Lead Culture with Jenni Catron

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron is joined by Dr. Barry Jones and Camille Holland from Irving Bible Church to explore the “Commit” phase of the Lead Culture Framework—a crucial stage in sustaining organizational culture.Culture isn’t something you build once and forget. Momentum naturally fades, values get fuzzy, and behaviors can slip if leaders don’t actively protect and reinforce the culture they’ve worked so hard to create. Barry and Camille share how they’ve navigated this challenge over the past two years, keeping their team aligned, engaged, and thriving—even through transitions and the occasional staff departure.Listeners will hear real stories of:How Irving Bible Church identified early warning signs of cultural drift.Practical strategies for rebuilding trust and maintaining relational connectivity across a team.How cultural convictions—values tailored to the organization—are reinforced through intentional rhythms, surveys, and even playful recognition like staff “trophies.”The importance of culture champions in sustaining progress and keeping conversations alive at every level of leadership.Lessons learned from maintaining momentum after the initial excitement of culture work fades.Whether you’re a senior leader, middle manager, or emerging culture champion, this episode offers actionable insights and encouragement for keeping your team’s culture alive, relevant, and aligned with your mission.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 has the power to shape culture—but too often, it’s left to chance, leaving teams disengaged and underperforming. In this episode, Jenni Catron dives into the equip phase of the LeadCulture Framework, showing how leaders at every level can take ownership of culture, equip their teams, and turn values and vision into action.Jenni shares practical strategies for developing your people managers, building culture playbooks, and onboarding your existing team to ensure your culture isn’t just defined—it’s lived every day. She emphasizes that great leadership is the single biggest factor in team engagement, referencing research from Gallup and Harvard Business Review to highlight how managers shape employee experience and long-term growth.Why You Should Listen:Understand why culture often fails despite good intentions—and what leaders can do to fix it.Learn practical ways to equip your leaders with the tools, skills, and confidence they need.Discover actionable steps you can implement immediately to strengthen your team’s alignment and engagement.Hear stories and examples from organizations successfully operationalizing their culture.Major Takeaways:Leaders Make or Break Culture – The engagement of your team is heavily influenced by direct managers.Equipping is Key – Leadership development isn’t optional; it ensures vision and values translate into daily behaviors.Simple, Consistent Actions Work – Start with small, repeatable steps to develop leaders, coach your managers, and reinforce culture.Onboarding Matters – Existing and new employees need clear guidance to embody the culture you define.Playbooks Are Your Sideline Guide – Use tools, visuals, and systems to make culture actionable and memorable.Leadership Philosophy is Foundational – Managers must see leadership as sacred work, focused first on developing people.LeadCulture Framework & Culture Matters Book – Jenni’s roadmap for operationalizing culture LeadCulture Network – Community, training, and tools for culture champions.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!

Carson Pedraza, Executive Director of Operations at Local Church in South Florida, discusses the vital role of intentional operational rhythms in shaping a thriving culture. He shares insights on how culture naturally defaults without design, the importance of infusing values into everyday practices, and creating systems that ensure culture is lived, not just written. They dive into strategies for fostering team cohesion, adapting culture-building activities on a budget, and making impactful changes to enhance organizational culture over time.

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.