Michael Morris, a behavioral scientist at Columbia University and author of the award-nominated book 'Tribal', shares fascinating insights into building cohesive teams. He discusses the importance of peer, hero, and ancestor codes that bond individuals within groups. Morris explores how cultural backgrounds influence workplace dynamics and collaboration. He highlights the significance of storytelling and in-person interactions for team unity, drawing on examples from organizations like Harley-Davidson. His strategies provide a roadmap for fostering strong, engaged teams.

Karthik Ramanna, a Professor at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government and author of 'The Age of Outrage,' discusses the rise of employee outrage in today's workplaces. He explores how political events can spark activism and emphasizes the need for empathetic leadership. Key strategies for managing outrage, including proactive engagement and establishing listening communities, are shared. Ramanna highlights the critical importance of transparent communication and the challenges that come with digital interactions in a polarized environment.

Tiffany Gaskell, co-author of 'Coaching for Performance' and co-CEO of Performance Consultants, dives into the transformative power of coaching in workplaces. She shares intriguing insights about the history of coaching and its evolution into a vital practice for leadership. Tiffany discusses the shift from micromanagement to empowering coaching, emphasizing the need for managers to foster engagement through Socratic questioning. She also highlights the significant impact of a coaching culture on safety performance, illustrating how interactive methods lead to profound improvements.

Brigid Schulte, a former Washington Post journalist and author of "Overwork," dives into the complexities of modern work culture. She discusses Intel's innovative 'Freelance Nation' program, which successfully introduced flexible work but was unexpectedly discarded. The conversation also covers the crucial role of well-trained middle managers and the struggle between effort and reward in today's workplace. Schulte emphasizes the need for new narratives that inspire positive change and improve work-life balance.

Colin Ellis, a consultant and author specializing in organizational culture, discusses the decline of healthy work environments in his new book, 'Detox Your Culture.' He delves into toxic workplace examples from ITV's This Morning and the Ellen Show, highlighting detrimental effects and high turnover rates. Additionally, he critiques CBI's accountability issues and the impact of substance use at work. Ellis emphasizes the importance of genuine cultural values for employee satisfaction, showcasing how strong cultures can drive talent retention and engagement.

Owen Eastwood, a renowned performance coach with a focus on team culture and leadership, shares valuable insights on building stronger teams. He discusses the importance of defining roles and expectations clearly and highlights the challenges faced in corporate environments where multiple teams exist. Owen addresses how fostering a culture of belonging and psychological safety is vital for high performance. He emphasizes the crucial impact of the environment on team behavior and offers practical strategies for reconnecting teams, enhancing engagement, and driving productivity.

Mark Price, former head of Waitrose, emphasizes the significance of workforce happiness as a cornerstone for business success. Drawing from his leadership experience, he shares a six-point framework for boosting employee satisfaction, demonstrating how it drove profitability in his organization. He discusses the pivotal role of middle management in fostering a positive culture and the need for genuine engagement rather than superficial measures. Furthermore, Price highlights the benefits of workplace flexibility, urging leaders to prioritize happiness for enhanced productivity.

Exploring how improv skills can enhance workplace dynamics, team performance, and creativity by being fully present and engaged in conversations. Discussing the impact of humor in fostering connections and driving positive change, combating fear and judgment in creative endeavors, and the role of genuine feedback and supportive leadership in employee well-being and performance.

Explore the impact of 'Fish' principles on workplace culture, emphasizing passion, purpose, and presence. Learn about creating memorable customer experiences and cultivating excellence through organizational culture. Discover the power of teaching presence in school and work environments.

Guests like Claudia Wallace discuss Crisp Thursday for connection, Andy Puleston talks Pizza Meetings for connection, Dan Pink shares Friday Night Experiments for creativity, Biz Stone explores Hack Week at Twitter for creativity, and Dr Heidi Edmondson talks Ten at Ten for performance.