The newest episode of the Mastering Workplace Culture podcast, featuring Nujood Al Khloofi and Rasha Hussain, explores a powerful question:

How do leaders create a workplace culture that employees genuinely believe in, live every day, and help sustain as organizations grow?

Hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbitt uncover a remarkable culture journey that began at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and continues today within Dubai Health.

Drawing inspiration from Disney Institute, Mayo Clinic, and the leadership principles that helped shape the United Arab Emirates, Nujood and Rasha share how they helped establish MBRU's pioneering Values Council. Their goal was simple but ambitious: Transform organizational values from words on a wall into behaviors employees and students could experience every day.

As you listen, you'll quickly notice that Nujood and Rasha approach culture as a shared responsibility rather than an HR initiative. They describe how MBRU engaged employees in defining values, identifying behaviors, and creating a culture grounded in service, respect, trust, and belonging. Their experience demonstrates that leaders strengthen culture by inviting people into the process rather than imposing it from the top down.

The conversation also highlights how small actions create powerful cultural impact. From personalized onboarding experiences and the MBRU Concierge program to employee recognition efforts such as the Hidden Soldier Award, leaders reinforced values through meaningful moments that helped employees feel seen, appreciated, and connected to the organization's mission.

Another key theme centers on leadership behavior. Nujood and Rasha explain that employees trust leaders when leaders consistently model desired behaviors, actively listen, show genuine care, and create environments where people can thrive. Strong workplace cultures emerge when leaders demonstrate values through decisions, interactions, and daily actions rather than relying on mission statements alone.

The discussion also reveals how MBRU's values guided employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Team members stepped beyond formal responsibilities to support vaccination efforts, public health education, and community initiatives because they felt deeply connected to the organization's purpose and to one another. Their story demonstrates how healthy cultures inspire extraordinary commitment during moments of uncertainty and challenge.

This conversation reinforces a simple but powerful reality: Leaders create culture through consistent behaviors, intentional recognition, active listening, and a genuine commitment to helping people succeed.

When leaders put people first, employees respond with trust, engagement, accountability, and exceptional performance.

⏱️ Key Moments

00:00 Introduction & Welcome

04:30 How the MBRU Values Council Started

08:00 Disney Institute, Mayo Clinic & Culture Inspiration

14:00 Building the Values Council Framework

17:00 Embedding Values Into the Employee Experience

18:00 The Hidden Soldier Award & Meaningful Recognition

21:00 Leadership, Trust & Role Modeling

24:00 Lessons from Disney & Mayo Clinic

28:00 Turning Values Into Daily Behaviors

32:00 Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills

35:00 Living Values During COVID-19

39:00 A Powerful Story of Employee Appreciation

42:00 Leadership Lessons from the UAE

46:00 Advice for Leaders Building Strong Cultures

53:00 Life Outside Work

55:00 Final Reflections & Closing Remarks

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