Culture Bites: Recent Episodes
Human Synergistics
We take culture theory and turn it into everyday insights. We're powered by Human Synergistics - a leading consulting, research, and diagnostics firm.
We're known for growing individual's effectiveness and satisfaction by coaching based on the Lifestyles Inventory (LSI), improving leadership effectiveness with the Management or Leadership Impact (M/I & L/I), develop high performing teams with the Group Styles Inventory (GSI), and shape effective organisational culture using the Organizational Culture inventory (OCI) and Organizational Effectiveness Inventory (OEI).
In this podcast, our senior consultants share tips and insights on from their extensive experience in Organisational Development
What if one of the most powerful leadership tools only took five minutes?In this episode, you'll discover the four simple questions that can transform the way you reflect on meetings, presentations, client conversations, projects and even your own leadership.We also explore:Why life is training... if you're paying attentionThe difference between Achievement and Perfectionistic thinkingHow to use After Action Reviews to build a culture of continuous improvementReal examples of using the tool after client meetings, workshops and leadership coachingWhy small, consistent improvements compound into exceptional performanceWhether you lead a team or simply want to improve your own performance, this episode will give you a practical tool you can start using today.The four questionsWhat was supposed to happen?What actually happened?Why did it happen that way?What will we repeat or do differently next time?Visit the full notes for this episode here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/after-action-review/
Join us at the Annual Culture and Leadership Conference. We're in Melbourne August 25th, Sydney September 1st. Registration is free - secure your spot today! https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/2026-conference/
A great LSI debrief is about far more than explaining a report—it's about helping people discover meaningful insights that lead to lasting behavioural change.In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley shares the coaching questions, mental models and practical frameworks he uses during Life Styles Inventory™ debriefs. He explores how to frame the conversation, interpret common profile patterns, bridge the gap between intent and impact, and coach with curiosity rather than diagnosis.Whether you're an accredited LSI practitioner, an executive coach or a leader interested in helping people grow, this episode offers practical ideas you can immediately apply to create richer, more impactful coaching conversations.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/lsi-debrief-questions/
Why is it so much easier to coach other people than it is to coach ourselves?When a friend or colleague comes to us with a problem, we can often see the situation clearly, ask thoughtful questions, and help them find a constructive way forward. But when we're facing our own challenges, emotion and assumptions can cloud our thinking, making it difficult to separate the facts from the story we're telling ourselves.In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic explores the art of self-coaching and shares practical ways to create the perspective needed to respond rather than react. Drawing on Human Synergistics' Situation + Thinking = Response (S + T = R) model, he explains how shifting your point of view, your timeframe, or your perspective can help you make better decisions, navigate difficult conversations, and lead yourself more effectively.Whether you're managing conflict, feeling overwhelmed, or simply caught in a loop of overthinking, this episode provides simple coaching questions you can use immediately to gain clarity and choose a more constructive path forward.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/coaching-yourself-how-to-get-out-of-your-own-way/
Do you ever wish your team would take more ownership, but every decision still seems to come back to you?In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores why delegation often breaks down — and why the problem is usually clarity, not initiative.Dominic introduces the Delegation Tree, a simple framework that helps leaders define which decisions team members can make independently, which ones they should communicate afterwards, which ones require consultation, and which decisions should stay with the leader.You’ll also hear how to tame the “advice monster”, avoid rescuing too early, and delegate in a way that builds confidence, capability and accountability.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/delegation-tree-how-to-build-ownership-without-losing-clarity/
What is an affiliative culture, and why does it matter so much for teamwork and performance?In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores affiliative culture as part of the Human Synergistics Circumplex series. He unpacks how trust, inclusion and genuine relationships shape high-performing teams, why affiliative cultures are often misunderstood as simply “being nice,” and how strong relationships enable better collaboration, communication and problem-solving.Dominic also shares practical ways leaders can strengthen belonging, improve onboarding, encourage respectful disagreement and create workplaces where people genuinely feel like they have each other’s backs.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/affiliative-culture-how-to-build-a-team-that-has-each-others-backs/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
preview=trueLearn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores self-actualising cultures—work environments that foster creativity, curiosity and personal growth.Learn what sets this culture apart, how it drives innovation and engagement, and the practical steps leaders can take to create a workplace where people feel safe to experiment, share ideas, and reach their full potential.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/self-actualising-culture-how-to-build-a-workplace-that-unlocks-creativity-growth-and-innovation/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores what defines an achievement culture and why it is one of the strongest drivers of sustainable high performance. He unpacks how achievement cultures differ from perfectionistic and competitive cultures, what they look like in practice, and how clarity, empowerment, effective job design and supportive leadership help people pursue excellence, take initiative and stay focused on the big win.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/achievement-culture-driving-excellence-without-perfection/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores perfectionistic culture — where the focus on appearing flawless can undermine performance, learning and results. He shares practical insights on shifting toward a more constructive, achievement-focused culture.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/perfectionistic-culture-when-looking-perfect-gets-in-the-way-of-performance/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
preview=trueLearn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
What happens when control, status and authority dominate the way an organisation operates?In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley continues the series on organisational culture by unpacking Power Culture - a style characterised by centralised decision-making, hierarchy, internal politics and leadership driven by formal authority rather than influence.Dominic explores how Power cultures show up in practice: decisions made by rank over expertise, leaders becoming bottlenecks, silos forming between teams, and energy being spent on internal turf wars instead of marketplace performance. While this style can deliver short-term results, it often leads to volatile performance, reduced engagement, information being withheld, and compliance without true commitment.He also examines what drives a Power culture - from leadership beliefs and reward structures to job insecurity and overreliance on positional authority - and outlines practical steps leaders can take to shift toward a more constructive, sustainable culture.If you’ve ever worked in an organisation where decisions always go “up the chain,” where politics shape outcomes, or where control feels more important than collaboration, this episode will help you understand why - and what to do about it.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/power-culture-when-control-status-and-authority-drive-performance-and-undermine-it/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
What happens when challenge turns into constant criticism?In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores oppositional culture — a workplace dynamic where fault-finding, defensiveness, and debate become the norm. While healthy challenge is essential for performance, oppositional cultures take it too far. Ideas are quickly picked apart, meetings become battlegrounds, and people earn influence by being the sharpest critic in the room.Over time, this leads to reduced motivation, slower change, safe (and often mediocre) decisions, and even strained customer relationships.If you’re leading through defensiveness or navigating a culture where every idea gets shot down, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening and what to do about it.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/oppositional-culture-when-challenge-turns-defensive/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
Avoidance culture thrives on fear, silence, and playing it safe. In this episode, Dominic Gourley unpacks how avoidance culture shows up at work, why it damages performance, and what leaders can do to create ownership, learning, and accountability instead.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/avoidance-culture-when-playing-it-safe-kills-performance/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley unpacks dependent culture — where decision-making is centralised, initiative is discouraged, and progress slows to a crawl. Learn how dependent cultures form, the impact they have on motivation and performance, and what leaders can do to build empowerment and achievement instead. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/dependent-culture-when-everything-has-to-go-up-the-chain/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
We unpack what a conventional culture looks like in practice, how it can support stability and consistency, and where it begins to create risk, stifle innovation, and limit performance. Through real-world examples - from warehouses to hospitals - we highlight the dangers of rigid rule-following without clear understanding of purpose, and share practical ways leaders can shift their teams from compliance to ownership.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/conventional-culture-when-rules-replace-thinking/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
“Everyone agreed... but nothing happened” - Dominic breaks down the signs, impacts, and causes of an Approval Culture, plus practical leadership shifts to invite dissent, clarify standards, and improve execution.Show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/approval-culture-what-it-is-what-causes-it-and-what-you-can-do/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/consulting-solutions/culture-and-strategy-consulting-solutions/
Culture often feels noisy and complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Dominic Gourley and Ash Smith unpack a simple way to think about culture using four clear buckets - ideal culture, actual culture, what sits between them, and the outcomes - and explain how one or two well-chosen actions in how you already work can drive meaningful cultural change.See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/culture-doesnt-have-to-be-complex/Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/
Why we seek approval and follow rules - even when they don’t serve us. Dominic and Ash explore Approval, Conventional, Dependent and Avoidance styles, their payoffs and costs, and the Constructive alternatives that work better.
Dominic shares his tips no how to go about explaining the Circumplex to an individual or a group. He shares the pattern he uses and the key points he is trying to land. Learn more about the Human Synergistics Circumplex here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/about-us/the-circumplex/Did you know we've just released a new LSI Digital Platform? Check it out: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/lsi-digital/
LSI Digital is coming soon: An interactive online platform that makes the power of the LSI more engaging, accessible, and actionable than ever before. Learn more about what to expect in this episode.Learn more here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/lsi-digital/
We break down the core Circumplex orientation - Satisfaction (growth) vs Security (protection). Learn how state of mind drives behavior, why confidence is quiet, and practical ways to shift from defensiveness to growth.View the full show notes here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/satisfaction-vs-security-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-culture-bites-248/Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/Diagnostics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-diagnostics/Accreditation: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/become-accredited/
Why do we think and behave the way we do? We speak with Dr Jen Martin - scientist, author, and communicator - about the fascinating science behind our habits of thought and behaviour. Drawing on her new book Why Am I Like This?, Jen explains the psychology behind impostor experiences, procrastination, multitasking, flow states, and more. Together, they connect these scientific insights to leadership, personal development, and the Human Synergistics Circumplex framework. Read the full show notes here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/why-am-i-like-this-with-dr-jen-martin-culture-bites-247/Connect with Dr Jen Martin:Get the Book "Why Am I Like This?" https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/why-am-i-like-this-by-jen-martin/9781761450426Visit Jen's website: https://scidocmartin.com/Connect with Jen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-martin-scicomm/Connect with Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/Visit Human Synergistics: www.human-synergistics.com.auFollow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-synergistics-australia/Follow Dominic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicgourley/Send questions and ideas to podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Culture doesn’t shift unless leaders do. In this episode, Dominic and Corinne dive into why leaders must go first in culture change - what that looks like in practice, why behaviour beats systems, and how leaders can make the implicit explicit. A must-listen for executives and team leaders navigating change.See our Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/Use our Diagnosotics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-diagnostics/leaders-managers/Become Accredited: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/become-accredited/
Join us for a sneak peek into the 2025 Culture & Leadership Conferences in Sydney and Melbourne! In this episode, we preview the inspiring client stories and leadership insights you’ll hear - from transformation at David Jones, global perspectives from Marriott, leadership development at Lindt, to CEO strategy with Richard Harding. Plus, interactive sessions, big culture shifts, and plenty of community connection.Sydney: 27 AugustMelbourne: 4 SeptemberFree to attend – reserve your spot: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference/
What does it really mean to be neurodiverse - and how should leaders and coaches respond? In this episode, Dominic is joined by clinical and organisational psychologist Dr Amanda Mullin to explore the realities (and myths) around ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more.They unpack:What the term "neurodiversity" actually includesThe difference between labels and lived experienceCommon challenges around communication, sensory sensitivity, and emotional regulationWhy anxiety is more common - and more treatable - than most people realiseHow leaders can balance inclusion and accountabilityWhat coaches need to consider when working with neurodivergent clientsIf you're leading teams, coaching individuals, or simply trying to build a more inclusive workplace, this conversation is packed with insights and practical strategies.Learn more about Mindworx Psychology Online: https://online.mindworxpsychology.com.au/Learn more about Human Synergistics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/Join us at our Annual Culture and Leadership Conference: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference/
We all say we want feedback – but how good are we at receiving it?In this episode, Dominic is joined by fellow consultant Ash Smith to unpack why receiving feedback can be so difficult, even for experienced leaders. They explore what triggers defensiveness, how to stay open (even when feedback is unexpected or poorly delivered), and why a true feedback culture depends just as much on how we receive as how we give.You’ll learn practical techniques for staying curious, assuming positive intent, and making feedback work for you – plus why positive feedback is too often overlooked.A must-listen for leaders, teams, and anyone serious about growth.See show notes:https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/how-to-receive-feedback-even-when-its-clunky-culture-bites-ep-244/See our Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/Use our Diagnosotics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-diagnostics/leaders-managers/Become Accredited: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/become-accredited/
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/eligibilityLearn 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.auKey Takeaways When Inheriting an Underperforming TeamTake a moment to observe: Before making any big moves, it’s critical to understand the team’s dynamics and the organizational environment. Think of it as a “Bear Grylls” moment—take a knee and assess the situation.Diagnose the team: Is the team high-performing, dysfunctional, or somewhere in between? Build relationships, understand the challenges, and determine the best course of action.Create a shared vision: Bring the team together, set clear goals, and ensure everyone knows what they’re working toward. Establish your leadership philosophy and how you’ll guide the team moving forward.Set clear expectations: Build in a rhythm for meetings and team check-ins. Ensure accountability, but also provide space for open feedback.Empower your team: Allow autonomy and encourage ownership of their work. Create a culture of collaboration where team members take initiative, solve problems, and hold themselves accountable.Celebrate progress: Regularly check-in and celebrate milestones. Reinforce positive behavior and adjust your approach as necessary.
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
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 going2 - Know what your key priorities/actions are (Focus)3 - Check in on whether you're still on the path4 - Have a coalition 5 - Build excitement and energy6 - Communicate, Communicate, Communicate7 - Leaders (and clear expectations of them)8 - Celebrate along the way
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.auThe “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 AchievementDo you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.auThe “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.
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 FactorCome to the Culture and Leadership Conference in Sydney / Melbourne this September: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2023/
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/
People's direct leaders have a huge impact on their experience of the Culture. We share tips on how to set your team up for success.
We map Safe Work Australia's "Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work" Code of Practice to the OCI/OEI Culture measureFind the written code here: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/mental-health/psychosocial-hazardsJoin us at this Year's Annual Culture and Leadership Conference: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/
Maria asks: We talk about action planning but is it in fact about identifying behaviours and making them stick?
We discuss the 7 tips from this HBR article https://hbr.org/2023/02/what-makes-leadership-development-programs-succeed
How do you even work out what you want to do? Then how can you actually make it a reality?
Now days there is a huge focus on Culture and Leadership... but has teamwork been forgotten?
"Just be more confident" ... easy to say, but how can you actually go about doing it? We share some tips on what you can do
It's a bunch of fluffy non-sense isn't it? We've tried that before and it didn't work. We filled out a survey and never heard back.
A re-release from the archives - how to stay Constructive this Christmas. Have a merry Christmas everyone and all the best for 2023!
Of the 4 Constructive styles, Affiliative is often rated lowest for the 'ideal' profile... but might we be under valuing its power?
When working with a team or a cohort on their LSIs, the Aggregate report gives you a great overview of the group to start the conversation
We share ideas on how to get Executives on board for working on Culture by showing the connection to outcomes that matter to them
Join us at this year's Annual Culture & Leadership Conference: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2022
More episodes soon!
Ian has accredited hundreds and debriefed thousands. As he winds down his workload he shares the top tips he has learnt along the way.
People say the LSI is brilliant... if only they had it when they were younger. Here, we talk about how to build Achievement thinking in kids
When Clay Lafferty designed the HS Circumplex, he was particularly interested in the Achievement Style. We look at the influences behind it
Most teams actually don't know how to problem solve. Fewer actually practice. But these skills and processes are essential to effectiveness.
Organisations try to solve safety by brining in rules and regulations, and demanding adherence... but they don't lead to better outcomes
What's the difference between being a group and being a team? Is being a 'team' always better? How can you shift it?
Key actions to move a Culture from Aggressive (Point out the flaws, dominate, beat others, appear perfect) to Constructive
Key actions to move a Culture from Passive (be good, follow rules, do what you're told) to Constructive (use your initiative, give it a go).
Is office politics always dark or is it just reality? How to respond constructively to a 'political' situation
Conflict in the workplace can be a taboo topic - but it's a normal part of being human. How can we go about it in a Constructive way?
An often overlooked cultural lever - a philosophy of how to design jobs that are inherently motivating vs 'how much stuff can we fit in this job before it becomes two jobs?'
Are there real differences and do they need to be managed differently? Or is it less to do with generations and more about stage of life?
They wish they had managed out the people undermining the program sooner.
Everyone can learn, grow, and develop. But if someone has had every chance to get on board but still choose not to... we have to do what is best for the wider team.
What gets measured get done. But without understanding WHY we're doing it - it might not be getting done the way you want.
Organisations need to be deliberate about how they transition out of lockdown and set themselves up for success. We share insights from work we've done with clients: things to keep in mind and ways to go about it.
Kind vs Nice, Consultative vs Indecisive, Humble vs Self Doubting. The Constructive and Passive styles are right next to each other but are crucial different in some key ways. We pick through some boarder cases which highlight these sometimes subtle but important differences.
Excellence vs Perfection, Excel vs Compete, Focused vs Driven. Confidence vs Bravado. The Constructive and Aggressive Styles are next door to each other and similar in some ways. But they are crucially different in others. We discuss the boarder cases and what the important distinctions are.
If your team revisits the same conversation again and again, or people couch what they say with 'maybe' and 'could be', it's a sign that you're not having the honest conversations you need to have.
We breakdown what gets in the way of teams having honest conversations and what they can do about it.
The 'meat in the sandwich', the 'frozen middle'. Being a middle manager can be one of the trickiest positions in any organisation.
Often development goes into senior leaders and new/frontline leaders can the middle can get forgotten. Corinne and Dominic talk about how we can be best supporting our middle managers.
Remote Debriefs are EVEN BETTER than face to face for some things... After hundreds of debriefs during the pandemic - we revisit the topic
Corinne and Dominic update their advise from Culture Bites Podcast #085
Notes and Resources from this episode: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2021/09/07/remote-lsi-debriefing-ii
The LSI measures adapted thinking and behaviour. It's an invitation to grow, learn, and develop.
What is it? How does it show up? How might it help or hinder our effectiveness? What can we do about it?
Ian Crothers and Dominic Gourley discuss the Competitive style particularly from an LSI point of view.
What is it? How does it show up? What can someone with this style do about it?
Ian Crothers and Dominic Gourley discuss the Avoidance style in the Human Synergistics LSI Circumplex
How does it show up? What's the impact? If it is in my LSI, what are some things I should think about doing?
If you find yourself in a defensive environment, listen to these tips on how to stay Constructive
What's going on in our own thoughts and behaviours when we coach others? Is our advice monster flaring up? Do we feel like we need to make things 'ok' for people? Fiona Hogarth and Dominic Gourley discuss how we can be aware of ourselves when coaching others
Tips and tricks for debriefing the LSI profiles which are broken out by Manager, Peers, Directs, and others
To close the knowing-doing gap we need to have a felt need to act. Unless we truly accept our situation and feedback we aren't really ready to make change and implement action. The 'AAA' model is a useful framework for help people bridge that gap.
"It was just a point in time", "I'm not like that", "I don't connect with feedback", "Most of the time I read as 'Always'", "0/1/2 isn't enough options"
We talk about how to approach some of these debriefs you might get during an LSI debrief
The Conventional style reflects a preoccupation with conforming and "blending in" to avoid calling attention to one's self. People high in this style tend to rely on established routines and procedures, prefer to maintain the status quo and want a secure and predictable work environment.
Dominic Gourley and Ian Crothers discuss the Conventional Style in relation to the LSI, how the style might come across, what are the implications to people high in this styles; and some tips and tricks.
Teams working with synergy will often achieve more as a group than would be possible on their own, but not all teams work.
We share the models that build effective teams and create effective problem solving and decision making in teams; and discuss the concept behind effective solutions = quality x acceptance.
The Approval style reflects a need to be accepted and a tendency to tie one's self-worth to being liked by others. People high in this style try very hard to please others, make good impressions and be agreeable and obedient, but at what cost.
Dominic Gourley and Ian Crothers discuss the Approval Style in relation to the LSI, how the style might come across and some tips and tricks.
Need short sharp descriptions for each of the Circumplex Styles? Culture Bites Podcast host Dominic Gourley and fellow consultant Ian Crothers have you covered.
Should you prepare for debriefing the LSI? How do you best use the Satisfaction Items? And what are bow ties?
If you’ve recently completed your Life Styles Inventory™ Accreditation, these may be some of the questions you are wanting to ask .Dominic Gourley and fellow consultant Ian Crothers answer all the most commonly ask questions around debriefing the LSI.
When we think about culture we think it’s usually run by the People and Culture team, but an organisations culture can either build momentum and performance, or hinder the organisation.
So how does an organisations culture affect performance and why is it so important? Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley discuss in this weeks episode of Culture Bites.
Culture can sometimes feel intangible or like an abstract idea, and people may use “building a culture for … (safety, risk, innovation or diversity)” concept to give creating a constructive culture a specific reason.
But can you build culture for X,Y and Z? Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley discuss on this week’s episode of Culture Bites.
As we know culture and leadership are tied at the hip; and with leaders having a lot on their plate already, how can you give them some simple guidance to be a part of building a constructive culture.
Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and host Dominic Gourley, give you 5 things leaders can role model to build a constructive culture.
1 - Clarity - What does good look like? Where is my effort going to make a difference? 2 - Confidence - Being confident and building confidence (but not bravado) 3 - Coach - How can I help you to be your best? 4 - Connection - How can I best connect with you? 5 - Calm - How do I stay grounded for myself and others when under pressure?
Practical and pragmatic guide to how we measure culture using the OCI and OEI diagnostics. Listen to this if you're thinking about measuring culture and want to have an overview of how it works.
One question that we get often is how to increase the effectiveness of leaders.
Organisations are usually working on developing the effectiveness of their leaders to increase engagement with people within their organisation for better results, but does this isolated approach work?! Dominic Gourley and Head of Consulting Corinne Canter discuss our integrated approach to development, focusing on more than one level of the organisation and why this might be a more effective solution.
Do you have culture confusion?
There’s still a lot of confusion when it comes to culture, like what is it and can you actually measure it? In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley and Head of Consulting Corinne Canter answer all your questions around culture confusion, helping to sort through all the myths.
Continuing to explore the Aggressive/Defensive cluster, this week Dominic Gourley and Head of Consulting Corinne Canter discuss the Power Style.
This style reflects needs for prestige and influence, and the tendency to equate self-worth with controlling others. People high in this style tend to dictate (rather than guide) others' actions, try to run everything themselves and treat others in aggressive and forceful ways. So how can people high in Power be more effective? How might this style show up and how can we work with it.
Though people high in the Oppositional style may ask the tough questions that can lead to better ideas, they may also use criticism to gain attention and blame other for their own mistakes. So how can you work with the Oppositional style?
In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley and Head of Consulting, Corinne Canter discuss the Oppositional style in detail – What is the style about, what is it measuring and how might Oppositional behaviours show up.
Finding a balance between giving feedback but not alienating people can be tricky, even more so when it’s the CEO and you are wanting to share results or keep them on board for a culture change program. How do you not dilute the message but still give it to them straight?
Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley discuss how to balance giving feedback and give you tips on sharing LSI and Culture results with a CEO.
How we think about ourselves, the world, people and the events around us, has a profound impact on our ability to be effective in the choices we make around our health and our well-being.
