Building Better Cultures

Inspiring Change
  • 5.0 (8)
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Hosted by Scott McInnes, founder of Inspiring Change, we talk to guests about how really good internal comms, engagement and leadership all contribute to 'Building Better Cultures'. We tend to shy away from theory and focus more on really practical advice, great stories and best-practice. About Inspiring Change At Inspiring Change we help our clients to connect their people to their strategies, their change programmes, their purposes and to each other. We do that by focusing on strategic internal communications, employee engagement and leadership. For more, see www.inspiringchange.ie ** IF YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS, PLEASE LEAVE A SHORT REVIEW**

  1. 150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O'Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby

    2H AGO

    150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O'Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby

    In this special bonus episode, Scott McInnes and his colleague Sadhbh O'Flaherty are joined by Communications Consultant at Gallagher, Maddison Grigsby, to explore the latest insights from the 'State of the Sector' report on internal communications, focusing on the readiness gap, strategic alignment, and human-centric communication.  Maddison shares expert advice on improving manager effectiveness, change management, and leveraging AI for better engagement.    Key Takeaways:  The evolution of internal communication practices and the importance of continuous improvement.  The "Readiness Gap": understanding the misalignment between technological potential, leadership expectations, and employee experiences.  Six key risks impacting organisational readiness: audience burnout, budget constraints, line manager effectiveness, information overload, lack of inclusion of communicators in decision-making, and lack of clear direction.  The significance of strategy clarity, shared understanding, and alignment in achieving organizational goals.  The critical role of managers in communication effectiveness and how to empower them with practical tools and frameworks.  Importance of change management versus change communication, and how emotional responses influence organisational change success.  The impact of human-centric approaches, including tone of voice, narrative, and bite-sized content adapted for attention spans.  The persistent neglect of management communication tools and the opportunity for AI to streamline messaging, measurement, and feedback.  The cultural shift needed to support managers and improve communication effectiveness across organisations.    Chapters:  00:00  Celebrating 150 Episodes and Reflecting on Growth  01:23  Introduction to the State of the Sector Report and Key Stats  02:25  Focus on the Readiness Gap in Organizations  05:44  Understanding the Six Key Risks Contributing to the Readiness Gap  10:07  The Power of Strategy and Shared Understanding  11:00  Leadership's Role in Clarifying Vision and Strategy  12:29  The Importance of Repetition and Clarity in Communication  12:57  Addressing Change and Emotional Responses in the Workplace  15:01  The Significance of Empathy and Human Emotion in Change Management  15:56  Embracing Continuous Change as the New Norm  17:04  The Skill Set of Change Communications and Internal Comms  18:52  Psychology and Employee Resilience in a Volatile Environment  22:56  The Role of Tone of Voice and Storytelling in Engagement  36:26  The Impact of Human-Centric Communication and Simplicity  42:22 The Power of Storytelling and Narrative in Internal Comms  44:39 The Shift Toward Authentic and Human Tone of Voice  48:57 Leveraging AI for Simplified and Impactful Communication  49:17 Practical Tips for High-Performing Teams and Manager Effectiveness  50:41 The Importance of Listening and Feedback Loops  51:56 Closing Remarks and Resources for Better Internal Communication     Keywords:  internal communication, change management, employee engagement, leadership, AI in HR, communication strategy, organisational change, employee trust, storytelling, human-centric communication    Resources:  State of the Sector Report - https://ajg.com/employeeexperience/state-of-the-sector  Website link with more Information: inspiringchange.ie/stateofthesector    Connect with us:  LinkedIn  |  YouTube  |  Instagram    Connect with Maddison Grigsby:  LinkedIn  |  https://www.ajg.com/employeeexperience/

    55 min
  2. 149 | Leading Teams in the Age of Constant Change | Scott McInnes & Glenda Kirby

    MAR 26

    149 | Leading Teams in the Age of Constant Change | Scott McInnes & Glenda Kirby

    In this episode of the Building Better Cultures Podcast, host Scott McInnes speaks with Glenda Kirby, Chief Customer Officer at Poppulo, about the evolving role of leadership communication in a fast-changing workplace.  They explore how trust, transparency, and empathy form the foundation of strong organizational cultures, particularly in a world shaped by hybrid work, constant change, and emerging technologies like AI. Glenda shares practical insights from her experience helping global organizations communicate with millions of employees, as well as lessons from her leadership roles at LinkedIn and Indeed.  You will walk away with actionable ideas on communicating through change, building trust within teams, and developing leadership skills such as clarity under pressure, empathy, and authenticity.  Keywords:  Leadership communication, internal communications, organisational culture, trust in leadership, empathy in leadership, clarity under pressure, employee engagement, hybrid work, change management, communication strategy, workplace culture, leadership development, Poppulo, employee experience.  Key Takeaways:  Trust is built through consistent and transparent communication.   Communication is no longer occasional - it's continuous.   Middle managers are a critical communication channel.   Clarity matters more than ever.  Empathy is a leadership skill that must be developed.   Act on feedback.   Timing and accuracy are essential during change.   Authenticity strengthens culture.   Belonging is becoming increasingly important.   Chapters:  00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest  01:00 – Glenda Kirby's background and Poppulo's global reach  03:00 – Why trust is central to strong workplace cultures  05:20 – Communication overload and cutting through the noise  08:50 – The growing complexity of leadership roles  12:20 – Why organizations still underinvest in communication skills  15:00 – Simple communication techniques leaders can use immediately  18:50 – The importance of empathy and authenticity in leadership  21:00 – Acting on employee feedback and building trust  24:40 – Understanding how different people receive communication  29:00 – Leading teams through constant organizational change  33:00 – The risk of over-communication during uncertain times  35:40 – Final reflections and leadership quick-fire questions  37:30 – The leadership skills that matter most today    Connect with us:  LinkedIn  YouTube  Instagram    Connect with Glenda Kirby:  LinkedIn

    37 min
  3. 148 | Harnessing Organisational Success Through People | Scott McInnes & Iain Kirkwood

    MAR 19

    148 | Harnessing Organisational Success Through People | Scott McInnes & Iain Kirkwood

    In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, host Scott McInnes is joined by Iain Kirkwood, Chief HRO of EX3, to explore the critical role of people in organisational success. They discuss the importance of clarity in purpose, the necessity of difficult conversations in performance management, and the empowerment of people leaders. The conversation delves into the significance of continuous feedback, the measurement of organisational culture, and the connection between culture and business performance. They also touch on the role of values and behaviors in shaping culture and the importance of a dynamic Employee Value Proposition (EVP).  Keywords:  Organisational culture, employee engagement, leadership, performance management, HR transformation, continuous feedback, employee value proposition, purpose-driven organizations, difficult conversations, accountability  Key Takeaways:  Clarity around company goals is essential for success.  Hiring for attitude is more important than hiring for skills.  Strong leadership is key to aligning people with company objectives.  Difficult conversations are necessary for managing performance.  Empowering people leaders is crucial for organisational success.  Continuous feedback helps in course correction throughout the year.  Culture can impact business performance significantly.  Values should translate into observable behaviors.  An effective EVP should resonate with employees' experiences.  Regularly revisiting the EVP keeps it relevant and engaging.    Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast  01:53 Setting Companies Up for Success Through People  05:16 The Importance of Purpose in Organisations  08:10 Navigating Difficult Conversations with Employees  10:56 Empowering People Leaders for Effective Management  14:03 The Shift Towards Continuous Feedback  19:22 Understanding and Valuing Organisational Culture  20:21 Valuing Organisational Culture  22:00 Impact of Culture on Performance  23:45 Performance Management and Accountability  26:03 The Role of Values in Culture  30:01 Employee Value Proposition (EVP)  34:39 Creating a Positive Work Environment    Connect with us:  LinkedIn  YouTube  Instagram      Connect with Iain Kirkwood:  LinkedIn

    35 min
  4. 147 | Unlocking Purpose in Organisations | Scott McInnes & Professor Peter Hawkins

    MAR 12

    147 | Unlocking Purpose in Organisations | Scott McInnes & Professor Peter Hawkins

    In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Professor Peter Hawkins, a leading authority in systemic coaching and leadership development. They explore the essential elements organisations need to thrive in the 21st century, emphasising the importance of being purpose-led, stakeholder-centric, and fostering collective leadership. Hawkins discusses the critical role of organisational culture and learning, the dynamics of trust within teams, and the concept of WeQ—collaborative intelligence. The conversation also delves into the nature of connection in leadership and the need for organisations to discover their purpose rather than merely creating it. Hawkins shares practical examples and insights on how organisations can align their efforts to meet the needs of the future, ultimately highlighting the unique contributions that teams can make to drive meaningful change.     Takeaways:  Organisations must be purpose-led, not profit-led.  Stakeholder-centricity is crucial for modern organisations.  Partnership with stakeholders enhances organizational effectiveness.  Teams should be more than the sum of their parts.  Organisational learning must outpace external changes.  Trust is essential, but addressing mistrust is equally important.  WeQ, or collaborative intelligence, is vital for leadership.  Connection in leadership should focus on shared purpose.  Purpose should be discovered, not created.  Organisational culture is shaped by collective patterns.    Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest  02:13 Essential Elements for Organisations in the 21st Century  05:42 The Importance of Purpose in Organisations  08:25 The Role of Organisational Culture and Learning  12:54 Collective Leadership and Team Dynamics  17:16 Trust and Mistrust in Teams  18:42 The Nature of Team Relationships  22:10 The Concept of WeQ and Collaborative Intelligence  23:13 Connection in the Age of Technology  27:40 Understanding and Defining Purpose  31:30 Leading Towards an Evolving Purpose  37:12 The Unique Contribution of Teams and Organisations  39:47 Organisational Culture and Its Habituated Patterns  41:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts    Connect with us:  LinkedIn  |  YouTube  |  Instagram    Connect with Prof. Peter Hawkins:  LinkedIn  |  Website - Personal  |  Website - Company Keywords:  leadership, organisational culture, purpose, collaboration, team dynamics, coaching, stakeholder engagement, collective intelligence, trust, systemic coaching

    39 min
  5. 146 | The Power of Curiosity at Work | Scott McInnes & Joe Lalley

    MAR 5

    146 | The Power of Curiosity at Work | Scott McInnes & Joe Lalley

    In this week's episode of the Building Better Cultures Podcast, host Scott McInnes sits down with Joe Lalley, author of 'How Curiosity Can Transform Your Career, Your Team, and Your Organisation.' Together, they explore the power of curiosity in transforming careers, teams, and organisations. Tune in to discover practical insights on fostering curiosity, psychological safety, and innovative cultures.  Keywords:  Curiosity, innovation, psychological safety, organizational culture, design thinking, leadership, experimentation, learning from failure, AI, creative thinking  Key Topics:  The definition of curiosity as the desire to go from not knowing to knowing  The role of psychological safety in encouraging curiosity  Patterns of questions that drive innovation and learning  The importance of being close to customers for effective curiosity  The impact of organisational culture on curiosity and experimentation  The risks and rewards of curiosity in the workplace  Practical strategies for leaders to foster curiosity  The influence of childhood and education on curiosity development  The relationship between curiosity and AI in learning and work  How to balance curiosity with decision-making and focus  Takeaways  Curiosity is simply the act of wanting to go from not knowing to knowing.  Psychological safety is essential for fostering curiosity in teams.  Ask open-ended questions that challenge assumptions and explore possibilities.  Being close to the customer enhances the effectiveness of curiosity.  Organisational culture should be built around experimentation and learning.  Shortening feedback cycles accelerates learning and innovation.  Celebrate failures as first attempts in learning to encourage risk-taking.  Leadership modeling of curiosity and experimentation sets the tone.  Use examples and data to demonstrate the value of iterative work.  Encourage questioning and exploration as core organisational behaviours.  Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Curiosity in Organisations  02:53 Defining Curiosity and Its Importance  05:34 Psychological Safety and Curiosity  08:47 Curiosity in Meetings and Organisational Culture  11:29 Learning from Customers and Iterative Processes  14:48 Creating Space for Curiosity in Organisations  17:36 Embedding Curiosity into Organisational Culture  20:29 The Balance of Curiosity and Action  23:27 Practical Steps for Leaders to Foster Curiosity  26:32 The Impact of Technology on Curiosity  29:08 The Future of Curiosity in the Age of AI    Link to Joe's book:  Joelalley.com/book    Connect with us:  LinkedIn  YouTube  Instagram

    32 min
  6. 145 | Building Trust in Turbulent Times | Scott McInnes & Kim Bohr

    FEB 26

    145 | Building Trust in Turbulent Times | Scott McInnes & Kim Bohr

    In this week's episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Kim Bohr, President and COO of Spark Effect, about the critical role of trust in organisations. They discuss the findings from the report 'Trust in Turbulence' which breaks down trust into measurable domains and emphasises its importance as a competitive advantage. The conversation explores how disruptions, such as the return to office policies, impact trust, and how organizations can build and rebuild trust through effective communication and leadership practices.  Takeaways:  Trust is a measurable and critical component of organisational success.  Disruptions can erode trust in everyday interactions.  Return to office policies must be communicated effectively to maintain trust.  High trust organizations see better performance and retention rates.  Low trust environments lead to increased turnover and disengagement.  Younger generations prioritize alignment of values with their employers.  Technology rollouts can significantly impact trust dynamics.  Managers play a crucial role in translating corporate messages to their teams.  Celebrating achievements fosters a culture of trust and connection.  Rebuilding trust requires transparency and accountability from leadership.  Keywords:  Organisational trust, trust in leadership, building better cultures, trust metrics, employee engagement, return to office, trust and performance, psychological safety, technology and trust, trust rebuilding strategies  Chapters  00:00Introduction to Trust in Organizations  02:04Understanding Trust as a Competitive Advantage  04:24The Impact of Disruption on Trust  08:25Return to Office: Trust and Communication  11:51Linking Trust to Organizational Performance  13:57Low Trust and Its Effects on Culture  16:15Attracting Talent in a Low Trust Environment  18:11Technology's Role in Trust Dynamics  20:50Practical Steps to Build Trust  25:56Celebrating Achievements and Building Connections  29:57Rebuilding Trust After a Breach    Link to the report mentioned in the episode:  Report    Connect with us:  LinkedIn  YouTube  Instagram

    34 min
  7. 144 | Leading Culture in a Hybrid World | Scott McInnes & Phil Codd

    FEB 19

    144 | Leading Culture in a Hybrid World | Scott McInnes & Phil Codd

    Welcome back to a brand-new series of the Building Better Cultures Podcast! In the first episode of the season, host Scott McInnes is joined by Phil Codd, Managing Director of Expleo in Ireland. They discuss the multifaceted nature of organisational culture, emphasising the importance of aligning leadership and employee cultures. Phil shares insights on employee happiness, effective communication, and the significance of feedback loops in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of hybrid work, the future of organisational culture, and the need for organisations to adapt to a more flexible and inclusive work environments.   Here are some of the key insights from the episode: ·      Culture isn't just one thing; organisations have multiple cultures. ·      Happy employees lead to happy customers and growth. ·      Effective communication is a critical leadership skill. ·      Feedback loops are essential for employee engagement. ·      Celebrating employee longevity can enhance morale. ·      Technology can facilitate continuous feedback in organisations. ·      Hybrid work requires new ways of connecting teams. ·      Organisational culture is not confined to physical spaces. ·      Aligning leadership culture with employee culture is vital. ·      Policies should focus on the human aspects of work. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Building Better Cultures Podcast 03:12 Understanding Organisational Culture 09:54 The Importance of Communication in Culture 12:30 Feedback Loops and Employee Engagement 17:29 Flexibility and Hybrid Working Models 23:51 Challenges of Geographic and Hybrid Work 28:58 Future of Work and Cultural Alignment Keywords: Organisational culture, leadership, employee engagement, communication, feedback loops, hybrid work, employee happiness, culture alignment, workplace dynamics, future of work Link to the Irish Times article referenced in the podcast Connect with us: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram

    33 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    143 | The Power of Connection in Modern Workplaces | Kevin Empey & Susie Leacy

    Summary  In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenge of disconnection in the workplace with guests Susie Leacy and Kevin Empey. They explore the impact of remote work on employee connection, the role of leadership in fostering a cohesive culture, and the importance of intentional strategies to build relationships among employees. The conversation also touches on the multi-generational workforce and the need for organizations to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to meet diverse needs. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that connection is a shared responsibility between leaders and employees, and that fostering a culture of connection is essential for organizational success.    Takeaways  Disconnection is a significant challenge in modern workplaces.  Connection is essential for productivity and resilience.  Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering connection.  Organizations must adapt to maintain engagement in remote work settings.  Intentional strategies are needed to create opportunities for connection.  The multi-generational workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities.  Onboarding processes should focus on building community and connection.  Employees have a role in co-creating workplace culture.  Flexibility in work arrangements comes with shared responsibility.  Connection should be prioritized over merely addressing disconnection.    Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Disconnection in the Workplace  04:47 Understanding the Challenge of Disconnection  09:01 The Importance of Connection in Modern Work  12:03 Bridging the Gap: Building Cohesion and Engagement  16:15 Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce  21:55 Intergenerational Connections in Care Settings  24:35 Bridging Generational Gaps in the Workplace  29:42 Intentional Onboarding and Cultural Integration  33:06 Creating Community in a Hybrid Work Environment  39:13 Co-Creating Culture: The Role of Employees and Leaders

    44 min
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About

Hosted by Scott McInnes, founder of Inspiring Change, we talk to guests about how really good internal comms, engagement and leadership all contribute to 'Building Better Cultures'. We tend to shy away from theory and focus more on really practical advice, great stories and best-practice. About Inspiring Change At Inspiring Change we help our clients to connect their people to their strategies, their change programmes, their purposes and to each other. We do that by focusing on strategic internal communications, employee engagement and leadership. For more, see www.inspiringchange.ie ** IF YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS, PLEASE LEAVE A SHORT REVIEW**

Information

  • Creator
    Inspiring Change
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Inspiring Change 2021
  • Show Website
    Building Better Cultures

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