What does it take to build a culture that not only survives but thrives across global teams? In this episode of Leading Transformational Change, host Tobias Sturesson sits down with Alicia DeFreitas, Global Head of People & Culture at BDO, to explore the key elements that make an organization’s culture truly flourish: respect, growth, and purpose. They dive into the challenges of aligning these values across diverse teams and discuss the ongoing journeys of diversity, equity, and psychological safety. Tune in to this episode as we explore:Unlocking the power of cultural diversity in HRScaling vision and purpose across global teamsCreating a culture of psychological safety that drives performanceTurning diverse perspectives into a competitive advantageAligning leadership actions with core organizational values for lasting impactLinks mentioned:Connect with Alicia DeFreitas on LinkedInBDO‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Bob Langert, former VP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at McDonald's, and Jay Barney, author of ‘The Secret of Culture Change’, join Tobias Sturesson to explore the nuanced journey of leading transformational change within an organisation. Drawing from decades of experience, Bob shares how McDonald's navigated criticism to embrace a proactive approach to social responsibility, while Jay highlights the significance of actions over words in fostering a true cultural shift. Tune in to this episode as we explore: Navigating criticism and fostering partnerships Actions as the foundation for cultural change Embracing vulnerability to strengthen trust The journey from defensiveness to proactivity Trust and its impact on business success Inspiring change through leadership actions Building authentic stories from transformative practicesLinks mentioned:101. Embrace Vulnerability: Insights from Ann Tenbrunsel and Lenny Wong on Avoiding Blind Spots and Navigating Human Fallibility‘The Secret of Culture Change’ by Jay Barney‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Bruno Roche, former Chief Economist and Managing Director at Mars Corporation, is now leading efforts at ONEsociety, a foundation and consultancy aiming to drive systemic change in the impact economy. Bruno shares his expertise on navigating today's geopolitical landscape, technological advancements like AI, and the ethical frameworks that underpin sustainable societal progress. Discover how businesses and leaders can steer through unprecedented global changes with integrity and mutuality at the core.Tune in to this episode as we explore: The battle for AI control in society Maintaining equilibrium amidst global chaos The new relationship between economics and ethics Navigating corporate responsibility and values Mutual relationship vs. transactional thinking‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Today we hear from Ann Tenbrunsel, the David E. Gallo Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Notre Dame, and Lenny Wong, a retired research professor at the US Army War College. Explore how positive illusions about our ethicality lead to overlooked blind spots and understand the importance of embracing vulnerability for fostering trust and learning within corporate cultures. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand and navigate the ethical challenges in leadership and organisational behaviour. In this episode, we explore: The illusion of personal ethicality Embracing vulnerability to build trust Balancing high values with human flaws The impact of ethical blind spots Motivated blindness in decision-making The role of formal and informal systems Moving beyond moral licensing Links Mentioned: You Can Culture by Tobias Sturesson 025. Lenny Wong: Uncovering a Culture of Dishonesty 065. Ann Tenbrunsel: Are we as ethical as we think? Ann Tenbrunsel’s work Lenny Wong’s research works

As we celebrate our 100th episode, we've invited Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery and Klaus Moosmayer, Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer at Novartis, to dive into the essential role of humility in leadership. Together with host Tobias Sturesson, they explore how acknowledging imperfections, owning mistakes, and repairing trust can lead to significant positive shifts in organizational cultures. Tune in to this episode as we explore: The roots and virtues of humility Humility vs. corporate arrogance Balancing transparency and investor expectations Personal journeys to embracing humility Effective responses to corporate scandals The pitfalls of corporate forgetfulness Building a culture where ethics thrive ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

In this episode, our host, Tobias Sturesson, reads the introduction of his book You Can Culture, which delves into his personal experience of becoming complicit in a toxic culture. We hope it offers you a compelling and insightful introduction to the concept of the four transformative leadership habits the book explores. You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success, launches October 8, 2024. Read more on youcanculture.com, pre-order it on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

In this special episode of Leading Transformational Change, we dive deep into the essential habit of ‘Getting Humble’ from my book, ‘You Can Culture’. I am joined by Andreas Almlöf from Heart Management to explore why humility in leadership is crucial for fostering a thriving, ethical culture in organisations. Listen in to hear an excerpt from the book, as well as practical advice on embracing vulnerability, taking ownership of cultural issues, and the power of reflection in maintaining values alignment.  Tune in to this episode as we explore: Key insights from the ‘You Can Culture’ book Embracing vulnerability in leadership Overcoming fears of showing weakness Benefits of admitting mistakes Humility vs. arrogance in leadership Real-world examples of transformative change Rituals of reflection for leaders ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Richard Bistrong is a former VP of sales for a global multinational who faced legal challenges due to FCPA violations. Richard has transformed his career, becoming an advocate for compliance and ethics, and helping organizations navigate the tricky waters of corporate integrity. Richard delves into the complex interplay between corporate success pressures and ethical compliance, sharing candid insights and real-world strategies. This episode was originally released in 2020, but the conversation still rings true today.  Tune in to this episode as we explore: Richard’s journey from success to scandal Navigating high-pressure ethical dilemmas The role of culture in compliance Managing ethical risks in volatile markets The critical influence of middle management Aligning corporate values with real-world risks Vulnerability and proactive communication for leaders ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Mary Shirley is a lawyer with 20 years of ethics and compliance experience, which includes implementing, evaluating and monitoring compliance programs for multinational corporations. Tune in as she discusses the critical role of ethical leadership, her stand against bribery and values-driven decision-making. We’ll also delve into innovative initiatives that encourage ethical behaviour and the significance of integrating integrity into daily operations. In this episode, we explore: Creating a culture of integrity in healthcare The risks of merging legal and compliance roles Lead with heart, not just a checklist Encourage a culture where speaking up is celebrated … and the power of sharing compliance updates on LinkedIn ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

In our last episode, we kicked off our digital book launch series with a conversation featuring Alison Taylor, Rob Chesnut, and Ellen Hunt. Today, we have another exciting panel lined up… this time with some of Europe’s leading voices on culture and ethics. Our discussion will focus on common pitfalls and transformative strategies in shaping corporate culture. Tune in as we are joined by Guido Palazzo, Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Lausanne, Michaela Ahlberg, Senior Ethics & Compliance Specialist, and Erica Wikman, Vice President of Compliance & Corporate Integrity at Autoliv.    In this episode, we explore:  The ripple effect of bad decisions  The importance of inclusivity in corporate culture  The ability to listen as leaders  Understanding privilege and bias  Why it’s important to stay in the grey zone    ‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.