Rethink Culture

Hosted by Andreas Konstantinou

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Nov 2025

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Rethink Culture is the podcast that shines the spotlight on the leaders who are rethinking workplace culture. Virtually all of the business leaders who make headlines today do so because of their company performance. Yet, the people and the culture of a company is at least as important as its performance. It's time that we shine the spotlight on the leaders who are rethinking workplace culture and are putting people and culture at the forefront.

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November 21, 2025Episode 6950 min

Culture Classics: Leading with compassion and a culture of accountability, with Brian Brault

“You lead human beings and human beings have lives and sometimes those lives are going really well and other times are dealing with challenges. Recognize the humanity in the people that you lead… If we lean in with curiosity and lean in with compassion first and we make people feel like they are genuinely cared about and valued as part of our team, you will see people accomplish things that you just wouldn't imagine.” ~Brian Brault We’re republishing one of our Culture Classics featuring Brian Brault, founder of Legacy of Significance and former Global Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. Brian has built award-winning companies and now dedicates his work to helping leaders create cultures rooted in compassion and accountability. Brian Brault shares how leaders can transform organizational culture by shifting from positional authority to relational leadership. He explains why emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and genuine care are non-negotiable for high-performing teams. From scaling a company from 100 to 300 employees to mentoring global entrepreneurs, Brian’s insights show how compassion and accountability drive sustainable success. 📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: https://www.rethinkculture.co Production, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions. Listen to this episode to discover:Why compassion and accountability are the foundation of high-performance cultureHow relational leadership changes team dynamicsThe three questions every leader must help their team answerWhy vulnerability builds trust and accelerates growthHow emotional intelligence sets great leaders apartPractical lessons from scaling businesses and mentoring global leadersFurther resources:Discover Your True North, by Bill GeorgeThe Power of Vulnerability, by Brené Brown, Episode Chapters:00:00 — Introduction 01:51 — About the Legacy of Significance 04:21 — Becoming conscious about leadership and culture 13:16 — Lessons from the path of leadership in EO 21:37 — Vulnerability as a leadership strength 26:46 — Accountability in action 32:09 — The power of accountability 38:44 — The catalyst that shaped Andreas as a leader 42:47 — Embracing mistakes and leading with compassion 45:27 — Red Shoe moments 48:48 — What leaders should rethink about culture

November 7, 2025Episode 6851 min

Culture Classics: 100 days to feel seen, heard and valued, with Joey Coleman

“In the first 100 days in most organizations, employees feel overwhelmed. They feel unconnected... unseen, unheard, unappreciated… Lots of times leaders will say, "Well, it will be better if we're all back in the office." Why? What proof do you have? As we look at research data... the great majority of employees are happier working remotely than want to work in the office.” ~Joey ColemanWe're republishing one of our "Culture Classics" featuring Joey Coleman, bestselling author of 'Never Lose an Employee Again'. Joey brings a bold, data-backed perspective on employee retention, remote work, and the critical importance of the first 100 days. With experience spanning the CIA, law, academia, and global adventures, Joey’s insights challenge conventional leadership thinking and offer practical strategies for building cultures where people feel seen, heard, and valued.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: http://www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions. Listen to this episode to discover:Why the first 100 days are make-or-break for retention How remote work can outperform office setups What leaders must rethink about HR and culture The power of values-driven leadership How to build loyalty without overwhelming your team Further resources: Never Lose a Customer Again, by Joey Coleman Never Lose an Employee Again, by Joey Coleman Never Enough, by Jennifer Breheny Wallace A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles Episode Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction 01:49 — Joey’s passion for retention 03:26 — About Joey’s second book 06:53 — Workplace shifts post-COVID 09:02 — The office vs. remote debate 10:40 — Making remote work, work 14:11 — Engagement and remote setups 16:01 — Other engagement factors 18:05 — The 100 days methodology 20:34 — Onboarding as a strategic tool 25:08 — Rethinking HR language 26:29 — Two Truths and One Lie 28:02 — Joey’s leadership role model 31:44 — Defining the ideal leader 34:53 — Living and leading by values 42:17 — Culture as a leadership priority 45:59 — Two Truths and One Lie: Reveal 48:56 — Book recommendations

October 24, 2025Episode 6748 min

Culture Classics: A Workplace Culture of Accountability and Vulnerability, with Ron Lovett

"None of us will build great companies. We will lead incredible people who will build great companies. It's a choice. It's a conscious choice." ~Ron LovettWe’re republishing one of our Culture Classics featuring Ron Lovett, Canadian entrepreneur, author of Outrageous Empowerment and Scaling Culture, and CEO of VIDA Living. Ron built and sold a 3500-person security company before launching VIDA to transform affordable housing across North America. In this episode, he shares how vulnerability, empowerment, and accountability became the cornerstones of his leadership and how they can shape yours.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: http://www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to find out:The moment Ron realized culture had to be intentional and personal.How “instimacy” and “funishments” build trust and connection fast.Why vulnerability is a leadership superpower.How Ron screens and coaches for values alignment.The power of daily huddles and Friday value calls.Why culture, not HR, is the future of performance.Further resources:Outrageous Empowerment, by Ron LovettScaling Culture, by Ron LovettThe Song of Significance, by Seth GodinNuts!, by Kevin Freiberg and Jackie FreibergUncommon Service, by Frances Frei and Anne MorrissShoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, by Phil KnightGood to Great, by Jim CollinsPrinciples: Life and Work, by Ray DalioBE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0), by Jim CollinsHBR's 10 Must Reads on Talent, by Harvard Business ReviewEpisode Chapters:00:00 — Introduction 01:54 — When culture became important to Ron 07:41 — Writing Outrageous Empowerment09:32 — Service-first mindset 11:42 — Measuring engagement 15:34 — Transparent feedback 18:48 — Leading misfits with love 21:51 — Instimacy: building trust fast 25:48 — Lifelines for connection 27:17 — Funishments: playful accountability 31:26 — Vulnerability & playfulness 33:05 — Leadership expectations 33:46 — Building someone’s best job ever 36:38 — Rethinking culture 40:18 — Peer accountability 42:57 — Ron’s book recommendations 46:42 — From HR to Culture

August 22, 2025Episode 6631 min

S04E10 Culture is Cash, with Eric Malka

“I believe culture is cash. I think our company culture always delivered at least 10 percent extra in revenue. I believe 10 percent on top was always due to the culture because they really wanted to be successful. They really wanted to see the company succeed… When you have high-quality people that feel really good about the company they work for, you're going to feel it at the customer level. When you walk into a business and you're not being treated right, I can guarantee you there's a manager not treating that person right or there's an owner not treating their staff right.”S04E10 of the Rethink Culture podcast shines the spotlight on Eric Malka. Eric is a visionary entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of The Art of Shaving, a luxury grooming brand that grew to 150 stores and global distribution before being acquired by Procter & Gamble. In this episode, Eric shares how he and his wife built a brand rooted in natural ingredients, obsessive customer focus, and a culture of ownership. He reflects on the importance of hiring passionate people, training them deeply, and creating a workplace where employees felt like owners. Eric also discusses his leadership evolution, the philosophy of “culture is cash,” and why the art of shopkeeping is fading in today’s retail landscape. His insights offer a masterclass in building businesses people love to work for and buy from.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here:www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:· Why Eric believes “culture is cash” and how it added 10% to revenue.· How obsessive customer focus shaped every decision at The Art of Shaving.· Why Eric spoke to every new hire, even with hundreds of employees.· How training and purpose created a “cult-like” culture of ownership.· Why retail is like a Broadway show and how that mindset drives performance.· How Eric’s leadership evolved through emotional regulation and self-awareness.Further resources:· Eric Malka’s Website: https://www.strategicbrandinvestments.com/· Eric’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-malka-9071529/· On the Razor’s Edge: The Story of the Art of Shaving, by Eric Malka: https://www.amazon.com/Razors-Edge-Story-Art-Shaving-ebook/dp/B0D7ZT6QYY· Good to Great, by Jim Collins: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865.Good_to_Great· The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36072.The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People· Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, by Gino Wickman: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8256620-traction· Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don’t, by Verne Harnish: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23441052-scaling-up Chapters:00:00 — Introduction to Eric Malka & The Art of Shaving01:47 — The Humble Beginnings of The Art of Shaving03:24 — Creating a Unique In-Store Experience06:12 — The Role of Intangibles in Brand Success07:12 — Scaling Customer Experience Across 150 Stores10:16 — Building a Culture of Ownership Among Employees12:47 — Cultural Practices Worth Replicating in Other Companies14:01 — How Culture Directly Drives Revenue18:55 — Evolving Leadership Through Emotional Awareness21:10 — The Decline of Shopkeeping and Customer Service27:18 — Advice for Entrepreneurs on Building Strong Foundations28:19 — Recommended Books for Conscious Business Leaders29:50 — Where to Learn More About Eric Malka

