 Unlocking Non-Verbal Communication in Leadership
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05:07 The Journey of a Brain Hacker
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09:49 The Power of Subconscious Storytelling
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14:59 Empathy and Communication in Leadership
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20:01 Influence Through Mirroring and Rapport
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21:30 The Art of Influence and Negotiation
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23:12 Trusting Your Gut: The Role of Instinct in Decision-Making
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28:42 Building an Unbreakable Mind: Acceptance and Positivity
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37:53 Authenticity in Leadership: The Key to Connection