Menzies Leadership Forum Architecting Cultures | The Architect of Culture: Leadership’s Hand in Culture Crafting, with host Michelle Bloom
May 5, 2025
Matt Howell, former CEO of Tomago Aluminium, shares his transformative journey of cultural change within the aluminium smelting industry. He highlights how a focus on care and safety led to exceptional employee welfare and efficiency, making Tomago the largest and most effective smelter in Australasia. Howell discusses the importance of leadership in driving sustainability and integrating clean energy initiatives while navigating tough challenges. His insights emphasize the need for a supportive culture that prioritizes collective good, accountability, and proactive communication.
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Tomago’s Crisis on Arrival
- Matt Howell found Tomago Aluminium in crisis with safety issues, inefficiencies, and a toxic culture.
- He faced skepticism but committed to turning the business around by changing relationships, not just systems.
Prioritize Culture Over Systems
- Focus change from complex systems and policies to culture, relationships, and mindsets.
- Culture drives outcomes more than rules; minimizing bureaucracy is key to transformation.
Demonstrate Care Before Declaring
- Leaders must demonstrate care before declaring it to establish trust.
- Minimize rules and encourage conversations over checklists for effective safety culture.