August 8, 2025Episode 6547 min

S04E09 Leading with Happiness: Why Kindness Outperforms Toxic Leadership, with Alex Kjerulf

“The way we define happiness at work is that it's about how you feel in the workplace. Does work typically make you feel good or does work typically make you feel bad? And of course, nobody's happy at work every single day. If somebody's happy all the time, there's something wrong with them. We all have good days and bad days at work.”S04E09 of the Rethink Culture podcast shines the spotlight on Alex Kjerulf, Chief Happiness Officer at Woohoo Inc., a global thought leader in workplace wellbeing. With a background in tech and a passion for happiness at work, Alex shares insights from over 20 years of experience helping companies like Microsoft, IKEA, and Hilton build cultures people love. From the dangers of toxic leadership to the power of emotional check-ins, Alex offers practical strategies for creating workplaces that foster joy, purpose, and performance. He also shares personal stories, from swing dancing to launching a comedy show, that reflect his belief in leading with humanity.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:• Why toxic leaders harm people and kind leaders drive results• The two drivers of happiness at work: results and relationships• Why effort deserves recognition, not just outcomes.• How storytelling gives even routine jobs deeper meaning• Why emotions matter and how to check in with them• How peer accountability builds trust and performanceFurther resources:• Alex’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefhappinessofficer/ • Woohoo Inc.: https://www.woohooinc.com • Blog: https://positivesharing.com • Comedy Show: https://becomedanish.com • Happy Hour is 9 to 5: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20642240-happy-hour-is-9-to-5 • Leading with Happiness: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36629449-leading-with-happiness Chapters00:00 — Introduction to Alex Kjerulf01:58 — Introducing Alex’s journey to Woohoo03:00 — Reflecting on a career turning point03:44 — Getting leaders to care about happiness04:52 — Toxic success stories in business06:54 — Comparing leadership styles09:32 — Who seeks help for toxic culture10:31 — Who drives change in organizations11:37 — HR’s limits in shaping culture13:16 — Defining workplace culture terms16:40 — Happiness as a performance driver17:07 — What leads to happiness at work18:16 — Actions that build results & relationships19:51 — Effort vs. results in recognition21:05 — Rewarding what truly matters24:38 — Creating purpose in any industry31:15 — Lessons from leadership mistakes32:43 — Exploring personal growth and impact34:35 — Leadership lessons from swing dancing37:18 — Building accountability through peers40:32 — Emotions as a workplace compass46:04 — Where to connect with Alex online

July 25, 2025Episode 6449 min

Culture Classics: No leader should lead alone, with Sandy Hall

"No leader should lead alone... they need a peer group, they need people they can share with, they need to be continually learning and developing, and they need… a support network."We're republishing one of our "Culture Classics" featuring Sandy Hall, resilience specialist and founder of re/cognition. With a background in neuroscience and years leading IBM’s Best Workplace Program in New Zealand, Sandy brings a unique blend of science, soul, and strategy to leadership.In this episode, Sandy opens up about her early experiences in a Pentecostal church, her time as Head of People & Culture at Leading Edge, and how she helps leaders build cultures rooted in compassion, clarity, and connection. From brain chemistry to feedback frameworks, this conversation is packed with timeless insights.This episode is a masterclass in human-centered leadership. If you missed it the first time, or just need a reminder that leadership can be both kind and high-performing, this one’s for you.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:· Why leaders need safe spaces to grow· The 3 elements of effective feedback· Empathy vs. sympathy: what really matters· The neurochemistry behind great leadership· What the Daily D.O.S.E. means for your team· How to lead with care and drive resultsFurther resources:· Sandy Hall's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-hall-recognition/· re/cognition Website: https://www.recognition.co.nz/· Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, by Nassim Taleb: https://www.amazon.com/Antifragile-Things-That-Disorder-Incerto/dp/0812979680· The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company, by Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Game-Business-Expanded-Updated/dp/0385348339

July 18, 2025Episode 6342 min

S04E08 Ego-System vs Eco-System Leadership, with Reggy-Charles Degen

“I'm always surprised that nobody seems to be worried that we're investing since 70, 80 years, huge amounts of money in training and development, leadership courses... And despite that, we only have... 23% engaged employees around the world, 11% if you go to Europe... So either managers are stupid, or they do it on purpose, or we don't give them what they need... The managers... the ones that I thought were losing a lot of impact, were most of the time, ego-system driven... Those guys, however good they were, systematically got less than the managers... who were... actually putting the employee at the centre, looking for empowerment... the eco-system ones, the respectful, the servant leader kind of ones...”S04E08 of the Rethink Culture podcast shines the spotlight on Reggy-Charles Degen to explore the intersection of HR, leadership, and scalable frameworks for people success. Reggy is the founder of Q7Leader, a professor at Solvay Business School in Brussels, and author of The People Model Canvas. With over 20 years in international HR and 12 years as an entrepreneur in HR tech, Reggy shares how his legal and academic background shaped his mission to bridge the gap between managers and employees. He introduces the seven dimensions of the People Model Canvas, explains why HR must evolve from theory to engineering, and challenges traditional views on leadership, performance, and culture. This episode is a masterclass in rethinking how organizations support their people.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:• Why HR needs an engineering mindset, not just empathy• The 7 core elements every HR system must include• How the People Model Canvas helps managers scale support• Why competence is the true asset of an organization in the age of rapid change and AI• The difference between ego- and eco-system leadership• Why performance enablement beats performance evaluation• How to equip managers with simple, scalable frameworks• Why HR must prove value in attracting, developing, and retaining talent• How open-source tools can democratize great HR practices• Why HR must master the basics before leading culture workFurther resources:• The Q7Leader Website: https://www.q7leader.com/ • Reggy-Charles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdegen • People Model Canvas: https://www.peoplemodelcanvas.com/Chapters:00:00 — Introduction to Reggy-Charles Degen01:58 — Reggy’s journey from law to HR03:18 — Transitioning from HR to entrepreneurship05:16 — Why HR fails to support managers effectively06:53 — Overview of the People Model Canvas10:41 — Aha moments from using the framework12:25 — Lessons from building the model over 12 years13:58 — How HR professionals can use the Canvas16:12 — Leadership mistakes and best practices18:17 — Ego-system vs eco-system leadership21:13 — The undervalued role of HR in strategy24:54 — HR vs culture: where the lines blur27:57 — Why managers need frameworks to scale31:33 — What students thank Reggy for35:13 — What Reggy had to rethink personally37:00 — What's stopping Reggy from the best work of his life38:36 — What CEOs should hear about people-first leadership

July 11, 2025Episode 6238 min

Culture Classics: A Culture of Caring, Not Popcorn, with Garry Ridge

"Culture is not about popcorn, peanuts, ping pong. It's about having a heart of gold and a backbone of steel... Be a caring organization... It's a balance between being tough minded and tenderhearted... It's simple, it's not easy, and time is not your friend."We're republishing one of our "Culture Classics" featuring Garry Ridge. Garry is a “champion-of-hope” leader and has defined culture at the WD-40 Company for an impressive 35 years, where he is currently serving as Chairman Emeritus. As the founder of The Learning Moment and an executive coach, Garry has dedicated his career to making the world a happier place by consulting leaders on how to create caring organizations. There is so much to unpack in this episode. Get ready to be inspired and acquire valuable knowledge from one of the industry's most respected leaders.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:· The ingredients that should go into the Petri Dish of Culture· Who is The Soul-Sucking CEO of Fear Inc· The Four Pillars of Care· What is The Learning Moment· What are The Habits of a Servant Leader· Garry's four values: Hope, Harmony, Optimism, and Confidence· The influence of Garry’s Dad, Mom and his employer Mr. Lambert· Why we should rename HR into Culture & Capabilities· The tribal culture of WD-40Further resources:· Garry’s Website: thelearningmoment.net· Garry Ridge on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garryridge/· The One Minute Manager, by Dr. Ken Blanchard· Helping People Win at Work, by Garry Ridge and Ken Blanchard· Multipliers, by Liz Wiseman· All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum· To Be Honest, by Ron A. Carucci· What Got You Here Won't Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith· The Song of Significance, by Seth Godin

