137 | Storytelling, Stakeholders, and Strategy: Communicating Change Right
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Catherine Fallon about the critical role of change communication in organizations undergoing transformation. Catherine shares her extensive experience in employee engagement and change management, emphasizing the importance of building trust and aligning stakeholders during periods of change. The conversation explores effective strategies for communicating change, the role of middle management, the significance of storytelling, and the necessity of engaging change agents to foster a supportive environment. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the need for honesty and transparency in communication to ensure successful change implementation. Takeaways Change communication is about building trust, not just issuing messages. Effective change communication aligns people towards a common goal. Resistance can cripple change programs if not managed properly. Honesty and transparency are critical in change communication. Middle management plays a vital role in translating change for their teams. Stakeholder analysis is essential to understand different perspectives. Stories can make change relatable and resonate with employees. Engaging change agents helps to influence and support the change process. Regular communication updates are necessary, even if there is no new information. Treating employees like adults fosters a culture of trust and engagement.  Sound Bites "It's not what you do, it's how you do it." "Change is always going to happen in an organization." "Building trust with the people going through the change." "The worst case is resistance and friction." "You want to know where the pockets of resistance are." "Being honest and open is critical." "Treat your employees like adults and don't infantilize them." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Change Communications 02:51 Catherine Fallon's Career Journey 05:45 The Importance of Change Communication 08:49 Effective Change Communication Strategies 12:09 The Role of Middle Management in Change 15:05 Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives 17:49 The Power of Storytelling in Change 21:04 Engaging Change Agents and Influencers 23:57 Final Thoughts on Honesty in Change Communication Â
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Clare Duffield, Assistant Chief Officer for People and Organisational Development at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). They discuss the importance of workplace culture, the challenges faced by policing globally, and the insights gained from a cultural audit conducted within PSNI. Clare shares the findings of the audit, highlighting both concerns and strengths within the organisation, and emphasises the need for trust, recognition, and support in fostering a positive culture. The conversation concludes with practical steps for implementing cultural change and the significance of connecting employees to the organisation's mission and purpose.  Takeaways Workplace culture is about the experience of employees. A clear mission and purpose are essential for organizational culture. Cultural audits can reveal both strengths and weaknesses. Trust and transparency are crucial for employee engagement. Recognition of achievements boosts morale and culture. Leadership visibility fosters trust within the organization. Cultural change requires time and commitment from leadership. Engaging employees in the change process is vital. Understanding the context of culture is important for effective change. Small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements.  Sound Bites "Culture is what's it like to work here?" "We have to be able to give back." "Trust starts with human connection." "It's about the person behind the uniform." "One step at a time. Marginal gains." "We need to invest in the police service." "Focus on the why. Why does it exist?"  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:54 Understanding Workplace Culture 06:02 The Impact of Global Policing Challenges 08:56 Cultural Audit and Its Findings 11:48 Addressing Cultural Concerns 15:11 Positive Aspects of the Workforce 17:55 Building Trust and Support 20:49 Recognizing and Celebrating Achievements 23:45 Practical Steps for Cultural Change 27:02 Looking Forward: Implementing Change 29:58 Final Thoughts on Culture Change Â
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135 | The Evolving Role of Modern Leadership
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Dara Connolly, CEO of Common Purpose Ireland, about the evolving role of leadership in today's organizations. They discuss the importance of connection, self-awareness, and the need for leaders to adapt in a post-COVID world. Dara shares insights on practical strategies for effective leadership, the significance of mentoring, and the impact of good leadership on society. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to be open, curious, and engaged in their communities to foster positive change. Takeaways Connection is essential for effective leadership. Leaders must adapt to the changing landscape post-COVID. Practical networking is about building genuine relationships. Self-awareness is crucial for leadership development. Surrounding oneself with mentors enhances leadership skills. Creativity can be found in all professions. Good leadership contributes to societal change. Leaders should be open to new experiences and perspectives. Awareness precedes action in leadership decisions. Building trust is fundamental to successful leadership.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Learning 02:45 The Role of Connection in Leadership 05:51 Adapting Leadership in a Post-COVID World 09:10 Practical Tips for Effective Connection 12:12 Building Leader Capability for the Future 14:50 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Mindset 17:58 The Power of Good Leadership in Society 20:52 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Connection  Sound Bites "Get together, we are stronger." "Creativity is everywhere." "Awareness precedes action." "Do good feels good." "Keep your mind open to opportunities." "Surround yourself with mentors." "A coach, an apprentice, and a Jedi."Â
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134 | Unlocking Potential: Neurodiversity, ESG, and Organisational Culture in Action
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Lorna McAdoo, head of ESG at Version One, about the importance of organizational culture, the role of ESG in shaping that culture, and strategies for enhancing employee engagement, especially in a post-COVID world. They discuss the significance of listening to employees, integrating ESG into daily operations, and the potential of neurodiversity in the workplace. Lorna emphasizes the need for organizations to be flexible and proactive in creating an inclusive environment that fosters connection and collaboration among employees.  Key Points Culture is hugely important for organizational success. Engagement and culture start from the ground up. ESG initiatives can enhance employee engagement. Creating real reasons for employees to come to the office is essential. Flexibility in work arrangements can tap into diverse talent pools. Listening to employees is key to building a supportive culture. ESG can be a powerful tool for culture building. Organizations need to think outside the box for talent acquisition. The integration of ESG into daily operations is crucial. Neurodiversity should be embraced as a valuable talent pool.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast 02:26 Understanding Organizational Culture 06:41 The Role of ESG in Organizations 12:45 Engagement Strategies Post-COVID 18:38 Integrating ESG into Daily Operations 24:53 The Importance of Neurodiversity in the Workplace Â
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133 | Empathy: The Missing Ingredient in Leadership | Keith Barry
Summary In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of non-verbal communication in leadership, the journey of a brain hacker, the power of subconscious storytelling, the role of empathy in communication, and the science behind influence through mirroring and rapport. They emphasize that effective leadership requires understanding and harnessing these elements to create a positive organizational culture. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of influence, decision-making, resilience, and leadership. They explore how to effectively negotiate by understanding body language and the importance of gut instincts in decision-making. The discussion also emphasizes the need for mental resilience through acceptance and positivity, especially in challenging times. Finally, the speakers highlight the significance of authenticity in leadership, advocating for genuine connections with team members.  Takeaways 99.9999% of leaders leave communication skills on the table. Leadership is a mindset, not a position. Cultural leadership involves leading teams effectively. Subconscious behaviors drive our actions and decisions. Storytelling is crucial for effective communication. Empathy is essential in today's volatile world. Tactical empathy can enhance leadership effectiveness. Understanding non-verbal communication is vital for leaders. Influence is built on trust and rapport. Effective storytelling involves hooks, tension, and payoffs. Influence can be achieved through understanding and mirroring body language. Trusting your gut instinct can lead to better decision-making. Life is messy, and accepting that can lead to personal growth.  Chapters 00:00 Unlocking Non-Verbal Communication in Leadership 05:07 The Journey of a Brain Hacker 09:49 The Power of Subconscious Storytelling 14:59 Empathy and Communication in Leadership 20:01 Influence Through Mirroring and Rapport 21:30 The Art of Influence and Negotiation 23:12 Trusting Your Gut: The Role of Instinct in Decision-Making 28:42 Building an Unbreakable Mind: Acceptance and Positivity 37:53 Authenticity in Leadership: The Key to ConnectionÂ
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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