Every business has a culture, whether your office-based or completely virtual. So how then do you build and then sustain positive workplace culture when your team is separated by seas or experiencing a global pandemic? In this episode, Jess Rowe chats to change-maker Mary Lemonis, the chief people and sustainability officer at the REA group - a digital advertising business reimagining the way the world experiences property with a 3000-person workforce spanning three continents. Online collaboration skills that fuel creativity are explored, with Corinne Canter giving the inside-scoop on building constructive culture no matter where your business is based, and we unpack the key to maintaining strong culture once it has been built.

In the final episode of Keeping Good Company, Jess is joined by ‘top gun maverick’ Captain Paul Moggach, who most recently served as Director of NAVY leadership and culture development within NAVY People Branch. Hear about the evolution of NAVY Australia’s culture through their investment in leaders, and how building people to be their best benefitted the organisation despite resistance. Cultivating purpose through effective leadership and building valued teams is discussed, which Paul says is essential in situations where major consequences are on the line. David Byrum is also back in the studio to chat about the impact of continuous leadership development within organisations.

Leadership in Action

Leaders are the conduit for good culture, so how are constructive leaders made and what qualities do they possess? For Tanya Deans, President of Hanes Brands Australasia, authenticity is the answer. Jess, who is a big fan of the Hanes brands, delves into Tanya’s own leadership journey and the power of asking for help. We also hear from Corinne Canter about the role of agile leaders in building strong, cohesive teams. 

Leadership Expectations

High performance businesses need high-performance teams, and high-performance teams need constructive workplace culture. No one knows this better than Guy Strong, Country Head at Sandoz Australia - global leaders in generic pharmaceuticals. Hear how Guy was able to drastically change the performance trajectory of the organisation after inheriting a defensive culture, and how the Circumplex - a culture mapping tool - armed leaders with insights used to turn a fear-based environment into a supportive environment. Corrine Canter also joins Jess and Guy to share leadership tactics during a time of change.

Culture in Action

As your business grows, so will your culture, but not always in the ways you expect. In this episode, Jess is joined by Kate Evans, Group Executive of People, Brands and Communications at SHAPE Australia - a specialist fit-out and building service putting the construction in reconstructing culture. Kate tells Jess about the evolution of SHAPE, and how a shift towards positive culture values influenced positive performance outcomes, which launched their business to a new level of success despite some tough decisions along the way. Aligning aspirational culture with lived experience is also discussed, which David Byrum credits as the key to SHAPE’s success.

Why Culture?

Culture doesn’t always live in the building

Building a positive workplace culture sets the foundation for business success, but what is culture and where do you even start? Jess casts her mind back to some of the most influential workplaces she’s been in while the culture and leadership experts at Human Synergistics get to the bottom of why culture is so important in today’s day and age. Different workplace culture styles are defined, and we deep dive into the pivotal role leaders play in setting the standard for culture in the workplace.

Culture - the only game in town you need to win

A successful business starts with a vision, but it’s your teams that bring that vision to life! So how in the age of ‘the great resignation’, do you attract and retain great people? Hosted by Jess Rowe, this podcast explores how culture and leadership drive business success. In partnership with Human Synergistics, hear from some of Australia's most successful leaders, learn how to build a culture that helps individuals reach their full potential and see how groups are turned into innovative teams.

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Culture doesn’t always live in the building

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