RISE is an acronym for a 4 step technique and practice created by Head of Consulting Corinne Canter, that provides you with an effective and structured approach to helping clients move from defensive to constructive thinking and behaving. It blends the best of neuroscience, psychology and mindfulness to empower people with the ability to shift their thinking into a more supportive, ‘inner coaching’ space.
Learn more in the episode of Culture Bites.
This week on the Culture Bites Podcast, Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley answer a question from a listener; about the pros and cons for centralising or decentralising the ownership of culture within the organisation. Who should own culture and where should it sit?
If you’ve found some groups are more challenging to work with – whether they’re a leadership group or not quite on board with a program; Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster shares some tips for what you can do to set up a program for success on this episode of Culture Bites.
At our Virtual Culture and Leadership Conference this year, we shared a range of client culture stories and one thing the audience wanted more of was tips for working on their own culture change.
Head of Consulting Corinne Canter shares her tips for Accredited Practitioners working on culture and what thing to keep in mind.
Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley answer a letter from a listener in this week’s Culture Bites Podcast Episode. “I’ve been an AP both internal as a HR Director and now external to companies as a consultant for over 10 years, I use the LSI and OCI as often as I can with my clients… sometimes I hear “I had a bad experience with the LSI/OCI etc. and I am not sure that I want to use that tool again” from clients. I was wondering how you would deal with this and hints on how we might speak to this”
Corinne and Dominic give you tips on how to handle previous experiences with the tools.
We often talk about the Circumplex, and how we use it measure thinking and behaviour – It isn’t about good, bad, right or wrong; but it is about effectiveness, whether it’s at an individual, teams or organisational level.
On this week’s episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster discuss effectiveness and what we really mean when we talk about it.
Leaders and managers have a significant impact on those around them and on the culture and performance of their organisation. Their development is critical to employee engagement and organisational performance. So what can you expect by doing your own Leadership/Impact® (L/I) or Management/Impact™ (M/I)? Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster discuss the L/I and M/I diagnostic: What it is, how it works and what you can expect by receiving your own results.
In last week’s episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster touched on the Triple A Model – Awareness, Acceptance, Action; and how people move through the different stages, as part of framing up an LSI debrief.
You might find some people want to skip the acceptance stage and move straight into action planning, only accepting on surface level. Dominic and Liana explore the model further and give you some tips to moving people between the stages, particularly helping people move from Awareness to Acceptance.
Everyone will have their own approach to a debriefing the Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI), but there are some key elements you should discuss prior to debriefing the report.
Consultants Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster answer a question from a listener about how you frame up an LSI debrief; How do you come into the session and set the scene before going through the report, and what are the key elements to discuss.
Mental health is a big topic right now, with lots of articles in the media and the current situation taking a toll on people’s mental health potentially due to added stress financially and a huge change in our lifestyles.
Dominic Gourley and Sam Mead take this opportunity to talk specifically about men’s mental health and that the more we talk about it, the more it's accepted into society; How it’s also ok not to be ok, and it’s ok to ask for help.
This week on Culture Bites, Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley answer a letter from a listener.
“Our organisation has a very passive/defensive culture and a recent staff survey demonstrated an alarming absence of trust, some key themes include a feeling that decisions aren’t transparent or fair, people wanting to maintain the status quo and not rock the boat, people feeling scared to ask for help, leaders being afraid to give honest feedback and a disconnect between a leaders words and actions. How would you suggest the organisation starts to build trust?”
At our Culture and Leadership Conference this year, one of the topics we covered was the Future of Work, which started a lot of conversations and thoughts around the subject. Dominic Gourley and fellow consultant Sam Mead talk about past predictions of what the future of work would look like and now that we’ve been forced into it due to COVID-19 what the differences are – the future of work has arrived.
Michael Bungay Stanier talks about his new book: 'The Advice Trap - Be Humble, Stay Curious, & Change the Way You Lead Forever'
Michael is the founder of Box of Crayons, which is a learning and development company with over 17 years experience creating and delivering practical learning experiences that unleash the power of curiosity to create connected and engaged company cultures.
Learn more about Box of Crayons - https://boxofcrayons.com/
At the heart of Phocas is a commitment to their values - to make life ‘fun, fulfilling and forever’ for Phocas customers, employees and investors.
CEO & Co-founder Myles Glashier and Chief People Officer, Karen Hailwood recently shared the Phocas story of transformation at this year’s Asia-Pacific Culture and Leadership Conference. On this Culture Bites episode, they talk more about their journey.
Following on for their presentation at this year’s Virtual Asia-Pacific Conference, we take a deep dive into Sandoz’s culture transformation with Guy Strong, Country Head Australia & New Zealand and Head of People & Culture Asia, Clarette Crame; as they tell the story of how they turned Sandoz around…with incredible results!
Got a topic you want us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Can you copy culture?
With culture being the competitive advantage, Dominic Gourley asks our Managing Director David Byrum “Can you copy Culture? And if not, why?”. Find out on this week’s episode of Culture Bites.
Join us for this year's Asia-Pacific Virtual Culture and Leadership Conference. Register today at www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
How do you measure the success of a culture change or leadership development program?
David Byrum and Dominic Gourley discuss how you can prove the value of a culture change or leadership development program to your leader or organisation, and how to measure the success and difference it’s made to the organisation.
Join us for this year's Asia-Pacific Virtual Culture and Leadership Conference. Register today at www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley have been doing a series over the past few weeks on growing the Constructive styles, focusing on the styles through a thinking and behaviour lens as used in the Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI). This week they finish off the series by talking about the Affiliative Style - How do you explain this style, how does it differ from the other constructive styles and what can people do to start growing this style. - Join us for this year's Asia-Pacific Virtual Culture and Leadership Conference. Register today at www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
Following on from past episodes about the Constructive Styles, Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley talk this week about Humanistic Encouraging – How do you explain this style, how does it differ from the other constructive styles and what can people do to start growing this style.
Following on from past episodes about the Self-Actualising and Perfectonistic Style, Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley talk this week about the Achievement style – What is it, how does it differ from the other constructive styles in mindset and behaviour and what can people do to start growing this style.
- Join us for this year's Asia-Pacific Virtual Culture and Leadership Conference. Register today at https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
Flexible working is one thing... but how do I lead when the entire team is remote? Effective leadership is still effective leadership - whether in people or remote - what might change is the 'How'.
In this episode Corrine Canter and Dominic Gourley talk about fundamental principles of leadership and how they should be translated to a remote setting
2020 Culture and Leadership Conference: We've gone virtual this year, short presentations and interviews on August 25-27. This is a complimentary event. Register your attendance here:
https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/home
Leaders are always under the spotlight!
In this weeks Culture Bites Podcast, our General Manager David Byrum chats to Dominic Gourley about advice to new managers and leaders – someone that has moved into a new role as either an internal or external hire or taken over a new team.
A lot of changes have happened to the way we are working and every day we are getting closer to getting back to normal, or what the new normal will be.
How should leaders lead after this change and what are some of the thing’s leaders should be doing or thinking, as we move towards a normal business state.
In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, our General Manager David Byrum and Dominic Gourley bring back a special guest from a previous episode - Gerard McMahon one of the founders of SHAPE, to talk about what impact Gerard has seen within the business since the COVID-19 crisis and how SHAPE has been responding to the situation.
In a crisis or situation like this changing world, it can be testing to the culture and leadership of an organisation.
How does a crisis impact an organisations culture? What can we be doing as leader’s and organisations to respond to situations like this? How should you maintain your organisations culture or even improve it during these times? And how might you even be able to leverage the current situation?
In last week’s Culture Bites podcast episode, Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley discussed expanded Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI) profiles. This episode delves into explaining the characteristics and some of the questions to explore an individual who has a constricted profile.
In this week’s Culture Bites episode, Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley answer a question from a listener; “I recently debriefed a leader with an expanded Life Styles Inventory™ profile. Can you explain the characteristics and some of the questions to explore an expanded profile with the individual?”
