140 | Equipping Managers for the Future: Tools for Culture and Connection | Katy Lumsden & Neil O'Brien
Release Date: 10/23/2025
149 | Leading Teams in the Age of Constant Change | Scott McInnes & Glenda Kirby
Building Better Cultures
In this episode of the Building Better Cultures Podcast, host Scott McInnes speaks with Glenda Kirby, Chief Customer Officer at Poppulo, about the evolving role of leadership communication in a fast-changing workplace. They explore how trust, transparency, and empathy form the foundation of strong organizational cultures, particularly in a world shaped by hybrid work, constant change, and emerging technologies like AI. Glenda shares practical insights from her experience helping global organizations communicate with millions of employees, as well as lessons from her...
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148 | Harnessing Organisational Success Through People | Scott McInnes & Iain Kirkwood
Building Better Cultures
In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, host Scott McInnes is joined by Iain Kirkwood, Chief HRO of EX3, to explore the critical role of people in organisational success. They discuss the importance of clarity in purpose, the necessity of difficult conversations in performance management, and the empowerment of people leaders. The conversation delves into the significance of continuous feedback, the measurement of organisational culture, and the connection between culture and business performance. They also touch on the role of values and...
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147 | Unlocking Purpose in Organisations | Scott McInnes & Professor Peter Hawkins
Building Better Cultures
In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Professor Peter Hawkins, a leading authority in systemic coaching and leadership development. They explore the essential elements organisations need to thrive in the 21st century, emphasising the importance of being purpose-led, stakeholder-centric, and fostering collective leadership. Hawkins discusses the critical role of organisational culture and learning, the dynamics of trust within teams, and the concept of WeQ—collaborative...
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146 | The Power of Curiosity at Work | Scott McInnes & Joe Lalley
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode of the Building Better Cultures Podcast, host Scott McInnes sits down with Joe Lalley, author of 'How Curiosity Can Transform Your Career, Your Team, and Your Organisation.' Together, they explore the power of curiosity in transforming careers, teams, and organisations. Tune in to discover practical insights on fostering curiosity, psychological safety, and innovative cultures. Keywords: Curiosity, innovation, psychological safety, organizational culture, design thinking, leadership, experimentation, learning from failure, AI, creative...
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145 | Building Trust in Turbulent Times | Scott McInnes & Kim Bohr
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Kim Bohr, President and COO of Spark Effect, about the critical role of trust in organisations. They discuss the findings from the report 'Trust in Turbulence' which breaks down trust into measurable domains and emphasises its importance as a competitive advantage. The conversation explores how disruptions, such as the return to office policies, impact trust, and how organizations can build and rebuild trust through effective communication and leadership practices. ...
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144 | Leading Culture in a Hybrid World | Scott McInnes & Phil Codd
Building Better Cultures
Welcome back to a brand-new series of the Building Better Cultures Podcast! In the first episode of the season, host Scott McInnes is joined by Phil Codd, Managing Director of Expleo in Ireland. They discuss the multifaceted nature of organisational culture, emphasising the importance of aligning leadership and employee cultures. Phil shares insights on employee happiness, effective communication, and the significance of feedback loops in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of hybrid work, the future of organisational culture, and the need for...
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143 | The Power of Connection in Modern Workplaces | Kevin Empey & Susie Leacy
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenge of disconnection in the workplace with guests Susie Leacy and Kevin Empey. They explore the impact of remote work on employee connection, the role of leadership in fostering a cohesive culture, and the importance of intentional strategies to build relationships among employees. The conversation also touches on the multi-generational workforce and the need for organizations to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to meet diverse needs. Ultimately, the episode...
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142 | Navigating Accountability for Values | Karen Jones & Karen Hackett
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenge of accountability for values with guests Karen Jones and Karen Hackett. They explore the importance of articulating and embedding organizational values, the role of managers in fostering a culture of accountability, and the potential pitfalls of weaponizing values in the workplace. The conversation also touches on the significance of onboarding processes and the need for open communication and feedback within organizations. Takeaways Accountability for...
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141 | Mentoring, Peer Learning, and AI: The Future of Workplace Development | Barbara Carroll & Lisa Melody
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the third challenge from the Mind the Gap research report, focusing on the importance of learning and development in organizations. Joined by guests Barbara Carroll and Lisa Melody, they explore the significance of multi-generational workforces, the effectiveness of peer learning, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of continuous learning. The conversation emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt their training methods and embrace diverse learning opportunities to meet...
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140 | Equipping Managers for the Future: Tools for Culture and Connection | Katy Lumsden & Neil O'Brien
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenges faced by mid-management in organizations, drawing insights from the Mind the Gap research report. Guests Katy Lumsden and Neil O'Brien share their experiences and perspectives on the evolving roles of managers and leaders, the importance of culture, and the need for effective communication and training. The conversation highlights the significance of psychological safety, resilience, and the necessity for managers to engage in tough conversations while fostering a supportive...
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In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenges faced by mid-management in organizations, drawing insights from the Mind the Gap research report. Guests Katy Lumsden and Neil O'Brien share their experiences and perspectives on the evolving roles of managers and leaders, the importance of culture, and the need for effective communication and training. The conversation highlights the significance of psychological safety, resilience, and the necessity for managers to engage in tough conversations while fostering a supportive environment.
Takeaways
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The mid-management layer faces unique challenges from both above and below.
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Commonalities in organizational challenges can provide reassurance and strength.
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Leadership and management roles are increasingly blurred in modern organizations.
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Managers need to be equipped with tools to foster culture and engagement.
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The say-do gap highlights discrepancies between senior leadership intentions and managerial actions.
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Tough conversations are essential for growth but often avoided due to fear.
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Psychological safety is misunderstood and misapplied in many organizations.
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Resilience in younger generations may differ from previous cohorts.
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Effective management requires understanding individual team members deeply.
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Training for managers should focus on practical skills for modern challenges.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mind the Gap Research
05:04 The Role of Mid-Management
08:39 Leadership vs. Management
16:18 Culture Multipliers vs. Bottlenecks
21:58 Shifting Mindsets in Management
23:37 Navigating the Transition from Peer to Manager
29:42 The Importance of Role Modelling in Leadership
31:51 Addressing Difficult Conversations
38:47 Resilience in Leadership and Generational Differences
44:37 Skills for Modern Leadership in a Hybrid World
Mind the Gap Research: https://bit.ly/3WMlS4C
What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety: https://hbr.org/2025/05/what-people-get-wrong-about-psychological-safety