148 | Harnessing Organisational Success Through People | Scott McInnes & Iain Kirkwood
Release Date: 03/19/2026
BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Empathy Isn't Soft
Building Better Cultures
Empathy Isn't Soft When did you last ask someone how they actually were, and really listen? Everyone says empathy matters. Nobody actually teaches it. In this best-bits episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes goes back to two conversations about why that needs to change: Rob Volpe (EP092) on empathy as a practical leadership tool, and Niamh Fitzpatrick (EP084) on the emotional aftermath of the pandemic. Rob Volpe starts by taking apart the definition most of us use. Walking in someone else's shoes is only half the job, and the half everyone skips is taking your own shoes off...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 behaviors in shaping culture and the importance of a dynamic Employee Value Proposition (EVP).
Keywords:
Organisational culture, employee engagement, leadership, performance management, HR transformation, continuous feedback, employee value proposition, purpose-driven organizations, difficult conversations, accountability
Key Takeaways:
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Clarity around company goals is essential for success.
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Hiring for attitude is more important than hiring for skills.
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Strong leadership is key to aligning people with company objectives.
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Difficult conversations are necessary for managing performance.
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Empowering people leaders is crucial for organisational success.
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Continuous feedback helps in course correction throughout the year.
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Culture can impact business performance significantly.
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Values should translate into observable behaviors.
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An effective EVP should resonate with employees' experiences.
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Regularly revisiting the EVP keeps it relevant and engaging.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast
01:53 Setting Companies Up for Success Through People
05:16 The Importance of Purpose in Organisations
08:10 Navigating Difficult Conversations with Employees
10:56 Empowering People Leaders for Effective Management
14:03 The Shift Towards Continuous Feedback
19:22 Understanding and Valuing Organisational Culture
20:21 Valuing Organisational Culture
22:00 Impact of Culture on Performance
23:45 Performance Management and Accountability
26:03 The Role of Values in Culture
30:01 Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
34:39 Creating a Positive Work Environment
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