Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson
  • 4.7 (28)
  • Management
  • Updated Semimonthly

Workplace Stories is a podcast for HR and people leaders who are tired of noise and need clarity that actually holds up. It is hosted by Stacia Garr and Dani Johnson of RedThread Research. Each episode features candid conversations with practitioners, thinkers, and executives who are navigating real decisions inside complex organizations. Not hypotheticals. Not vendor promises. Real tradeoffs, real experiments, and real lessons learned along the way. You’ll hear how leaders are making sense of skills, AI, organizational design, and culture when there’s no clear playbook and pressure to show progress is high. The focus is always the same: what’s actually working, what isn’t, and what leaders are doing next. Workplace Stories helps you make sense of complexity, build credibility with evidence, and move from ideas to action with more confidence. Want to be part of the conversation? Join our community for free and connect with others shaping the future of work. Learn more about RedThread Research here: https://redthreadresearch.com/home 

  1. Preparing Students for the AI-Driven Workplace: Michael Noble

    1d ago

    Preparing Students for the AI-Driven Workplace: Michael Noble

    Artificial intelligence is transforming not just our workplaces, but the very nature of education and professional development. Our guest this week, Michael Noble, Vice President of Academic Program Development at Western Governors University (WGU), shares his views on how higher education can rise to the current moment, bridging the gap between academic learning, employable skills, and the changing needs of the workforce. We also dig into how WGU’s innovative approach might become a template for organizations and educational institutions navigating the AI era.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Upskilling entry-level talent with AI[03:59] Integrating liberal arts with tech skills[09:34] Discussing higher education trends[15:36] Creating personalized skill-based curriculums[26:13] Leveraging WGU's alumni network[29:14] Challenges in employee development[31:43] Impact of AI on job training[35:17] Integrating philosophy into the curriculum[48:40] Specialization vs. flexibility[55:28] Finding fulfillment through creative work From Degree to Competency Higher education is experiencing a moment of reckoning around its relevance for today's job market. Traditional models have long focused on grades and credit hours, but WGU centers its model on competency-based education. Students demonstrate mastery of validated competencies—skills verified through rigorous assessment, rather than simply accumulating classroom hours or participation credits. This approach better aligns with employer demands, emphasizing what learners can actually do rather than what they have passively experienced. WGU’s adaptability has enabled it to cater to working adults seeking career advancement, and to students entering directly from high school, who now make up over 40% of its enrollment. By focusing on practical skills and direct assessment, WGU is closing the gap between academic learning and the immediate needs of employers, allowing for more individualized and efficient upskilling. The Power and Challenge of University-Corporate Partnerships With AI and automation taking over many entry-level tasks, companies and universities face a new imperative: how do we prepare new hires for roles that require immediate impact and advanced judgment, skipping the traditional ramp-up provided by routine tasks? We discuss WGU’s partnerships with companies like CVS Health, where tailored programs help pharmacy techs advance within the organization and are supported by real-time competency and skills data. Internships, micro-internships, and simulated externships emerged as critical solutions for giving students hands-on, relevant experience. Aligning incentives between corporations seeking skilled workers and universities eager to prove their graduates’ real-world readiness could radically reshape how both sectors approach workforce entry. AI as a Catalyst for Change in Learning and Development AI isn’t just changing what skills are needed, but how learning itself happens. WGU is embracing AI-native tools—virtual assistants for students, personalized learning feedback, and AI-assisted evaluation—to both scale quality learning and support the work of instructors and curriculum developers. This technological shift is also transforming the structure of learning and development teams. Specialists are becoming “augmented generalists,” using AI tools to speed up design, delivery, and personalization, but the need for deep expertise and sound judgment remains crucial. Just because something looks polished doesn’t mean it’s fully accurate or effective. Recognizing that many students lack the networking advantages of elite institutions, WGU is using its growing alumni network, piloting programs that help students connect with industry veterans, and offering achievement “wallets” to showcase their skills and experiences—key ingredients in leveling the playing field for career advancement.  Resources & People Mentioned Office of the President Scott Pulsipher Bryan Alexander: Georgetown University Ruth Bader GinsburgMidwest Innocence Project  Connect with Michael Noble Michael Noble on LinkedIn  Connect With RedThread Research Website: RedThread ResearchOn LinkedIn

    58 min
  2. Three Paths for L&D in the Age of AI: Don Taylor & Egle Vinauskaite

    Jun 24

    Three Paths for L&D in the Age of AI: Don Taylor & Egle Vinauskaite

    Learning and Development (L&D) is at a crossroads. As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates changes in the workplace, L&D’s traditional stronghold—the creation and curation of content—is rapidly losing its strategic value. In this episode, I discuss the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and Learning & Development (L&D) with Don Taylor and Egla Vinauskaite. Our conversation explores how the AI “on ramp” has disappeared, leaving many L&D organizations feeling left behind, and highlights the importance of direction, not just decision, for real transformation.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [05:56] Early years of AI in L&D[08:16] Adapting to AI in Industry[18:44] Technological turmoil and AI evolution[20:29] Challenges in transforming organizations[25:40] Decision-making and organizational hierarchy[28:59] Importance of fieldwork and presence[37:42] Understanding Drag in L and D[46:49] Role of a Leader in Change[53:40] Activating independent organizational growth The Vanishing ‘On-Ramp’ and the Challenge of Catching Up The rapid evolution of AI in the workplace has created a new sense of urgency for L&D teams. In 2023, everyone was at the same starting line, experimenting with generative AI tools for the first time. Now, the landscape has shifted dramatically, with advanced conversations moving toward AI agents and full-scale workforce transformation. Those who didn’t jump on the AI bandwagon early are finding it increasingly difficult to catch up, with the “on-ramp” to entry effectively gone for newcomers. This sense of inaccessibility is causing some people to self-select out of L&D entirely, feeling left behind by the accelerating pace of change. The Disappearing Content Moat For years, L&D has built its identity around its expertise in content creation—the so-called “moat” that protects its value. But the rise of AI has reduced the barriers to creating effective learning content. Anyone can now create quality resources with minimal expertise, eroding the unique advantage L&D once held. Content can no longer be the cornerstone of L&D’s strategy. Instead, L&D needs to determine its new value proposition in a world where content is ubiquitous. The Transformation Triangle The Transformation Triangle proposes three potential futures for L&D organizations. Skills Authority: Organizations that pursue this path become the go-to stewards for everything related to skills in the business—tracking what skills exist, what’s needed, and how to develop them. They treat skills as a critical business asset and ensure the organization stays competitive by closing gaps efficiently. Enablement Partner: Acting as connectors rather than creators, these organizations focus on surfacing, amplifying, and distributing the expertise already embedded within the workforce. Their role is to ensure knowledge flows efficiently where it’s needed to elevate performance organization-wide. Adaptation Engine: The most transformative model, these teams see themselves as stewards of organizational adaptability. They diagnose and address performance issues as complex systems problems—sometimes solving them through learning, but often intervening through process or tool changes to maximize business impact. None of these are final destinations—organizations may move between them, combine elements, or adapt over time. Overcoming Structural, Cultural, and Capability Drag Achieving escape velocity from the gravitational pull of content-focused L&D isn’t easy. In the conversation, we identify three types of “drag” that hold teams back: Structural drag: Where L&D sits in the org chart and its direct authority.Cultural drag: Long-standing perceptions of L&D’s role as content creators.Capability drag: Skills and mindsets required to operate in new, more impactful ways. Successfully overcoming these drags and embedding new models into systems and infrastructure. ensures changes stick even as leaders come and go.  Resources & People Mentioned Learning Technologies in the Workplace by Don TaylorClaude CodeClaude CoworkMicrosoft CopilotOne of Each | Newsletter by NodesGlobal Sentiment Survey Connect with Don Taylor & Egle Vinauskaite Egle Vinauskaite on LinkedIn Don Taylor on LinkedIn  Connect With RedThread Research Website: RedThread ResearchOn LinkedIn Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    59 min
  3. Inside Hearst Networks’ Culture and Profit Revolution: Lucy King & Dean Possenniskie

    Jun 10

    Inside Hearst Networks’ Culture and Profit Revolution: Lucy King & Dean Possenniskie

