Crushin' Company Culture

Aaron Marx & Todd Kuckkahn
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Engaging, easy-going, entertaining, and educational chats about improving all things leadership and company culture. For anyone who does work at a place!

  1. 09/09/2024

    20 - Problem Solving...or Good Feelings?

    In this episode Todd and Aaron engage in a probing and thought-provoking discussion relevant to every organization that seeks to market and communicate its message, internally or externally, and try to get to the very bottom of human motivation. Are we after solutions to problems, or good feelings? How does this shape our behavior and communication? This episode is essential for anyone who wishes to improve their communication and persuasiveness, wherever you find yourself in an organization. We both were pushed to think hard with this one and examine our assumptions. Enjoy! Recorded 7/26/24, includes: Can’t be anyone else, y’know? A quiet July Opportunities on the horizon The consultant’s toolkit & a question about Todd’s genius for speaking Leadership is about picking up and reflecting strengths back to others “Beginner’s Pluck” - Passion grows over time You and I are always finding these chicken and egg things! We come into a society that’s been figuring out how to serve people for millennia Aaron’s journey and new book If that’s the only thing you’re here to do it would be enough I need to figure out how to get more of that feeling! Knack for speaking, knack for writing Stories about Aaron’s journey as a writer That was panic!  In 1999 Parallels between writing music and writing words Thoughts about the creative process Do the words or music come first? Topic for the day… Book: How to Win Customers and Keep Them for Life How do you know when you’re selling a good feeling or a solution to a problem? Todd’s bike riding example Just another day on the Crushin’ Company Culture Podcast! Todd solves problems, but makes people feel incredibly good Sacrificing lesser goods to greater ones - the larger patterns of existence Aaron’s opinion - solving problems is about creating better feelings A story from Todd to corroborate that point Todd channeling the ancient philosopher Heraclitus - we only have good feelings because we know what bad feelings are like Do Aaron’s clients seek solutions to problems or good feelings? Strategy is about solving problems We need to make people aware of their pain Know like and trust is about connecting through good feeling The important challenge of asking for testimonials Your clients and customers have a vested interest in your success Feelings and problems are tools that we have as benevolent communicators Feelings and problems in Aaron’s approach to coaching and consulting Creating good feelings makes it likelier that people will continue to support you Paul Martinelli’s sales training - rapport vs. commonality I need to go and think about this! When do you switch to problem-solving mode? Work is about expertise Todd’s perspective - every organization can improve Problems that Todd helps to solve Is leadership development about solving problems or creating good feelings? This conversation is thought-provoking! Takeaways from this conversation - putting a bow on it! Comedians are about good feelings, moreso… The world’s just one big pain we’re trying to solve!  The pain of existence, the pain of having time to fill, the pain of being in a lesser state and growing toward a greater one How do we distinguish between wants and needs? Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  2. 08/13/2024

    19 - Mental Health

    NOTE: We are not licensed therapists. If you are struggling with mental health or having thoughts of self-harm, please ask for help right away. This episode offers ways to do that. In this episode Todd interviews Aaron, and the two have a very honest and probing conversation about how to improve mental health in the workplace and life in general. Mental health is on a lot of people's minds right now, and for good reason. We know more about it than ever and are asking more and more questions about it. Here's our thoughts about the meaning of mental health and how best to approach and improve it. Enjoy! Recorded 6/21/24, includes: “All Ravs are Zorgs” Speaking of mental health… A hot topic What to do if you are struggling - call 211 A story from Todd Can “mental health” be defined? The link between depression and high intelligence Discerning qualifications in a content-saturated world 3 philosophical questions about mental health Is the human condition inherently unhealthy? Aaron’s 5 Perpetual, Perennial, Problematic Dysfunctions of the Human Condition Start by talking about it, even if it’s uncomfortable - if you keep it inside it only gets worse “One big support group” - simple, but extremely complicated How do you know when you should get help with your mental health? How do we improve and who defines improvement? How do you get outside your own frame of mind? Eckhart Tolle’s interesting observation - “I just can’t live with myself any longer” Locating your “actual self” Nuancing introversion and extraversion - stepping out of one’s comfort zone - branding & positioning - change is good What is the role of the workplace in mental health? All points of human interconnection are susceptible to dysfunction Is mental health the responsibility of the leader or the individual? “For some of these people the workplace is the best part of their day” How do we create a culture in which more individuals take an active interest in their mental health? It all comes down to culture… Every group is built around shared valuation I worked up a sweat today! Bonus clips: If you have an issue, reach out to someone How do we know dysfunction when we see it? What’s the best way for the mind to work? How do you know how uncomfortable to be? Another inherently unhealthy part of the human condition, the honey-do list The moment when the universe became unhealthy… Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  3. 06/16/2024

