ScaleX™ Insider Podcast

Lord Mark Price: How to Fix a Toxic Work Environment

Feb 19, 2025

56:10

In this episode of the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast, we welcome Lord Mark Price, former Managing Director of Waitrose, former Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, and founder of WorkL, the global employee experience platform. Mark shares his deep expertise in leadership, workplace happiness, and the critical link between employee well-being and business success.

Drawing on decades of experience in leadership, commerce, and government, Mark reveals what great leaders do differently, the biggest leadership hack that transforms workplaces, and why financial success alone doesn’t lead to happiness. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or team builder, this episode delivers powerful insights into creating a thriving workplace culture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Employee Well-Being Drives Business Success – The surprising impact of workplace happiness on commercial performance.
Great Leaders Do THIS Differently! – The key habits and mindset shifts of effective leaders.
The Leadership Hack That Transforms Workplaces! – A game-changing approach to leadership that fosters innovation and engagement.
Want High-Performing Teams? Change THIS First! – The crucial factor most leaders overlook when trying to boost performance.
Why Money & Success Won’t Make You Happy – The deeper drivers of job satisfaction and life fulfillment.
The Two Things That Make or Break Job Happiness! – Practical insights from WorkL’s extensive employee research.

Key Takeaways:

Happiness is a Competitive Advantage – Companies that prioritize employee well-being see higher productivity, retention, and financial performance.
Leadership is About Purpose, Not Just Profits – The best leaders create environments where employees feel valued and empowered.
Success Without Well-Being is Hollow – Wealth and titles don’t guarantee fulfillment; meaningful work and strong relationships do.
Culture Drives Performance – A thriving company starts with a workplace culture built on trust, fairness, and recognition.
Small Changes Lead to Big Results – Simple shifts in leadership style and company policies can significantly impact employee happiness and engagement.

About Lord Mark Price:

Lord Mark Price is a seasoned business leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for workplace happiness. As the former Managing Director of Waitrose and Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, he played a pivotal role in shaping one of the UK’s most respected retail brands. He is the founder of WorkL, an employee experience platform helping organisations drive engagement and improve performance.

A member of the House of Lords, Mark has also served as Minister of State for Trade and Investment and is a Non-Executive Director at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. He has authored several books on leadership, happiness, and workplace culture, including his latest, Happy Economics.

Learn More About Lord Mark Price:

Website: https://www.workl.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-price

Book: Happy Economics – Available now

About ScaleX™ and Simple Scaling:

ScaleX™ is a platform designed to help SME leaders grow their businesses using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast brings insights from world-class entrepreneurs and business thinkers.

Learn more about Simple Scaling: