Culture Leaders

What happens when a philosopher walks into Wall Street? Richard Taylor, SVP of People Experience at Nasdaq, left a near-complete PhD in Buddhist studies to find out. In this episode, he joins Culture Amp's Justin Angsuwat to reveal how one of the world's most powerful financial institutions built a culture of empathy, data-driven people decisions, and radical transparency – with turnover 3x lower...

What does it take to lead the people strategy for one of the most iconic and scrutinized sporting brands in the world? Toni Grimshaw, Chief People, Safety, and Wellbeing Officer at New Zealand Rugby, joins us to go behind the curtains of the All Blacks and Black Ferns. She reveals the "Operator’s Playbook" for building a culture that thrives under the weight of a nation’s expectations. See Privacy...

How does a global phenomenon like Canva scale a "family feeling" across 5,500 people in eight countries while maintaining its soul? Jennie Rogerson, Global Head of People at Canva, joins host Justin Angsuwat to discuss her unconventional journey from hospitality and executive support to the C-suite in under three years. In this episode of Culture Leaders, Jennie pulls back the curtain on the opera...

97%. That's the percentage of e.l.f. Beauty employees who say they feel passionate about the people they work with. For most leaders, that number stops them cold. In an industry defined by fierce competition and constant reinvention, e.l.f. has built something rare: a company that moves at its own category of speed without sacrificing the human connections that fuel it. So what's actually behind t...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, host Damon Klotz speaks with Bob Sutton, an organizational psychologist, Stanford management professor, and New York Times best-selling author. They discuss the negative impacts of power differences within organizations, the concept of destructive and constructive friction, and the critical role of leadership in mitigating such friction. The episode de...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, host Damon Klotz, along with co-hosts Fresia Jackson, Director of People Science at Culture Amp, and Justin Angsuwat, Chief People Officer at Culture Amp, delve into the trends shaping the future of work in 2025.  They discuss the implications of AI on job roles, the evolving dynamics between employees and employers, and the declining favorability...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, our host Damon Klotz invited Didier Elzinga, the CEO of Culture Amp, to step into the interview seat and speak with Esther Perel, a renowned psychotherapist and pioneering voice in understanding modern relationships and workplace dynamics.  Together, Didier and Esther discuss the importance of relational dynamics and the power of storytelling in s...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Dr. Marcus Collins, professor and best-selling author of For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be . Together, they discuss the profound impact of culture on brand and organizational success. They delve into the definitions and misconceptions surrounding culture. They explore how brands like...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Shane Battier. Shane is a two-time NBA champion and former player for the Miami Heat. He was recognized as a scholar-athlete at Duke University, earning accolades such as the National Player of the Year before being drafted sixth overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. Beyond basketball, Battier is committed to philanthropy through his fo...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Amy Gallo, an esteemed author and workplace expert. Damon and Amy have an in-depth discussion on conflict resolution, feedback, and workplace culture. Amy shares her experiences and professional insights, addressing the perils of 'artificial harmony', the importance of establishing norms for healthy disagreements, and the role of...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Vincent Stanley, Patagonia’s Director of Philosophy. They discuss Patagonia’s unconventional approach to business, emphasizing cultural confidence and the importance of storytelling in building a responsible company. Vincent shares insights on Patagonia's foundational values, decision-making processes, and the importance of focus...

In what ways are today’s workplace expectations shifting, and what does it mean for the future of professional growth?  In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz sits down with Isabel Berwick, the Working Careers Editor at the Financial Times and author of the bestseller 'The Future Proofed Career,' to tackle these very questions.  Isabel and Damon discuss key themes arou...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Seth Godin, renowned author, marketer, and entrepreneur. They delve into the essence of company culture and explore the significance of defining workplace culture by setting expectations and not tolerating disruptive behaviors. The conversation also highlights the importance of storytelling, enrollment, and the distinction betwee...

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Amy Lavoie, VP of People Science at Culture Amp, about the role of people science and people analytics in the modern workplace. They discuss practical examples of using data to make decisions, the importance of combining science and technology, and the future of people analytics. The conversation highlights the need for people sc...

This is the second part of a two-part series on layoffs and their impact on the employee experience. The episode focuses on the long-term impact of layoffs, based on research conducted by Culture Amp. The study analyzed data from layoffs in the tech sector between March 2020 and December 2023, including over 3,300 layoff events by 2,400 companies. Chapters 03:30 - Rebounding After a Layoff 07:00 -...

This is the first part of a two-part series on layoffs and their impact on the employee experience. The episode focuses on the immediate impact of layoffs, based on research conducted by Culture Amp. The research analyzed data from layoffs in the tech sector between March 2020 and December 2023, including over 3,300 layoff events by 2,400 companies. The conversation explores the impact of layoffs...

In this episode of the Culture First Podcast, we take you on the road with us to give you a front-row seat to an incredible conversation that took place at SXSW Austin this year. In this episode, Didier Elzinga, CEO and Co-founder of Culture Amp, will moderate a discussion on achieving and sustaining a high-performance culture by drawing upon lessons learned from the world of high-performance spor...

In this episode, Damon Klotz and Chip Conley explore what it means to be a modern elder, ponder the notion of our identity being wrapped up in our work, and what role the manager can play in creating the environment and culture to do the best work of your life. If you'd like to listen to the full episode with Chip click here: https://www.cultureamp.com/podcast/how-to-learn-unlearn-stay-curious-at-...

Join Damon at Culture First Virtual 2024 to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe and Ben Crowe. Register here to get your free ticket & a thank you for being a Podcast listener. Register now. This May, people leaders and culture creators from all over the world will gather to share innovative ideas and insights on improving organizational culture. Join us at Culture First Global 2024, a free...

DeRay McKesson is a civil rights activist, community organiser, and host of Pod Save the People. He started his career as an educator & human capital leader and is the co-founder of Campaign Zero. Many of the marches DeRay has helped organize contributed to the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement. DeRay has become a key player in the workplace when it comes to confronting the systems and...

Do we lose access to curiosity as we age? Or is it like a muscle that's always there, but just needs to be activated and strengthened? Scott Keoni Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker and author and he's known for translating research into strategies that promote positive wellbeing and connected relationships around the globe including at UC Berkeley's Greater Good S...

Do you feel like trust works both ways in your workplace? With the sustained rise in remote or semi-remote roles, the importance of trust in the workplace is top of mind. But trust needs to work both ways, right? The question isn’t only "can employers trust their employees", it also needs to be "can employees trust their employers?" Rachel Botsman is a trust expert, author and lecturer at Oxford U...

Cleo Wade describes herself as a friend and a community builder. She's the author of bestselling books - Heart Talk, poetic Wisdom for a Better Life and Where to Begin, a small book about your power to create big change. Cleo’s also got a new book coming out in May this year - pre-order it here ! From the data we collect here at Culture Amp, we know how important it is to give employees a chance t...

We can't think of a better way to mark International Women's Day than with a crystal clear call to action to all employers, laying out exactly what is needed to improve the world of work for women.  Jamila is Deputy Managing Director of Future Women, where she supports governments and employer organisations working towards gender equality. Listen to Jamila dictate the email that she would lik...

Join Damon at Culture First Virtual 2024 to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe and Ben Crowe. Register here to get your free ticket & a thank you for being a Podcast listener. Register now. How will the top 7 HR trends of 2024 impact your workplace?  Damon breaks down his top three employee experience predictions for 2024, along with key predictions from four experts around the gl...