The Culture Nerds - A Leadership Podcast

Simon Thiessen & Kirralea Walkerden
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Want to constantly grow as a leader and shape a great culture in your workplace? This is the podcast for you.   Of course, if you’re a yoghurt fan who typed in ‘culture’ and ended up here …(sorry, nerdy workplace culture joke). If you’re a serious person who believes serious topics must be covered in a serious way, we may not be the petri dish for you either.   But, if you want lived executive experience and decades working with corporate clients, government agencies & NFPs, all topped off by the hilarious hosts (at least we think so!), welcome - we're glad you could join us!   We nerd out on leadership and workplace culture – which is why we’re good at them. We tackle the topics you need to develop as a leader and to transform the workplace culture you have into the workplace culture you want. And we have fun doing it.   Hard hitting topics. Easy listening.

  1. 11/19/2025

    15 Growth Tips for Founder-Run Businesses

    Text us your thoughts or questions 15 Growth Tips for Founder-Run Businesses ****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    40 min

  2. 09/29/2025

    Evolution or Revolution: Why Leaders Must Embrace Change to Stay Relevant

    Text us your thoughts or questions Change doesn’t fail because of the plan — it fails because of how people are led through it. In this episode, Simon explores why leading change isn’t just about managing logistics — it’s about leading emotions, expectations, and resistance with purpose and clarity. You’ll learn: Why “evolution or revolution” isn’t just a clever phrase — it’s a choice every organisation must makeThe difference between change management and change leadership (and why the latter matters most)What makes the “valley of despair” so dangerous — and how to help your team move through it10 straight-talking tips to lead people through discomfort, resistance, and real transformationWhy honesty, visibility, and relentless communication are your most powerful change toolsWhether you’re facing a major transformation or trying to embed small but meaningful shifts, this episode will challenge your mindset and sharpen your approach to leading change that sticks. 0:00 - Introduction and Monthly Resources 9:31 - Embracing Change as a Leader 16:47 - Leadership vs. Management in Change 22:31 - Leading Yourself Through Change First 27:55 - Ten Tips for Successful Change Leadership 35:49 - Effective Change Communication Strategies Resources mentioned: 10 Mistakes Leaders make during Change (infographic)Leading Change (eBook)Lead through Change with Confidence (leaders guide)Why Most Change Fails...And What Great Leaders Do Differently (blog) ****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    42 min

  3. 08/26/2025

    Must Managers be Mediators too?

    Text us your thoughts or questions Unresolved conflict isn’t just uncomfortable - it’s corrosive. It impacts trust, performance, and team culture more than most leaders realise. In this episode, Simon explores why managers can’t afford to act as mere conduits for problems, waiting until issues spiral out of control or outsourcing them as a “quick fix.” Instead, he walks through a practical, step-by-step approach to tackling conflict early, setting boundaries, and building team accountability. You’ll learn: Why unresolved conflict multiplies its impact across every relationship in a teamThe two biggest mistakes organisations make when dealing with conflictA five-phase process every leader can use to manage disputes effectivelyPractical tips to turn uncomfortable conversations into constructive outcomesIt’s a straight-talking, practical episode for leaders who want to create stronger, healthier team cultures by leaning into conflict instead of avoiding it. Summary of Episode: 0:00 - Introduction to Mediation for Managers 4:45 - Common Mistakes in Handling Conflict 10:12 - Why Unresolved Conflict Is Corrosive 13:24 - Real-World Conflict Examples 20:26 - Five Steps to Effective Conflict Resolution 27:04 - Nine Practical Tips for Facilitation 35:54 - Final Thoughts and Resources Links and resources mentioned in the show Leaders Guide to Mediation - 5 Phases of Conflict The Managers Mediation Conversation Map Do You need a Mediator? 7 Mistakes Leaders Make When Handling Conflict Plenty in 20: When Managers Need to Mediate The Culture Nerds Monthly Newsletter:  Authentic Leadership ****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    37 min

  4. 08/11/2025

    Encouraging Leaders to Charge Into Leadership with R & J Batteries (Rebroadcast)

