Culture Bites

Changing culture sounds great - until it asks you to change. In this powerful conversation, Dominic Gourley and Ash Smith explore what it really takes for leaders to step up, lean into discomfort, and lead culture transformation from the front. They unpack why it's so hard to change the behaviours that once made us successful, why vulnerability doesn't mean weakness, and how leaders can avoid becoming the exception to the culture they want to build. Whether you're a CEO, team leader, or culture champion, this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead with courage.

We unpack the hidden pressures CEOs and Executives face - and why strong leadership doesn't have to mean going it alone. We share the small rituals and mindset shifts that can help leaders reconnect with purpose, support, and each other. From ego and armour to shared goals and enterprise thinking - this is a must-listen for anyone working with or within Executive teams.

In this episode of Culture Bites, host Dominic Gourley from Human Synergistics Australia is joined by Richard Harding, a seasoned executive and non-executive director with extensive leadership experience in both public and private insurance organisations across Australia and New Zealand. The conversation centres on Richard's unique track record of turning around organisational culture and performance in three challenging leadership roles: TIO (Territory Insurance Office), Tower Insurance in New Zealand, and icare (Insurance and Care NSW). Richard shares practical insights into how he successfully shifted each organisation from low engagement, high turnover, and toxic cultures—marked by avoidance and opposition—towards constructive, high-performing workplaces. He emphasises the critical role of purposeful leadership, connecting culture with strategy, and aligning executive and middle management behaviour to achieve sustainable change. Key themes include the importance of creating meaning and ownership through purpose, overcoming cultural inertia, and making tough leadership calls, such as addressing toxic team members. Listeners will gain valuable, real-world advice on managing cultural transformation, fostering accountability, and the leadership mindsets necessary to embed a high-performing, values-driven culture. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to take control of their organisational culture rather than letting it evolve by chance. Learn more about what we do: www.human-synergistics.com.au

How do we raise confident, resilient kids in a culture that's become obsessed with supervision? In this episode, Dominic Gourley is joined by Lenore Skenazy – author of Free-Range Kids and President of Let Grow – to explore why independence is crucial for childhood development. They discuss why overprotection can backfire, how free play fosters leadership and creativity, and how building trust (not constant monitoring) strengthens both kids and parents. Drawing parallels between parenting and leadership in the workplace, Lenore and Dominic show why stepping back is the key to helping the next generation step up. If you want to raise or mentor more capable, resilient, and independent young people, this conversation is a must-listen. Learn more about Let Grow: https://letgrow.org/ Learn more about Human Synergistics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/

How to put perspective on challenging situations which may seem overwhelming in the moment. Fiona Hogarth shares her tips.

Sarah is the CEO of Homeward Bound - and fresh back from Antarctica. Homeward Bound believe that supporting women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine), using the Life Styles Inventory, to significantly improve their clarity, confidence, shared vision and strategic capability, will enhance their opportunity to take up leadership roles globally, and to proactively contribute to a sustainable world, both individually and collectively. “The LSI process involves reflection, self-awareness, and growth because leading isn't just about directing others; it's about understanding who you are and how you can transform your environment from the inside out,” says Paola Jaén, #HB9 scholarship recipient.⁣ ⁣⁣ You can apply for the #TeamHB10 Online Leadership Program here: https://homewardbound.submittable.com/submit/312333/hb10-leadership-program/eligibility Learn more about the Life Styles Inventory: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-diagnostics/leaders-managers/life-styles-inventory/

Workplace Trends: Key Insights from the Nation's Wellbeing Report 2025. Join us as we explore the trends impacting employee wellbeing, job satisfaction, and organisational support. From CEO challenges to frontline leader stress, we break down the essential takeaways from the 2025 report. Download the report here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/the-way-we-work-report-2025/

Discover how Adaptive Leadership transforms organizations with Max Martina, focusing on key practices to empower teams, navigate complexity, and build a strong leadership culture. See full show notes with key topics and insights: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-bites-podcast/adaptive-leadership-with-max-martina-culture-bites-ep-226/ Learn more about Max Martina and Cambridge Leadership Associates: https://cambridge-leadership.com/ Culture Bites is powered by Human Synergistics. Learn more about how we get leaders and organisations to achieve outstanding results: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/

We explore the question, "Why should anyone be led by you?", discussing authenticity, adaptability, and community-building from the book by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones. Gain insights to reflect on your leadership style and inspire high-performing teams. Learn more about what we do: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/ See Show Notes for this episode: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-bites-podcast/why-should-anyone-be-led-by-you-culture-bites-225/

A lot of organisations are mandating a return to the office. What are the pros and cons and what does it mean for culture? Ash Smith shares his views

We'll be back in the new year. For now, enjoy this re-release of Blue Tear's Resolutions from our first year of Culture Bites. We wish everyone a happy new year! Thanks for supporting us! Visit us at: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/ Follow us here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-synergistics-australia/

Merry Christmas! We'll be back in the new year with new episodes. We'd love to have more guests sharing their stories in the new year - so if you know someone with a great story to share, let us know. Enjoy this re-release of our Christmas special from the very first year of Culture Bites! Subscribe and review if you enjoy the podcast. Visit us at: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/26592/admin/dashboard/

Fiona Hogarth shares her tips on what to do when inheriting a new team: Observe, understand the context, bring some enthusiasm, create clarity about what we're doing and why, keep in mind your peers and colleagues... If you want to unlock performance, visit us at: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/ If you're a leader and what to share your own story of development, email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au

How many of the biggest decisions are made in teams? Almost all of them... but do we have an approach and practice effective decision making? Corrine Canter shares her tips

"Others saw me as a Constructive leader, but when I looked in the mirror, I saw a completely different Person." - Cam Aitken shares his LSI story

Neil McGregor shares how he uses Gamification as an effective way of teaching - and how you can too

Corinne shares 5 practical tips for leaders to be more effective: Clarity. Listen. Engage & Empathize. Address issues early. Recognise effort as well as results.

