
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

Oct 24, 2024 • 46min
096. Guido Palazzo, Erica Wikman & Michaela Ahlberg: Transforming Workplace Culture Part 2
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.

Oct 10, 2024 • 52min
095. Alison Taylor, Rob Chesnut & Ellen Hunt: Transforming Workplace Culture for Human Flourishing, Greater Impact, and Lasting Success Part 1
Today we have an exceptional panel to delve deep into the heart of ethical culture and organizational transformation. We begin first with Andreas Almlöf interviewing Tobias Sturesson about his newest book ‘You Can Culture’. Our panel guests include Ellen Hunt, a leader in the ethics and compliance space, Alison Taylor, former Executive Director of Ethical Systems and a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business, and Rob Chesnut, former Airbnb executive and author.
In this episode, we explore:
HR and compliance driving positive change
Intentional integrity and business performance
The need for advisory and counsellor roles in leadership
A decentralized approach at Airbnb for ethics and compliance
Having a culture of disagreement
‘You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success’ is now available here.

Jun 26, 2024 • 51min
093. Guillem Casoliva: Keys to Building an Ethical Team Culture
This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked intricacies of team ethical culture, examining the impact of leadership, shared values, and systemic influences on ethical behaviour. Our guest today is Guillem Casoliva, a Corporate Communication and Reputation Management Specialist, who is currently working with Booking.com on the development of the Compliance & Ethics Programme.
In this episode, we discuss:
The eight dimensions of team ethical culture
Speaking up against unethical practices
Bad apple vs. systemic issues
Effective culture change interventions, including “Ethics Moments”
Manage cultural differences if you’re a multinational organisation
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
‘Wilful Blindness’ by Margaret Heffernan
Guillem on LinkedIn

Jun 12, 2024 • 55min
092. Barbara Kellerman: Why Leaders Go from Bad to Worse
Barbara Kellermani is a renowned expert in the fields of leadership and followership, having dedicated her lifelong work to the study and authoring of numerous books on these subjects. She is a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. She was the Founding Executive Director of the Center, and a member of the Kennedy School faculty for over twenty years.
In this episode, we explore:
What is bad leadership – and how to stop it early
Why good leaders are ethical
The ‘Follower’s Rule’
The cautionary tales from the Boeing and Volkswagen scandals
How successful leaders create a truly open and empowering environment
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
Barbara Kellerman on LinkedIn
Leadership from Bad to Worse by Barbara Kellerman
The End of Leadership by Barbara Kellerman
Leadership by Barbara Kellerman
Bad Leadership by Barbara Kellerman
Barbara Kellerman’s Website

May 28, 2024 • 45min
091. Jason Lesandrini: Empowering Ethical Decision-Making When Stakes Are High
Jason Lesandrini is the Assistant Vice President for Ethics, Advance Care Planning and Spiritual Health at Wellstar Health System in Georgia, where he leads the strategy and implementation of ethics initiatives. He holds faculty appointments at Mercer University and South College. Jason is a widely recognized expert in outcomes metrics for ethics programs and served as an ethics expert to numerous professional organizations.
In this fascinating conversation, we delve into the complex landscape of ethics in healthcare and organizational settings. We also unpack the importance of having ethical guides within organizations and the impact of culture on ethical decision-making, the ‘Ethical Buddy System’, end-of-life care dilemmas, and much more.
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
Jason on LinkedIn

May 8, 2024 • 47min
090. Martin Lønstrup: How to Get Leadership Buy-In and Empower Everyone to Own Ethics and Compliance
Martin Lønstrup is a globally recognized Ethics and Compliance expert with over 15 years of experience across diverse industries and cultures. Martin works as Chief Compliance Officer at Coloplast, with the global responsibility for Business Ethics, Compliance and Data Privacy – and is a leading expert in driving compliance, and culture transformation projects.
Tune into our conversation about the ethical nuances in corporate missions and the potential pitfalls of moral licensing. We will explore how simplifying Coloplast’s code of conduct has made ethical guidelines more accessible and relevant to every employee. We also touch on the importance of fostering a transparent company culture… where questioning and learning from failures are seen as opportunities for growth.
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
Martin Lønstrup on LinkedIn

Apr 24, 2024 • 38min
089. Gleb Bakalov: Managing Ethics Amid War's Extreme Pressures – Lessons from Ukraine
Today we hear a unique perspective on Ukraine's dedication to corporate governance and the fight against corruption. Our guest is Gleb Bakalov, the Executive Committee Chairman of the Ukrainian Network of Integrity and Compliance (UNIC). He has been serving as the Chief Compliance Officer of NPC UKRENERGO since 2018, and has experience in the compliance field since 2008, including financial, legal and investment companies in Ukraine and abroad.
Tune in as we explore the significant strides taken to strengthen transparency, attract foreign investment, and counteract the deeply ingrained culture of bribery. Amidst the harrowing backdrop of war, we discuss how Ukrainian organizations and individuals remain committed to ethics and integrity, facing the ethical dilemmas war presents while striving to uphold a culture of speaking up against injustices.
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
Gleb Bakalov on LinkedIn

Apr 10, 2024 • 44min
088. Klaus Moosmayer: Cultivating Trust and Ethical Leadership at a Global Pharmaceutical Company
Klaus Moosmayer joined Novartis in 2018 as Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. He was previously chief compliance officer at Siemens AG, where he spent 18 years in roles of increasing seniority. He began his career as a lawyer in Germany, specializing in white-collar crime, business law and litigation.
In this episode we explore the reality of ethical dilemmas in the corporate world, the importance of building trust, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, and the value of creating an inviting atmosphere for discussions on ethics and compliance. Klaus also discusses the development of a new code of ethics at Novartis – likening it to the company's constitution.
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
‘Blind Spots’ by Ann Tenbrunsel and Max Bazerman
Klaus Moosmayer on LinkedIn

23 snips
Mar 28, 2024 • 46min
087. Stan Slap: Getting Cultural Commitment for Critical Change Initiatives
Renowned culture strategist Stan Slap discusses aligning company values with behaviors, emotional commitment vs. financial incentives, and the impact of cultural health on success. He explores cultural resistance to change and fostering alignment within the organization.

Mar 14, 2024 • 40min
086. Rebecca Newton: Collaborating for Culture Change - Lessons from the Trenches
Rebecca Newton is an Organizational Psychologist with a PhD in psychology, a frequent Harvard Business Review contributor, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, and the CEO of CoachAdviser, a London-based culture agency. She is also the author of ‘Authentic Gravitas, Who Stands Out and Why’, based on her extensive experience coaching executives at companies like Google, Coca-Cola, and Accenture.
We discuss why culture shouldn't be the sole responsibility of HR, highlighting leaders' need to step up and embrace change collectively. We also touch on Rebecca’s three-pronged approach: engaging leaders with participation, using data to inform decisions, and skill development to ensure leaders are equipped for the journey ahead.
Links Mentioned:
Cultureandleadership.org
HBR: HR Can’t Change Company Culture by Itself
Rebecca Newton on LinkedIn
‘Authentic Gravitas’ by Rebecca Newton
CoachAdviser