Culture Bites

Hosted by Human Synergistics

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

269

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

We take culture theory and turn it into everyday insights. We're powered by Human Synergistics - a leading consulting, research, and diagnostics firm. We're known for growing individual's effectiveness and satisfaction by coaching based on the Lifestyles Inventory (LSI), improving leadership effectiveness with the Management or Leadership Impact (M/I & L/I), develop high performing teams with the Group Styles Inventory (GSI), and shape effective organisational culture using the Organizational Culture inventory (OCI) and Organizational Effectiveness Inventory (OEI). In this podcast, our senior consultants share tips and insights on from their extensive experience in Organisational Development

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 24, 202628 min

260 How To: Give Better Feedback with SBI

In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley adds another practical tool to the Leader’s Toolbox: SBI – Situation, Behaviour, Impact. Dominic explores how leaders can give feedback that is specific, constructive and more likely to create learning rather than defensiveness. He explains why good feedback starts before the conversation, how relationships and intent shape the way feedback is received, why leaders should “choose their hard” and address issues early, and how to use the three steps of SBI. You’ll also hear how SBI can make positive feedback more useful, what to do after you’ve delivered the feedback, and why becoming better at receiving feedback is just as important as learning how to give it. Visit the full notes for this episode here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/how-to-give-better-feedback-with-sbi/

August 9, 202618 min

259 How To: After Action Review (Grow Achievement)

What if one of the most powerful leadership tools only took five minutes? In this episode, you'll discover the four simple questions that can transform the way you reflect on meetings, presentations, client conversations, projects and even your own leadership. We also explore: Why life is training... if you're paying attention The difference between Achievement and Perfectionistic thinking How to use After Action Reviews to build a culture of continuous improvement Real examples of using the tool after client meetings, workshops and leadership coaching Why small, consistent improvements compound into exceptional performance Whether you lead a team or simply want to improve your own performance, this episode will give you a practical tool you can start using today. The four questions What was supposed to happen? What actually happened? Why did it happen that way? What will we repeat or do differently next time? Visit the full notes for this episode here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/after-action-review/

August 3, 20266 min

Conference 2026 - MEL Aug 25th, SYD Sept 1st

Join us at the Annual Culture and Leadership Conference. We're in Melbourne August 25th, Sydney September 1st. Registration is free - secure your spot today! https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/2026-conference/

July 27, 202629 min

258 LSI Debrief Questions: How to Deliver Better Life Styles Inventory Coaching Conversations

A great LSI debrief is about far more than explaining a report—it's about helping people discover meaningful insights that lead to lasting behavioural change. In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley shares the coaching questions, mental models and practical frameworks he uses during Life Styles Inventory™ debriefs. He explores how to frame the conversation, interpret common profile patterns, bridge the gap between intent and impact, and coach with curiosity rather than diagnosis. Whether you're an accredited LSI practitioner, an executive coach or a leader interested in helping people grow, this episode offers practical ideas you can immediately apply to create richer, more impactful coaching conversations. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/lsi-debrief-questions/

July 13, 202625 min

257 Coaching Yourself: How to Get Out of Your Own Way

Why is it so much easier to coach other people than it is to coach ourselves? When a friend or colleague comes to us with a problem, we can often see the situation clearly, ask thoughtful questions, and help them find a constructive way forward. But when we're facing our own challenges, emotion and assumptions can cloud our thinking, making it difficult to separate the facts from the story we're telling ourselves. In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic explores the art of self-coaching and shares practical ways to create the perspective needed to respond rather than react. Drawing on Human Synergistics' Situation + Thinking = Response (S + T = R) model, he explains how shifting your point of view, your timeframe, or your perspective can help you make better decisions, navigate difficult conversations, and lead yourself more effectively. Whether you're managing conflict, feeling overwhelmed, or simply caught in a loop of overthinking, this episode provides simple coaching questions you can use immediately to gain clarity and choose a more constructive path forward. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/coaching-yourself-how-to-get-out-of-your-own-way/

June 14, 202620 min

256 Delegation Tree – How to Build Ownership Without Losing Clarity

Do you ever wish your team would take more ownership, but every decision still seems to come back to you? In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores why delegation often breaks down — and why the problem is usually clarity, not initiative. Dominic introduces the Delegation Tree, a simple framework that helps leaders define which decisions team members can make independently, which ones they should communicate afterwards, which ones require consultation, and which decisions should stay with the leader. You’ll also hear how to tame the “advice monster”, avoid rescuing too early, and delegate in a way that builds confidence, capability and accountability. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/delegation-tree-how-to-build-ownership-without-losing-clarity/

May 26, 202632 min

255 - Affiliative Culture – How to Build a Team That Has Each Other’s Backs

What is an affiliative culture, and why does it matter so much for teamwork and performance? In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores affiliative culture as part of the Human Synergistics Circumplex series. He unpacks how trust, inclusion and genuine relationships shape high-performing teams, why affiliative cultures are often misunderstood as simply “being nice,” and how strong relationships enable better collaboration, communication and problem-solving. Dominic also shares practical ways leaders can strengthen belonging, improve onboarding, encourage respectful disagreement and create workplaces where people genuinely feel like they have each other’s backs. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/affiliative-culture-how-to-build-a-team-that-has-each-others-backs/ Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/

May 10, 202616 min

254 Humanistic-Encouraging Culture - How to Create a Culture That Helps People Grow

In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores self-actualising cultures—work environments that foster creativity, curiosity and personal growth. Learn what sets this culture apart, how it drives innovation and engagement, and the practical steps leaders can take to create a workplace where people feel safe to experiment, share ideas, and reach their full potential. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/?p=15366&preview=true Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/

April 28, 202617 min

253 Self-Actualising Culture – How to Build a Workplace That Unlocks Creativity, Growth and Innovation

In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores self-actualising cultures—work environments that foster creativity, curiosity and personal growth. Learn what sets this culture apart, how it drives innovation and engagement, and the practical steps leaders can take to create a workplace where people feel safe to experiment, share ideas, and reach their full potential. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/self-actualising-culture-how-to-build-a-workplace-that-unlocks-creativity-growth-and-innovation/ Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/

April 12, 202631 min

252 Achievement Culture – How to Build Excellence, Initiative, and Ownership

In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores what defines an achievement culture and why it is one of the strongest drivers of sustainable high performance. He unpacks how achievement cultures differ from perfectionistic and competitive cultures, what they look like in practice, and how clarity, empowerment, effective job design and supportive leadership help people pursue excellence, take initiative and stay focused on the big win. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/achievement-culture-driving-excellence-without-perfection/ Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/