143 | The Power of Connection in Modern Workplaces | Kevin Empey & Susie Leacy
Release Date: 11/13/2025
BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Tell Me a Story
Building Better Cultures
Data convinces. Stories move people. So why do we still lead with the spreadsheet? In this best-bits episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes goes back to two conversations about the power of narrative at work: Richard Newman (EP108) on the neuroscience of emotional engagement, and Alison Esse (EP012) on purpose-led storytelling at scale. Richard Newman explains what actually happens in the brain when you open with a chart instead of a story. Spreadsheets speak to the logical mind, but the emotional brain decides first and it decides whether anything gets through at all. He walks...
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BBC Best Bits | Ep 1 | Lessons from the Locker Room.
Building Better Cultures
Lessons from the Locker Room (BBC Best Bits Ep1) What do a rugby coach, a rugby captain and an RAF pilot have in common? Turns out, they all know quite a lot about leadership. In our first 'Best Bits' episode, Scott McInnes revisits three standout conversations with leaders who've performed under real pressure: Stuart Lancaster, Jamie Heaslip and Peter Docker. Stuart Lancaster explains why psychological safety and mutual trust sit at the heart of every high-performance culture, and why great leadership is built on relationships, not titles. Jamie Heaslip takes on vulnerability, the most...
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156 | Inside Disconnection at Work: Bridging the Connection Gap Report | Scott McInnes & Sadhbh O’Flaherty
Building Better Cultures
In this episode, Scott McInnes is joined once again by Inspiring Change’s Sadhbh O'Flaherty to dig into their latest research, Bridging the Connection Gap. Building on last year's Mind the Gap study, where CPOs and CEOs identified disconnection as one of the top barriers to a strong, aligned culture, Scott and Sadhbh went deeper, speaking one-on-one with senior leaders to understand what's really getting in the way of human connection at work today. Six clear themes emerged from those conversations: busyness, hybrid working,...
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155 | The Overlooked Art of Building Connection at Work | Scott McInnes with Christine Armstrong
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode, Scott McInnes sits down with Christine Armstrong, to dive deep into the critical importance of connection in the workplace. Together they explore how workplace trends have eroded relationships and the role of intentionality in creating a thriving organisational culture. Christine offers practical strategies to rebuild trust at work and really nurture those vital human connections. Key Takeaways: Connection is a deliberate act, not a happy accident Hierarchical and operational...
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154 | Why Leaders Still Struggle to Foster Psychological Safety | Scott McInnes with Minette Norman & Karolin Helbig
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode, Scott is joined by authors Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig as they delve into practical strategies for fostering trust, vulnerability, and inclusion in organisations, and explore the nuances of psychological safety. This episode reveals how small changes can lead to profound shifts in workplace culture. In this episode, you’ll discover: · The definition and emotional experience of psychological safety · The importance of vulnerability and courageous communication for leaders ...
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153 | Neurodiversity Recognition at Work | Scott McInnes & Alan Stracey
Building Better Cultures
In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes talks to Alan Stracey, a certified ADHD Coach and Founder of WhereFocusGoes, to explore the nuanced world of neurodiversity. They discuss how understanding and accommodating neurodivergent conditions can transform workplace culture and unlock individual potential. In this episode, you’ll discover: What is neurodiversity and how do neurodiverse conditions manifest? The importance of language and perception around neurodiversity in workplaces ...
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152 | Embracing AI with Humanity | Scott McInnes & Wema Hoover
Building Better Cultures
In this episode, Scott McInnes welcomes Wema Hoover, founder of Be Limitless Consulting, to explore the impact of AI on leadership, culture, and work. They discuss how organisations can leverage AI while maintaining a human-centered approach, fostering innovation, and managing change across generations. In this episode, you’ll discover: The rapid evolution of AI and its influence on the workplace over the past 15 months Strategies for integrating AI responsibly through clear guardrails and...
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151 | Building Employee Loyalty That Lasts | Scott McInnes & Stephen Baer
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode, host Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Stephen Baer, founder of Engagency, as they explore the core principles behind building resilient organisational cultures that thrive on trust, purpose, and people-centered leadership. In this episode, you’ll learn: The true drivers of employee engagement and retention The role of middle management in fostering a culture of trust Strategies to communicate purpose and strategy effectively ...
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150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O’Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby
Building Better Cultures
In this special bonus episode, Scott McInnes and his colleague Sadhbh O’Flaherty are joined by Communications Consultant at Gallagher, Maddison Grigsby, to explore the latest insights from the 'State of the Sector' report on internal communications, focusing on the readiness gap, strategic alignment, and human-centric communication. Maddison shares expert advice on improving manager effectiveness, change management, and leveraging AI for better engagement. Key Takeaways: The evolution of internal...
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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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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 emphasizes that connection is a shared responsibility between leaders and employees, and that fostering a culture of connection is essential for organizational success.
Takeaways
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Disconnection is a significant challenge in modern workplaces.
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Connection is essential for productivity and resilience.
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Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering connection.
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Organizations must adapt to maintain engagement in remote work settings.
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Intentional strategies are needed to create opportunities for connection.
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The multi-generational workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities.
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Onboarding processes should focus on building community and connection.
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Employees have a role in co-creating workplace culture.
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Flexibility in work arrangements comes with shared responsibility.
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Connection should be prioritized over merely addressing disconnection.
Chapters
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00:00 Introduction to Disconnection in the Workplace
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04:47 Understanding the Challenge of Disconnection
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09:01 The Importance of Connection in Modern Work
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12:03 Bridging the Gap: Building Cohesion and Engagement
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16:15 Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce
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21:55 Intergenerational Connections in Care Settings
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24:35 Bridging Generational Gaps in the Workplace
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29:42 Intentional Onboarding and Cultural Integration
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33:06 Creating Community in a Hybrid Work Environment
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39:13 Co-Creating Culture: The Role of Employees and Leaders