under the brim

Kristopher Garcia

What does leadership actually run on? Not the org chart. It runs on self-awareness, empathy, cultural intelligence, and human judgment that lie just beneath the surface. Under the Brim is the show where leadership gets human. Host Kris Garcia (Leadership Architect, Cultural Strategist, and yes, the guy in the hat) brings 15 years of HR experience to real conversations about DiSC, emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and AI+HI, where artificial intelligence meets human intelligence at work. Every episode closes with Bajo el Ala, a 60-second takeaway in Spanish, because great leadership speaks more than one language. A Brimwork production. Human by Design. brim.work

Episodes

  1. Oct 12

    The Map Is Not Your Coworker

    In this episode, Kris explores the complexities of cultural differences in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual behaviors over generalized cultural assumptions. He draws on insights from Erin Meyer's book, 'The Culture Map,' and shows how cultural intelligence can improve communication and collaboration in diverse teams. Takeaways Cultural understanding is nuancedAsk individuals about their preferences Chapters 00:00 Understanding Cultural Differences01:28 The Culture Map: A Deep Dive05:32 The Importance of Individuality in Culture11:11 Cultural Engagement and Employee Dynamics18:29 AI and Cultural Context24:36 Navigating Cultural Misunderstandings31:50 Cultural Intelligence: Beyond the Map38:50 Practical Steps for Cultural EngagementResearch mentioned  |  Investigación mencionada Meyer, E. (2014). The Culture Map. PublicAffairs. Spanish edition: El mapa cultural.Meyer, E. (2014). Navigating the Cultural Minefield. Harvard Business Review.https://hbr.org/2014/05/navigating-the-cultural-minefield Kirkman, B., Taras, V., and Steel, P. (2016). Research: The Biggest Culture Gaps Are Within Countries, Not Between Them. Harvard Business Review.https://hbr.org/2016/05/research-the-biggest-culture-gaps-are-within-countries-not-between-them Brewer, P., and Venaik, S. (2014). The Ecological Fallacy in National Culture Research. Organization Studies.https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840613517602 Minkov, M., and Hofstede, G. (2012). Is National Culture a Meaningful Concept? Cross-Cultural Research.https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397111427262 Gallup (2026). State of the Global Workplace: 2026 Report.https://www.gallup.com/workplace/697904/state-of-the-global-workplace-global-data.aspx Tao, Y., Viberg, O., Baker, R. S., and Kizilcec, R. F. (2024). Cultural Bias and Cultural Alignment of Large Language Models. PNAS Nexus.https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae346 Tan, C. N., Han, M., Chua, R. Y. J., and Cheng, C. (2026). AI Models as Cultural Beings. PNAS Nexus.https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag084

  2. Oct 5

    The Two Most Expensive Words in Your Meetings

    There are two words killing more good ideas in your organization than any budget cut, and they sound polite every time. This week I take the famous rule from a Chicago comedy theater, yes, and, and show you what it actually means for leaders, because the corporate version most of us were taught is wrong. What we get into: Why "yes, but" is sneakier than "no," and how everyone in the room hears the but delete the yesThe research catching up with the improvisers: experimental studies showing improv training builds divergent thinking, tolerance for uncertainty, and confidenceYes, and is not agreement. It is acknowledgment, and the difference decides whether your team keeps offering ideasCards face up: why the rule I am best at is the rule I have to watch closestFour moves for your next meeting, including putting your but on a delayWhy the points not mattering on Whose Line Is It Anyway was the whole pointThe Monday Move: pick one meeting this week. Every time you feel a but coming, replace it once, out loud, with yes, and. Then watch the other person's face. The episode closes with Bajo el Ala, a 60-second takeaway in Spanish. Count your "yes, buts" during this episode, then find me on LinkedIn and give me the number. Nothing else, just the number. I will know exactly what you mean. Sources and further reading: Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton, Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration (Harper Business, 2015)Felsman, P., Gunawardena, S., and Seifert, C. M. (2020). Improv experience promotes divergent thinking, uncertainty tolerance, and affective well-being. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 35, 100632. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871187119302470Creative and healthy through improv: Effects of training improvisational theatre on creative and work-related self-efficacy and self-esteem. Thinking Skills and Creativity (2025). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871187125000069Felsman, P., Seifert, C. M., and Himle, J. A. (2019). The use of improvisational theater training to reduce social anxiety in adolescents. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 63, 111-117. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197455618301928Felsman, P., Seifert, C. M., Sinco, B., and Himle, J. A. (2023). Reducing social anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty in adolescents with improvisational theater. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 82, 101985. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019745562200106XKrueger, K. R., Murphy, J. W., and Bink, A. B. (2017). Thera-prov: A pilot study of improv used to treat anxiety and depression. Journal of Mental Health, 28(6), 621-626. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638237.2017.1340629Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350-383. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2666999Under the Brim is a Brimwork production. New episodes weekly. brim.work

  3. Sep 28

    Your AI Strategy Has a Manager Problem

    The episode explores the impact of AI on leadership and the challenges faced by managers in guiding employees through AI integration. It emphasizes the importance of human operating skills and the need for managers to develop emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and behavioral science to navigate AI implementation effectively. Takeaways AI integration requires human operating skills, including emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and behavioral science.Managers play a crucial role in guiding employees through AI integration and must develop the necessary skills to do so effectively.