Got a topic you want us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
What is the LSI? How will it help me be more effective? How does it work?
If you're about to do the LSI for the first time, listen to this to hear what it is all about.
Got a topic you want us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this changing world, Dominic Gourley chats to our Head of Consulting Corinne Canter about what has changed for us, our Accredited Practitioner community and clients; finding new ways to do old things and how we are supporting you.
Needing to be right goes wrong.
You may have come across them in your working life: people who believe they know what’s right, what’s wrong and cross the divide with no thought of a ‘but what if?’. Liana Sangster talks with Dominic Gourley in this episode of Culture Bites, to discuss the competitive and perfectionistic thinking behind this behaviour and how people can become blocked with a win/lose mentality.
Read Liana's blog here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-needing-right-goes-wrong-liana-sangster/
Do you feel like you’re too busy and have too many priorities? This is a common feeling amongst Individuals, Teams and Organisations. Consultants Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster give you tips on prioritising better and what you can do as at an individual, team or organisation level to stop burn out.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this week’s Culture Bites Podcast, Chairman Shaun McCarthy and Head of Consulting Corinne Canter answer a question from a listener around the Life Styles Inventory™ items. These questions keep coming up during debriefs, so what do some of them mean and how should people interpret them.
In a challenging time of heightened anxiety, fears, and isolation - it's important we all take time to keep ourselves mentally healthy.
Oliver Brecht, Managing Director of Veretis, joins us on the podcast to share his tips about maintaining your own mental health as well as how to spot if others are having issues.
Check out the Veretis website here: https://veretis.com.au/
And subscribe to their Pysch Up! Podcast: https://veretis.com.au/podcasts/
At Human Synergistics, we are putting on a lot of Professional Development events for our Accredited Community - join in on the events we have on offer: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/training/professional-development-calendar
If you have a question or topic you'd like us to cover on the podcast, email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In the changing world organisations still need to function, leadership roles really kick in and people need to behave constructively despite what’s going on around them.
In the midst of COVID-19, we bring you a special episode of Culture Bites with our Chairman Shaun McCarthy, Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and host Dominic Gourley as they talk about what Human Synergistics are doing, how we are supporting you and our clients, and what everyone can do for their our mental health in this changing world.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Debriefing a leader can be tough at the best of times, especially if you are an internal Accredited Practitioner and having to debrief your own leader's in the business. But how do you deal with a leader's debrief when the LSI 2 profile is high in the defensive styles? Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster discuss in this episode of Culture Bites and give you advice for any concerns you may be having.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Bargaining is a common stage you can come across when debriefing someone, as people may try to justify the data they’ve just been given as part of their Life Styles Inventory™ 1 or 2 report. It’s helpful to be able to identify this stage in a debrief and equip yourself with skills to navigate these conversations. Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster give you tips and tricks to help you work through the bargaining stage of a debrief.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
The teenage years can be characterised by egocentricity, boredom and a seemingly weird combination of revolution and conformity. Shaun McCarthy follows up from his podcast episode “Childhood Origins” to discuss how family systems play out through the LSI styles while going through the more challenging years of raising teenage children.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
All organisations have values and while they may look good when in writing or are promised, they’re no use at all if there’s no organisational culture to support them. So are values valuable?! Are they useful and where is the cross over with culture? Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster discuss in this episode of Culture Bites.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
S+T=R (Situation + Thinking = Response) is a concept we introduce during accreditation and when we talk about the Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI), but what does it mean and how does it relate to the LSI? Dominic Gourley and Head of Consulting Corinne Canter explain the concept and share a useful resource for working with your own LSI feedback.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this episode of Culture Bites, we answer a listener’s question about dealing with subcultures - multiple organisation sites and units, diverse roles and people identifying with their team but not with the wider organisation.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
As people are wanting to travel less and use technology more, Head of Consulting Corinne Canter discusses with Dominic Gourley about when to use remote debriefing and coaching vs. when it isn’t appropriate, and how to do it.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
If you agree with the adage that 'a picture's worth a thousand words', you'll understand the beauty of the Circumplex. Dominic Gourley and Australia/New Zealand Chairman Shaun McCarthy explain how the Circumplex was developed to measure thinking and behaviour and the key ideas and research the Circumplex is built on, in this episode of Culture Bites.
In recent years there have been culture shocks and shame... the question is: will we do something about it or will it be more of the same?
Lyn Goodear, CEO and MD of the Australia Human Resources Institute (AHRI), joins us to talk about how now is the opportunity for HR to step forward. To be taken seriously as a profession though, there have to be standards - something Lyn tells us AHRI are trying to address with their HR Certification
Following on from one of our past episodes about the Self-Actualising style, we’ve had some requests to delve into the Perfectinistic Style. Head of Consulting Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley talk about this style that impacts a lot of people, but can come at a cost – and discuss what does being Perfectionistic look like, how does it impact us and what can we can do to change the impact of this style.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Often we can want to mend strained relationships with a colleague but we don't know where to start or how to go about it. Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley share some tips on how to mend fences in those prickly relationships.
Got a question you want us to answer? email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
A rebroadcast of a Classic: What does a good resolution looks like and how to stick to it? Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley discuss 'Blue' Year's Resolutions on this episode of Culture Bites.
Thanks for supporting Culture Bites through 2019! We love hearing from you on what episodes have been useful or what topics you'd like us to explore. If you have any suggestions for 202 let us know at podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Wishing you all a happy Blue Year's Eve!
A rebroadcast of a Christmas Classic: Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley give advice on how to stay Constructive during the potentially stressful Christmas season.
Also, check out our interactive Circumplex Christmas card for a bit of a laugh: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/xmas2019/
Have a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Human Synergistics!
Popular media has recently highlighted Imposter syndrome, which is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster talk about Imposter Syndrome and how it can relate to the LSI, in this episode of Culture Bites.
Got a question for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this episode of Culture Bites, David Byrum and Dominic Gourley talk to Lyn Goodear, CEO and Managing Director of the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) about her unique perspective and view on the role of culture within organisations.
Learn about AHRI - https://www.ahri.com.au/
Got a question for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
When trying to position an LSI or Coaching Program to get the buy in from clients, what are some of the road blocks you might face? And how do you go about setting up a successful program? In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley and Liana Sangster discuss some of the pit falls and how to overcome these.
Got a question for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We share some tips and tricks for what makes for a good LSI coach and debrief, in this Culture Bites episode with Dominic Gourley, Sam Mead and Jessica Kieft.
Got a topic or guest for the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We’ve been seeing culture a lot in the newspapers lately, with each scandal that pops up everyone is pointing to culture, but is it a new thing? Or why is culture suddenly in the headlines? Dominic Gourley and Corinne Canter discuss why it’s suddenly a hot topic.
Got a topic or guest for the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this episode of Culture Bites, we share Rob Phipps and Corinne Canter’s conference argument, that organisations need a fresh and more sustainable mindset towards culture. Like the ocean, culture isn’t something you control, it is something that you need to learn how to read and regularly care for to be kept clean, healthy and powerful. When you get it right, that’s when you can catch a long smooth wave of performance.
Listen to our past Culture & Leadership Conference speakers, or watch their presentations here; www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/videos
Got a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Can you easily describe your organisations culture? Do you know how it helps or hinders your efforts to achieve excellence? This is not just an academic question. Getting culture right means looking at the right metrics. In this Culture Bites Podcast, we share Shaun McCarthy’s conference presentation on Getting Culture Right – what it is and how does it work.
Listen out for upcoming episodes of our other Culture & Leadership Conference 2019 speakers, or watch their presentations here; www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/videos
Got a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Frasers Property Australia have transformed their company culture from one that was often defensive, oppositional and competitive to one that is consistently constructive, collaborative and focused on developing people. Ranna Alkadamani General Manager People & Culture, shares insights into the key moments of pivot they have had over the last 5 years to getting culture right and what it has meant for their employees and customers.
