What if the reason culture isn't working is because leaders think they've already figured it out?

Elaine and Hattie sit down with Karen Richards, founder of Uniquely Global and executive coach to top global leaders, to expose what's really going on in boardrooms when it comes to culture, and what's not.

Karen brings decades of experience across industries, from elite sports to global brands, to reveal the truth about leadership blind spots, emotional intelligence, and the quiet gap between performance and people. Through real stories and hard-won insight, she shows why coaching isn't just about behavior change, it's about identity, instinct, and owning your shadow.

This isn't a conversation about soft skills. It's about the hard work of leadership. Karen challenges every leader to stop outsourcing culture and start doing the internal work that changes everything, from how you show up in a room to how people show up for you.

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 actually change things.

Additional Resources:

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Key Takeaways:

• Culture is the fuel behind sustainable performance.
• Leaders must embrace emotional intelligence to grow.
• Self-awareness unlocks team and business potential.
• Coaching reveals the gap between knowing and leading.
• Ask: "What am I missing?" regularly.

What if the most untapped leadership skill isn't found in a boardroom, but in the power of a well-told story?

Nick and Zach officially welcome Dr. Rod Berger as CultureCon's newest storyteller-in-residence. With a doctorate in psychology and thousands of interviews with global leaders under his belt, Rod brings a rare lens to leadership, one rooted in the belief that storytelling isn't fluff, it's fuel.

From his book "The Narrative Edge" to his conversations with executives and veterans, Rod shares how narrative shapes identity, unlocks empathy, and fosters true connection inside our organizations. The trio dives deep into how story helps us meet the moment, why leaders must understand their own role in the plotline, and how authentic storytelling builds stronger cultures, especially in a digital-first world.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just discovering your voice, this episode invites you to see yourself as a character in a story worth telling.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Rod on LinkedIn

Buy the book: "The Narrative Edge"

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Learn more about CultureCon

Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel!

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Storytelling is a strategic leadership skill.
• Your story influences how others experience you.
• Authenticity builds trust within workplace culture.
• Empathy grows when stories are shared.
• Leaders must define their role in the narrative.

W. Edwards Deming was famously quoted as saying, "A bad system will beat a good person every time."

After decades of training, coaching, and consulting with leaders, ADVISA has seen that five drivers create cultural competitive advantage for organizations. The final driver is one of the most important: Systems That Support Leaders.

In this episode, Steve Edwards, President & General Manager of City Wide Facility Solutions, joins ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay to dig into why systems matter – and how you can put systems to work for you.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

Learn more about City Wide

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Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

Connect with BJ on LinkedIn

Learn more about Advisa

Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel!

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Culture killers must be addressed quickly and directly.
• Systems should support, not stifle, your people.
• Leadership consistency builds team trust and performance.
• Frontline ideas often spark business growth.
• Complaints reveal quality opportunities and loyalty potential.