
Leading Transformational Change with Tobias Sturesson
We are passionate about helping leaders, HR, and ethics professionals build healthy cultures that enable mission success, a thriving workplace and responsible impact.
Every other Thursday we post insightful and actionable conversations with leading thinkers, researchers, and practitioners on culture, values, ethics, and transformational change.
Latest episodes

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 2min
105. Jen Gennai: The Quest for Responsible AI
What does it really mean to build AI responsibly, at Google scale?In this episode, we sit down with Jen Gennai, the person Google turned to when it needed to build ethical AI from the ground up. Jen founded Google’s Responsible Innovation team and has spent her career at the intersection of trust, safety, and emerging tech.From advising world leaders on AI governance to navigating internal pushback, Jen opens up about what it actually takes to embed ethics into one of the fastest-moving industries on the planet.Tune in to this episode as we explore:The importance of early ethical considerationsTrust as a core pillar of technologyNavigating AI’s impact on fairness and discriminationThe future of AI-human relationshipsBuilding AI literacy in organizationsThe intersection of regulation and innovationLinks mentioned:Connect with Jen Gennai on LinkedInT3 Website‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Mar 13, 2025 • 45min
104. Alicia DeFreitas: Cultivating Diversity and Psychological Safety in a Global Organization
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.

Feb 27, 2025 • 37min
103. Take Ownership and Action: Bob Langert and Jay Barney on Embracing Criticism and Taking Radical Action
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.

Feb 14, 2025 • 54min
102. Bruno Roche: Responsible Business in a Time of Disruption
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.

Jan 30, 2025 • 39min
101. Embrace Vulnerability: Insights from Ann Tenbrunsel and Lenny Wong on Avoiding Blind Spots and Navigating Human Fallibility
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

Dec 19, 2024 • 52min
100. Klaus Moosmayer and Richard Bistrong: Countering Corporate Arrogance to Prevent Ethical Failures
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.

Dec 17, 2024 • 26min
094. Tobias Sturesson: From Toxic Cult to Cultural Transformation
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.

Dec 6, 2024 • 35min
099. Get Humble: Harnessing the Power to Build Trust, Uphold Integrity, and Prevent Crises
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.

Nov 21, 2024 • 37min
098. Richard Bistrong: The Cost of Sacrificing Integrity for Success
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.

Nov 7, 2024 • 50min
097. Mary Shirley: Building a Culture of Integrity in Healthcare
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.
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