Podcast

ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast

Apr 20, 2023

Episode 18: Trauma-Informed Workplaces
What does it mean to be a trauma-informed organization? With guest host and co-author of A Little Book on Trauma-Informed Workplaces Nathan Gerbrandt, we discuss how leaders can improve workplace culture by being trauma-aware, without needing a degree in social work or psychology. We also discuss how our organization is changing and what we are doing to manage this change effectively. And we spotlight PwC’s 2023 Trust Survey and CTRI’s Trauma-Informed Online Assessment.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts

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 Stutzman, Wendy 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.

Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Apple Podcasts
31 Results
Apr 20, 2023

Episode 18: Trauma-Informed Workplaces
What does it mean to be a trauma-informed organization? With guest host and co-author of A Little Book on Trauma-Informed Workplaces Nathan Gerbrandt, we discuss how leaders can improve workplace culture by being trauma-aware, without needing a degree in social work or psychology. We also discuss how our organization is changing and what we are doing to manage this change effectively. And we spotlight PwC’s 2023 Trust Survey and CTRI’s Trauma-Informed Online Assessment.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Mar 23, 2023

Episode 17: Culture of Busyness & the SV Bank Collapse
Have you ever felt that the word “busy” has become synonymous with “I’m doing good?” In this podcast, we look at HBR’s article, Beware a Culture of Busyness, and talk strategy for making sure work is meaningful, not just busy. We also discuss the Silicon Valley Bank failure and what it might say about workplace culture when people aren’t ringing alarm bells early enough to prevent failure. We also spotlight the book, Nine Lies about Work, by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Feb 16, 2023

Episode 16: Artificial Intelligence & Workplace Culture
Have you been thinking about how AI will affect your workplace culture? Do you know what gets in the way of culture change? Listen as we discuss Inc.’s article, Eliminate These 5 Roadblocks to Build a Winning Culture in Your Business, and how ChatGPT and AI will affect workplace culture. We also reference two books: Culture Is the Way by Matt Mayberry and The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande. Read More
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Jan 18, 2023

Episode 15: Quiet Firing and How to Prevent It
Quiet quitting? How about quiet firing?! In this episode, your hosts Eric, Wendy, and Randy discuss the Gallup article “Quiet Firing: What It Is and How to Stop Doing It” and talk about the three common mistakes that lead to quiet firing as well as what to do about them. They also explore the FTX collapse and what it says about a leader’s role in setting an ethical tone for workplace culture. Read More
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Dec 14, 2022

Episode 14: Give Your Managers Some Love
How much attention does your organization give to middle managers? In this episode, we delve into Erica Keswin’s article, To Retain Your Best Employees, Invest in Your Best Managers, and talk about ways to give middle management the consideration and love they deserve as direct drivers of the employee experience. We also discuss Disney’s move to reinstate Bob Igor as CEO after Bob Chapek’s short run, and what we should all be learning about succession planning. We also reference Bob Igor’s book, The Ride of a Lifetime. Read More
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Nov 16, 2022

Episode 13: Leading through Uncertainty
How do rising interest rates, inflation, and job insecurity affect workplace culture? Listen to Randy, Wendy, and Eric discuss leading through uncertain times, and then dissect the MIT Sloan article, How to Fix a Toxic Culture. They also explore the importance of leadership’s role in detoxing their workplace.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Oct 27, 2022

Episode 12: Best Friends at Work?
Should we encourage friendships to grow at work? What about best friends? In this episode, we’re joined by guest host Vicki Enns as we examine HBR’s article, The Power of Work Friends. Then we dive into the use of software to monitor employees and ask whether organizations should be using this kind of software or if there’s a better way (spoiler alert: we are not fans of bossware).
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Sep 21, 2022

Episode 11: Quiet Quitting
Is “quiet quitting” something we should be paying attention to? And if so, how should we deal with it? In this episode, we explore the Forbes article, 5 Ways To Combat Quiet Quitting, and then we dive into MSNBC’s article, Firing of Canadian news anchor, reportedly due to gray hair, sparks controversy. Whether Lisa LaFlamme was let go due to her gray hair or not, we are certain that workplaces should be talking about fair standards in the ways they try to manage the appearance of their employees.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Aug 17, 2022

Episode 10: What is Fair?
In this episode, we examine the HBR article, How Fair Is Your Workplace, and debate what it means to be a fair organization. We also reference the Verge article, Zuck Turns Up the Heat, and ask whether Mark Zuckerberg could have dealt with his workplace stressors more effectively in front of his employees.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Jul 21, 2022

Episode 9: Find Power in Purpose
What’s so powerful about clearly articulating our organization’s purpose? In this episode, Wendy, Randy, and Eric dive into this topic as they discuss MIT Sloan Management Review’s article, Unlock the Power of Purpose. Then they ask the question, “When is it time to revisit your organization’s values?” Also referenced in this podcast are the following books: The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni Looptail by Bruce Poon Tip The Culture Question by Randy Grieser, Eric Stutzman, Wendy Loewen, and Mike Labun The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo The Education of a Value Investor… Read More
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Jun 17, 2022

Episode 8: Performance Management Must Change
Do our performance management systems need to change? Listen to Randy, Wendy, and Eric discuss Gallup’s new article, “Performance Management Must Evolve,” and then debate Elon Musk’s new mandate for staff to return to the office. Also mentioned in this episode are Marcus Buckingham’s book, The Nine Lies about Work, and Small Giants by Bo Burlingham.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
May 19, 2022

Episode 7: What to Do About “Toxic” Coworkers
What should we do about “toxic” coworkers? Is it even helpful to use labels like “toxic”? Listen to Randy, Wendy, and Eric debate the Inc. article, The 5 Most Toxic Co-Workers or Employees and How to Deal with Them, and then discuss the role of workplace climate assessments and the impact of how leadership responds to their findings.
Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Keep up to date with ACHIEVE

Receive a free Conflict Resolution Skills E-Manual!
Sign me up to receive info on: