Colin on Culture

In the final episode of Culture Speak: The art of talking about work, I summarise the six previous episodes and talk about what it takes to not only put the learning together but also how to positively evolve the culture.  I emphasise the need for continuous feedback and engagement, advocate for pulse surveys over traditional yearly assessments and highlight the significance of redefining culture...

In episode 6 of Culture Speak: The art of talking about work I discuss the characteristics of a vibrant culture, where engagement is high, people are consistently able to bring their best selves to work and results are achieved. This is the kind of culture that everyone wants to work in! Key takeaways: Vibrant cultures are built on emotional intelligence and engagement. Management capability is cr...

If you only listen to one episode of this seven-part series of Culture Speak, make it this one. In episode 5 I discuss the characteristics of a toxic culture, where - if swift action isn’t taken - lives, results and reputations can be ruined. I discuss the three levels of toxicity (0-2), how to spot it and how to deal with it so that you don’t ever get to level two. Key takeaways: Toxic cultures a...

In this fourth episode of Culture Speak I discuss the characteristics of a combatant culture, where engagement is high, but emotional intelligence is low, and every day is filled with anxiety, stress and busy-work. Key takeaways: Engagement is a two-way street between the organization and the employee. Combatant culture can be beneficial in small doses but harmful if prolonged. High engagement wit...

In this third episode of Culture Speak I discuss the characteristics of a pleasant culture, where emotional intelligence is high, but everything is just, well, a bit ‘nice’. Key takeaways: Emotional intelligence and engagement are key workplace factors. Pleasant cultures can lead to stagnation despite empathy. Respect is crucial in team dynamics, even without friendship. Gossip and backbiting can...

In this second episode of Culture Speak I discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and engagement in work culture and highlight the detrimental effects of stagnant cultures, where individuals prioritise personal interests over teamwork Key takeaways: Emotional intelligence and engagement are crucial for a positive work culture. Stagnant cultures are characterised by individuals prioritisin...

In this first episode of Culture Speak, I introduce the concept of organisational culture, emphasising its importance and talking through the elements that shape a work environment. I discuss the necessity of committed leadership, capable management, and a common language to foster a vibrant culture. The episode also highlights the significance of emotional intelligence and engagement in creating...

The jostling between consulting and training organisations for AI transformation programmes has begun. However, rather than the 'technology agility' approaches that they're selling to implement AI, what's required is a change in culture, or 'emotional agility.' On this episode of the Colin on Culture podcast I provide 5 behaviours that employees need to adopt in order to build an AI-ready culture.

There's a lot of performance with regards to culture and values are one of the worst culprits with 75% of employees in one survey saying that the correlation between the organisation stating them versus the daily practice of them is zero! On this episode of the Colin on Culture podcast I provide 5 signs that your values may be worthless.

How we work - our culture - is perpetual. It changes all of the time and is shaped by 3 distinct factors. Once leaders and employees understand these fators they are better able to respond and build a programme of events that ensure that the culture continually evolves to be relevant to the way people want to live and work today. If you are interested in the printed resource that I talk about in t...

According to research, over $3tn is wasted every year on excess bureaucracy ranging from simple process flaws to overly risk averse people and control freaks! In this video I not only talk about the issues that bureaucracy creates, but also provide a model to better understand how it arises and three actions you can take to stop it. Link to research: https://www.garyhamel.com/sites/default/files/u...

In this episode of the Colin on Culture podcast I talk about the growing problem of meetings and provide strategies on the things that you can do to ensure that they don't kill your culture.

The recent BBC culture review highlighted a number of issues, not least, what behaviour is considered to be acceptable and what's not. In this episode I discuss the findings and also talk about how your organisation can avoid these 'grey' behaviours. Read the BBC report at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/documents/bbc-workplace-culture-report.pdf

Middle managers are the difference between success and failure and yet not only do they recognise that they don't have the skills to succeed, organisations recognise that they underinvest in them too! On this episode of the Colin on Culture podcast I provide insights and statistics on how to tackle the middle management crisis.

Let's explore the key characteristics of vibrant workplace cultures and take inspiration for culture change. I look at the importance of building human relationships, effective collaboration, celebrating successes, learning from failures, establishing meaningful values, promoting equity, and maintaining work-life balance. By adopting these practices, you too can foster a positive and productive wo...

Subcultures play an important role in shaping organisational culture. Managers have the agency to create their own team cultures without needing permission, but they don't always have the skills to foster a sense of belonging among employees. In this episode I explore how subcultures can drive culture change and enhance overall performance and the crucial skills development for managers that w...

In this episode I'm exploring the parallels between toxic workplace cultures and the phenomenon of UFOs, emphasising how leadership often denies or gaslights concerns about toxic behaviours. Let's look at the importance of acknowledging issues, the toxic culture ladder, and the necessity of creating a safe environment for employees to report concerns. I also look at the need for effective crisis m...

Leadership behaviour significantly influences and shapes workplace culture. In this episode I outline a five-step framework for effective behaviour change that emphasises the importance of recognition, setting expectations, accountability, coaching, and providing help to facilitate sustainable change. Behaviour change is not only possible but essential for creating a vibrant organisational culture...

Welcome to the first episode of the Colin on Culture podcast - a revamp of Culture & Coffee for 2025! In this episode I explore the critical distinction between merely investing in organisational culture and being genuinely invested in it. I share some insights from my own experiences which have reinforced for me that true investment in culture involves active participation, accountability, an...

What does it mean to be happy at work and why does it matter? In this episode I discuss the importance of employee happiness, distinguishing it from mere engagement, and explore where happiness is derived from: well-being, a growth mindset, and achievement. I share insights on how organizations can foster a culture that values happiness, leading to increased productivity and reduced turnover. Let'...

Welcome to The AI Show! A special episode of Culture and Coffee where I use AI to talk about the role of AI in our work cultures and how we get things done. I explore the evolving role of AI in the workplace, its potential benefits, and the importance of understanding and utilising AI effectively. I also share my personal experiences with AI tools, and touch on the implications of AI for future em...

In this episode of the Culture and Coffee Podcast, I'm exploring the various types of workplace cultures, emphasising the importance of emotional intelligence and engagement. I unpack the six pillars of culture, the characteristics of stagnant, pleasant, combatant, and toxic cultures, and the significance of building a vibrant culture for organisational success. I encourage you to assess your own...

There's a growing trend of employee tracking and monitoring. Let's explore the reasons behind these practices (including operational efficiency, security, and performance insights) and the negative cultural implications of such surveillance. I am advocating for a culture of trust and collaboration, suggesting that organizations should focus on educating managers and employees about the value of to...

In this episode I discuss the pervasive issue of bullying in the workplace, highlighting alarming statistics from recent reports. Let's get into what actually is bullying, how does it manifest and what's the impact in the workplace? I also provide actionable strategies for addressing bullying, including documentation, assertive communication, and building support networks, while stressing the impo...

In this episode of the Culture and Coffee podcast, I discuss the critical relationship between culture and strategy in organisations. I emphasis that while culture can overshadow strategy, effective strategy is essential for fostering a positive culture. I explore the characteristics of good strategy, the importance of clear communication, and the need for regular reviews to adapt to changing circ...