Colin on Culture

Leadership behaviour significantly influences and shapes workplace culture.In this episode I outline a five-step framework for effective behaviour change that emphasises the importance of recognition, setting expectations, accountability, coaching, and providing help to facilitate sustainable change. Behaviour change is not only possible but essential for creating a vibrant organisational culture. And yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Subscribe to Colin on Culture for a weekday mixed media email that will help you to create a great place to work.

Welcome to the first episode of the Colin on Culture podcast - a revamp of Culture & Coffee for 2025! In this episode I explore the critical distinction between merely investing in organisational culture and being genuinely invested in it. I share some insights from my own experiences which have reinforced for me that true investment in culture involves active participation, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. 📧 Subscribe to Colin on Culture - a weekday newsletter and a monthly deep dive: https://www.colindellis.com/boom Free resources when you sign-up: ☑️ Access to my virtual masterclass: How To Build A High Performance Culture ☑️ 10 Benefits of Purposeful Culture Building - a visual guide ☑️ Whitepaper: How Executives Enable a High Performance Culture ☑️ Whitepaper: A Management Guide To Great Cultures ☑️ The Common Sense Email Charter ☑️ The Common Sense Manifesto

What does it mean to be happy at work and why does it matter? In this episode I discuss the importance of employee happiness, distinguishing it from mere engagement, and explore where happiness is derived from: well-being, a growth mindset, and achievement. I share insights on how organizations can foster a culture that values happiness, leading to increased productivity and reduced turnover. Let's also look at the role of leadership in creating an environment where employees feel motivated and fulfilled, ultimately contributing to both personal and organizational success. What kind of culture do you have right now? Take the free Five Cultures Quiz and find out.

Welcome to The AI Show! A special episode of Culture and Coffee where I use AI to talk about the role of AI in our work cultures and how we get things done. I explore the evolving role of AI in the workplace, its potential benefits, and the importance of understanding and utilising AI effectively. I also share my personal experiences with AI tools, and touch on the implications of AI for future employment and productivity, highlighting the necessity of curiosity and critical thinking when engaging with AI technologies. I'd love to know what you think of this episode and how I used AI to create it. Key takeaways Using up-to-date research is crucial for relevance. The productivity J-curve indicates a time lag in AI effectiveness. Curiosity and open-mindedness are essential when exploring AI. Proper training is necessary for effective AI usage. Organisations must be transparent about AI's purpose. Subscribe to my newsletter, Making Great Work Happen, and score a digital swag bag of useful resources: www.colindellis.com/boom

In this episode of the Culture and Coffee Podcast, I'm exploring the various types of workplace cultures, emphasising the importance of emotional intelligence and engagement. I unpack the six pillars of culture, the characteristics of stagnant, pleasant, combatant, and toxic cultures, and the significance of building a vibrant culture for organisational success. I encourage you to assess your own workplace culture through my free Five Cultures quiz and reflect on the actions needed to foster a positive environment. Check out the quiz here - it only takes a few minutes to complete. Key takeaways Understanding the six pillars of culture is essential for success. Emotional intelligence and engagement are key indicators of culture. Stagnant cultures exhibit low interaction and poor performance. Pleasant cultures may lack challenge and accountability. Combatant cultures are high in engagement but low in emotional intelligence. Toxic cultures are difficult to recover from and require significant change. Vibrant cultures foster high engagement and emotional intelligence. Regular assessment of culture can guide necessary changes. Effective leadership is crucial in shaping workplace culture. A culture strategy is vital for achieving organisational goals.

There's a growing trend of employee tracking and monitoring. Let's explore the reasons behind these practices (including operational efficiency, security, and performance insights) and the negative cultural implications of such surveillance. I am advocating for a culture of trust and collaboration, suggesting that organizations should focus on educating managers and employees about the value of togetherness rather than resorting to invasive monitoring practices. Key takeaways Employee tracking is not a new phenomenon; it has been around for years. Surveillance can lead to a culture of mistrust and undermine employee morale. Younger employees are more sensitive to monitoring practices than older generations. Cultural implications of tracking include loss of autonomy and psychological safety. Organizations should focus on building trust rather than surveillance. The rise of 'hushed hybrid' work environments can create uneven experiences among teams. Companies that prioritize trust and collaboration will attract and retain talent more effectively. Connect with Colin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.colindellis.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Take the free Five Cultures Quiz: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.colindellis.com/culture-quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order DETOX YOUR CULTURE ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detox-Your-Culture-Strengthen-Organizations/dp/1399414070

In this episode I discuss the pervasive issue of bullying in the workplace, highlighting alarming statistics from recent reports. Let's get into what actually is bullying, how does it manifest and what's the impact in the workplace? I also provide actionable strategies for addressing bullying, including documentation, assertive communication, and building support networks, while stressing the importance of a healthy workplace culture. Episode takeaways: 49% of staff in a toxic culture reported bullying experiences. Bullying can occur in various forms, including online and offline. Criticism, humiliation, and social exclusion are forms of bullying. Micromanagement is a common form of bullying in workplaces. Gossiping about colleagues contributes to a toxic environment. Documenting incidents of bullying is crucial for addressing the issue. Assertive communication can help combat bullying behavior. Building a support network is essential for those affected by bullying. Seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Connect with Colin: ⁠⁠⁠www.colindellis.com⁠⁠⁠ Take the free Five Cultures Quiz: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.colindellis.com/culture-quiz⁠⁠⁠ Order DETOX YOUR CULTURE ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detox-Your-Culture-Strengthen-Organizations/dp/1399414070

In this episode of the Culture and Coffee podcast, I discuss the critical relationship between culture and strategy in organisations. I emphasis that while culture can overshadow strategy, effective strategy is essential for fostering a positive culture. I explore the characteristics of good strategy, the importance of clear communication, and the need for regular reviews to adapt to changing circumstances. I also highlight the role of culture in executing strategy and achieving success. Connect with Colin: ⁠⁠www.colindellis.com⁠⁠ Take the free Five Cultures Quiz: ⁠⁠https://www.colindellis.com/culture-quiz⁠⁠ Order DETOX YOUR CULTURE ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detox-Your-Culture-Strengthen-Organizations/dp/1399414070

We all make mistakes. Every team and organisation makes mistakes. We can learn from them but when we repeat them we're on a path to failure. Take the alarming statistics surrounding project failures and digital transformation that we see year after year as fundamental mistakes are repeated. In this episode I outline three key themes that contribute to consistent failure: poor communication, inadequate planning, and a resistant culture. By way of a solution I'm advocating for proactive measures to document mistakes, clear expectations, and fostering a culture of learning and resilience. Connect with Colin: ⁠www.colindellis.com⁠ Take the free Five Cultures Quiz: ⁠https://www.colindellis.com/culture-quiz⁠ Order DETOX YOUR CULTURE ⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detox-Your-Culture-Strengthen-Organizations/dp/1399414070

Feedback is vital when you're building a culture of continual improvement. The common practice of organisations only seeking feedback once a year through engagement surveys and then doing little with the feedback or taking too long to act on it is counter-productive. It serves only to stagnate the culture and frustrate employees. Leaders and managers need to take immediate action on feedback to build trust and confidence. In this episode I explore the two facets of feedback: employees providing feedback on the organisation and managers providing feedback to employees and look at how we can develop the skills to give both positive and negative feedback effectively. Takeaways from this episode Developing a culture of asking for feedback is crucial for continual improvement. Organisations often only seek feedback once a year through engagement surveys and do little with it, undermining engagement and reflecting poorly on leadership. Feedback should be acted upon immediately to build trust and confidence in the organisation. Employees providing feedback on the organisation and managers providing feedback to employees are both essential. Managers need to develop the skills to provide feedback in the moment, both positive and negative, to encourage growth and improvement. Connect with Colin: www.colindellis.com Take the free Five Cultures Quiz: https://www.colindellis.com/culture-quiz Order DETOX YOUR CULTURE https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detox-Your-Culture-Strengthen-Organizations/dp/1399414070