150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O’Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby
Release Date: 04/29/2026
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 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:
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The evolution of internal communication practices and the importance of continuous improvement.
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The "Readiness Gap": understanding the misalignment between technological potential, leadership expectations, and employee experiences.
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Six key risks impacting organisational readiness: audience burnout, budget constraints, line manager effectiveness, information overload, lack of inclusion of communicators in decision-making, and lack of clear direction.
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The significance of strategy clarity, shared understanding, and alignment in achieving organizational goals.
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The critical role of managers in communication effectiveness and how to empower them with practical tools and frameworks.
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Importance of change management versus change communication, and how emotional responses influence organisational change success.
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The impact of human-centric approaches, including tone of voice, narrative, and bite-sized content adapted for attention spans.
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The persistent neglect of management communication tools and the opportunity for AI to streamline messaging, measurement, and feedback.
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The cultural shift needed to support managers and improve communication effectiveness across organisations.
Chapters:
00:00 Celebrating 150 Episodes and Reflecting on Growth
01:23 Introduction to the State of the Sector Report and Key Stats
02:25 Focus on the Readiness Gap in Organizations
05:44 Understanding the Six Key Risks Contributing to the Readiness Gap
10:07 The Power of Strategy and Shared Understanding
11:00 Leadership's Role in Clarifying Vision and Strategy
12:29 The Importance of Repetition and Clarity in Communication
12:57 Addressing Change and Emotional Responses in the Workplace
15:01 The Significance of Empathy and Human Emotion in Change Management
15:56 Embracing Continuous Change as the New Norm
17:04 The Skill Set of Change Communications and Internal Comms
18:52 Psychology and Employee Resilience in a Volatile Environment
22:56 The Role of Tone of Voice and Storytelling in Engagement
36:26 The Impact of Human-Centric Communication and Simplicity
42:22 The Power of Storytelling and Narrative in Internal Comms
44:39 The Shift Toward Authentic and Human Tone of Voice
48:57 Leveraging AI for Simplified and Impactful Communication
49:17 Practical Tips for High-Performing Teams and Manager Effectiveness
50:41 The Importance of Listening and Feedback Loops
51:56 Closing Remarks and Resources for Better Internal Communication
Keywords:
internal communication, change management, employee engagement, leadership, AI in HR, communication strategy, organisational change, employee trust, storytelling, human-centric communication
Resources:
State of the Sector Report - https://ajg.com/employeeexperience/state-of-the-sector
Website link with more Information: inspiringchange.ie/stateofthesector
Connect with us:
Connect with Maddison Grigsby: