Culture By Design

Heather Smith
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  • Management

Meet business owners and executives who recognize that employee culture is too important to be left to chance. Each week, we dive into how companies like yours transform accidental norms into purposeful strategies that accelerate growth while enabling employees to thrive. If you're eager to turn culture into a competitive advantage for your small or mid-sized business, Heather Smith, CEO of Talent Elevated, will give you practical strategies for designing culture with intention and unlocking employee potential. Find the clarity, focus, and actionable insights to build a workplace where your team is invested in their work, their colleagues, and the company mission—even when business priorities feel overwhelming.

  1. Jun 4

    12. Serving People to Serve the Purpose: Dave Kuhnert’s Approach to Leadership and Accountability

    A lot of leaders know they want and need to develop a company culture, but they struggle with where to start. Dave Kuhnert reminds us that competence builds confidence and that clarity is the foundation of competence. In our conversation, we talk about how having clarity of your purpose and values and then bringing that clarity about who we are, what we value, and how that shows up day-to-day work to your team is what really sets the foundation for culture. We talk about how Dave didn’t become a leader overnight, but developed those skills over decades through repetition, responsibility, and experience. And we also get into servant leadership, which can be a tricky concept to put into practice, and what that actually looks like day to day and when things get tough. Because, as Dave says, servant leadership is not just about handing out candy and being “nice.”  Dave Kuhnert served in the Army Infantry for 23 years, where he served at every level of leadership. He retired in 2011 as a Command Sergeant Major.  He subsequently joined CrownQuest Operating in Midland, TX. The culture he helped create there was critical in taking the company from $500 million to $12 Billion in thirteen years. Dave currently works as a leadership and business coach with numerous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. His book, Servant Leadership, and training materials are used by numerous organizations around the world. Listen to the full episode to hear: How repetition and progressive responsibility built Dave’s competence and confidence as a leader over the course of his military serviceWhy effectively building culture starts with clarity and unity of purposeHow incentivization structures can help or hurtThe mental models that help people implement what they’ve learnedWhy servant leadership often gets more challenging as organizations grow  Learn More About Dave Kuhnert: Servant Leadership Coaching: https://www.servantleadershipcoaching.comConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kuhnert-22952b1b/Servant Leadership: Influencing Others to Get THERE by Leading a Transformational Life: https://bookshop.org/p/books/servant-leadership-dave-kuhnert/e710d2cb13ff6c1b Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated: https://www.talentelevated.org

    45 min

  2. May 21

    11. Culture Under Pressure: Dr. Amy Thompson on How to Lead When Everything Feels Too Hard

    Taking on a leadership role is hard. There are days when the mountain just feels too high, the problems too complex, and you’re not sure if you can keep going. Dr. Amy Thompson has keenly felt those moments of uncertainty over the last decade or so as she has moved from practicing pediatrician to her current role as CEO of Covenant Health.. I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside her, and she is one of the most grounded and thoughtful leaders I’ve known. In our conversation, we talk about how she brings purpose and intention to her work, what it means to mentor well and invest in senior leadership, the real secret sauce of successful organizations, and the quiet signs that culture is breaking down. If you’ve ever wondered if you really have what it takes to lead, this episode will give you practical advice for carrying the weight as well as a renewed sense of what’s possible, even in the hardest seasons. Dr. Amy Thompson M.D. F.A.A.P has been part of Covenant Health since 2009 when she began with Covenant as the Chief of the Division of Inpatient Medicine at Covenant Children’s Hospital. She still holds this important title as well as becoming the CEO for Covenant Children’s Hospital in 2016, and later the Chief Executive for Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area in 2022. Dr. Thompson serves on the American Board of Pediatrics and has received numerous awards and honors throughout her education and career. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Hospital Medicine, Academic Pediatrics Association, and AAP Section on Hospital Medicine. She serves on the Medical Executive Committee for Covenant Children’s Hospital and the Quality Review Committee for Covenant Children’s Hospital. Listen to the full episode to hear: The keys  to her leadership development How Covenant Health fosters deeper connections to their mission and values for everyoneThe importance of pausing to acknowledge what’s working during challenging timesHow breakdowns in communication signal an eroding culture and what leaders can do to help reopen the channelsWhy team leaders are the key to making people feel connected to their organization   Learn More About Dr. Amy Thompson and Covenant Health: Covenant Health Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated

    46 min

  3. May 7

    10. From Inside Out: How Jamie Gier Links Culture, Brand, and Business Growth

    Have you ever looked at your customer experience metrics and thought, something feels off, but you can’t quite put your finger on why? Or maybe you’re trying to hire and compete for talent, and it feels like other companies just have more pull, even when you know your company offers something special. Here’s the hard truth: Your employer brand isn’t what you say it is. It’s what your employees prove it is, every single day. And if there’s a gap between the promise and the proof? Your customers feel it. Today’s conversation is about real decisions leaders make every day — during growth, during change, and especially during uncertainty. Culture isn’t a “soft” thing or a nice-to-have, it’s a core part of your brand and it’s a business driver. My guest, award-winning CMO Jamie Gier, has seen firsthand how culture and brand either accelerate growth, or quietly erode it. We talk about why your employees are actually your most credible marketers, how  to spot culture breakdowns before they show up in your numbers, and what it really takes to build a brand that attracts and retains the right people, even if you're not the biggest name in your market. Jamie Gier is a growth-focused marketing executive with extensive experience igniting go-to-market engines for some of the world’s leading and emerging brands—from VC- and PE-backed companies to Fortune 500 enterprises—with a focus on healthcare and education. Her expertise spans brand strategy, demand generation, corporate communications, and customer advocacy, and she is known for repositioning brands to increase equity and loyalty. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing Officer at DexCare, and previously held executive marketing leadership roles at GE Healthcare, Microsoft Health Solutions Group, Ceros, and DreamBox Learning. She is also a founding member of CMO Huddles, a peer group of senior marketing leaders. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why external brand messaging and internal company culture need to be in alignment for successful growthThe customer metrics that indicate an employer brand and culture that are out of syncHow to start building an intentional culture that has buy-in and support from all areas of a companyThe importance of emotional equity and clear communication during periods of changeHow a strong employer brand and mission make smaller companies more competitive against industry giantsWhy every executive needs to take ownership of culture, not just HR or the CEO Learn More About Jamie Gier: Website: http://www.jamiegier.comConnect with Jamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-gier/ Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated: https://www.talentelevated.org

    44 min

  4. Apr 16

    09. Leading with Urgency, Winning with Culture: Matt Kane on Scaling Teams That Last

    Business leaders often feel that everything is urgent in their business. The challenge is that when everything is urgent, team members are confused, important work doesn’t get done, and real priorities get lost in the shuffle. My guest today shares a take on approaching urgency in a way that supports progress and forward momentum. When Matt Kane describes the kind of urgency that benefits growth, he’s not focused on speed of action. Instead, he talks of clear, strategic and precise action focused on the ultimate goals of the business.  In our conversation, Matt brings decades of experience scaling revenue teams to focus on the questions that matter most: How do you build a culture that holds under pressure? How do you lead with urgency without sacrificing precision? And what does it really take to scale a team without losing the people at the heart of it? Matt Kane is the Chief Revenue Officer at Navigate360, the leading provider of safety and well-being solutions for schools. As CRO, he is responsible for the company’s revenue-generation strategy. Over his 30+ year career, he has successfully driven companies to grow their revenue by as much as 81%, significantly expand their market share, and achieve a successful public offering.h Listen to the full episode to hear: Why urgency doesn't mean speed — and what it actually means to move with urgency and precisionHow the culture you build internally is the single biggest driver of what your customers experience externallyWhat most leaders get wrong about hiring during periods of rapid growth — and how to get ahead of itHow to lead through mergers and acquisitions without losing the cultural DNA that made the acquired company worth buyingWhat "leading from the front" really looks like across a multifaceted leadership teamLearn More About Matt Kane: Navigate360Connect on LinkedIn Resources: Tuckman Model: Stages of Group DevelopmentWhat is the DiSC assessment?Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated

    43 min

  5. Apr 2

    08. The Hidden Engine of Growth: Mike Ware on Culture as Strategy

    When a leader is tasked with creating a major turnaround in a business, or even getting out of a plateau, culture might be the last thing on their mind. But being intentional about culture as a strategy that supports the bottom line can create outcomes and momentum that they never dreamed of. Mike Ware lived this when he was put at the helm of a 40-year-old organization that was literally days from going under and brought them to the healthiest financial position they’ve ever been in. And the culture within that company was instrumental to that success. In our conversation, Mike shares practical advice and key takeaways for leaders in the thick of challenging times. We also talk about how, in his current role as a strategist and executive coach, he guides business owners to get clear about the why behind our work more than the how and how that influences culture. Mike Ware is a proven strategist and executive coach specializing in helping owner-operated businesses break through growth plateaus. As Founder and CEO of MAMCO, he provides hands-on strategic implementation services. His Five Factors approach has enabled clients to rethink their business models and achieve nearly 300% revenue growth through innovative diversification and enhanced engagement. Listen to the full episode to hear: Key indicators other than your P&L that your business isn’t where it needs to beHow clarity and transparency build trust and calm in an organizationHow clear, strategic quarterly goals set up teams for successThe top three areas to assess to decide if you’re ready to diversify revenue Why perks and benefits don’t solve culture problems, and what leaders need to focus on instead Learn More About Mike Ware: MAMCO: http://mamco.org/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelawarejr Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated: https://www.talentelevated.org Resources: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, Adam GrantStart with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, Simon SinekSimon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | TED Talk

    47 min

  6. Mar 19

    07. Response-Ability in Action: How Self-Aware Leaders Build Stronger Cultures with Diana Lowe

    In this episode of Culture by Design, I’m joined by executive coach Diana Lowe for a thoughtful conversation about the inner work of leadership. Diana blends positive psychology with cognitive behavioral coaching to help leaders uncover the beliefs and patterns that shape how they show up at work. We explore why self-awareness is such a critical leadership skill, how outdated leadership paradigms are shifting, and why leaders need a “village” of support to grow and thrive. Diana also shares how hidden beliefs that are often formed early in life, can influence leadership behavior, and how developing greater awareness can help leaders build healthier cultures, stronger teams, and more sustainable success. Diana Lowe is an executive coach, speaker, and the Founder and CEO of Blue Light Leadership, where she helps organizations retain top talent by transforming how leaders show up. Diana has experienced firsthand the emotional toll of working under technically brilliant but emotionally unskilled leaders—an experience that shaped her mission to change workplaces from the inside out. With a Master of Science in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology and credentials as an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Diana blends research-based coaching, Positive Psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Mental & Emotional Release (MER) to address one of the most pressing challenges in business today: the human cost of bad leadership. She has coached leaders from many Fortune 500 organizations and is the bestselling author of Hard to Handle: A High Performer Paradox, a practical and compassionate guide for HR leaders and executives navigating difficult leadership dynamics while striving to protect culture and performance.  Listen to the full episode to hear: Why self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadershipHow unconscious beliefs can shape leadership behaviors like micromanagementWhy today’s leaders need to break away from the “know everything” leadership modelThe role of feedback, vulnerability, and reflection in modern leadershipHow energy management and personal values impact leadership effectiveness Learn More About Diana Lowe: Blue Light Leadership: https://bluelightleadership.com/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaelowe/Hard to Handle: A High Performer Paradox: https://bookshop.org/p/books/hard-to-handle-a-high-performer-paradox-diana-lowe/8047d386958a60c1FREE ERG and Workshop PDF: https://hardtohandlebook.com/Forbes Coaches Council Column: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/dianalowe/ Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated: https://www.talentelevated.org

