We discuss Michael's book Workplace Culture, and discuss contemporary organizations are facing a "culture shortage," not merely a "labor shortage." The source emphasizes that talent retention and attraction hinge on cultivating a positive workplace environment rather than solely relying on financial incentives.

It outlines five essential strategies for leaders to adopt, including fostering trust and psychological safety, embracing workplace flexibility, prioritizing mental health and preventing burnout, investing in employee growth and career mobility, and implementing personalized recognition. Ultimately, the piece asserts that businesses prioritizing a strong culture will be the ones to thrive in the evolving landscape of work.

Gary B. Cohen shared his career journey, starting with growing ACI Telecentrics from two people and $4,000 to 2,200 employees and taking it public, achieving 50% compounded annual growth for the first 10 years. He then transitioned to writing a book on leadership and coaching, emphasizing the importance of asking questions rather than telling to engage employees. Gary highlighted that leaders need to shift from being tellers to askers, changing their identity to foster engagement, and he now focuses on coaching, which he believes is more crucial than ever in today's workplace.

Michael shared his experience transforming a healthcare organization with a high turnover rate by listening to employees and implementing their suggestions without conditions. He reduced the turnover rate from 86% to 6% in one year by asking questions, showing genuine interest, and creating an environment where employees felt valued. Gary noted that this approach aligns with coaching principles, emphasizing the importance of moving from a position of knowing all the answers to one of curiosity and open-mindedness.

Michael shared his experience transforming a toxic work environment into a collaborative one, highlighting how addressing underlying issues and empowering staff led to significant improvements. He emphasized the importance of creating environments where individuals have both authority and accountability, and noted that the same people can maintain positive change even after organizational transformations. Gary mentioned his passion for writing a second book with Robert Dora, focusing on digital manufacturing.

Gary discussed the concept of employees feeling "on the hook" in a positive way, contrasting it with the negative connotation often associated with the term. He emphasized the importance of balancing permission-giving and permission-seeking between leaders and employees, noting that excessive permission-giving can disengage employees and reduce their sense of ownership over their work. Gary and Michael explored how guardrails, such as job descriptions and budget allocations, can provide structure without stifling creativity or initiative. They agreed that leaders should help employees recognize these boundaries while encouraging autonomy and accountability.

Michael shared his experience with empowering mental health workers to develop new programming, which resulted in a successful poster presentation at a conference. He emphasized the importance of employee ownership and engagement, as well as the value of celebrating project outcomes rather than focusing solely on ideas. Michael also discussed his approach to leadership, including his practice of asking questions to maintain a state of wonder and curiosity, and the importance of active listening.

Gary discussed a tool called Peak Leadership, which identifies four question-asking styles based on two dimensions: perspective/evaluation and knowledge/action. He explained that most people only use one of these styles, limiting their questioning to 25% of the available options, but the model shows that individuals can develop and expand beyond their natural style.

Gary discussed his company's decision to offer a free 7-minute assessment tool based on Stephen Covey's 360-degree quadrant model, which helps individuals and organizations ask better questions and improve their performance. Michael encouraged listeners to take advantage of the tool, emphasizing its value for organizations of all sizes.

Website: https://co2coaching.com

Book: Just Ask Leadership: Why Great Managers Always Ask the Right Questions