What happens when every leader in your company defines "leadership" their own way? Spoiler alert: chaos.

Live from the CultureCon® 2025 studio in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory teams up with Coleman Williams, co-founder of Wrestling With Talent, to get real about the chaos that comes from undefined leadership.

From inconsistent one-on-ones to unclear goal-setting, they explore how structure creates fairness without crossing into micromanagement.

They also unpack how companies can onboard leaders with clarity, integrate AI for more effective training, and give employees a consistent, people-first experience, especially during change.

This is your blueprint for leadership done right.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Coleman on LinkedIn

Learn more about Wrestling with Talent

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Learn more about CultureCon

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Clear leadership expectations reduce workplace inconsistency.
• Guardrails are not micromanagement, they offer direction.
• Start small to avoid overwhelming leaders with change.
• AI can enhance, not replace, leadership onboarding.
• Consistency supports fairness in the employee experience.

What if the key to thriving teams isn't just better benefits or ping pong tables, but bold conversations, deep listening, and shared ownership of culture?

Live from CultureCon® 2024, Nikki Llewellyn Gregory sits down with Gianna Driver to unpack the real meaning of employee engagement. From Silicon Valley boardrooms to culture-shifting conference stages, Gianna shares her personal journey through pivotal career moments, the evolution of engagement post-pandemic, and how both leaders and employees must co-own the energy of their workplace.

You'll hear why listening is the most underrated leadership skill, how to respond when the vibe of your company shifts, and why chasing alignment, not just paychecks, leads to true career fulfillment.

Whether you're leading a team or navigating your own fork-in-the-road moment, this episode delivers fresh perspective, heartfelt stories, and one powerful challenge that could change your workplace forever.

Additional Resources:

Listen to more episodes Live from CultureCon® on Fringe

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Learn more about CultureCon

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Engagement evolved dramatically during the pandemic.
• Listening is foundational to effective leadership.
• Employees share responsibility for workplace culture.
• Curiosity bridges conflicting perspectives at work.
• Joy and alignment outweigh financial incentives.

The best moments at CultureCon® West 2025 didn't happen on stage. They happened in the spaces in between. This episode unpacks why that matters.

Nick and Zach reflect on what made CultureCon West® 2025 truly stand out, and it wasn't just the speaker lineup. From an unforgettable dinner where no one talked about work to a surprise "Hamilton" performance that brought the room to its feet, they explore the human-centered experiences that made this year's conference feel different.

They share behind-the-scenes wins in sustainability, unexpected on-stage moments, and why the real value came from the connections formed between sessions.

Whether it was tapping badges, sharing stories, or singing Disney ballads, this conversation is a reminder: culture isn't built in keynotes.

It's built in community.

Additional Resources:

Read their blog post!

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Learn more about CultureCon

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Sustainability isn't overwhelming with the right partner.
• Connection deepens when work talk disappears.
• Surprise performances create unforgettable shared moments.
• Culture thrives outside formal programming structure.
• Impactful conferences start with intentional community experiences.