    Organizational change is now a constant rather than a phase. Few stories illustrate this better than Hearst Networks’ journey, as shared by Dean Possenniskie, CEO, and Lucy King, Chief People Officer, on this episode of Workplace Stories. Moving from a legacy cable business into a diversified, higher-margin media powerhouse, Hearst proves that reinvention is possible not just for startups but for well-established companies with deep roots and long histories. Hearst, an organization with a legacy and heritage, and a willingness to continually reinvent itself, has adopted the “phoenix” metaphor to frame its transformation. They’ve made hard choices, like closing brands, exiting joint ventures, and even shutting offices, before expanding into new partnerships with giants like Sky, Amazon, Apple, and YouTube.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [07:59] Working in HR during transformations[12:36] Transitioning to full Hearst ownership[18:29] Crafting a purpose statement[21:12] Why it pays to implement a coaching mindset[25:30] Investing in learning and development[32:11] Defining company values and culture[37:08] Improving profitability and growth focus[39:16] Valuing autonomy and trust at Hearst[44:15] Encouraging innovation company-wide[47:14] Balancing governance with creative autonomy Culture at the Core Culture is often seen as a soft layer, a set of values on a wall, or the flavor of the latest offsite. Dean Possenniskie and Lucy King see it differently: culture had to be the engine of transformation, integral to performance and strategy. One of Dean’s earliest moves was to reposition the people and culture function away from finance, placing it directly alongside the CEO—a signal of culture’s importance as a business driver. The results speak for themselves. While revenues declined 20%, margins grew by more than 40%, and internal workplace surveys saw “great place to work” scores leap from 53% to over 80%. This wasn’t about being “nice,” but about creating a place where people could do their best work, take risks, and feel empowered. Building Change Muscle A core tenet of Hearst’s approach to transformation was empowerment at every level. Lucy describes removing archaic performance systems and replacing them with coaching-centered one-to-ones, helping managers foster a sense of ownership, capability, and resilience in their teams. The organization invested in professional coaching for anyone, at any level, who requested it, a significant commitment, but one tailored for maximum impact rather than blanket sameness. This was complemented with mentoring, leveraging technology to link senior leaders with mentees across the company. This “bottom-up” ethos even shaped their AI and technology adoption: rather than mandating tools from the top, creative, programming, and scheduling teams were given room to experiment and bring forward the solutions that actually worked for them. The Power of Purpose and the “Deal” Change is unsettling, and ambiguity can erode trust. To anchor their people, the leadership spent months articulating a purpose statement—a north star for decision-making and daily work. More boldly, they introduced “our deal,” a written two-way document explaining not just what the company expected from employees, but what employees could expect in return: support, development, and clear direction. Dean describes this as adult-to-adult relationship building. It’s about empowering personal leadership and ownership, backed by transparent communication—even when delivering hard messages or acknowledging failures. As they say, “we learn fast, not fail fast.”  Resources & People Mentioned About - HEARSTLeave Something on the Table: and Other Surprising Lessons for Success in Business and in Life by Frank Bennack The Problem with Change: And the Essential Nature of Human Performance Kindle Edition by Ashley Goodall Understand the network dynamics of culture'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari Connect with Lucy King and Dean Possenniskie Lucy King | Hearst Networks EMEA Dean Possenniskie | Hearst Networks EMEA       Connect With Red Thread Research Website: RedThread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    52 min
  4. How McKinsey Is Rewiring L&D for the AI Age: Heather Stefanski