    Text us your thoughts or questions Good decisions when replacing managers are critical because their actions flow through to the performance and morale of their team. Having Emerging Leaders ready to step into management roles is essential for every organisation, big or small. Ready-made successors A robust Emerging Leaders process fosters ready-made leaders within the organisation. They already know the organisation and sector and they have lived the workplace culture. Presumably they represent your ideal culture. If not, take them of the list of candidates. This means they can focus on the biggest challenges for new managers– developing leadership skills and strategies to deal with the people they lead. If you have created a robust Emerging Leaders process, they will have been developing these skills before they need them, so they are ready when the opportunity comes. Mistake or choice? Recruiting leaders from outside the organisation isn’t a bad thing. They can bring fresh perspectives, promote positive change and enhance innovation. It just shouldn’t be your only option because of a lack of emerging leaders within your organisation.If you need to replace a manager and you have no option but to look externally, that’s a mistake. Learn from it. If it happens again, that’s a choice and it suggests you didn’t learn. Our guests today are from R&J Batteries, Australia’s fastest growing battery company. Each played a pivotal role in implementing an Emerging Leaders program. Two participants took on management positions within less than 12 months & most others showed significant growth. Jo Preece, National Training ManagerGlenn Kennedy, Beresfield Branch ManagerDylan Smith, Team Member at Beresfield & participant in the Emerging Leaders program Links and resources mentioned in the show Case Study on Emerging Leaders Program Emerging Leaders Program Product Page Emerging Leaders Free Resources Re-Released Podcast Episode Plenty in 20: The Culture Nerds Monthly Newsletter: Authentic Leadership What's next? Talk to one of our culture and leadership experts - a free 30 minute consultation to problem solve any issue you are facing.****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    55 min

  5. 07/17/2025

    Why Your Next Great Leader Is Already Working For You

    Text us your thoughts or questions What do great organisations do to grow their next generation of leaders — instead of watching potential die on the vine? In this episode, Simon unpacks the three biggest barriers new leaders face and how developing talent from within solves them all. Plus, hear why some internal candidates get overlooked and how to change that. It’s a sharp, practical listen for any leader serious about growing other leaders. Summary of Episode:  Introduction to Emerging Leaders Theme 0:00Three Barriers for New Leaders 4:07Retention: Growing to Keep Talent 8:10Creating Opportunities for Leaders to Emerge 12:42Culture That Fosters Leadership Growth 17:07Key Takeaways and Resources 21:45 Links and resources mentioned in the show Case Study on Emerging Leaders Program Emerging Leaders Program Product Page Emerging Leaders Free Resources Re-Released Podcast Episode   Plenty in 20: The Culture Nerds Monthly Newsletter:  Authentic Leadership What's next? Talk to one of our culture and leadership experts - a free 30 minute consultation to problem solve any issue you are facing. ****************************************************** ****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    23 min

  6. 06/30/2025

    The Deep End Delusion: Why Throwing Leaders In Doesn't Work

    Text us your thoughts or questions Still throwing new leaders in the deep end and hoping they’ll swim? In this episode, Simon unpacks the dangerous cliché of “sink or swim” leadership — and why it’s damaging your culture, your results, and your people. Learn how to replace lazy leadership defaults with intentional development strategies that actually work. You’ll walk away with a new lens on leader development — and a few clichés worth retiring forever. Monthly Theme: Developing Leaders 0:00 The Danger of Leadership Clichés 3:25 Throwing Leaders in the Deep End 8:54 The Ripple Effects of Poor Development 13:49 Better Solutions for Leader Growth 18:32 Proactive Leadership Development Strategies 22:52 Links and resources mentioned in the show The 5 Shifts Authentic Leaders Make - PDF Are you Leading or just Managing - Blog Post Pulse Check for Authentic Leaders - PDF Plenty in 20:  Elevating your Leadership Through Coaching Conversations The Culture Nerds Newsletter: a free monthly summary of subscriber resources Authentic Leadership – a product page for those who want to explore the services we offer What's next? Talk to one of our culture and leadership experts - a free 30 minute consultation to problem solve any issue you are facing. ****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    25 min

  7. 05/16/2025

    Are Performance Appraisals Worth Your Time?

