Culture Conversations

This special edition of Culture Conversations brings you highlights from a recent live webinar with Anna Binder, Head of People at Asana and one of the most thoughtful leaders in the HR space. In this episode, Anna and Craig dive deep into: Why listening strategies matter more than ever in times of disruption. How to connect listening programs directly to business goals. The biggest pitfalls organizations fall into — and how to avoid them. What it looks like to design sustainable, organization-wide listening systems. Where the future of listening is headed as active and passive data converge. You’ll hear Craig’s reflections alongside Anna’s candid insights, creating a practical guide for HR leaders and practitioners who want to strengthen culture and drive performance through employee listening. 👉 This conversation was adapted from a recent CultureC Consulting webinar. If you’d like to stay informed about upcoming webinars, events, and resources, head to culturec.com and sign up for our newsletter.

The Human Side of Data: Building Culture Through People Analytics In this episode of Culture Conversations, Craig Forman sits down with longtime friend and industry pioneer Al Adamsen—a name synonymous with the evolution of people analytics. From his early work at Gap Inc. to executive leadership at Perceptyx and his current role as founding partner of Future of Work Advisors, Al has been at the epicenter of how organizations use data to understand and transform the employee experience. Together, Craig and Al explore: The origin story of people analytics—and why the term “employee insights” still matters. How culture, leadership, and data intersect to drive both performance and human well-being. The challenges of continuous disruption—AI, globalization, organizational change—and what this means for the next generation of workers. Why too many leaders treat listening as a checkbox exercise—and how to move from data collection to sustainable action. Practical advice for HR practitioners: how to contextualize insights, craft stories that resonate with executives, and influence change even in smaller organizations. Al leaves us with a powerful reminder: employees everywhere want three things—to be seen, to be heard, and to be empowered. When organizations get this right, they unlock not just productivity, but purpose and performance that lasts. 📌 Resources & Mentions • Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari • I, Human by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic • Al’s website: https://aladamsen.com/ • Connect with Al on LinkedIn

What Global Culture Can Teach Us About How We Work: Insights from 151 Cultures with Dr. Hilary Curry In this episode of Culture Conversations, Craig Forman welcomes Dr. Hilary Curry—an organizational development consultant with a PhD and two decades of experience—to explore what working across 151 cultures reveals about the way we work. Hilary shares reflections from global consulting roles, from the UAE to Canada, shedding light on how national culture and workplace dynamics intersect in surprising ways. What You’ll Learn: Why leaders need a “professional retrospective” – take real steps to pause, reflect, and reset your career direction. The art of listening beyond words – how spotting what’s unsaid can be more telling than what’s spoken, especially across cultural lines. Balancing structure and spontaneity – why process matters and facilitation must flex to be human-centered. • Cross-cultural lessons you can apply anywhere – insights from her work across 151 cultures that enhance collaboration and leadership. The cost of disregarding cultural context – understanding “where people come from” in national terms is just as important as organizational culture. Why It Matters: Whether you’re leading locally or globally, Hilary’s perspectives will help you rethink how culture shapes your workplace—and how being culture-aware makes you a better leader.  Connect with Dr. Hilary Curry: LinkedIn: Hilary Curry Website: Halston Consulting 

In today’s fast-moving, post-pandemic world of work, the difference between thriving and surviving isn’t just a mindset — it’s a leadership lens that shapes how people show up, make decisions, and work together. When we’re thriving, we’re expansive, collaborative, and strategic. When we’re surviving, we’re reactive, guarded, and often running on fumes. In this episode of Culture Conversations, Craig is joined by Megan Galloway — executive coach, leadership development expert, and founder of Everleader Consulting — for a deeply human conversation about what it takes to build resilient teams in the face of constant change. Together, they explore: • Why so many leaders are stuck in survival mode (and how to break out of it) • The neuroscience of stress and its impact on executive thinking and decision-making • How strong relationships and proactive communication give teams a competitive edge • The lost art of healthy conflict and how executive teams can re-learn it • What it really means to “hold on to culture” during growth, reorgs, and transitions • Why every team needs to define how they want to relate before crisis hits Megan shares stories from her coaching work with executive teams across industries, offering practical tools for leaders who want to show up with more clarity, alignment, and capacity. Whether you’re leading a high-growth company, navigating uncertainty, or simply trying to keep your team connected — this episode offers perspective, grounding, and plenty of “oh wow” moments.

Join Craig Forman in conversation with David Hanrahan, Chief People Officer at SolarWinds and former people leader at Twitter, Eventbrite, Zendesk, and Niantic. Together, they unpack how culture truly shows up in moments of upheaval, growth, and transformation—and what that means for people teams and executives navigating complexity today. What We Cover: • Why HR often acts as the mirror for organizational culture, especially when values are put to the test • How inflection points—growth, downsizing, disruption—can become intentional culture resets • The future of engagement and performance management: how AI could make feedback more real, relational, and continuous • Why storytelling and lived values matter more than policy when shaping culture • How David is approaching inclusion and belonging in today’s fast-shifting environment Why Listen: If you’re leading people or shaping culture, this episode offers clarity, reflection, and forward-thinking ideas on how to stay grounded when everything around you shifts.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Culture Conversations, Craig Forman talks with Penny Farinha — a people and culture leader who helped scale Ecobee from 60 employees to more than 600 while keeping the company’s values and mission at the center. Together, they explore what it really takes to earn executive buy-in for employee listening programs, why timing and expectation-setting are crucial, and how leaders can move from data to action without losing sight of the people at the heart of their organizations. Penny shares practical lessons from leading through high growth, building authentic connection at scale, and living your culture through everyday decisions — not just headlines. Whether you’re an executive, HR leader, or people practitioner, this conversation will leave you with a clearer playbook for building trust, taking meaningful action, and shaping culture intentionally as you grow. ⸻ Key Topics Covered: • How to earn authentic leadership buy-in for employee listening • Why timing is crucial for listening and action • How to set realistic expectations during listening programs • Scaling connection without losing your culture • Leadership’s role in translating values into everyday actions • Lessons from scaling a tech company while protecting its culture ⸻ Resources and Links: Learn more about CultureC Consulting: www.culturecraig.com Follow Craig Forman on LinkedIn: Craig Forman Follow CultureC Consulting Here About Culture Conversations: Culture Conversations is hosted by Craig Forman, founder of CultureC Consulting. Each episode explores how leaders and organizations can listen more deeply, act more meaningfully, and build cultures where people and business thrive. Learn more about how CultureC helps organizations design better listening, leadership, and action strategies at www.culturecraig.com.

Episode Description: Transform 2025 is almost here! As thousands of HR leaders, executives, and workplace innovators prepare to gather in Las Vegas, this episode of Culture Conversations gives you an exclusive preview of some of the key voices and themes shaping this year’s event. We kick things off with Torin Ellis, the event’s MC, setting the tone for what’s ahead and challenging us to wrestle with what it truly means to be human in the workplace. From there, we highlight some of the brilliant speakers taking the stage—each of whom has been a guest on this podcast—covering topics like leadership, culture, data, AI, and more. Featured Speakers & Topics: 🔹 Anna Binder (Asana) – Culture as a Business Driver – How top HR leaders shape strategy and drive meaningful business results. 🔹 David Hanrahan (SolarWinds, ex-Twitter, Zendesk, Niantic, Eventbrite) – Getting Buy-in for People Initiatives – How to secure executive support and prove the ROI of HR investments. 🔹 Gianna Driver (Former-Exabeam, Lattice) – The Evolution of DEI – Why DEI isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving, and here’s how to keep it embedded in your organization. 🔹 Steven Huang (ex-Culture Amp, DEI strategist) – Belonging as a Form of Activism – How joy and inclusion create thriving workplaces. 🔹 Tushar Pandit (SPINS, Rebuilt) – From Data to Direction – Turning HR analytics into strategy that informs real business decisions. 🔹 Lars Schmidt (Amplify Talent, HR thought leader) – AI & Talent Acquisition – Why AI won’t replace HR—but leaders using AI will have the edge. And One Final Speaker – You’ll Hear From Me! I’m closing out Transform 2025 with the final session: 🔹 “From Conference Insights to Real-World Action: Turning Ideas into Impact.” We all know the feeling—after days of learning, networking, and inspiration, the question becomes: Now what? Instead of leaving overwhelmed, this session is designed to help you prioritize, connect, and take action on what matters most. I’ll be joined by: ✅ Jessie Jacob (Culture First Global Community Leader, Culture Amp) – Helping turn insights into real engagement. ✅ Dr. Bobbi Wegner (CEO of Groops, Harvard Professor) – Bringing real-world applications to help make lasting change. Whether you’re attending Transform this year or looking to stay ahead of where HR, leadership, and culture are headed, this episode is packed with big ideas and practical takeaways you can use to shape the future of work. Connect with Me: 📩 Attending Transform? Let’s connect in Vegas! 🌐 Website: www.culturecraig.com 📅 More on Transform & Speaker Lineup: Transform 2025 Agenda   🎧 Listen now & get ready for the biggest conversations shaping the future of work!

Episode Summary In this episode of Culture Conversations, I sit down with Tushar Pandit, an HR leader with deep expertise in data-driven decision-making and culture transformation. We dive into why organizations must move beyond intuition and start measuring what truly matters—people and culture. Tushar shares powerful insights on how HR leaders can think more like business leaders, why culture and strategy must be integrated, and how AI is reshaping the future of work. Whether you're a Chief People Officer, HR leader, or executive looking to create a thriving workplace, this conversation will give you practical strategies to turn insights into action. What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ **Measure What You Treasure** – Why people and culture deserve the same rigor as financial metrics. ✅ **Culture Beyond Perks** – How true culture is shaped by values and behaviors, not kombucha and foosball tables. ✅ **Listening at Scale** – How organizations can truly hear and act on employee feedback. ✅ **HR as a Business Function** – Why people leaders must be fluent in data and business outcomes. ✅ **AI and the Future of Work** – The opportunities and challenges of AI in HR and talent strategy. ✅ **HR’s Moment to Lead** – Why CPOs must take the driver’s seat in shaping transformation. Memorable Quotes from the Episode: 📢 "Measure what you treasure—what we track determines where we improve." 📢 "Culture isn't about perks; it's about behaviors that align with values." 📢 "Listening isn’t just about one survey—it’s about building a culture of feedback." 📢 "HR leaders must think like business leaders—culture is not separate from strategy." 📢 "AI won’t replace jobs, but it will redefine them—HR must lead the adaptation." Books & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:** 📚 *On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century* – Timothy Snyder  Connect with Tushar Pandit: 🔹 LinkedIn: Tushar's LinkedIn 🔹 Twitter: @TusharPandit 🔹 Email: [email protected] Resources & Next Steps:  👉 Subscribe & Review – If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network! 👉 Follow Culture Conversations – Stay updated with new episodes and insights:(https://www.culturecraig.com/) 👉 Let’s connect on LinkedIn: 👉 **Meet Us at Transform 2025** – Join us in Las Vegas for next year’s event: Transform 2025