    May 27

    How McKinsey Is Rewiring L&D for the AI Age: Heather Stefanski

    This week on the podcast, we welcome Heather Stefanski, Chief Learning and Development Officer at McKinsey & Company. We explore how organizations like McKinsey are reimagining employee development for the age of AI, shifting learning into the flow of work, focusing on systems and purposeful apprenticeships, and embedding L&D directly into workflow design. You'll also hear all about the evolving skill sets for L&D teams and the importance of updating how we measure development.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... 00:00 Integrating development into AI assistants04:49 Heather's role at McKinsey08:32 Developing skills in the workplace16:08 Designing developmental workflows with AI24:56 Understanding skill proficiency levels26:25 Building agentic development solutions30:53 Assessing AI proficiency levels33:18 Future skills focus at McKinsey42:55 AI in performance evaluations53:13 Using AI for feedback and review Rethinking Language: Why Development Surpasses Training One of the first shifts Heather Stefanski identifies is a deliberate move away from talking about “training” or even just “learning.” Instead, McKinsey centers its L&D strategy on development, a more holistic approach that encompasses formal programs, feedback mechanisms, leadership modeling, and real-time experiences in the flow of work. For McKinsey, development is inseparable from business outcomes, and employee development is critical to the firm’s value proposition. This means McKinsey designs work intentionally to be developmental, combining upskilling, leadership building, and project experiences into a seamless ecosystem. Purposeful Apprenticeship Heather discusses embedding rituals, such as performance check-ins and feedback sessions, directly into core workflows to build a system grounded in purposeful practices. By standardizing these rituals, McKinsey can even quantify the impact of great teachers on advancement, and L&D becomes part of organizational culture rather than a siloed function.The New Learning Tech Stack One of the most exciting transformations is McKinsey’s ongoing work to blend learning seamlessly into technology-enabled workflows. Rather than relying solely on traditional LMS platforms, McKinsey is embedding learning designers into business teams that are building agentic workflows—AI-powered systems that guide, prompt, and provide real-time feedback as employees work. AI agents are being designed to do more than just increase productivity. Heather emphasizes that agents should also foster professional development by challenging users, prompting reflective questions, and offering immediate coaching. This shift pushes L&D professionals to evolve their skills, requiring fluency not just in instructional design but in data analysis and collaborative workflow engineering. What Skills Do Employees Still Need? As AI tools automate routine tasks, think aligning PowerPoint columns or data cleanup, McKinsey is strategically deciding what to stop teaching, redirecting focus to what keeps the firm distinctive: problem solving, judgment, metacognition, systems thinking, and authentic leadership. Purposeful abandonment of now-obsolete skills is as vital as doubling down on those that matter, ensuring development keeps pace with the shifting demands of knowledge work.  Resources & People Mentioned Lisa Christensen on LinkedIn mckinsey.comCursorCLO Lift Group  Connect with Heather Stefanski Heather Stefanski at McKinsey & Company Heather Stefanski on LinkedIn  Connect With RedThread Research Website: RedThread ResearchOn LinkedIn Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    58 min
  5. Challenges and Solutions for Supporting Frontline Teams: JD Dillon

    May 13

    Challenges and Solutions for Supporting Frontline Teams: JD Dillon

    Frontline workers form the massive, beating heart of the global workforce, constituting up to 80% of all employees. But their enablement, experience, and upward mobility often remain quietly neglected. We sit down with J.D. Dillon, author of the upcoming Frontline Enablement Playbook, to dissect the persistent challenges these vital employees face and explore how organizations can better support and empower the often-overlooked deskless workforce. We discuss why frontline managers are structurally trapped, JD breaks down a hierarchy of frontline worker needs, and shares more about the essential role of connection—over traditional training—and why genuinely understanding, not "othering," frontline experiences is key to meaningful change.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] How organizations support their managers[12:08] Understanding the frontline workforce[28:42] Improving employee retention strategies[36:39] Measuring impact on frontline work[40:33] Inviting in frontline employee feedback[48:40] Challenges faced by frontline managers[52:10] Supporting new managers effectively[57:07] AI tools for frontline employees Understanding the Structural Trap for Frontline Managers Managers are often tasked with driving outcomes, hitting KPIs, retaining staff, and resolving customer complaints, but can be denied the resources or authority necessary to actually effect change. Everything in organizations is pushed through managers, but the visibility and empowerment of frontline managers is substantially less than that of their corporate peers, making both their influence and recognition of their struggles far more limited. This leads to a burned-out, under-supported middle layer that directly impacts both employee engagement and business performance. Connection Over Content Traditional strategies for improving frontline performance tend to default to more training or pressuring managers to be the catch-all for corporate initiatives. But this approach is not just incomplete—it may even be counterproductive. Instead of overloading managers with binders and leadership development modules, organizations should focus on fostering connection—especially enabling peer connections among frontline managers at different locations. Meaningful conversations, mentoring, and crowdsourced problem-solving trump content-driven learning. Managers, after all, best learn from each other’s lived realities, not generic directives. The Hierarchy of Frontline Needs At the core of Dillon’s framework is a hierarchy of needs for frontline workers: Livelihood – The basic requirement: fair pay and benefits, recognizing that for many, work is first and foremost about economic necessity.Stability – Reliable schedules, clear policies, and the ability to plan life around work.Community – A sense of belonging and connection with coworkers; the knowledge that one’s immediate work environment isn’t built around corporate KPIs, but relationships.Culture and Purpose – The “top” of the pyramid: tying individual roles to broader organizational purpose and values. Organizations often leap to culture-focused initiatives while neglecting the foundational layers. Without addressing pay, scheduling, and daily support first, those higher-order efforts rarely stick. Tensions, Trade-offs, and Small-Scale Change Frontline management must constantly navigate tensions such as being tasked with outcomes but denied the necessary authority, being pushed to develop staff but overwhelmed by daily operational issues, and being measured by metrics that don’t always reflect lived realities. JD believes that these tensions don’t have simple solutions; they have to be navigated, not "fixed". Large-scale, top-down changes are rare. Instead, incremental improvements, like investing in small process shifts, removing single pain points for managers, or fostering peer communities, can create real traction every shift. “Every shift counts, small shifts matter,” according to JD.  Resources & People Mentioned The Frontline Enablement Playbook by JD DillonSapiens by Yuval Noah Harari Connect with Guest Name JD Dillon’s WebsiteJD Dillon on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread Research Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    1h 4m
  6. Transforming Performance Management in the Public Sector: John Barrand

