Why does culture matter — especially in the early stages of building a business?

In the first episode of the Delegated Task Podcast, host Jesse Hoss sits down with leadership expert Jodee Bock to explore how organizational culture shapes everything from team engagement to long-term sustainability — even when it’s often dismissed and not prioritized properly.

Together, they discuss why founders should prioritize culture early to preserve the initial spark of a startup, how leadership must take ownership when disengagement or turnover occurs, and what it takes to sustain a healthy culture as your business grows. Jodee shares insights from her work in leadership development and introduces the four “roots” of thriving organizations: embodied conviction, empathetic connection, emergent conversation, and expansive collaboration.

This episode also explores accountability, promoting high performers into management roles, and the role of delegation in reducing burnout. Listeners will walk away with practical ways to notice how culture shows up day-to-day — and what leaders can do to take responsibility for shaping it intentionally.

If you're a Fargo-area business owner looking to build a team that’s engaged, aligned, and built to last, this episode is for you.

Action Item: Build Awareness to How the Culture You're a Part of Makes You Feel in Your Gut

One simple action you can take right after listening to this episode is to spend one full day paying attention to how you feel throughout your workday.

Grab a sheet of paper (or open the notes app on your phone) and set a recurring alarm every 1-2 hours. Each time the alarm goes off, write down:

1. How you're feeling in that exact moment
2. What you're currently doing
3. The situation or environment you're in
4. Any specific thoughts that are coming up

For example, you might notice you're sitting at your kitchen table feeling anxious — but when you pause and reflect, that anxiety might actually be tied to an upcoming project, a difficult conversation, or a task you've been putting off.

By documenting your emotional responses throughout the day, you may start to notice patterns:

1. Are certain meetings draining your energy?
2. Do specific projects create tension or avoidance?
3. Are repetitive/tedious tasks causing stress that could potentially be delegated?

This kind of reflection can reveal where friction exists in your day-to-day work — and where leadership, communication, or delegation might create more clarity and breathing room.

Before you try to change your culture, your team, or your workflow, start by noticing what’s happening internally.

1. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodeebock/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JodeeB
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodeefromfargo/
4. Jodee's Website: https://jodeebock.com
5. Join the virtual Enlightened Leadership Lab (Mondays at 4:00 PM) at:...