Listen out for upcoming episodes of our other Culture & Leadership Conference 2019 speakers, or watch their presentations here; www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/videos
Got a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
IBM is one of the world’s most iconic brands. For over a 100 years it has been at the forefront of technological progress bringing world-changing ideas to its’ clients, the community and the world. David La Rose shares how this belief has shaped the IBM Australian/New Zealand journey in evolving its culture to the next level.
Listen out for upcoming episodes of our other Culture & Leadership Conference 2019 speakers, or watch their presentations here; https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/videos
Got a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
When you're an Accredited Practitioner with Human Synergistics you get access to all sorts of continued professional development events.
Jess Kieft from our Professional Development Team joins Sam Mead and Dominic Gourley to talk about what events we've put on this year and what you should bookmark for next year.
See what events are coming up in our Professional Development calendar here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/training/professional-development-calendar
Got a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Turning food waste into electricity to power the waste water recycling plant, aiming to be completely powered by renewables by 2025, supporting vulnerable members of our community, as well as maintaining great water services at affordable prices - Yarra Valley Water are a great example of what can be achieved when you have a constructive culture behind you.
We talk to Pat McCafferty - Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water - about how they've built and maintained their culture and how it is fueling their innovative and industry leading efforts.
What do you think about what Pat and Yarra Valley are doing? Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page.
Got a topic or guest for the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Most of the Constructive Styles are fairly easy to explain, but there’s one that is that more difficult to explain; Self-Actualising. Dominic Gourley and Corinne Canter talk about what is Self-Actualising and how to grow this style, in this episode of Culture Bites.
Got a question for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Like the ocean, culture isn’t something you control, it is something that you need to learn how to read and regularly care for to be kept clean, healthy and powerful. When you get it right, that’s when you can catch a long smooth wave of performance.
In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley Interviews Corinne Canter and Rob Phipps on their newly produced Whitepaper: Catching Waves - Getting Culture Right.
Join the wave at www.catchingwaves.com.au
Got a question for us to cover on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
A Consultant might deliver a great workshop or coaching program, but if the organisation wants to get the most out of it, it needs to be supported from within as well.
Human Synergistics Australia consultants Fiona Hogarth and Dominic Gourley discuss what leaders and learning and Development people can do to make a program successful by creating the frame up front, supporting during the program, and maintaining the focus afterwards.
Go a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Leaders cast a very long shadow. People pick up how they are supposed to behave from what leaders do. In this episode we talk to Gerard McMahon from Shape Group about his own leadership shadow and how Shape are building their leaders to be constructive.
Join us at this years Conferences:
Australia: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference?utm_source=podcast
New Zealand: https://www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Learn more about Shape Group: https://shape.com.au/
Got a topic you want us to address on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We answer a letter from a listener who has just started a new role and is looking to get some early wins and momentum on culture. This episode is hosted by Human Synergistics Consultants Dominic Gourley and Fiona Hogarth.
Dear Culture Bites,
I am starting a new role heading an organisation unit which is already going through change to reposition itself and it’s products.The systems and processes have been going through this changes. The organisation has been in a state of evolving change for the past 2-3 years with difference Managers in charge. I will be the 4th in as long.
With culture being very important to success of the business ,how does one get a good read of the culture using the circumplex from the get go and learn the organisation as part of the on boarding. What questions are the right ones to ask? Without taking to long in this stage?
The main goal in the first 90 days is the get some early wins and momentum that points to the mission and significance of what we are doing.
Register for our 2019 conferences:
Australia: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference
New Zealand: https://www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question for us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
With the Aged Care Commission, a lot of focus is on what's wrong. Instead we wanted to focus on what one organisation, Chorus, is doing right when it comes to creating a Constructive Culture. This Interview with Louise Forster has so many gold examples of what Chorus are doing to build and shape their culture. Whatever sector you're in - this is worth a listen.
Learn more about Chorus: https://chorus.org.au
Listen to the Chorus Voices Podcast: https://chorus.org.au/story/the-heartbeat-of-an-organisation/
Register for our Annual Culture and Leadership Conferences:
Australia: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference?utm_source=Podcast
New Zealand: https://www.hsnz.co.nz/Conference/
Got a topic you want us to discuss on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
How do you go about culture change within a blue-collar environment? Dominic Gourley talks to Fiona Hogarth about her experience in blue-collar environments and what approach and understanding to have facilitating a culture change program within this industry.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
As coaches we help to give a lot of feedback, but how do you go when the shoe is on the other foot and you’re the one receiving feedback? Dominic Gourley and Sam Mead give you tips on receiving feedback constructively.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Fiona Hogarth and Dominic Gourley talk to our New Zealand colleague Ged Campbell, about culture in high performance sports like rowing and how the governing sports body impacts its athletes.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Given that our Annual Culture and Leadership Conference is just around this corner, we’ve brought back one of our 2018 speakers for this weeks Culture Bites Podcast; David Byrum and Dominic Gourley are joined in the studio by 2017 conference speaker Kate Evans and Gerard McMahon, one of the founders of SHAPE Group to discuss what does successful culture change look like and what change culture has had on business performance.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
A question we get asked is “How can I be constructive when I’ve got a really difficult manager?”. Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley give you insights into staying constructive and dealing with the stress and difficulty of a defensive manager.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Everyone knows the famous saying by Peter Drucker that “culture eats strategy for breakfast”, but culture is the deliverer of that strategy – they need to work together, the culture needs to match your strategy and vice versa as that’s what’s going to deliver results.
Human Synergistics Consultants Sam Mead and Dominic Gourley discuss this topic.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
How do you stay constructive during times of massive change? The Life Styles Inventory™ is about life, not just your work life and with Dominic Gourley expecting his first child, he talks to Sam Mead about dealing constructively with different situations of significant change in your life.
Learn more about the Life Styles Inventory™ - https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/change-solutions/change-solutions-for-individuals/diagnostic-tools-for-individuals/life-styles-inventory
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Co-hosted with Kwame Slusher from the GRC Professional Podcast, we address the issue of what organisations are doing about culture change post the Banking Royal Commission and discuss “Risk Culture”.
Learn more about GRC Professional: https://www.professional.org.au/
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Organisations need to win in the marketplace - no doubt... but is a competitive style required to be a good sales person? What is the cost of 'winning at all costs' and is there a better way?
Human Synergistics Consultants Sam Mead and Dominic Gourley talk about how sales people (and everyone sells something) can be more successful by adopting a Constructive approach instead.
Join us at this year's Culture and Leadership Conference: Australia: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference2019 New Zealand: https://www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
As an Accredited Practitioner, you have access to a range of Development Pathway events to build your skills and confidence. Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley talk this week about our event “GSI: Getting the most out of teams” which focuses on building facilitating and debriefing confidence of the GSI.
Got a question or a topic for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Darren Levy and Dominic Gourley talk about innovation and change management, how important it is to connect the dots between idea generation and execution, and how you go about engaging people in a new idea.
See the notes from this show and more about the ExperienceInnovation simulation here: Got a question or a topic for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
It's not the change itself, it's how we're doing it. Most change projects fail and people are tired of it. Darren Levy shares tips on how to to implement change successfully.
See the notes from this show and more about the ExperienceChange simulation here:
Got a question or a topic for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We give tips on how to talk with your manager and colleagues about your LSI (or impact) results in a way that will help you grow and develop.
This episode is hosted by Human Synergistics Consultants Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley.
If you have a question you want us to answer, email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley talk about how to approach a debrief where someone’s self-thinking and self talk (LSI 1) is high in the defensive styles, but people are seeing them as really constructive (LSI 2).