    Apr 29

    Transforming Performance Management in the Public Sector: John Barrand

    In this episode, we sit down with John Barrand, CHRO for the State of Utah, to discuss an inspiring transformation in public sector performance management. John led a bold effort to overhaul Utah’s performance management system—moving it from a culture of “adequacy” and silence to one focused on learning, growth, connection, and accountability. John shares how he and his team achieved legislative change requiring quarterly check-ins, implemented management training, and shifted the state’s mindset around performance and development.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [01:16] Initial state of Utah’s performance management system[06:23] Value of continuous learning and curiosity in government [10:06] Defining the “why” for performance management in Utah[17:02] Risks and Resistance in Systemic Change[20:06] Quarterly employee check-ins initiative[25:59] Balancing fairness and measurement without alienating staff [34:28] Creation of a system-wide talent mobility program [40:01] Development of incentive structures and bonus allocations [44:22] Sustainability and future of the program Performance Management is a Sector-Spanning Challenge Performance management has a notorious reputation, often maligned as bureaucratic and misaligned. These challenges aren’t confined to just the private sector. Public organizations often face a wealth of bureaucracy and challenges that can inhibit transformation, compounded by a cultural tendency towards silence and an adequacy mindset. When John assumed his role in 2021 for the state of Utah, over 70% of employees had an “unknown” performance rating, and only 16% had received annual reviews. The pervasive culture of silence fostered disengagement and suspicion, and performance management, where it occurred, was simply about maintaining adequacy—a relic from nearly a century and a half of defensive bureaucracy. From Compliance to Connection The first pivotal move was defining purpose. Clarity on the “why” behind performance management is crucial. For Utah, the why was growth: enabling employees to learn and grow while retaining top talent—shifting away from the punitive roots of performance management. As John says: “Employees don’t want feedback, they want connection. They don’t want evaluation, they want attention”. One of the new steps John took was to require quarterly check-in conversations with all employees. The effect was transformational: from just 16% of employees having annual reviews to 89% participating in four quarterly check-ins within the first year. This regular cadence broke the culture of silence, making communication a legal and cultural imperative. Overhauling the System: What Changed Where most organizations tinker at the edges, Utah’s public sector embraced bold, structural change. They implemented legislation for conversations, which included quarterly check-ins and annual reviews, demonstrating a high-level commitment to improving performance management. Only 30% of managers previously had any training, and now, over 87% have been developed in crucial skills such as feedback, resilience, and collaboration. Utah also funds performance management by reallocating cost-of-living adjustments and introducing performance-driven bonuses. Goals now consist of both output-aligned objectives and developmental “how” objectives, pushing employees to reflect on and improve their impact. Evidence of a Transformed Culture Performance conversations have become increasingly meaningful. The organization saw a 40% increase in first-year exits for cause—not a sign of ruthless weeding out, but of identifying and addressing performance issues sooner, thereby improving overall health without a drop in retention. High-potential (HIPO) employee retention rates rose 16% above the general population, and newly calibrated bonus systems rewarded and motivated top talent. Utah’s success has garnered attention from major institutions—including Harvard and the London School of Economics—looking to distill lessons from its model.  Resources & People Mentioned Utah Governor's OfficeUtah LegislatureHarvard UniversityLSE HB0104GRIT Initiative       Connect with John Barrand John Barrand Connect With Red Thread Research Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    50 min
  7. Designing Future Narratives in a Changing Workplace: Lisa Kay Solomon and Jeffrey Rogers