How do we design the workplace of the future? What will AI mean for workplaces? How will we use data to make smarter decisions. Darren Levi shares his thoughts

Darren shares his LSI story across 8 measures, 21 years, and multiple organisations. Darren is the Associate Director, Customer Services, Partnerships & Projects, at HealthShare NSW

Corinne Canter shares how she has been using the new LSI+ narratives as part of her debriefing and coaching practice.

Leadership lessons learnt from the cockpit: Perfecting but not perfect, empowering people, having honest assessments, listening. David is a former Naval Aviator and now Consultant at purplecomms.com.au

Setting yourself up for success (and recognising when you're not) Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership conference in Sydney and Melbourne: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference-2024/

People say how important culture is in the company they work for. But how do you know when you're a job seeker? We share some tips! Join us at our Annual Culture and Leadership Conference: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference-2024/

DB shares the traps he sees teams get themselves into - and how to get out. Join us at our Annual Culture and Leadership Conference:https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference-2024/

Rob Murray - former CEO of Lion Nathan, Chairman of the Board at Metcash and ARN. Speaking at our 2017 Culture and Leadership Conference. Register for this year's conference at: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference-2024/

We make the case for why every organistion should be developing their teams to be more effective at making decisions and solving problems

Sometimes small tweaks can make a big different. Ash shares some practical tips to shift Dependent, Oppositional and Self-Actualising

Corinne shares her 5 stages of the 'You're Not Performing Conversation'.

Facilitating a Group Debrief of the LSI - the how to watch outs

The term 'Managing Up' can have negative connotations for some... but how would you do it from a Constructive lens? We answer a listener's question

Often Culture programs start with a ton of energy... but how do you sustain it over time? 1 - Know where you are and where you're going 2 - Know what your key priorities/actions are (Focus) 3 - Check in on whether you're still on the path 4 - Have a coalition 5 - Build excitement and energy 6 - Communicate, Communicate, Communicate 7 - Leaders (and clear expectations of them) 8 - Celebrate along the way

If you haven't yet... then this year (and here's why)

LSI + adds a personalised narrative of your LSI results. Paired with a debrief from an Accredited Practitioner, the LSI + enriches the developmental journey. Learn more and join our Professional Development Events here: https://bit.ly/LSI-plus

Don't let the LSI development walk out the door with the coach. How to hand over ongoing development discussions with the manager

Can 'D' overshadow the 'I' in D&I? What does it mean to be truly inclusive? What does it mean for culture? Question from a listener: I find it's easy to let ‘D' be the focus so people are all about the structures and reinforcers and less about the “what would it look like if we were truly inclusive” - I'm a big believer that exclusion feels like exclusion to everyone rather than “let's include that group this week”.

Ash shares how he grew up, different jobs he had, and the lessons he learnt along the way

The LSI is that it isn't set in stone. We want to get insights and take action. Has your LSI shifted? It might be time to find out.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This is a rebroadcast of an old episode on setting goals for the new year. We'll be back with more great episodes in 2024! Thanks for all your support!

Ash Smith shares two of his most recommended books to clients and how they relate to the Circumplex and what we do. The Multipliers by Liz Wiseman, and Time to Think by Nancy Kline

Communication up, down, and for learning. We discuss what you can do to send a constructive message. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

What is the motivational potential of jobs in your team? If they lack autonomy, feedback, variety... they'll be detracting from Achievement Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

How to shape culture using rewards, punishment, and appraisal systems Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

Done right, goals can reinforce Achievement and Self Actualising expectations. Done poorly - they drive Passive and Aggressive styles. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

Shaping culture with Selection and placement, training and development, respect for members Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

We talk about how Structures affect Culture and what actions you could take. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

Tips of what to think about and things you can do to improve the Articulation of Mission Causal Factor Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au The “How Culture Works” model and other materials presented in this podcast are from the Organizational Culture Inventory®/Organizational Effectiveness Inventory™ Feedback Report by Robert A. Cooke, Janet L. Szumal, and Jessica D. Cooke, Copyright © 2003 and 2016 by Human Synergistics International. All Rights Reserved.

All teams inevitably hit an impasse during decision making discussions. These are 7 awesome tips to break the impasse and move forwards. Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2023

We review this article from Harvard Business Review on 5 Mistakes New Managers Make: https://hbr.org/2023/05/5-mistakes-new-managers-make?tpcc=orgsocial_edit&utm_campaign=hbr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin

Sanitarium, Rabobank, Macquarie University, REA Group, Hanes Brands. This September in Sydney and Melbourne. It's a free event. Register here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2023/

Everyone says they want honest and direct feedback until they get it. Here are some tips on how to give (and receive) it successfully

These styles have lots of similarities but they are different in crucial ways. We explore those differences. Culture and Leadership Conference this September in Sydney/Melbourne: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2023/