Colin on Culture

We all make mistakes. Every team and organisation makes mistakes. We can learn from them but when we repeat them we're on a path to failure. Take the alarming statistics surrounding project failures and digital transformation that we see year after year as fundamental mistakes are repeated. In this episode I outline three key themes that contribute to consistent failure: poor communication, in...

Feedback is vital when you're building a culture of continual improvement. The common practice of organisations only seeking feedback once a year through engagement surveys and then doing little with the feedback or taking too long to act on it is counter-productive. It serves only to stagnate the culture and frustrate employees. Leaders and managers need to take immediate action on feedback t...

In this episode I discuss the importance of purpose in workplace culture. Purpose is often misunderstood and overlooked, but it is crucial for driving engagement and motivation in employees. Let's look at the connection between an organisation's purpose and the individual sense of purpose that employees feel. I also provide some examples of purpose statements for companies around the world...

In this episode I discuss the three levels of toxic culture and the signs to look out for at each level. I also underline the importance of addressing toxic culture early to prevent it from becoming harmful. Episode takeaways Toxic culture can be categorised into three levels: combatant culture, corrosive culture, and harmful culture. Combatant culture is characterised by high engagement but low e...

In this episode of the Culture and Coffee podcast I'm looking at loneliness. There are multiple studies showing loneliness has increased since the pandemic and its negative effects on health and wellbeing are just starting to come to light. I look at how hybrid work can contribute to a sense of loneliness and a loss of connection, plus the crucial learning and mentoring that our early career c...

Let's delve into the vital topic of scaling culture within organisations. Drawing from my experiences with startups and mergers, I underscore the necessity of evolving and scaling culture as businesses expand. I highlight the importance of deliberate action in maintaining organisational values and practices and touch on the impact of social connections and the pivotal role managers play in uph...

In this episode I am delving into the complexities and opportunities presented by a multigenerational workforce. For the first time in history, four distinct generations—Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z—are working side by side. This convergence has significant implications for workplace culture, management styles, and organisational success. Let's look at each generat...

In this episode of the Culture and Coffee podcast, I delve into the pivotal role that leaders play in shaping and influencing organisational culture. I provide insights for leaders, managers, and HR professionals on how to embody and foster a positive culture within their teams and organisations.  I'll be looking at the problems people have: Leaders often perpetuate the opposite culture that t...

This is a topic that is close to my heart and critical to any organisation's success: the interplay between culture and strategy. In this episode , we explore the striking parallels between the football community and the business world. Just as a football team requires a clear vision and a well-defined strategy to clinch victory, so does any organisation aiming for success. Strategy: The '...

Are KPIs: Keeping People Inspired or Killing Performance? That's what I'm talking about in this episode of Culture and Coffee. Let's explore the potential downsides of focusing solely on individual KPIs, and why I advocate for a balance between individual and team goals. Episode insights include: 🎯 The KPI Conundrum: In my career, I've seen KPIs dictate pay raises and bonuses, and...

A staggering 80% of employees feel their performance management experiences haven't motivated them to improve. This is a wake-up call for leaders! In this episode I delve into the fallout from not managing people effectively and provide ways we can redefine motivation and performance in the workplace. I cover: Importance of getting the best out of everyone in the workplace Challenges of keepin...

Projects are the lifeblood of any organisation. They deliver on strategy, foster innovation and ensure you remain competitive, delivering for your customers. They are essential in turning organisational goals into reality, and yet we can still drop the ball when it comes to project delivery. In this episode of Culture and Coffee, I'm explaining why planning is your project's best friend an...

When was the last time you truly listened to someone at work? I mean, really listened, with your full attention? In this episode of Culture and Coffee we dive deep into the art of listening—something that's often overlooked but is absolutely vital for a thriving workplace culture. In this episode, I cover: 👂  The Lost Art of Listening : Did you know that a staggering 98% of us haven't bee...

We are taking a deep dive into effective to-do list management. Do you rule your list or does it rule you? It's time to break free from the tyranny of the to-do list. Instead, use it to help you manage your time and prioritise so that what really needs doing is number one. This episode is for you if you ever feel like you're drowning in tasks. I cover: 🛠️ Next Level Lists - we're talki...

If you enjoy Culture and Coffee you're going to love Inside Out Culture Podcast. Two culture experts with 30 years of experience, going deep on workplace cultures that have made the news. Taking lessons from the inside that you can use on the outside to improve your workplace culture, lift performance and ensure employee engagement. Join your hosts, Olympian, former diplomat, author, speaker a...

This episode is all about the transformative power of kindness in the workplace and how it contributes to a positive culture and high employee morale. In this episode I talk about: 🌟 The Strength of Kindness: We often misconceive it as a weakness, but it's a key ingredient in a thriving workplace. 😊Connection is the ultimate kindness: Getting to know your team, understanding them and what&#3...

The shift to remote work has been one of the most significant changes in the workplace since the industrial revolution. As organisations continue to grapple with the idea of returning to the office, they're encountering a host of challenges. Balancing productivity, trust, and employee preferences requires a delicate touch and a willingness to rethink long-standing practices. In this episode I...

Without doubt one of the most problematic areas of our worklife, and one that I hear about all the time from the organisations I work with, is meetings. So in this episode of Culture and Coffee we're going to unpack the 'whys and whats' of meetings and figure out a better way to do this. I cover: Why we have meetings and why they are important Trends on meetings - we're having more...

On this episode, I talk about the importance of teams taking the time to build respectful, empathetic relationships and why this is important to performance. I cover: Building and Nurturing Team Relationships The Challenges of Communication Breakdowns and Personality Clashes Emotional Connections and Productivity The Concept of Emotional Capital The Significance of Camaraderie in Teams Fostering a...

On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast, I talk about celebrating success and how to ensure that it is done in the right way.

On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about the culture crisis that’s rife in professional sports. The white paper that I discuss on the show can be downloaded from www.theteamcode.com

On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about how to bring people into a team in a way that complements and adds to the culture.

On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about the reasons why you feel burnt out and how to overcome the feeling of overwhelm and make time for yourself.

On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I provide insights into five things that vibrant workplace cultures do.

On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about the rise of passive aggressive behaviour in cultures, how to spot it and what you can do to deal with it.