    Apr 15

    Designing Future Narratives in a Changing Workplace: Lisa Kay Solomon and Jeffrey Rogers

    In this episode, we welcome Lisa Kay Solomon, designer-in-residence at Stanford's d.school and host of the "How We Future" podcast, and Jeffrey Rogers, principal of Learning and Facilitation at Radical and co-founder of Projectory. We discuss why foresight—the ability to anticipate and design the futures we want—is everybody's job, not just the domain of senior leaders or specialized futurists. They challenge the idea that organizations operate on an "official future" built from unexamined assumptions, and explore how narrative shapes both our approach to work and our readiness for rapid change, especially in the face of AI disruption.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Rethinking future-focused leadership[03:39] HR's evolving role in shaping the future[07:18] Understanding contested narratives and the potential to challenge them [21:50] The importance of adopting futures thinking through broad learning across multiple perspectives[25:47] Strategic foresight and future practices[35:13] Rethinking knowledge and learning priorities[39:21] Reflecting on AI adoption barriers[47:08] Helping leaders develop future-oriented skills[51:14] Looking ahead to the future The Leadership Muscle We Forget to Use One of the most powerful ideas to emerge from the conversation is that of foresight as a "leadership muscle." Most leaders are trained and incentivized to focus on quarterly results and annual plans. The urgent often squeezes out the important, leaving little room for the kind of long-term, strategic thinking that anticipates disruption rather than simply reacts to it. Foresight isn't someone else’s job—it's every leader's job. Yet, most organizations have let this muscle atrophy. Through scenario planning and immersive exercises like those facilitated at last year’s Summit, the hosts argue that HR and organizational leaders can rediscover the collective ability to inquire, imagine, and influence the future, rather than endure it. Challenging the "Official Future" and the Power of Narrative Every organization operates on an "official future," a set of unspoken assumptions about what tomorrow holds. In stable times, these guiding narratives are rarely questioned. But when the world is in flux, from technological disruptions like AI to geopolitical shocks, such narratives become vulnerabilities. Leaders, especially in HR, have a responsibility to both recognize and challenge prevailing stories about the future. Wherever there’s a narrative, there’s also the possibility for a counter-narrative, and organizations need to cultivate the skill of holding multiple possible futures in mind, letting diverse perspectives inform strategic choices rather than defaulting to inherited assumptions. Building Organizational Foresight: Tools, Skills, and Community The value of events like the Red Thread Summit lies in three core takeaways: the experience of stepping back to envision the future, a toolkit of practices that can be applied immediately, and the creation of a community dedicated to learning and experimentation. There are three critical skills: Recognizing the narrative: Are you taking assumptions as fact, or seeing them as just one possible story?Crafting your own narratives: Are you able to articulate clear, alternative futures?Communicating vision: Can you equip others to see and believe in those visions? Perhaps nowhere is the need for foresight and narrative-shaping more acute than in the realm of AI and automation. Today’s leaders are under immense pressure to adopt and justify new technologies, to navigate uncertainty, and to avoid being blindsided by change. A key theme is the emerging digital (and AI) divide: those who are experimenting, learning, and shaping technology are pulling ahead, while those waiting for certainty risk being left behind. Learning, experimentation, and cross-pollination are essential.  Creating the Conditions for Resilient Futures Rather than chasing after blueprints or one "correct" answer, try to cultivate a design mindset: creating organizational conditions in which new ideas and approaches can flourish. This means expanding our definition of leadership to include not just the preservation of knowledge, but the nurturing of curiosity, experimentation, collaboration, and adaptability.   Resources & People Mentioned Peter DruckerArticles by Lisa Kay Solomon Pascal Finette on LinkedIn Implications WheelView from the Future at Stanford d.school  Hazel Henderson Connect with Lisa Kay Solomon and Jeffrey Rogers Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn Jeffrey Rogers on LinkedIn Connect With Red Thread Research Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    53 min
  8. How Workplace Culture Shapes Business Success: Ron Storn