  4. Sep 21

    Diversity Doesn't Automatically Make Teams Better

    The episode explores the concept of cultural intelligence (CQ) and its impact on team dynamics and organizational success. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with differences, and the role of CQ in converting diversity into potential. The episode also highlights the need for leaders to develop the habit of pausing and generating multiple explanations before making judgments, as a way to cultivate cultural intelligence. Takeaways Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the key to converting diversity into potentialThe habit of pausing and generating multiple explanations before making judgments is essential for developing cultural intelligence Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cultural Intelligence and Team Dynamics05:00 The Mistake of Treating Diversity as Input and Inclusion as Outcome08:58 The Impact of Cultural Intelligence on Team Dynamics and Leadership14:00 Cultural Intelligence in Domestic and International Contexts20:01 The Four Muscles of Cultural Intelligence24:45 Cultural Intelligence in Everyday Work Scenarios30:05 Cultural Intelligence as a Habit and Leadership Practice

  5. Sep 14

    Your Team Isn't Quiet Because They're Introverts

    The episode explores the impact of power dynamics on communication in the workplace, highlighting the cost of speaking up and the role of leaders in creating psychological safety. It emphasizes the importance of behavior over intent and provides actionable insights for leaders to foster open communication. Takeaways Power dynamics influence the cost of speaking upBehavior shapes psychological safety, not intent Chapters 00:00 The Cost of Speaking Up01:11 Silence as a Calculation03:27 The Distortion of Feedback12:01 Intent vs. Behavior16:06 Creating Psychological Safety22:57 Building Safety in Small Moments27:46 Handling Disagreement30:03 Closing Remarks

  6. Sep 7

    The Volume and the Moments

    The podcast episode explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence (HI) in the workplace, emphasizing the philosophy, impact, and future implications of this integration. It also highlights the role of HR in AI integration and the importance of investing in human skills for the future of work. Takeaways AI complements human intelligence in the workplaceHR needs to adapt to AI integrationInvesting in human skills is crucial for the future of work Chapters 00:00 The Philosophy of AI plus HI03:00 The Impact of AI in the Workforce12:30 HR and AI Integration15:03 The Future of Work: Human vs. AI19:31 Investing in Human Skills

  7. Aug 31

    The Unseen Impact of Leadership

    The episode explores the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's impact as a leader. It delves into the concept of the 'mirror' every leader needs to look into before reaching for the map, emphasizing the significance of self-awareness and its application in leadership and team dynamics. Takeaways Self-awareness is essential for effective leadershipUnderstanding and adapting to different communication styles is crucial for effective team dynamics Chapters 00:00 The Mirror Every Leader Needs02:03 The Importance of Self-Awareness06:05 Understanding Communication Styles23:45 Assessment and Team Dynamics31:31 Leadership and Influence

  8. Aug 24

    The Work Under the Brim

    Under the Brim is a podcast that explores leadership, empathy, and the human side of work. Host Kris Garcia shares his bilingual identity, observations of people and leaders, and aims to bridge the gap between leaders and employees. The show emphasizes respectful engagement, honest observations, and the integration of AI and human intelligence. Takeaways Bridging the gap between leaders and employeesEmbracing disruption and honest observations Chapters 00:00 The Symbol of the Hat00:56 Introduction to Under the Brim03:14 Bilingual Identity and Code-Switching04:27 Observing People and Leaders05:40 Leadership and Empathy06:02 Podcast Experience and Return07:37 The Hat as a Symbol of Conversation09:11 The Double Meaning of 'Under the Brim'10:21 Helping Leaders and Employees Speak the Same Language13:30 Disruption and Honest Observations14:42 Exploring HR Trends and AI Integration15:13 Respectful Engagement and Listening17:10 Bajo el Ala Segment19:22 Closing and Community Growth

  • 8 Episodes

About

What does leadership actually run on? Not the org chart. It runs on self-awareness, empathy, cultural intelligence, and human judgment that lie just beneath the surface. Under the Brim is the show where leadership gets human. Host Kris Garcia (Leadership Architect, Cultural Strategist, and yes, the guy in the hat) brings 15 years of HR experience to real conversations about DiSC, emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and AI+HI, where artificial intelligence meets human intelligence at work. Every episode closes with Bajo el Ala, a 60-second takeaway in Spanish, because great leadership speaks more than one language. A Brimwork production. Human by Design. brim.work

Information

  • Creator
    Kristopher Garcia
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kristopher Garcia
  • Show Website
    under the brim