Lead the People #144: Culture Doesn’t Just Happen, It’s Built With Intention with Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray
In this episode, workplace culture experts Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray join the show to challenge outdated ideas about culture, design, and how organizations actually function. Drawing from their experience building people-centered environments at scale, they unpack why culture isn’t a vibe; it’s a system, and how thoughtful infrastructure can transform how people show up at work.
From exploring the invisible forces that shape behavior to redefining how we think about belonging, Sara and Corinne share actionable ways leaders can co-create better ecosystems, not just experiences. They also dig into the tension between fast-moving culture and long-term change, the role of physical and digital environments, and why copying Google’s office design doesn’t make your company innovative.
Key Takeaways:
- Culture needs to be intentionally designed, not left to chance.
- Belonging happens when systems and behaviors align.
- You cannot copy-paste another company’s culture.
- Real connection requires more than just physical or digital spaces.
- Sustainable change comes from small, consistent actions.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Read WORK Then Place: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960299972
Follow Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraescoux/
Follow Corinne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnejmurray/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/