    Text us your thoughts or questions Summary Does your team actually look forward to performance appraisals? Or do they brace themselves for an awkward, box-ticking exercise that feels like a waste of time? If you’re in the second camp—you’re not alone. For many leaders and teams, performance reviews are uncomfortable, ineffective, and do little to drive real improvement. But they should be one of the most valuable conversations you have. In this episode, we’re breaking down 15 reasons why appraisals fail to deliver and, more importantly, what you can do to fix them. Whether you’re a leader or a team member, you’ll walk away with practical ideas to turn dreaded reviews into genuine growth conversations. Let’s dive in. Links and resources mentioned in the show The Real Cost of Poor Performance (downloadable infographic) 5 Conversations Every Manager Must Master (downloadabale PDF) Is Your Leadership Style Enabling Accountability - or Making Underperformance Comfortable? (self-assessment questionnaire) Plenty in 20: Managing Poor Performance (free, on-demand webinar with actionable strategies and tips) The Culture Nerds Newsletter, a free monthly summary of subscriber resouces Managing Poor Performance & Inspiring High Performance – a product page for those who want to explore the services we offer What's next? Talk to one of our culture and leadership experts - a free 30 minute consultation to problem solve any issue you are facing. Detailed show description Performance appraisals can feel like a futile pain in the backside. Many leaders view them as administrative burdens rather than developmental opportunities. When conducted effectively, performance reviews are transformative tools for growth, alignment, and improved team dynamics.  The fundamental problem with many appraisals is they're approached as tick-and-flick exercises rather than meaningful conversations. The opportunity to build connection, provide direction, and foster growth is missed. The most effective appraisals balance reflection on past performance with planning for future development. This pairing is essential – looking back without planning forward leaves team members without direction, while planning development without addressing current performance issues ignores potential barriers to growth. Some key topics from this episode: The real value: reflecting on past performance and planning future developmentCustomising frequency based on individual needsCreating two-way feedback conversations Selecting the appropriate time and locationProviding micro-feedback throughout the year Planni****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    53 min

  8. 04/15/2025

    10 Reasons Your Workplace Values Are BS

    Text us your thoughts or questions Summary Does your organisation have values that should make a difference - but don't? That people think are b******t or tokenistic or lip service? Do they look great on the poster but mean nothing in the way people behave, work, and treat each other? If that's your organisation, your missing a HUGE opportunity to create a workplace culture where both morale and performance are high. Fortunately, this episode is packed with tips to make your values real. Links and resources mentioned in the show The Authentimeter (free culture survey with option for detailed analysis of results) Plenty in 20: Holding People Accountable when you Can't Afford to Lose Them (free, on-demand webinar with actionable strategies and tips) The Culture Nerds Newsletter, a free monthly summary of subscriber resouces Organisational Culture Surveys for those who want to explore our services What's next? Talk to one of our culture and leadership experts - a free 30 minute consultation to problem solve any issue you are facing. Detailed show description Workplace values should be the most powerful tool for shaping your organisation's culture, but that is rarely the reality. Often, values are reduced to meaningless phrases on coffee mugs and posters that no one can remember or explain. In this episode, Simon Thiessen discusses the disconnect between proclaimed values and actual workplace behaviors. He unpacks ten critical reasons why organisational values fail to drive meaningful change. From values that no one can name to those that create cynicism because they're never enforced, this practical guide exposes the common pitfalls that make values ineffective. Drawing from real-world examples, Simon explains why overcomplicated processes, values dictated from above, and attempts to replace human judgment with rigid rules all undermine cultural alignment. The most damaging practice? Allowing certain people to be exempt from living the values while holding others accountable—creating a culture where 'that's just how they are' becomes a way to validate unacceptable behavior. You'll discover how to transform your values from tokens into genuine drivers of great workplace culture by ensuring they're behavior-focused, universally applied, and reinforced through peer-to-peer accountability rather than top-down enforcement. The episode concludes with an immediate, actionable strategy you can implement today: consistently celebrating when people embody your values. ****************************************************** Visit our website The Real Learning Experience Thanks to our producer, Josh at JCALdigital.org

    31 min
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About

Want to constantly grow as a leader and shape a great culture in your workplace? This is the podcast for you.   Of course, if you’re a yoghurt fan who typed in ‘culture’ and ended up here …(sorry, nerdy workplace culture joke). If you’re a serious person who believes serious topics must be covered in a serious way, we may not be the petri dish for you either.   But, if you want lived executive experience and decades working with corporate clients, government agencies & NFPs, all topped off by the hilarious hosts (at least we think so!), welcome - we're glad you could join us!   We nerd out on leadership and workplace culture – which is why we’re good at them. We tackle the topics you need to develop as a leader and to transform the workplace culture you have into the workplace culture you want. And we have fun doing it.   Hard hitting topics. Easy listening.

Information

  • Creator
    Simon Thiessen & Kirralea Walkerden
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Culture Nerds - A Leadership Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Culture Nerds - A Leadership Podcast