    39 min

  7. Mar 5

    06. “Nice” Leaders Don’t Build Great Companies: Chris Seegers on Standards That Grow Teams

    Business owners often look to optimize systems and processes to achieve big goals.  But as my guest today can attest, without a solid foundation in culture, systems and processes will only take you so far.  Chris Seegers is a long-time owner of multiple businesses that he has stewarded through major transitions and growth. In this conversation, we talk about how people, processes, and profitability are critical pillars to the value of a business and how intentionally designing systems to reinforce culture over time is key for long-term sustainability and success. Chris Seegers is a business owner with a long track record of starting and buying companies and building them into successful, self-governed entities. He founded the Exceptional Companies family office and is an active owner in many different businesses and part of leadership teams that have raised and deployed over $650 million in investor dollars. Chris is a self-proclaimed “capitalist missionary”, and his heart is activating and equipping others to live exceptional lives. He has written two books, Buying Main Street and Selling Main Street, aimed at equipping ordinary people in the complex space of business transitions. Listen to the full episode to hear: How systems reflect and support instilling and sustaining values and culture across organizationsWhy values need to be clearly defined and implemented with concrete benchmarksHow the core pillars of people, processes, and profitability translate into a company’s valuationWhy leaders need the humility to be wanted, but not needed in their businessesHow clear expectations and processes for accountability drive results while maintaining relationships and building trust Learn More About Chris Seegers: Exceptional Business Advisors: https://excoadvisors.com/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-seegers-8a30161a Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated: https://www.talentelevated.org

    50 min

  8. Feb 19

    05: From $500K to $40M: How Culture Fueled 19 Years of Growth with Stephanie Henderson

    Our approach to company culture inevitably has to make some shifts when experiencing significant growth. What works for twenty employees in one location doesn’t have the same impact when it’s spread across multiple cities and hundreds of employees.  My guest today, Stephanie Henderson, has been through exactly that experience over her nineteen years at her former customer-service based company and now leads her own company, Impact Driven Partners, to help other businesses scale up with culture at their core. She’s sharing how she navigated setting the foundations of company values and culture while scaling way up. Stephanie also has some unique insights about hiring for culture in a college town, where employees are younger and turnover is consistent, and how helping front-line staff think like their customers creates positive experiences for both customers and employees. Stephanie Henderson is a seasoned executive, business strategist, and culture transformation expert with more than two decades of leadership experience, including serving as CEO of Carpet Tech, where she helped scale the company to a multi-million dollar success.  As the founder of Impact Driven Partners, she combines executive coaching with strategic advisory work to help organizations strengthen leadership, elevate culture, and scale with clarity and confidence. Known for her relational approach, operational depth, and passion for helping organizations grow, Stephanie specializes in taking a leader’s vision and turning it into a clear, actionable reality. She equips teams and organizations to thrive with purpose, alignment, and measurable impact. Listen to the full episode to hear: How company culture was reflected in the customer experience and feedbackHow an unexpected interview question was a great predictor for culture fitHow metrics like customer retention and crew expenses became clear signs of culture at work location by locationWhy clarity about roles, processes, values, and culture is essential to scaling up How values and culture inform decision-making from process changes to staffing to entering new marketsWhy leaders need to let go of the “family feel” mindset and build compassionate teams Learn More About Stephanie Henderson: Impact Driven Partners Learn More About Heather Smith: Talent Elevated Resources: Entrepreneurial Operating System

    45 min
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About

Meet business owners and executives who recognize that employee culture is too important to be left to chance. Each week, we dive into how companies like yours transform accidental norms into purposeful strategies that accelerate growth while enabling employees to thrive. If you're eager to turn culture into a competitive advantage for your small or mid-sized business, Heather Smith, CEO of Talent Elevated, will give you practical strategies for designing culture with intention and unlocking employee potential. Find the clarity, focus, and actionable insights to build a workplace where your team is invested in their work, their colleagues, and the company mission—even when business priorities feel overwhelming.

Information

  • Creator
    Heather Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Heather Smith