Episode Summary: In this episode of Culture Conversations, host Craig Forman sits down with Gianna Driver, Chief People Officer and expert in building human-centered workplace cultures. Gianna brings a unique perspective from her experience leading people teams and working at organizations that design tools to support employee engagement and listening at scale. Together, they explore the evolving role of HR leaders in fostering psychological safety, navigating difficult conversations, and balancing empathy with performance. Gianna shares actionable insights on creating inclusive environments where employees feel seen, heard, and valued—even amid today’s divided world. Key Topics Discussed: The Role of Leaders in Divided Times: How HR leaders can create space for deep listening and foster unity, even when personal beliefs differ across teams. Moving Beyond the Surface: The importance of naming emotions and fears to demystify them and build stronger connections within organizations. Balancing Engagement and Performance: Why having an engaged workforce doesn’t automatically mean a high-performing one—and how leaders can achieve both. Listening at Scale: The power of leveraging data from engagement surveys and pulse checks while ensuring it leads to meaningful action and trust-building. The Future of DEIB: How diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging need to be intentionally woven into all aspects of organizational culture to drive long-term success. Books and Resources Mentioned: Trevor Noah Podcast Simon Sinek Podcast  Adam Grant Podcast (WorkLife) Brené Brown Podcast (Unlocking Us) Brené Brown Podcast (Dare to Lead) Relevant Links: - Connect with Gianna Driver on [LinkedIn] Culture Conversations Host: Craig Forman is an organizational psychologist and founder of CultureC Consulting, dedicated to helping companies create better workplace cultures through strategic employee listening and performance management programs. - Connect with Craig on LinkedIn - Website

Episode Summary: In this episode of Culture Conversations, host Craig Forman sits down with Nick Bloom, a renowned Stanford economist and leading expert on remote work and workplace trends. With over two decades of research on hybrid and remote work models, Nick offers a data-driven perspective on the evolving workplace and the challenges organizations face in managing their return-to-office (RTO) strategies. Craig and Nick dive into the economic and social dynamics of hybrid work, exploring what the data reveals about productivity, employee satisfaction, and the real reasons behind some high-profile RTO mandates. They also discuss how AI and automation are reshaping the workforce, what this means for managers, and why performance-based management is essential in a hybrid world. Key Topics Discussed: ✅ The Rise of Hybrid Work: Nick explains how hybrid work has grown steadily over the past 20 years and why it’s here to stay as a dominant workplace model. ✅ The Reality of Return-to-Office (RTO) Policies: They unpack the motivations behind recent RTO announcements by Amazon, Starbucks, and Twitter, revealing how RTO is often used as a cost-cutting tool to reduce headcount. ✅ The Three Groups of Workers Today: Nick outlines the three distinct worker groups in the current landscape—fully in-person, hybrid, and fully remote—and what this means for organizations trying to build effective policies. ✅ AI’s Impact on Remote Work: They explore how AI and automation will impact fully remote jobs in areas like call centers and back-office roles, and why hybrid work models will continue to grow. ✅ Managing in a Hybrid World: Nick highlights the importance of managing by performance, not presence, and why surveillance-based management practices can backfire in a hybrid environment. ✅ The Power of Data-Driven Decision Making: Craig and Nick discuss why organizations need to rely on internal data—not trends or external pressures—to design their workplace policies. Books and Resources Mentioned: 📚 Harvard Business Review Article by Nick Bloom ➡️ One Company A/B Tested Hybrid Work—Here's What They Found 📚 Trip.com Randomized Control Trial ➡️ Study on the Impact of Hybrid Work on Productivity and Quit Rates 📚 Wells Fargo Mouse Jiggler Story ➡️ A Case Study on Surveillance Software and Its Negative Impact on Employee Engagement Relevant Links: 🔗 Connect with Nick Bloom on LinkedIn - Nick shares weekly insights on workplace trends, hybrid work, and management strategies. Culture Conversations Host: Craig Forman is an organizational psychologist and founder of CultureC Consulting, dedicated to helping companies create better workplace cultures through strategic employee listening and engagement programs. 🔗 Connect with Craig on LinkedIn 🌐 Website: ➡️ www.culturecraig.com 📧 Email: [email protected]