What if the way we've always done things at work is exactly what's holding us back?

In this episode of "WorkPossible," Elaine and Hattie sit down with Martin Fitzpatrick, Global Employee Communications and Engagement Director at Ericsson, to challenge some of the most outdated practices in the workplace.

From the uninspiring employee handbook that kills excitement on day one, to why we expect frontline managers to become brilliant communicators overnight without any support, to leaders hiding behind polished spin instead of saying, "I don't know," Martin pushes for a more human approach to communication and leadership.

This is a conversation about ditching the rulebook, designing experiences that work for humans, and reimagining how leaders and employees engage with one another. Because work should feel possible, not prescribed.

Martin brings lived experience from the shop floor to the boardroom - from his days as a Vodafone retail advisor watching corporate decisions fail in real time, to creating award-winning campaigns that connect with people. Listen as he reveals why the best communicators listen first, why proximity matters more than seniority, and how small authentic moments can transform cultures.

No scripts. No safe answers. Just honest conversations about what's possible when we stop doing things by default and start doing them by design.

Tune in for fresh perspectives, future-focused thinking, and ideas bold enough to change things.

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• Onboarding should spark belonging, not bury new hires in rules.
• Trust grows when leaders admit, “I don’t know.”
• Communication works best as two-way listening, not one-way spin.
• Frontline leaders need support, not more tasks.
• Authentic moments drive engagement more than polished messaging.

What happens when two self-proclaimed non-event planners accidentally create one of the most meaningful culture conferences around?

In this recap of CultureCon® 2025, Nick and Zach pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes chaos, lessons learned, and the magic that made this year’s event unforgettable. From 3,200+ connections and Madison, WI’s food trucks to silly puppet shows and the not-so-sexy “Boxed Lunch Experience,” they share the highs, the hiccups, and the hilarity of building a community-driven conference.

Stick around for a sneak peek at what’s next 🎲 and their first-ever topic-specific conference on AI 🤖.

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CultureCon West 2025

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• Connections matter more than content.
• Smaller scale fosters deeper conversations.
• Built-in breaks boost authentic connection.
• Authenticity beats perfection on stage.

Welcome to the kickoff of “Culture Starts Here,” a fresh new series from The CultureCon® Podcast in partnership with Advisa! 🎉

Meet Heather Haas, CEO of Advisa and former elementary school principal, and BJ McKay, a track coach-turned-leadership guru. Together, they break down how culture isn’t just a feel-good HR project, it’s a strategic lever for growth, alignment, and performance.

Heather and BJ introduce ATLAS, a five-part framework designed to help leaders build cultures that actually work—where systems support people, data drives clarity, and leadership is intentional from the top down.

With powerful client stories and no-BS insights, this episode shows you how to move from culture confusion to culture advantage. 🎯

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Get Your Culture Check!

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• Culture can drive or derail business success… alignment matters.
• Leaders set the tone; they carry and shape culture daily.
• The ATLAS framework offers five clear culture drivers: Activation from Above, Trust and Shared Purpose, Leader Effectiveness, Actionable People Data, and Systems.
• Systems and processes must support the culture you want.
• Start with data and link culture directly to business outcomes.