    18 - All About Culture Teams

    This episode gets into Todd's thinking about one of his favorite tools to improve organizational cultures, Culture Teams. Full of helpful perspectives for organizations of all shapes, sizes, and aims. Enjoy! Recorded 5/31/24, includes: Getting a haircut is the one thing Aaron doesn’t overthink What’s the one thing you want to be sure to do this summer? It’s all the little things Connected to my momentum The new book Aaron is working on about Commerce Theory Trying to get through May… The program Todd is working on for businesses about “Culture Teams” Why C-suite executives are nervous about Culture Teams and losing control The power of Culture Teams for employees throughout the organization Why Todd believes in Culture Teams Mindset work for individuals vs. impact on the greater workplace “Culture is mindset” Culture Teams are a product Todd can offer to organizations Culture Teams can make a difference for talent attraction and retention, and preventing the “Sunday scaries 😱” Why culture is like a garden “So friggin’ intangible!”  How do you measure the improvement of a culture? Transactional vs. transformational It seems like only the good leaders take courses on improvement You can never be too good at communicating, and you can always find more places where communication is happening “Their brains are smoking!” What Todd and Aaron see when they go into a new organization Why C-suite leaders sometimes fear bringing in Culture Teams and why the fear is unfounded The importance of representation and inclusivity in Culture Teams Putting together a congress Why the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra always has a member of the orchestra on the board and Family Health Centers has at least 51% clients on their board How Culture Team meetings work and liaison with the Executive Team Calling into question traditional notions of hierarchy - titles are less important for some people What is driving these cultural shifts and the influence of younger generations on the workplace Speculating about the tension between hierarchy and democratic organization through history You still need people in the C-suite, but must balance it with the input of the Culture Team Todd’s work experience wish What Todd would do on the first day as CEO, and what his office would look like Why it’s important to know how team members are feeling as functioning as people For some people the workplace is a haven Why Todd and Aaron are both (unlicensed) therapists The power of listening and caring enough to ask “I noticed she was off” - Todd’s superpower for sensing interpersonal and group dynamics Aaron’s sensitivity and instinct for listening to people and ability for asking very insightful questions Why do C-suite executives spend so much time in their offices, away from the team? We don’t do enough training in leadership Priorities and 4,000 handwritten birthday cards Is Todd the “CEO whisperer?”  He’s on a mission to revolutionize company culture Culture is EVERYBODY’s responsibility, but it must be part of your strategic plan Culture often gets dumped on the HR person PLUS... One of Aaron’s other content conversation partners Feeling a whole lot better 😌 On the next episode of Crushin’ Company Culture! Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  4. 04/16/2024

    17 - Habits, Disciplines, Resolutions

    Todd and Aaron met to discuss their different approaches to habits, disciplines, goals, resolutions and more. The result ended being surprisingly and incredibly inspiring and affirming to them both, in spite of significant differences in their psychology and the nature of their days. Recorded 2/9/24, includes: I know you!  That means I’ve been branding it well. A good result I’m here for it, but I don’t know where it’s gonna go… I don’t put much thought into it, I just let it ramble out of my mouth One of the few times in my life I’ve actually set goals I really can’t control that outcome, only the things that lead to that outcome Every month we bet $50 each, and we’ve each had to pay If I change my habits it will help me to focus on my priorities Todd’s list of daily habits Learning styles are a huge thing!  What does it mean to learn and what should we learn? I wasn’t growing my knowledge base I’ve got my Sundrop - I’m ready! Is it restrictive? I thought I was an effective procrastinator… By this time in my life shouldn’t I have things figured out?  Everyone’s a personal brand expert because of social media I don’t know what results to improve until I start talking to people A new best CEO time in our businesses How did you discern the correct disciplines and habits? Habits and disciplines as a solopreneur vs. an employee Benefits of the DISC assessment, the importance of followthrough Aaron’s central questions regarding habits and routines The difference between being employed and being in business for yourself Always questioning whether you are using your time correctly A deeper level of satisfaction Executing routines in spite of self-doubt and fear of failure Whose dream are you living? Intrapreneurs vs. entrepreneurs Habits and routines for Aaron…”a very organic human” Not a job, but…a piece of art Aaron’s priority: what is the muse asking of me today? A transactional approach Always thinking about thinking, ways to think differently, ways to think better Two different but good approaches servant leaders and raising people up A very intentional way of flowing Results come from thinking.  How do we improve results?  Think about the thinking! How does Aaron take a break? Two examples that illustrate how Aaron is always “on” What does it mean to be human?  How do we improve the results of being human? Now he does that with his son too! Yes, Aaron DOES have routines 🙂 Todd has never heard of ASMR You want your body to work right Working on the business vs. in the business Internal guidance vs. external guidance We never go in a straight line 😄 This is especially uplifting! How should larger organizations think about goals, habits, and routines? Hard skills vs. human skills Businesses must be both transactional and transformational - we need love in the workplace Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  5. 03/10/2024

