Podcast

ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast

Apr 16, 2026

Episode 64: Clarity Versus Niceness

In episode 64 of the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Eric, Chris and Wendy discuss the difference between being “nice” and being “kind” at work, arguing that niceness can become people-pleasing driven by insecurity while kindness prioritizes others through clear, helpful conversations. They emphasize Brené Brown’s idea that “clear is kind,” noting leaders often avoid feedback even though everyone wants to know when they’re not meeting expectations. The hosts explore how clarity helps people perform and prevents them from feeling “lost,” and they distinguish kind clarity from unkind bluntness by focusing on observable behaviour and impact rather than assumptions about motives. They advise leaders to pay attention, have the conversation despite discomfort, assume people want to know and do good work,… Read More

Looking for inspiration and guidance on how to create a healthy workplace culture?

Eric, Wendy, and Chris cover the latest on leadership and workplace culture by discussing recent articles and news stories through the lens of their experiences as leaders and consultants. Tune in once a month for 45 minutes of authentic, insightful, and thought-provoking conversations.

Gain insights based on their direct experiences in their own workplace, articles and books they’ve read or written, current events, and the clients they serve.

About the Hosts

As leaders at ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership, Eric StutzmanWendy Loewen, and Chris Downey have been discussing their ideas about leadership and workplace culture for many years.

Their thoughts can also be found on the ACHIEVE Blog and in their books.

In 2021, Wendy and Eric launched this podcast with former host Randy Grieser, in order to support others who are grappling with issues of workplace culture and leadership and who wish to make their workplaces great. Chris Downey joined the show in December 2023, replacing Randy as a regular co-host.

A new episode is released on the third Thursday of each month. Subscribe to our newsletter or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to new episodes.

DON'T MISS OUR NEXT EPISODE

Subscribe to our Podcast Today

By signing up you agree to recieve email notifications for any new podcast releases.

65 Results
Apr 16, 2026

Episode 64: Clarity Versus Niceness

In episode 64 of the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Eric, Chris and Wendy discuss the difference between being “nice” and being “kind” at work, arguing that niceness can become people-pleasing driven by insecurity while kindness prioritizes others through clear, helpful conversations. They emphasize Brené Brown’s idea that “clear is kind,” noting leaders often avoid feedback even though everyone wants to know when they’re not meeting expectations. The hosts explore how clarity helps people perform and prevents them from feeling “lost,” and they distinguish kind clarity from unkind bluntness by focusing on observable behaviour and impact rather than assumptions about motives. They advise leaders to pay attention, have the conversation despite discomfort, assume people want to know and do good work,… Read More
Apr 02, 2026

Episode 63: Fair isn’t Always Equal

In Episode 63 of the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Eric, Wendy and Chris explore why treating people equally doesn’t always produce fair or effective results at work. They discuss how different employees need different levels of direction, autonomy, and support to perform well. They also address how fairness concerns can arise when one person receives additional supports, recommending leaders ask what the concerned person needs rather than defending another employee’s accommodations. The episode emphasizes noticing differences, leveraging strengths, avoiding over-reliance on policies, and creating workplaces where people’s talents are seen and supported.
Mar 19, 2026

Episode 62: Bridging the Gap - Transforming Your Leadership Approach

In episode 62 of the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Wendy and Chris discuss why leadership is central to workplace culture. Chris shares being pushed into leadership too early, initially copying flawed models that misused power, and later being challenged with the question, “What kind of leader do you want to be?” He describes leadership as an ongoing practice, notes his continued challenge with providing clarity, and emphasizes that leaders affect people beyond work, encouraging leaders to take responsibility, grow incrementally, and go easy on themselves.
Mar 05, 2026

Episode 61: Leadership Insights: When to Solve and When to Support

In episode 61 of the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Eric, Chris, and Wendy discuss a leader’s role when someone brings them a workplace problem. While leaders may ultimately help problems get solved, they warn against jumping in with immediate solutions except in crises or ethical situations. Instead, they recommend making time to listen, clarifying what the real issue is, asking what the person wants from the conversation, and exploring what they have already tried and what options exist. When sharing wisdom, they emphasize the order of operations, asking permission, and… Read More
Feb 19, 2026