Got a question/topic you want us to cover? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For more information on the Lifestyles Inventory (LSI) visit: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/change-solutions/change-solutions-for-individuals
If you're in a debrief and the LSI1 of how the person see themselves is very different than the LSI2 of how others see them - don't freak out... follow these tips instead. This episode is hosted by Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley.
Got a question/topic you want us to cover? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For more information on the Lifestyles Inventory (LSI) visit:
What is there to debrief if they are already constructive? When people are new to debriefing, this moment can strike terror in their heart. What on earth do we talk about?
Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley talk about where you can go, what you can talk about, and how there is always room for growth.
Blog for this podcast: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/04/17/what-to-do-when-debriefing-a-constructive-profile
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Putting in time to build rapport at the start of a debrief can be invaluable later in bringing their data to life. Rather than jumping straight into the data, use some time upfront to understand what is going on for them at work and at home. This episode is hosted by Sue Bigham and Dominic Gourley.
If you have a question you want us to answer on the podcast, email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
If you're accredited in the Lifestyles Inventory (LSI), then you were accredited in the Group Styles Inventory (GSI) too. A lot of our practitioners in Australia don't always realise as they are often more focused on their own LSI. In this episode we give some tips and structure about what the GSI is, when to use it, and how to use it.
See the notes from this episode here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/04/02/045---how-to-use-the-group-styles-inventory
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
On this episode of Culture Bites we talk about how leaders impact the behaviour of those around them, how we measure it with our 'Impact' diagnostics, and how it differs from the Life Styles Inventory (LSI). This episode is hosted by Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley.
Show notes for this episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y2ylyyvo
Learn more about Leadership/Impact: https://tinyurl.com/yywut83a
Learn more about Management/Impact: https://tinyurl.com/y6qpbewv
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
David Byrum and Dominic Gourley talk to Grant Brecht about the Sydney Roosters and how their culture played a vital role in their 2018 NRL Premiership win
Check out the notes from this show here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/03/19/sydney-roosters-psychologist-grant-brecht-interview
Got a question you want us to answer on the show? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
The Banking Royal Commission recommended working on culture and governance. We talk about how they can go about putting it into action.
A write up of the key points of this episode can be found here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/03/11/banking-royal-commission---action-plan
Got a question you want us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We share some frameworks, language, tips and techniques to handle difficult conversations in a constructive way. Often, people want to ‘do Constructive’ but just don’t know how. These tips will help get you started and stop avoiding those difficult conversations.
Check out the notes from this show here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/03/04/handling-tough-conversations---constructively
Got a question you want us to answer on the show? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk about the fundamental elements of building an effective team: Individual minds, personal relationships, values & Behaviour, Purpose, Structure, and Results.
Notes and Takeaways from this show: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/02/26/040---the-team-development-pyramid
Have a question or topic for us to talk about? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
The Swans are known for having a great culture. In 2017 it was put to the test when they lost their opening 6 games - the worst start in club history. They were able to turn their season around, winning 15 of their next 17 matches, to make the finals. We talk to Grant Brecht about the culture and leadership which made it possible.
We always get a bunch of questions around culture and individual thinking, with one of them being around having to think or behave a certain way in different industries or organisations. David Byrum and Dominic Gourley debunk the myth of having different cultures within different industries, in this week’s Culture Bites episode.
Show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/02/12/but-in-this-industry-we-have-to-be-like-that
Got a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this episode of Culture Bites, we discuss whether Constructive styles are valued the same around the world and how does this show in the norming of the Circumplex.
Show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/02/05/does-every-country-value-constructive-styles
Got a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
In this episode of Culture Bites, we answer a question from a listener; “How do you do culture and culture change in a unionised environment?”
Show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/01/29/culture-change-and-development-in-unionised-industries
Got a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk about how to change organisational culture - the different steps and phases that make it up.
Show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2019/01/21/how-to-change-culture-in-4-phases
Got a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Our experiences (and interpretations of them) shape the way we see ourselves and the world. A lot of these patterns are established during our childhood and lead us to reach powerful conclusions about ourselves which impact the way we think and behave.
In this episode of the Culture Bites Podcast, Shaun McCarthy and Dominic Gourley talk about how these patterns take shape and how you can proactively shape them in constructive ways.
Show notes coming soon
Got a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
2018 was the year Culture made the Headlines – too often for all the wrong reasons. Shaun McCarthy and Dominic Gourley look back at the year that was.
Shaun and Dominic talk about the Banking Royal Commission, Cricket Australia, ‘Toxic Culture’, ‘rotten apples’, ‘bullying and harassment’, and what some of the long-term consequences might be from some of the short-term actions taken to address these issues.
If 2018 was the year of raising awareness about Organisational Culture, let’s hope 2019 is the year of taking meaningful action.
The blog for this episode can be found here:
If you have a question you want us to answer, email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
What a good resolution looks like and how to stick to it. Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley discuss 'Blue' Year's Resolutions on this episode of Culture Bites.
Got a question you'd like us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Thanks for supporting Culture Bites through 2018! We've got plenty of great episodes planned for 2019 and are always looking for topic ideas. All the best from the team at Human Synergistics
https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/
Christmas can be a stressful time. Liana gives advice on how to stay Constructive during these stressful situations.
Have a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Human Synergistics!
Also, check out our interactive Circumplex Christmas card for a bit of a laugh: https://human-synergistics.com.au/xmas2018/?utm_source=Portal%26utm_medium=Portal%26utm_campaign=Christmas%20Card
We talk about some thought starters for coaching people who are high in the Aggressive Styles. This episode is hosted by Dominic and Liana.
Show Notes: coming soon
Got a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
How to prompt people's thinking about their feedback with these coaching questions. Liana and Dominic discuss the questions to can ask people with Passive/Defensive thinking and behaviour styles to help them connect with what it means.
Key takeaways from this show: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/11/28/029---coaching-questions-for-passive-styles
Got a question you want us to answer on the show? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
When teams perform at the best of their abilities, it’s magic! An unseen switch gets flipped. Fixed individual positions give way to fluid collaboration and team flow. Gone are the ‘trip wires’ of egos, blame, shame, butt kicking, and the could’ves, would’ves and should’ves. People are prepared to trust one another and adapt to change as they ‘merge awareness into action’. In short, they go from ‘me’ to ‘we’. In this Episode of Culture Bites, we discuss 8 keys to Team Effectiveness.
Notes from this show, and links to Corinne's 'Working on We' Whitepaper and her Conference presentation can be found here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/11/06/culture-bites---028-8-keys-of-team-effectiveness
Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Highlights from this year's Australian #ThatsCultureHS conference. This year's speakers spoke about:
The need for Courage and Commitment in culture change, That there IS an 'I' in team, How leaders impact culture, The Collateral Damage of Defensive Cultures The link between Performance and Culture How to sustain business success
Show notes, and the full videos of each presentation is available here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/10/22/culture-bites---027-conference-highlights
Want to be informed when we open registrations for next years conference? Sign up for our newsletters here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/about-us/get-the-latest-news
Do you have a question for us to answer on the podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
The Science of 'Aha!' Moments. We talk about what Neuroscience tells us about creative thinking and give some tips on how you can unlock your unconscious mind to solve complex problems.
Topics: Creativity, Problem Solving, SuperMind, Brainwaves, Subconscious
Find the show notes from this episode here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/10/16/culture-bites---026-supermind-neuro-science-of-creativity
Do you have a question you want us to cover on the Culture Bites podcast? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Departments don't work together effectively - they chase their own goals and their own objectives at the cost of the overall organisation’s success. Silos are one of the most common complaints we hear from a company. In this episode we talk about how they form and what you can do about them.
Corrine shares how Yarra Valley Water brought teams together, Dominic recalls how he moved between two siloed teams and realised how they both blamed each other for everything that went wrong.
Key Points: Teamwork, leadership alignment, mission clarity, competing rather than cooperating, internally focused rather than customer centric.
