142 | Navigating Accountability for Values | Karen Jones & Karen Hackett
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 values is a significant challenge for many organizations. Values must be articulated and understood to be effectively lived. Creating a culture of feedback is essential for accountability. Managers play a pivotal role in releasing the energy of their teams. Onboarding processes should embed values from the start. Psychological safety is crucial for open conversations about values. Values can be weaponized, leading to defensiveness in feedback. Organizations need to be bold about their current culture and desired future state. Storytelling can help connect employees to organizational values. Time is a critical factor in enabling managers to engage with their teams.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Accountability for Values 01:24 Understanding Organizational Culture 04:18 Insights from the Mind the Gap Report 06:19 Bringing Values to Life 11:03 Accountability in Practice 17:17 Weaponization of Values in the Workplace 22:16 Building a High-Performance Culture 24:53 The Role of Managers in Organizational Success 30:01 Empowering Middle Managers 37:22 The Importance of Storytelling in Leadership 37:49 Effective Onboarding Practices Â
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141 | Mentoring, Peer Learning, and AI: The Future of Workplace Development | Barbara Carroll & Lisa Melody
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 the evolving needs of their employees. In this conversation, Scott McInnes, Lisa Melody, and Barbara Carroll discuss the evolving landscape of learning and development, emphasizing the importance of practical experience, mentoring, and the integration of AI in shaping future skills. They explore how organizations can foster growth through stretch assignments and collaborative decision-making, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in streamlining learning processes. 📘 Download Mind the Gap Report: https://www.inspiringchange.ie/mindthegap  Takeaways Organizations are grappling with similar challenges in learning and development. Learning should be a core value within organizations. Different learning methods can enhance employee development. Peer-based learning fosters collaboration and accountability. Mentoring, including reverse mentoring, is increasingly valuable. Leaders must model a commitment to their own learning. Creating space for learning is essential for employee development. Understanding the 'why' behind training increases motivation. Simple interventions can lead to significant improvements in learning. Embedding learning in organizational culture is crucial for success. Learning is about practical experience, not just courses. The 70-20-10 model emphasizes learning through daily activities. Stretch assignments can significantly enhance learning. Mentoring plays a crucial role in development. Engaging leaders fosters a collaborative culture. AI can help identify skills needed for future roles, streamline learning needs assessments and enable more efficient learning material creation. Reflection on learning is essential for growth. The future of learning will be more personalized through AI.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mind the Gap Research 03:53 The Importance of Learning in Organizations 09:48 Dynamic Training and Peer Learning 16:14 Multi-Generational Workforces and Mentoring 20:04 Leadership's Role in Cultivating Learning Cultures 28:05 Redefining Learning and Development 33:10 The Role of AI in Future Skills 43:43 Embracing Change in Learning EnvironmentsÂ
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140 | Equipping Managers for the Future: Tools for Culture and Connection | Katy Lumsden & Neil O'Brien
 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 environment.   Takeaways The mid-management layer faces unique challenges from both above and below. Commonalities in organizational challenges can provide reassurance and strength. Leadership and management roles are increasingly blurred in modern organizations. Managers need to be equipped with tools to foster culture and engagement. The say-do gap highlights discrepancies between senior leadership intentions and managerial actions. Tough conversations are essential for growth but often avoided due to fear. Psychological safety is misunderstood and misapplied in many organizations. Resilience in younger generations may differ from previous cohorts. Effective management requires understanding individual team members deeply. 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     Â
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139 | The Critical Role Leadership Plays in Shaping Organisational Culture | Denise Black and Denis Doolan
Episode Summary In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with Denise Black and Denis Doolan to explore the critical role of leadership in shaping organisational culture. Together, they unpack insights from the Mind the Gap report — highlighting the importance of intentionality, inclusivity, and the need for leaders to embody the culture they wish to create. The conversation delves into the consequences of neglecting culture, the essential capabilities leaders must develop, and the collaborative process of defining a target culture that aligns with organisational strategy. The episode wraps up with reflections on how leadership drives cultural change and performance across teams. Key Takeaways Leaders have a disproportionate impact on organisational culture. Inclusivity is essential for effective culture creation. Culture should be woven into the strategic DNA of the organisation. Empathy and active listening are critical leadership skills. Culture is not a standalone initiative — it enables all initiatives. Intentionality in leadership is crucial for cultural success. Feedback from employees is vital in shaping target culture. Communication reinforces culture and values. Leaders must model the behaviours they wish to see. A strong culture leads to better organisational performance. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to Leadership and Culture 04:28 — Insights from the Mind the Gap Report 09:24 — The Role of Leaders in Shaping Culture 15:12 — Consequences of Abdicating Culture to HR 19:19 — Essential Capabilities for Senior Leaders 30:39 — Defining Target Culture 37:23 — Impact of Leadership on Cultural Change Resources 📘 Download the Mind the Gap report → bit.ly/4nT9jAo
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138 | Mind The Gap Research: Insights on Organisational Culture | Sadhbh O'Flaherty & Scott McInnes
SUMMARY In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Sadhbh O'Flaherty takes over the mic to interview Scott McInnes about his recent research titled 'Mind the Gap.' The research explores the cultural challenges organisations face today, particularly through the lens of Chief People Officers (CPOs) in Ireland. The conversation delves into the motivations behind the research, key findings, and actionable insights for organisations looking to improve their culture. Key themes include leadership skill and will, the role of managers, the importance of learning and development, accountability for values, and the challenge of disconnection in the workplace. Scott emphasises the need for intentionality in creating a strong organisational culture that aligns with business strategies. Mind The Gap Research: http://bit.ly/4gXtNp2  TAKEAWAYS Connection among HR leaders is crucial. Understanding culture challenges requires frontline insights. Leaders set the tone for organisational culture. Everyone in the organization owns the culture. Managers play a key role in translating values to teams. Learning should be prioritized beyond formal courses. Accountability for values strengthens organisational culture. Feedback is essential for personal and professional growth. Intentionality is key in fostering workplace connections. Culture impacts business outcomes significantly.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Research 02:02 The Motivation Behind the Research 04:28 Leadership Skill and Will 06:55 The Manager Factor 10:54 Skills for Today and Tomorrow 15:09 Accountability for Values 20:54 The Challenge of Disconnection 27:22 Surprises from the Research 29:18 Connecting Themes to Business Outcomes 32:34 Actionable Steps for OrganisationsÂ
Hosted by Scott McInnes, founder of Inspiring Change, we talk to guests about how really good internal comms, engagement and leadership all contribute to 'Building Better Cultures'. We tend to shy away from theory and focus more on really practical advice, great stories and best-practice.
About Inspiring Change
At Inspiring Change we help our clients to connect their people to their strategies, their change programmes, their purposes and to each other. We do that by focusing on strategic internal communications, employee engagement and leadership.
For more, see www.inspiringchange.ie
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