    Apr 1

    How Workplace Culture Shapes Business Success: Ron Storn

    This week, we’re sitting down with Ron Storn, Chief People and Culture Officer at Truckstop, to discuss culture—how it forms, who owns it, and how it scales in growing organizations. We explore the relationships between systems, processes, and cultural values, and discuss signs of cultural breakdown and the keys to recovery. We also discuss how AI is reshaping workplace dynamics, hiring practices, and performance management, and Ron offers practical, research-based insights and strategies for understanding and supporting positive workplace culture.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... 00:00 How company culture is formed09:19 Building strong HR and leadership systems11:54 Creating a positive culture for business success18:59 Scaling and preserving company culture22:53 Defining team behaviors and principles29:26 Aligning culture with decision-making32:13 Signs of a broken workplace36:50 Challenges with management and team culture41:45 Advantages of remote vs in-person work44:56 AI's impact on workplace culture Defining Culture Some companies treat culture as little more than a list of values on the wall, disconnected from the day-to-day decisions and actions that define what it’s really like to work there. Ron believes culture is best understood as a set of shared behaviors, decision rights, and expectations to determine how a company actually executes its strategy when no one is watching. It’s how decisions are made, how people are hired or rewarded, and how work gets done when leadership isn’t in the room. In smaller organizations, culture often starts with a clear vision or set of norms, and systems are built around it. As organizations scale, systems and practices increasingly shape (and sometimes reshape) the prevailing culture, the challenge is finding ways to make culture systemic, woven into processes, rewards, and leadership behaviors, so that the company’s values endure as it grows. Who Owns Culture? Leadership, HR, and Systems While HR is often perceived as the “owner” of culture, Ron believes it should be a shared responsibility, with ultimate ownership being at the very top. CEOs and founders define and embody desired cultural norms, while executive leaders model and cascade those norms through decisions and behaviors. HR’s role is to craft the mechanisms for how people are hired, evaluated, and developed to reinforce the company culture at scale. If only HR champions culture while leadership pays lip service or models different behaviors, culture will break down. Everyone, especially managers, must reinforce and live the culture for it to endure. Signs of Cultural Erosion and How to Recover When culture unravels, it’s usually a gradual process, increasing decision friction, high performers becoming disengaged, and inconsistent behaviors creeping in across teams. If left unchecked, the result is a loss of trust, bureaucracy, and top talent walking out the door. Recovery is possible, but it needs radical transparency and recommitment. Ron recommends that organizations in crisis go back to their roots and principles, engaging teams in candid conversations about what must change. Leaders should model vulnerability, drive clarity on decision-making and expectations, and ensure every manager is accountable for rebuilding the cultural fabric.   Resources & People Mentioned Truckstop.com  Connect with Ron Storn Ron Storn on LinkedIn  Connect With Red Thread Research Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

    56 min
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About

Workplace Stories is a podcast for HR and people leaders who are tired of noise and need clarity that actually holds up. It is hosted by Stacia Garr and Dani Johnson of RedThread Research. Each episode features candid conversations with practitioners, thinkers, and executives who are navigating real decisions inside complex organizations. Not hypotheticals. Not vendor promises. Real tradeoffs, real experiments, and real lessons learned along the way. You’ll hear how leaders are making sense of skills, AI, organizational design, and culture when there’s no clear playbook and pressure to show progress is high. The focus is always the same: what’s actually working, what isn’t, and what leaders are doing next. Workplace Stories helps you make sense of complexity, build credibility with evidence, and move from ideas to action with more confidence. Want to be part of the conversation? Join our community for free and connect with others shaping the future of work. Learn more about RedThread Research here: https://redthreadresearch.com/home 

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