Colin on Culture

Discover the clash between consulting firms and training organizations in the race for AI transformation. Explore the crucial role of emotional agility over mere technological adaptability for fostering an AI-ready culture. Learn about the five essential behaviors employees must adopt, emphasizing collaboration and emotional intelligence. The discussion highlights how traditional values can hinder AI integration and the importance of trust and empathy in bridging human-AI collaboration.

Explore the disconnect between stated values and actual practice in organizations. Discover the surprising statistic that 75% of employees see no correlation between their company's values and daily operations. Delve into five key signs indicating when values might be superficial or ineffective. Learn why it’s crucial for organizations to genuinely integrate their values into their culture for authenticity and effectiveness.

Explore the ever-changing landscape of workplace culture shaped by social dynamics and organizational values. Discover how personal experiences and contemporary expectations drive cultural evolution. Post-pandemic adjustments are vital, emphasizing the need for open communication in a world seeking authenticity. Learn how leaders can respond effectively to the diverse needs of their teams to foster a relevant and engaging work environment.

Discover how bureaucracy wastes over $3 trillion annually due to inefficiencies and fears. Delve into the roots of these issues and the model that highlights key components like legitimacy and information. Learn effective strategies to combat bureaucratic hurdles by simplifying processes and drawing inspiration from successful companies. Get actionable insights to enhance productivity and transform your organization!

Meetings are increasingly seen as a drain on workplace culture and employee morale. The discussion emphasizes the need to transform meetings from a burden into a benefit. By using the 'eight P's' framework, listeners can learn to conduct fewer, yet more effective meetings. This approach not only boosts engagement but also enhances overall productivity. It's a call to rethink how meetings are structured to preserve and strengthen workplace culture.

The recent BBC culture review highlighted a number of issues, not least, what behaviour is considered to be acceptable and what's not. In this episode I discuss the findings and also talk about how your organisation can avoid these 'grey' behaviours.Read the BBC report at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/documents/bbc-workplace-culture-report.pdf

Middle managers often find themselves in a tough spot, squeezed between higher-ups and unhappy teams. They struggle with skill gaps and stress, which organizations often overlook. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for practical education to empower these crucial players. By investing in their development, companies can improve organizational culture and enhance employee engagement, ultimately turning this crisis into an opportunity for growth.

Let's explore the key characteristics of vibrant workplace cultures and take inspiration for culture change. I look at the importance of building human relationships, effective collaboration, celebrating successes, learning from failures, establishing meaningful values, promoting equity, and maintaining work-life balance. By adopting these practices, you too can foster a positive and productive work environment.

Subcultures play an important role in shaping organisational culture. Managers have the agency to create their own team cultures without needing permission, but they don't always have the skills to foster a sense of belonging among employees. In this episode I explore how subcultures can drive culture change and enhance overall performance and the crucial skills development for managers that will make it possible. Subscribe to Colin on Culture here for weekday emails full of insights and inspiration for creating a great place to work: www.colindellis.com/boomTake the Five Cultures Quiz and find out what kind of culture you have right now: https://www.fiveculturesquiz.com/

In this episode I'm exploring the parallels between toxic workplace cultures and the phenomenon of UFOs, emphasising how leadership often denies or gaslights concerns about toxic behaviours. Let's look at the importance of acknowledging issues, the toxic culture ladder, and the necessity of creating a safe environment for employees to report concerns. I also look at the need for effective crisis management and communication strategies to address and mitigate toxic cultures. Subscribe to Colin on Culture⁠ for a weekday mixed media email that will help you to create a great place to work.