Forgiveness in the Workplace: How Leaders Build Trust and Heal Culture — Tara VanderSande, Best Christian Workplaces

What happens when unforgiveness quietly shapes your workplace culture? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Tara VanderSande, Senior Engagement and Talent Consultant at Best Christian Workplaces, explores why forgiveness is not just a personal spiritual practice—but a leadership discipline that directly impacts trust, innovation, and organizational health. Drawing from engagement survey data, Scripture, and real-world leadership experience, Tara explains how unresolved offenses create fear, secrecy, and disengagement within teams. This conversation offers practical and spiritual guidance for leaders who want to build cultures marked by humility, accountability, and freedom. You'll gain insight on: • How unforgiveness affects trust and collaboration • The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation • How leaders balance grace with accountability • Practical rhythms for building awareness and addressing offense 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/forgiveness-in-the-workplace-how-leaders-build-trust-heal-culture-and-strengthen-teams    

Why do some teams flourish while others stall — even under strong leadership? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, explores why thriving cultures are built on unified teams aligned around shared mission and trust. Drawing from Scripture and decades of research-backed insight, Jay explains how fantastic teams handle conflict, cultivate psychological safety, and move from "me" thinking to "we" collaboration. This conversation offers practical and biblical clarity for leaders who want to build teams that accomplish more together than any individual could alone. You'll gain insight on: • Why flourishing was never designed to be a solo endeavor • How healthy teams handle conflict without losing trust • The leader's role in shaping collaboration and culture • Why unity multiplies organizational impact 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/fantastic-teams-why-flourishing-is-a-we-not-a-me  

What makes people truly want to follow a leader — not out of obligation, but out of trust and belief? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Jim Brown, Founder of OrgHealth and leadership coach, challenges the myth of perfect leadership and shares why authenticity, humility, and curiosity are the real foundations of influence. Drawing from decades of coaching executives and leadership teams, Jim explains how trust deepens when leaders stop pretending, invite honest conversation, and prioritize people over image. This conversation offers practical wisdom for leaders who want to build cultures where trust grows and leadership becomes worth following. You'll gain insight on: • Why "perfect leadership" undermines trust • How vulnerability and authenticity strengthen influence • Why great leaders ask better questions instead of having all the answers • How healthy culture multiplies organizational performance 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/becoming-the-kind-of-leader-people-want-to-follow

What does it take to build a workplace culture where people genuinely trust leadership—and want to stay? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Dr. Larry Taylor, President & CEO of ACSI, shares how ACSI strengthened organizational trust through intentional listening, leadership transparency, and faith-centered culture practices. Larry offers practical insight on turning employee feedback into action, involving executive leadership, and sustaining long-term culture momentum. You'll gain insight on: • Why trust is foundational to a healthy workplace culture • How leaders can move from feedback to meaningful action • What it takes to sustain engagement over time • How faith-informed leadership shapes organizational health 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/how-acsi-built-a-high-trust-culture-that-people-want-to-stay-in  

What if your business is more than profit — or even social good? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Barry Slauenwhite and Robert Wachter explore how Christian leaders can see the marketplace as a mission field, using daily business decisions to advance eternal purpose. From "return on eternity" to leading with integrity, generosity, and kingdom lenses, this conversation reframes what faithful leadership looks like in the workplace. You'll walk away with practical insights on: integrating faith and work, leading with purpose beyond profit, and making a lasting spiritual impact through business leadership. Guest: Barry Slauenwhite, Canadian Regional Director at Best Christian Workplaces & former President of Compassion Canada. 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at:https://workplaces.org/podcast/when-business-becomes-ministry-how-christian-leaders-foster-eternal-impact-at-work  

What does it truly mean to flourish—and why does Scripture present flourishing as God's original design, not a modern ambition? In this opening episode of Called to Flourish, Robert Wachter, Global Marketing Director, sits down with Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, to explore God's heart for human flourishing. Drawing from Genesis and the words of Jesus, Jay reflects on how true flourishing flows not from striving, but from abiding in Christ—and how leadership is ultimately a shepherding calling shaped by humility, integrity, and trust in God's work. You'll gain biblical insight on: • God's original design for flourishing • Why flourishing begins with abiding in Christ • How grace—not self-effort—leads to lasting fruit • What faithful leadership looks like in God's economy 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at:https://workplaces.org/podcast/called-to-flourish-gods-original-design-for-fruitful-life-and-leadership      

A new chapter is beginning at Best Christian Workplaces.  In early January, we're launching the Called to Flourish Podcast—a new conversation space designed to equip Christian leaders to build healthy, Christ-centered workplace cultures across churches, ministries, nonprofits, and faith-driven businesses. In this short teaser, host Robert Wachter shares why we're launching Called to Flourish, what leaders can expect, and how this podcast will inspire and equip you to create a workplace where people and mission flourish. What you can expect from Called to Flourish: Insightful conversations with seasoned Christian leaders Research-backed guidance grounded in our FLOURISH model Practical tools to strengthen trust, engagement, and leadership Real stories of transformation from workplaces around the world If you're committed to cultivating a thriving, Christ-centered culture, this podcast will encourage, challenge, and equip you for the journey. 👉 Subscribe today so you don't miss the first episode in January!

Join us for this encore episode with Ruth Haley Barton, founder of the Transforming Center, as she explores the critical question every leader must face: 'How is it with your soul?' Discover why leaders who neglect their inner spiritual life risk losing themselves, and how cultivating spiritual disciplines can transform both your leadership and your organization's culture. Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/458-how-is-it-with-your-soul-strengthening-leadership-from-the-inside-out Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2   By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures. | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus  | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

What if the way we give and receive feedback could unlock healthier relationships and stronger workplace cultures? In this conversation, Sheila Heen—Harvard Law School lecturer, co-author of Thanks for the Feedback, and expert on negotiation and communication—shares powerful insights into why feedback is so hard and how leaders can navigate it with wisdom and grace. Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/457-moving-through-the-tunnel-a-harvard-experts-guide-to-difficult-conversations Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2   By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures. | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus  | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

Inspirational leadership has the power to shape culture, energize teams, and move an organization toward its mission with renewed passion. In this episode, RightNow Media president Brian Mosley shares how his multigenerational ministry story and commitment to using media for God's purposes offer fresh insights for building a flourishing workplace. Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/456-how-to-move-your-team-from-63-to-81-engaged-in-12-months Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2   By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures. | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus  | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]