In this episode, Lars and Paulina reflect on the past year, discussing personal updates and the challenges of cultural change within organizations. They explore the patterns observed in dysfunctional cultures, the lies organizations tell themselves, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a positive culture. The conversation emphasizes the importance of individual agency in effecting change and the need for genuine behavior modification rather than superficial initiatives. They conclude with a discussion on the potential for grassroots movements to drive cultural transformation and the significance of personal responsibility and agency in shaping organizational culture.

Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/

Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/

Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/

Lars on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/

Lars on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/larsnielsen_cph/

Takeaways

❤️‍🔥 Cursing can be a sign of intelligence.

❤️‍🔥 Cultural dysfunction often disguises itself as high performance.

❤️‍🔥 Real change starts with individual actions.

❤️‍🔥 Leaders must model the behavior they want to see.

❤️‍🔥 Communication is often a symptom of deeper issues.

❤️‍🔥 Accountability is more important than communication.

❤️‍🔥 Culture change requires consistent behavior change.

❤️‍🔥 Grassroots movements can initiate significant cultural shifts.

❤️‍🔥 Every individual has the power to influence culture.

❤️‍🔥 Responsibility and agency are distinct but interconnected.

Chapters

00:00 New Beginnings and Personal Updates

09:01 Cultural Healing: A Shift in Focus

19:58 Dysfunction and Numbness in Workplace Cultures

22:46 The Impact of Bullying Behavior

26:00 Self-Reflection and Leadership

28:29 Culture Change: Top-Down vs. Grassroots

34:15 The Role of Individual Agency in Culture

41:57 Responsibility vs. Agency in Cultural Change

In this conversation, Lars and Paulina discuss their experiences from a recent hackathon, emphasizing the importance of company culture and the role of middle management in shaping it. They explore the challenges of navigating culture change, the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and the influences that have shaped their views on culture. The discussion also touches on emerging trends in leadership and the responsibility that comes with influencing others in the workplace.

Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/

Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/

Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/

Lars on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/

Lars on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/larsnielsen_cph/

Takeaways

🔥 The hackathon experience was both exhausting and rewarding.

🔥 Middle management plays a crucial role in shaping company culture.

🔥 Effective culture change requires equipping managers with the right tools.

🔥 Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed.

🔥 Feedback should be a regular part of team interactions.

🔥 Copying others' approaches to culture change often leads to failure.

🔥 Leaders need to be trained to manage effectively, not just promoted based on performance.

🔥 Creating clarity within teams is essential during uncertain times.

🔥 Every individual has the power to influence culture, regardless of their position.

🔥 The trend of young people shying away from leadership roles is concerning.

Chapters

00:00 Post-Hackathon Reflections

09:56 The Power of Middle Management in Company Culture

25:29 Coaching and Feedback Dynamics

28:12 Creating Micro-Clarity in Uncertain Times

30:10 Navigating Psychological Contracts

32:09 Trends in Leadership and Culture

36:28 Influences on Company Culture

42:12 Communication as a Cultural Foundation

43:47 Empowering Managers to Shape Culture

48:27 Cultural Behaviors for Team Success

In this engaging conversation, Lars and Paulina explore the often-overlooked role of middle managers in shaping company culture. They discuss Lars' personal journey towards fulfillment and how it parallels the importance of middle managers in fostering a positive work environment. The discussion delves into the moments that define culture, the tools middle managers can use to create change, and the myths surrounding culture change that need to be debunked. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the power of individual contributions to influence workplace dynamics and the significance of psychological safety in teams.

Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/

Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/

Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/

Lars on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/

Lars on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/larsnielsen_cph/

Takeaways

🔥 Lars has found fulfillment in his personal and professional life.

🔥 Middle managers play a crucial role in shaping company culture.

🔥 Culture is often defined in small, everyday moments rather than top-down mandates.

🔥 Psychological safety is essential for teams to thrive.

🔥 Every individual in a company has the power to influence culture.

🔥 Middle managers can create pockets of excellence within organizations.

🔥 Explicitly defining team norms enhances psychological safety.

🔥 Investing in employee growth can lead to significant cultural shifts.

🔥 Culture change can happen from the bottom up, not just from the top down.

🔥 Middle managers should recognize their influence and take action.

Chapters

00:00 Finding Fulfillment: Lars' Journey

05:59 The Role of Middle Managers in Shaping Culture

17:03 Moments that Matter: Culture in Action

33:52 Empowering Middle Managers: Tools for Cultural Change

40:53 Debunking Myths: Culture Change from the Bottom Up