A CEO’s Playbook for Building an Award-Winning Culture: A Conversation with Lindsay Dodd

In this week’s episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lindsay Dodd, the CEO of Cashco Financial, for an enlightening conversation about how to build an award-winning culture. He reveals how purpose and profitability can successfully coexist, emphasizing a people-first mindset that champions dignity, trust, and empowerment. His insights showcase how Cashco Financial has consistently earned recognition as one of Alberta’s best workplaces for five consecutive years. We explore leadership not as a set of inherent qualities, but as learned behaviors such as courage, confidence, empathy, and resilience, drawing from frameworks that advocate for modeling the way and inspiring a shared vision.

Our discussion delves into the true meaning of authentic leadership, defining it as a consistent commitment to building trust by aligning our actions with our values and beliefs. Lindsay illustrates how genuine vulnerability, coupled with an openness to feedback and a commitment to inclusive workplaces, strengthens bonds and fosters collaboration. We explore practical strategies for navigating challenging peer interactions, stressing the importance of curiosity and addressing issues directly yet calmly. Additionally, Lindsay shares CashCo’s unique cultural practices, from hiring based on empathy to an “upside-down triangle” leadership model that prioritizes frontline staff, reinforcing values through daily core value stories.

As we look to the future, the conversation addresses the complexities of leading in a polarized society and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. Lindsay offers advice on finding common ground amidst differing opinions and encourages leaders to engage with new technologies, learning and playing with them to discover new opportunities while managing risks. This episode offers practical wisdom for building successful, values-driven organizations and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.

What You’ll Learn

- Leadership is a learned behavior

- How authenticity builds trust

- Go beyond superficial values. Identify operating values that show “how we do things around here”

- Empathy drives performance and engagement

- Hire for growth, always

- Embrace AI with curiosity

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) – Lessons in Leadership

(07:02) – Authentic Leadership & Trust

(12:38) – Vulnerability in Leadership

(16:11) – Bringing Culture & Values to Life

(20:28) – Leading in a Polarized World

(25:38) – Operationalizing Core Values

(35:35) – The Power of Empathy

(40:29) – Leveraging Strengths, Building Teams

(46:21) – Founder Advice: Hire Great People

(49:21) – Navigating the AI Revolution

(54:54) – Courageous Leadership: The Penguin Principle

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Purpose-driven Leadership, Organizational Culture, Authentic Leadership, Building Trust, Employee Engagement, Core Values, Vulnerability in Leadership, Curiosity, Managing Conflict, Values Alignment, Future of Work, Artificial Intelligence, Empathy, Navigating Polarization, Adaptive Leadership, CEO Success