Lead Culture with Jenni Catron

In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron dives into the Define Phase of the LeadCulture Framework, where culture clarity becomes the driving force for thriving teams.Jenni sits down with Angela Shirley, an executive leader overseeing 70+ early childhood educators and 300+ students across multiple campuses. Post-pandemic, Angela faced burnout, high turnover, and the quiet undercurrents of negativity that can sink even the best organizations.Together, they explore how Angela:Discovered the hidden culture gaps affecting engagement, trust, and performanceCollaboratively defined core values with her entire team, turning abstract ideals into daily behaviorsCreated alignment and ownership across 150 staff members, giving voice to every employeeUsed core values to guide tough conversations, reinforce positive behaviors, and strengthen moraleTransformed culture into a competitive advantage, reducing turnover and building a thriving, people-focused workplaceThrough Angela’s journey, leaders will see how intentionally defining values, beliefs, and behaviors isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s the key to turning hope into results, building alignment, and creating a culture your team chooses to stay for.If you’ve ever wondered how to move from aspirational culture statements to real, measurable outcomes, this episode is packed with insights you can apply immediately.Listen and learn: How to define your cultureAlign your teamLead with clarity, confidence, and intentionality.Check out Angela's full customer story here.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Every leader wants a thriving culture—but it starts with getting uncomfortably honest about the one you already have. In this episode, Jenni unpacks the LeadCulture Framework with the first and most courageous step: assessment.She’s joined by pastor, author, and podcast host Adam Weber, who shares his raw and vulnerable journey of discovering how his leadership was unintentionally shaping a culture that wore his team out. From staff turnover and painful lessons in self-awareness to rebuilding trust and creating a healthier environment, Adam’s story is a powerful reminder that culture begins with us as leaders.Together, Jenni and Adam explore:Why assessing culture is deeply personal, not just organizationalThe role of self-awareness in shaping healthy teamsHow feedback (even painful feedback) can become your best allyPractical rhythms that foster honesty, care, and long-term faithfulness in leadershipIf you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to create a thriving team culture, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and equip you to take the first step.Listen to Adam's podcastConnect with Adam on InstagramLeadCulture SurveyLeadCulture ServicesLeadCulture Network WaitlistWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Zach Meerkreebs, a pastor and leadership coach renowned for guiding Gen Z students, shares his insights on leading this dynamic generation. He discusses the unique blend of authenticity and high expectations that defines Gen Z’s approach to work. Zach highlights the importance of empathy and clear communication in leadership while advocating for the investment in younger team members. Drawing from his experience with a remarkable movement at Asbury University, he emphasizes nurturing Gen Z's voices and fostering collaboration across generations.

Dive into the essential skills that shape a vibrant organizational culture. Explore self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and effective communication as key tools for inspiring trust. Discover how decision-making and delegation create a reliable environment while accountability and feedback promote growth. Jenni reveals eye-opening insights on the cost of disengagement and the importance of a strategic cultural investment. Plus, get introduced to new initiatives designed to empower leaders and cultivate a thriving workplace.

Discover how the mindset of ownership can transform organizational culture and leadership. A captivating real-life story of a nonprofit leader highlights the power of responsibility, especially during remote work challenges. Learn practical strategies to foster ownership among team members and enhance engagement. Explore how every interaction shapes culture and the timeless importance of leading by example. With actionable questions and insights, this discussion offers tools to elevate teams from average to unstoppable.

Delve into the misunderstood power of accountability in shaping a vibrant team culture. Leaders often avoid it due to fear of conflict, but it's essential for fostering trust and clarity. Discover practical strategies to clarify expectations and reinforce responsibility among team members. The key takeaway? Ask the simple question: 'Who’s doing what by when?' This approach not only strengthens commitments but also drives your mission forward.

Discover the transformative power of effective feedback in fostering team trust and clarity. Learn how feedback tied to core values can reshape tough conversations into opportunities for growth. Jenni shares four essentials for trust-building feedback, shifting conversations from fear to connection. Embrace accountability with practical strategies that clarify roles within your team. Get actionable prompts to initiate meaningful feedback discussions this week and cultivate a culture of transparency and support.

Struggling to delegate without feeling like you’re giving up control? In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron unpacks the mindset shift every leader needs to build a culture of growth through effective delegation.You’ll learn why delegation isn’t about offloading tasks—it’s a strategic leadership skill that develops your team and increases your capacity. Jenni shares the three traps that hold leaders back (pride, guilt, and control) and introduces a simple, powerful framework—“Only, Could, Must”—to help you evaluate what you should own, what you could release, and what you must let go.Whether you're overwhelmed or just holding on to too much, this episode will give you a clear path to delegate well, grow your team, and create unstoppable momentum.✅ In this episode, you’ll discover:Why most leaders struggle to delegate (and how to break the cycle)The difference between dumping tasks and developing peopleHow to use the “Only, Could, Must” framework to clarify your highest and best contributionWhat delegation reveals about your culture—and how to use it to build trust and clarityWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron continues the Summer of Leadership series by tackling one of the most overlooked yet essential leadership skills: decision-making. Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, how decisions are made—and how clearly that process is communicated—can either build trust or breed confusion.Jenni outlines three keys to clear, confident decision-making:Define the Who – Clarify who has decision-making authority at every level.Align Decisions with Values – Ensure every decision reflects your organization’s core values.Communicate the Why – Explain the rationale behind decisions to foster understanding and trust.This episode offers practical insights for leaders who want to bring more clarity, consistency, and cultural alignment to the decisions they make every day. Plus, Jenni shares simple next steps you can take to assess and improve your team’s decision-making process right away.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Most leaders think they’re communicating clearly—but their teams feel confused, out of the loop, or even disrespected. Why the disconnect?In this episode of the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni Catron unpacks one of the most underestimated leadership skills: communication. But not just the tactical side—she explores how intentional communication is actually one of the most powerful ways you show respect to your team.You’ll learn:Why poor communication is one of the top culture killersThe 3 questions every leader should ask before communicating anythingHow to build systems that ensure clarity and trustWhy emotional intelligence is just as important as informationSimple rhythms and tools that will make your team feel seen, supported, and alignedIf you want to lead a culture where people feel valued and connected, this episode is your roadmap.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!