Something interesting is happening inside organizations right now.

New tools, like AI, are being introduced.

New tool adoption is being encouraged.

And in some cases… it’s being measured.

That sounds normal.

But there’s a pattern here.

A familiar one.

The kind that starts with good intentions… and slowly shifts into something else.

You’ve probably seen it before. In different forms. In different environments. With different outcomes.

And if you work in internal audit… you’re usually one of the first to see where that shift actually leads.

In this episode, we explore what happens when measurement becomes more than observation… and starts shaping behavior. Not just at the organizational level… but inside the very systems auditors are expected to evaluate.

Because sometimes the risk isn’t the process itself. It’s what the process is quietly encouraging.

In Episode 78 of Audit Bites, host Rob Berry dives deep into one of the most common sources of audit frustration: why internal audit strategic plans so often derail.

And what you can do to make yours work.

Drawing from real-life stories, behavioral psychology, and years of experience, Rob Berry breaks down the seven key reasons audit plans fall apart.

We'll talk about:

1. The dangers of self-centered strategic planning and how to align with organizational objectives
2. Why "trusted advisor" is more than a buzzword
3. How to combat the planning fallacy and keep your plan alive
4. The trap of overengineering your frameworks and keeping objectives simple and actionable
5. The importance of forward-looking audits over reactive, backward-focused ones
6. Critical communication techniques to inspire, engage, and involve your audit team and stakeholders
7. Ensuring your strategy is resourced for reality, not just wishful thinking

Whether you’re a Chief Audit Executive, audit manager, or aspiring professional, this episode is full of bite-sized insights you can immediately apply to your strategic planning process.

Ready to level up your internal audit function?

1. Listen now, share with your team, and use this episode as a discussion guide at your next planning meeting.
2. For more resources, more courses, or to connect with Rob for training and speaking, visit www.thatauditguy.com.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tell your fellow auditors about the show.

In episode 77 of Audit Bites, Robert dives deep into a critical yet often neglected audit risk—organizational culture. This compelling episode, inspired by a real-life scandal at Citigroup and insights from author Pete Havel’s book The Arsonist in the Office, explores why auditors commonly ignore toxic culture, the devastating impact it has on productivity, reputation, and trust, and practical advice for making culture an auditable focus.

Key topics include:

1. Real-world stories of culture failures at major organizations like Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Enron.
2. Why audit teams often default to controls instead of tackling the “messy” aspects of culture.
3. The Harvard research showing bad apples outweigh rock stars—how toxicity magnifies risk.
4. Eight actionable culture components auditors should integrate into every audit, from goals and budget decisions to promotion patterns and whistleblower data.
5. How leadership consistency, exit interviews, and local subcultures shape the organization’s health.

Special mention: Pete Havel, whose book The Arsonist in the Office inspired this episode. Learn how one toxic individual can burn down an entire workplace and what auditors should do to stop it.

Want to level up your audit team? Visit thatauditguy.com for on-demand training, resources, and tools to help you audit culture before it wreaks havoc.

If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to leave us a five-star review and share with your network!

Mentions & Resources:

1. The Arsonist in the Office by Pete Havel
2. thatauditguy.com – Podcast resources, courses, training, and contact info
3. Harvard Business Study on workplace culture impacts

Tune in to uncover why addressing culture is essential for auditors and how it can make the difference between organizational success and failure.