July 4, 2025Episode 6136 min

S04E07 Flat Pay, Full Ownership: A People-First Approach to Workplace Culture, with Geoff Roberts

“A huge catalyst for growth, a huge accelerant, a huge way to improve the business on every dimension is to be a more people-oriented company… The more you support people and the things they want to do with their lives outside of work, the more people are going to cherish the relationship with their employer, the more loyal they're going to be, the harder they're going to work. It becomes this symbiotic harmonious relationship that makes the employee's life better, it makes the business more successful... Stop looking at your employees as a resource that you need to extract as much value out of as possible.”S04E07 of the Rethink Culture podcast shines the spotlight on Geoff Roberts, co-founder of Outseta, an all-in-one membership platform and a company that puts people first. In this episode, Geoff shares how Outseta’s unconventional approach to compensation, equity, and organizational structure is rooted in a deep commitment to people-centric values. He explains why every team member earns the same salary, chooses their own work schedule, and receives equity on equal terms, creating a culture of ownership and trust. Geoff also reflects on the importance of life profitability, encouraging leaders to consider how work enriches life beyond financial gain. Geoff makes a compelling case for rethinking traditional business norms in favour of cultures that prioritize autonomy, transparency, and personal growth.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:• Why everyone at Outseta earns the same salary and equity terms.• How flexible schedules, ranging from 1 to 5 days per week, support different lifestyles.• Why all team members, including senior staff, handle customer support.• Why Geoff believes in “life profitability” as a measure of success beyond financial metrics.• How open finances and shared ownership guide company decisions.• How quiet generosity and servant leadership shape the culture at Outseta.• How investing in people’s lives outside of work builds deep loyalty and long-term commitment.Further resources:• Outseta’s Website: https://www.outseta.com • Geoff Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrobertsmarketing/

June 27, 2025Episode 6045 min

S04E06 Culture Classics: Instilling a Culture of Amazing Service, with Gene Browne

“We‘re a service business that just happens to collect waste. I never get out of the bed in the morning thinking I’m in the waste industry. Never, ever, ever. I don’t go to the waste management trade shows. Personally, I can’t think of anything worse to do. It doesn’t inspire me. But I will read every book about the service industry. I want to know what’s the best service industry in Asia. I want to know what’s the best service industry in the US. What’s the latest thinking in service? And then apply them to our little waste industry.”We're republishing one of our "Culture Classics" featuring Gene Browne, founder of The City Bin Co., a standout in waste management and a five-time Deloitte Best Managed Company winner in Ireland.In this episode, Gene shares how City Bin began in 1997 as a bold experiment in service excellence, driven by his obsession with delivering exceptional customer experiences. He reflects on the mix of luck, naivety, and resilience that shaped his journey, including surviving a ruthless competitor who literally burned down his warehouse. From expanding into the Middle East to watching middle management struggle with a culture of autonomy, Gene doesn’t hold back. More than two decades in, his fierce commitment to customer service still drives everything, from tying bonuses to customer satisfaction to sending flowers as apologies. For Gene, company values aren’t posters on the wall. They’re as personal and specific as a fingerprint.📢 Do you want to build a high-performance culture? It all starts here: www.rethinkculture.coProduction, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions.Listen to this episode to discover:· How City Bin started as a customer service experiment· What it took to rebuild after a competitor burned down his warehouse· The cultural tensions of expanding internationally· Why autonomy can challenge traditional middle managers· Aligning employee incentives with customer satisfaction· Real-life gestures that build customer trust (like sending flowers)· Why "aspirational values" miss the mark, and what to focus on instead· Gene’s pledge to support his team’s educational dreamsFurther resources:· Gene Browne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genebrowne100/ · City Bin Website: https://www.citybin.com/ · Good strategy Bad Strategy, by Richard Rumelt: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11721966-good-strategy-bad-strategy · Building the Happiness-Centred Business, by Paddi Lund: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10088113-building-the-happiness-centred-business · Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, by Verne Harnish: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16120.Mastering_the_Rockefeller_Habits