    16 - Ping-Pong Tables and Other Failures of Cultural Design

    A super-fun chat about company culture, depth of conversation, and Aaron’s new comprehensive theory of human commerce. Episode Links: ⁠DEFINITION OF COMMERCE⁠ ⁠AARON'S "COMMERCE THEORY"⁠ ⁠5 WAYS TO BECOME A MORE VALUABLE WRITER⁠ ⁠INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGE FAMILY⁠ Recorded 1/12/24, includes: Listening to “Pinnacle of Success” by Airae Aaron’s Business X-Change at the PCBC “It almost sounds like our conversations are negotiations” “Merriam-Webster, I’ve heard of that!” Everything we do is commerce! “There’s an exchange here too” You have relationships with everyone in the world A productive, disruptive confusion I talked about more metaphysics in Commerce Theory than I’ve ever talked about before! Reading Think and Grow Rich for the 4th time with Paul Martinelli There are no new ideas It’s had the same shape since the beginning of humans Ping-pong tables are one of the bright, shiny new objects Signal is not the same as cause Who can guess how many years ago Todd was in college? The yin and yang of vision and culture Now, next, later? Culture is all the time! Culture is based on intention The roots of the word “culture” Culture must be sustained About Aaron’s new Commerce Theory “This is hard to do in 25 words or less!” Maybe you can’t help but to worship “All human behavior follows that basic shape” I’ve got 15,000 questions to ask you and we’ve only got time for 1! Todd’s word for 2024 Psychology dances with what is sacred - humans are theological Whatever you’re doing is what you believe to be the most valuable thing to do with your time and space Todd is an understated genius Where does Aaron’s fascination with words come from? The etymology of “leadership” A meta-etymology That stuff shapes your thinking and you don’t even realize it! Why do people think ping-pong tables will improve their company culture? Taking conversations below the surface - making them meaningful and deep The boat is very special and meaningful, but you can’t start with the boat The length of time to transformation - the actions become more automatic For deep alignment, see your company culture chiropractor They were yelling at me about how much I’ve changed in a year! Do you get into resolutions? Resolutions vs. Habits Outcome goals vs. process goals Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  6. 02/06/2024

    15 - What is Culture?

    A really fun, stimulating conversation about culture, and whether culture or vision is primary. Recorded 12/6/23, includes: “That’s a scary thought…” “If I don’t notice I get in trouble” The world of Marx Where does your heart go?  Aaron did not pass out! Pauses feel interminable Cross-fertilization feels like part of your niche “There’s another word for fertilizer” The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas You’re keeping the spotlight on me A month is made up of 4 weeks and the weeks go very fast I don’t get away that easy? What are you most excited about for 2024? Planting all different kinds of seeds The weeds got taller than the corn! So, culture…was that a question?! Some provocative thoughts about culture “If I was going to boil culture down to one word…” Is the culture the goal, or is the culture a means to a bigger goal, or both/and? “Designing” cultures?  Why does that word feel wrong to you? Maxwell: Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less. It’s about relationships, feeling, and personality Outcomes come down to…why does it feel that way? Motivational mismatch Outcomes show you how to improve the culture The 9 elements of Speak Your Peace Posters on the wall - they’re just there… “I would speculate it doesn’t just stay on the wall” Culture is generative - an ongoing act of (co)creation How do you TRULY change a culture? Culture is a living document “Culture eats vision” Culture is neither top-down, nor bottom-up “The third bricklayer says I’m creating a place for people to worship the Lord” Boom!  There’s that culture/vision thing - do you make 4 by adding 2 and 2 or 3 and 1? A chicken-and-egg thing If you have a good vision but a bad culture, and vice versa… Part of a good culture is understanding the proper role of fun The problem with “fun” “That’s really just a bunch of friends!” Why Kwik Trip and Culver’s feels better than McDonald’s - can culture be systemized? “The customer doesn’t come first, the employee does.” Final thoughts about culture Culture is just caring about people I think culture is actually everything - it’s what we’re all looking for How some companies try to “design” culture, and cueing up a sequel! Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  7. 12/07/2023