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Key points from this show can be found here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/10/08/culture-bites---025-breaking-down-silos
We share some tips for actions you can use with people high in Aggressive/Defensive (red) styles. Liana reflects on the realisation she had 45KM into the bike stage of an Ironman and Dominic reveals how he used to run around the park and race people… who didn’t even know they were competing.
For notes from this show, visit: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/10/03/culture-bites---024-aggressive-lsi-action-tips
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
A listener writes in about a manager who has become icy and distant. This episode is hosted by Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley.
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For notes from this show, visit: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/09/18/culture-bites---022-dear-c.b.-my-manager-is-cold
We talk about how you can use your understanding of behavioural styles to hire constructive candidates. This episode is hosted by Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley
Read the notes from this show:
Have a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We discuss some common questions around LSI debriefs. This episode is hosted by Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley.
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For notes from this show, visit: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/09/05/culture-bites-020---tips-and-tricks-for-lsi-debriefs
Register for the New Zealand Conference: http://www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Register for the Australian Conference: https://human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
When there is a problem, we throw a team at it - but does teamwork always work? In this episode of Culture Bites, Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley talk about what kind of work suits a team (or not) and how Silos form.
Register for this year's Australian Conference: www.human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
Register for this year's New Zealand Conference: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Notes from this show are available here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/08/27/culture-bites-019---does-teamwork-work
We talk about how effective teams navigate conflict, solve problems, and get through the ‘grown zone’. This episode of the podcast is host by Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley.
If you enjoy listening to the Culture Bites podcast – please subscribe and leave a review!
Notes from this episode: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/08/21/culture-bites-018---is-conflict-in-teams-good-or-bad
Register for this year's Australian Conference: human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
Register for this year's New Zealand Conference: www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk to Rebecca Kardos about why culture change takes courage and commitment. This episode is hosted by Corinne Canter and Dominic Gourley.
Register for this year's Australian Conference: https://human-synergistics.com.au/Conference/
Register for this year's New Zealand Conference: http://www.hsnz.co.nz/conference
Got a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
Notes from this show are available here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/08/21/culture-bites-018---is-conflict-in-teams-good-or-bad
We talk about how Leaders impact culture through how they communicate and interact with people. This episode is hosted by David Byrum and Dominic Gourley.
For notes and additional materials from this show, visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/08/07/culture-bites-016---how-culture-works-pt5---leadership
Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk about how jobs are designed and the messages they send about how people are expected to behave. This is part 4 of a 5 part series on How Culture Works. This episode is hosted by David Byrum and Dominic Gourley.
For notes and additional materials from this show, visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/07/31/culture-bites-015---how-culture-works-pt4---job-design
Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk about HR Systems like selection, training, appraisals and how they shape your organisation’s culture. This episode is hosted by David Byrum (a.k.a. ‘DB’) and Dominic Gourley.
This is part 3 of a 5 part series on How Culture Works. Make sure you check out the whole series to get an holistic view of how all the factors work together to shape culture.
For notes and additional materials from this show, visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/07/24/culture-bites---014-how-culture-works-pt3---hr-systems
Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk about how Culture is shaped through the organisation’s Mission and Management Philosophy as well as who holds the Influence in the decision-making structures. This episode is hosted by David Byrum and Dominic Gourley.
For notes and additional materials from this show, visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/07/17/culture-bites-013---how-culture-works-pt2-mission-philosophy-structures
Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email: podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We talk about what culture is, why it matters, and how it works. This is part 1 in a 5 part series in which we break down culture and its causes. This episode of the podcast is host by David Byrum (aka ‘DB’) and Dominic Gourley.
For notes and more resources from this show visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/07/10/culture-bites-012---how-culture-works-pt1---overview
Do you have a question for us? Email podcast@human-synergisitcs.com.au
People often think it’s either Aggressive or Passive. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about how there is another way: Constructive. This episode is hosted by Liana Sangster and Dominic Gourley.
Read the accompanying notes for this show on our website here: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/07/03/culture-bites-011---myth-busters-if-i-m-not-aggressive-then-i-have-to-be-passive
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us at podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
The culture in banks is everywhere in the news with the Royal Commission, but how did the banks get here and where to now? This episode is hosted by Shaun McCarthy, Liana Sangster, and Dominic Gourley.
If you have a question you want us to answer, message podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For key points, takeaways, and extra resources from this episode visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/06/26/culture-bites-010---how-the-banks-got-here
When your company is going through a cultural change, but your manager isn’t on-board, what can you do? In this episode we talk about what individuals and organisations can do when managers don’t get on board with change. This episode is hosted by Shaun McCarthy, Liana Sangster, and Dominic Gourley.
If you have a question you want us to answer, message podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For notes from this show and other resources visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/06/19/culture-bites---009-my-manager-is-resisting-culture-change
People often talk about Culture and Engagement interchangeably – but are they actually the same thing? We talk about what the differences are and why it matters. This episode is hosted by Shaun McCarthy, Liana Sangster, and Dominic Gourley.
If you have a question you want us to answer, message podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For notes from this show visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/06/12/culture-bites-podcast---008-is-culture-climate-engagement-the-same-thing
We talk about how Leaders directly and indirectly influence culture through the things they do and the decisions they make.
This episode is hosted by Shaun McCarthy, Liana Sangster, and Dominic Gourley.
If you have a question you want us to answer, message podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For notes from this show visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/06/05/culture-bites-podcast---007-how-leaders-impact-culture?utm_source=CultureBites&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=LI
We talk about what ‘Toxic Culture’ really means, how it forms, and what can be done about it. This episode is hosted by Shaun McCarthy, Liana Sangster, and Dominic Gourley.
For notes from this show visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/05/31/culture---006-what-is-a-'toxic-culture'
In this episode of the podcast, we answer a listener's question about how to deal with a teammate they think is being competitive with them.
If you have a question you’d like us to answer, email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au – we’d love to help.
For show notes from this episode, visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/05/17/culture-bites---005-i-have-a-competitive-teammate---help!
We talk about the pay off and the trade-off of thinking and behaving in highly competitive ways. We also give tips about how to shift from a Competitive mindset to Achievement and Self Actualising instead.
Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email podcast@human-synergisitcs.com.au - we'd love to answer it.
For notes, resources, and key takeaways from this show, visit: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/05/10/culture-bites-podcast---004-what's-wrong-with-being-competitive
We answer a letter from a listener who is trying to have development conversations with their direct report but the report just doesn’t seem to be able to recognise their own improvement areas.
If you have a question you’d like us to answer, email podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
For episode notes see our website: http://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/content/2018/05/01/culture-bites-podcast---003-behaviour-blind-spots
Delegation. It's one of the most common issues leaders and managers have. There are plenty of courses on the tips and techniques of delegation, and we know what we should do, but so many of us still struggle with it. We talk about how thinking and behaviour styles can get in your way when it comes to delegation and what you can do about it.
Do you have a question about leadership or culture that we can help with? Email us at podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
We are powered by Human Synergistics - our mission is to change the world one organisation at a time. We can only do that with our amazing community of accredited practitioners. If you want to learn more about joining that community visit http://www.human-synergistics.com.au
How can you help a Passive team get momentum?
In this episode, we give advice to a listener who is going around and around inside a Passive team. They go around in circles because no one wants to make a decision on how they should proceed forward with an idea. They lack a clear leader in the group, and after agreeing a process to move forward abandon it shortly after. When new ideas are suggested, their focus is more on why it won't work rather than why it will.
Dominic Gourley, and Human Synergistics Consultants Corinne Canter and Liana Sangster share ideas to get passive teams going from their own experience and consulting.
The Culture Bites podcast is powered by Human Synergistics. Learn more about what we do at www.human-synergistics.com.au/
Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email it to podcast@human-synergistics.com.au
A summary of this podcast, and links to the tools we discuss are on our website.