Episode 60: Rebuilding Trust in the Workplace

In episode 60 of the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Eric, Wendy and Chris explore trust, specifically how it gets broken and what leaders can do to rebuild it. They share practical approaches for repair, such as acknowledging impact, checking in with others, listening without excuses, apologizing when appropriate, and committing to changed behaviour. Listen along to learn how you can rebuild trust in your workplace.
Feb 04, 2026

Episode 59: Are Leaders too Vulnerable?

Is vulnerability an actual leadership skill? In this episode of The ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast, Eric, Wendy, and Chris break down what healthy vulnerability actually looks like at work. What’s inside: The difference between real vulnerability VS unhelpful oversharing How to be authentic without offloading your anxiety Why trust isn’t just predictability – it’s showing up in uncertainty How power and privilege shape who can be vulnerable Concrete ways to lead with honesty and emotional boundaries If you care about trust, psychological safety, and leading with positive impact, this episode is for you. Read More
Jan 29, 2026

Episode 58: A Leader's Learning Journey

How do you continue to grow as a leader? Join us as Wendy shares her evolution from educator to executive, revealing practical strategies for building learning habits and making space for personal development. Discover how self-driven learning fuels workplace culture and get tips you can use today to lead with intention and impact. Perfect for business owners and organizational leaders who want to shape the future – starting with themselves.
Jan 22, 2026

Delegate like a CEO: The Secret to Scaling Leadership

If you’re still doing too much yourself, you’re holding your team, and your business, back. In this episode, hosts Wendy Loewen and Eric Stutzman unpack how strategic delegation drives culture, performance, and leadership growth. What’s inside: Why delegation isn’t just dumping tasks, but developing your people The real reason leaders resist delegation (spoiler: a fear of losing control) How letting go can spark innovation, increase trust, and build resilience Stories from Eric and Wendy on how smart delegation changed their leadership game A simple framework to help you: Identify what only you can do Match the right person to the right responsibility Set up accountability without micromanaging Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned executive, you’ll walk… Read More
Jan 15, 2026

Episode 56: The Value of Values

Join Eric, Wendy, and Chris as they uncover how clearly defined values shape workplace culture. Learn why values matter, how to make them actionable, and practical ways to keep them alive in your team. Packed with real stories and tips, this episode will help you anchor your culture and inspire your people.
Jan 08, 2026

Episode 55: R-E-S-P-E-C-T at Work: How Leaders Hit the High Note

In this lively episode, Eric, Chris, and Wendy unpack what it truly means to foster a culture of respect in the workplace. From the power of being seen and heard, to why curiosity beats judgment, they explore how leadership can transform tolerance into active, meaningful respect. Tune in for real stories, practical takeaways, and memorable insights on individual and cultural respect—plus steps leaders can take right now to build a team that truly sings together.
Jan 01, 2026

Episode 54:  Preparing for Uncertainty in 2026

Change is coming. The question is whether your culture is ready. In this episode, Eric, Chris Downey, and Wendy Loewen talk storm readiness: planning for uncertainty, strengthening relationships and trust, and using mission, vision, and values to make clearer decisions under pressure. You’ll leave with grounded, doable leadership practices for steadying your team when things get messy. Read More
Dec 18, 2025

Episode 53: Choosing Your Leadership Identity, Before It Chooses You

In this episode, we explore a fundamental question: what kind of leader do you want to be, and why it matters to get clear on your leadership identity. We unpack the “double path” of leadership growth; developing who you are on the inside and what you do in your day-to-day practice. From setting SMART leadership goals to making them real by sharing them with peers and direct reports. We also highlight how feedback and honest self-reflection can reveal the space between your intentions and your impact, and what to do when you notice a mismatch. Define the kind of leader you want to be, align your actions with that vision, and lead with greater authenticity and effectiveness in your organization. Read More