    14 - Post Live2Lead 2023

    Aaron and Todd connect after Todd's Live2Lead event in Central Wisconsin for a wide-ranging conversation. Recorded 11/1/23, includes: Get your butt in here! I’m glad we’re batchin’ together today - basking in the feeling of not knowing where to begin The conversation is the content Why do we like to be coached?  Always room for improvement How do you reconcile delighting in differences with finding common ground? They’re Todd’s friend!  They’re Todd’s friend!  They’re Todd’s friend! Attracting and cultivating diverse following It shows me how much I don’t know about networking! Live2Lead 2023 - a special event for Todd From executives to front lines Celebrate every unsubscribe Aaron’s takeaways from Live2Lead and assessment of the speakers Different takes on John Maxwell Love and flourishing People say you’re philosophical?! The worst way to determine how tall someone is What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Why aren’t you dreaming bigger, going for it more, moving forward, failing faster? “Chasing failure can take you farther than success ever could.” Did you have hot chocolate? Books, written and unwritten What about leaving something for your grandchildren? What Aaron is proudest of about attending Live2Lead - always keeping you on your toes Aaron’s vision for a creative retreat Some of Aaron’s recent events About Aaron’s new book Events - overplanning vs. underplanning, expectations vs. reality Todd’s thoughts about Aaron’s new book Deep thoughts - there is no self What Todd finds most fascinating about Aaron’s ideas Self-awareness and revisiting core values There’s a place for all of us Thriving on interactions with others What’s next for Aaron’s book Online courses Don’t wait until it’s perfect! Aaron’s most expensive domain purchase to date and his second book Commerce Theory A final question we should all think about more Do you care about the flourishing human, or just the bottom line? Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

  8. 11/06/2023

    13 - Leadership vs. Management

    Aaron and Todd reconnect after a couple months out in the wild and catch up.  Includes, among other things, in in-depth discussion about the difference between leadership and management. Recorded 4/6/23, includes: “Recording in progress - in the digital flesh” Aaron’s hair and the lowest price Todd remembers for a gallon of gasoline Doing better than I was 5 years ago - Todd’s milestone - in alignment Keeping a positive attitude, about the benefits of Aaron’s coaching Why Todd has more energy than EVER at 65! “The alternative stinks!” Reevaluating introversion and extroversion Talking energy The depth of Aaron’s posts Personality type and a path to personal growth “It’s like putting everyone’s blood type out there…” The technical knowledge that helps you build a better culture “We’re legit podcasters now!” Listener feedback Avoiding people on the negative side of the balance sheet The universe is an energetic system How many university departments could use a seminar in company culture? Dealing with negative energy There is a beauty to our trauma, but it’s not the same thing as being negative Not everyone will keep pace with you Todd’s trip to the Maxwell Leadership Conference The amazing positive energy of live events The difference between management and leadership Leadership is about influence - is that a bad thing? - It’s ultimately an interpersonal process Growth vs. advancement in organizations You need people to have production “Now I’m nervous!” Why Todd often works with middle management - managers/leads/supervisors Why even executives can benefit from leadership training The importance of succession planning Are some people better suited for leadership than others? Theories of success - it all leads back to personality! A quick overview of the DISC personality system Are certain personality types better suited to leadership and/or management? Why managers benefit from becoming better leaders How personality type has helped Aaron’s marriage Leadership is often about conflict and change - chess, not checkers The best basketball coach isn’t necessarily a great player “When I go into a new company I spend very little time learning about the industry” Our lives are a path to growth Learn more about Todd at ⁠⁠⁠https://toddkuckkahn.com/⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Aaron at ⁠⁠⁠https://aaronjmarx.com/⁠⁠⁠, on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

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Engaging, easy-going, entertaining, and educational chats about improving all things leadership and company culture. For anyone who does work at a place!

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Marx & Todd Kuckkahn
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Aaron Marx & Todd Kuckkahn
  • Show Website
    Crushin' Company Culture