Make It Thrive: The Company Culture Podcast

Companies talk a big talk when it comes to creativity and innovation - but is it true creativity?  In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Dave Hall as he shares with us the true essence of creativity and how to truly practice creative thinking in our organisations. Dave is an experienced Chief Executive, having operated across a number of science and engineering-based organisations.  He has an innate p...

In this episode I’m joined by human scientist and Uncertainty Expert, Katherine Templar Lewis. As a human scientist Katherine’s work spans behavioural psychology, neuroscience, neuroaesthetics and cognition. Over the past few years Katherine has partnered with Sam Conniff to create the Uncertainty Experts, a programme designed to help build resilience and tools to navigate uncertainty. In this epi...

In this episode I’m joined by Cat Barnard, Co-Founder of Working the Future. In this conversation we dive into the forces that influence us and how knowing what to do, and why to do it, can feel anxiety-inducing. We consider whether our obsession with social media will help or hinder our growth, the meaning of purpose, and reflect on the reality that we are in a perpetual state of becoming.  Disco...

In this kick-off introduction to season 12 I share the theme of the season, alongside some personal news and events that have been keeping me busy. Discover more about Lizzie;  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-benton/   https://libertymind.co.uk/   This season is supporting Teal Around the World;  https://www.tealaroundtheworld.com/   https://www.gofundme.com/f/supportTATWHybridConference?utm_ca...

It's the final episode of Season 11. In this wrap-up session I share a few culture news snippets that are getting me hot under the collar, and I share some of the key learnings from the season. Discover more about Lizzie;  Email - lizzie@libertymind.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-benton/   https://libertymind.co.uk/   This season is sponsored by Semco Style UK;  https://www.semcostyl...

In this episode I’m joined by Brendan Martin leader of Buurtzorg UK&IE. As the global icon of self-management, and progressive approaches to healthcare, Buurtzorg has seen phenomenal success in The Netherlands. But can that success be replicated in the UK? In this conversation Brendan shares the challenges of bringing Buurtzorg into the UK market, and the success stories of how this common sen...

Semco Style Institute is grounded in the pioneering approach to democratic management from the Brazilian entrepreneur Ricardo Semler. Ricardo and Semco gained international recognition for their groundbreaking approach to management, and they're now spreading this way of working through Semco Style Institute, helping companies all over the world. Today I'm joined by Daphne and Christiaan f...

In this episode I’m joined by Kirsten Buck, Chief Futures Officer at PTHR. PTHR is a connected, collaborative enterprise of conscious business activists. With audacious dreams framed by their mission: Better business for a better world. PTHR is a self-managed enterprise, and today Kirsten shares the practices and the ways of operating that shape how they work together at PTHR.  Discover more about...

In this episode I’m joined Maria-Jose from Kubadili where self-management isn’t just something they’ve implemented, but something they continuously practice and share with their own partners. Maria-Jose shares how self-management became an organic next step after their adoption of Agile methodologies, and the mindset they take for continuous experimentation.  Discover more about Kubadili;  www.kub...

In this episode I'm joined by Tom Haczewski, the founder of The User Story. Tom has a unique approach to how he is building his business, because it starts with an ethos around human sustainability. In this conversation we chat about the outdated mindset of growth for growths sake, and how with a vision in mind The User Story is about intentional choices about how we work. Find more about Tom...

In this episode I’m joined by Founder and CEO of Indigo Volunteers Holly Penalver. Without realising it, Holly created a self-managed charity, and in this session we share how her common sense and trust approach led the charity to work in this progressive way. Holly takes us inside the inner workings of how Indigo works as a self-managed charity, with all the highs and challenges of the journey. ...

In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Philippa Kindon and Ruth Waterfield to discuss what's it like at Mayden, a UK tech company who is self-managing. Philippa and Ruth share the highs and lows of what it's like to work at Mayden, and how self-management comes to life in their organisation. Find more about Mayden’s way working;  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-Without-Managers-self-managing-...

Season 11 has arrived and this season I'm putting the spotlight on progressive companies who are doing things differently. I share why I wanted to get under the bonnet of those doing culture in a truly different way. I also answer some of your questions, and share an update on my latest culture projects. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-benton/ Check out my work;...

On this week’s episode I’m joined by Co-founders of Happy Hq, and the hosts of the culture shock podcast Janine Jacobs and Louisa Mordaunt. Today we’re talking all about co-creation of culture, and what gets in the way of businesses embracing a more people-focussed workplace, and how we can go about creating workplaces where people can participate in shaping work. Something I love about Janine and...

In episode we’re talking about company offsets. To help us think differently about offsites I’m joined by Sophie Bailey and Sally Page from WorkTripp. If you haven’t discovered WorkTripp yet, it’s a marketplace to find memorable venues, inspirational speakers, meaningful experiences and curated specialists to help you achieve your offsite goals. Together Sophie and Sally are the dream team behind...

Today I’m joined by futurist Esemee Wilcox. Esmee was one of 8 global futurists given the Emerging Fellow award by the Association for Professional Futurists in 2019, and is committed to making Futures work accessible to people for global and local challenges. Esemee makes futures work practical so in today’s conversation we’re going to give you something to take-away and put into action. If worki...

On today’s episode I’m joined by Mark Eddleston, New Ways of Working nerd, consultant, facilitator and trainer.  Mark has been on my list to have on the podcast for a while now as I’m a big fan of his playbook, and for the way he constantly asks the big questions about new ways of working.  For years Mark has been practising progressive ways of working and first came across new ways of working in...

Today I’m joined by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst, co-authors of Workstyle: A Revolution for Wellbeing, Productivity and SocietyLizzie Penny and Alex Hirst are friends, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. They have been leading the Workstyle Revolution for a decade, co-founding a social enterprise, Hoxby, in 2014 to prove the concept. They have helped thousands of workstylers around the world to set, p...

In this episode I’m joined by Perry Tims to chat about progressive work communities. Perry has over 30 years of experience in business change and performance with the last 20 being in HR/Organisation Development. He ranked Number 1 in HR's Most Influential Thinkers 2022 (his 5th inclusion in that list), is a 4x Guest Professor, a 2x author and 2x TEDx speaker. Perry founded People and Transformati...

In this episode I’m joined by Samantha Clarke, happiness consultant, global change maker, TEDX Speaker and Author of Love or Leave It: How to be happy at work. Together we talk about the importance of self-leadership in all of us, what companies are still getting wrong when it comes to company culture, and the exploration of neuroaesthetics. Find more about Samantha; https://www.samanthaand.co/ Di...

Season 10 is finally here! In this intro session I share the theme for the season, and some general ponderings from a culture coach. I share my recent experience with moving further into wholeness, challenges I'm seeing dominate conversations, and an evolution in the making.  Discover more about Lizzie; https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-benton/ https://libertymind.co.uk/ Attend Lizzie's next...

In this week's episode I wrap up season 9 and share thoughts and ponderings on the topics that have been covered for our sessions of Workplace Liberation.  What will you pledge to liberate at work? Discover more about Lizzie; https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-benton/ https://libertymind.co.uk/ This season is sponsored by Breathe Culture Pledge; https://www.breathehr.com/en-gb/culture-pledge

Today I will speaking about menstruation and menopause in the workplace with Sophie Jane Hardy, the communications director of Red School, the founder of Your Cyclical Business and host of Red School's Menstruality Podcast. You may think this topic isn’t for the workplace, but businesses who fully harness our full humanness and have started to adopt period policies in their company cultures, and t...

In this episode I chat with Barry McNeil and Mark Green about Semco Style launching in the UK. We talk about what drew us all into adopting Semco Style as a self-management practice, and what we’ve all learned from becoming Semco Style Experts. Plus there’s a special discount code available for the first 50 listeners. Discover more about Semco Style here;  https://www.semcostyle.co.uk/ Get in...

In today’s episode I’m joined by Toni Finnimore, Founder of the UK’s first subscription based volunteer community. Toni is a positivity powerhouse whose mission is to change the charitable giving model in the Uk. As a Social impact lead, community builder and a lover of all thing's kindness and connection, I know that today Tonni will seriously transform the way you think about the traditional CSR...