How to Build Culture That Unites Inspires And Gets Results

Episode 289: How can you build a culture that unites your team, inspires action, and drives real results?

In this Leadership Without Losing Your Soul episode, host David Dye speaks with culture expert Laura Hamill, an organizational psychologist and author of The Power of Culture. They discuss why culture is not just about values on a wall but about shaping everyday behaviors, decisions, and team dynamics. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, your culture exists—so how can you shape it to work for you rather than against you?

By tuning in, you’ll discover:

• Why culture exists whether you define it or not—and how to take control of it.
• The “Intentional Culture Circle” framework for building and sustaining a culture that aligns with your business goals.
• How to balance hearts and minds at work—bringing emotion into leadership to foster connection, belonging, and engagement.

If you’re ready to build a culture that unites, inspires, and fuels performance, hit play now and start transforming the way your team works together!

Defining Culture and Why It Matters

[05:22] – What is culture, really? Laura Hamill explains how culture is more than just words—it’s the everyday behaviors, decisions, and mindsets that shape an organization’s success.

[07:47] – You already have a culture—so is it working for or against you? David and Laura discuss how culture exists whether leaders define it or not and why neglecting it can lead to unintended consequences.

[16:45] – The #1 reason culture goes wrong. Leaders often treat culture as a side project or an HR initiative rather than a core business driver, which causes misalignment and disengagement.

[19:33] – Accountability and culture: why they go hand in hand. If leaders don’t model and enforce cultural expectations, employees will disengage from the values and create their own norms instead.

[24:02] – How to build culture by embedding it in everyday work. Culture isn’t just a workshop or an annual event—it must be intentionally integrated into hiring, strategy, performance management, and leadership behaviors.

Practical Strategies to Build Culture and Strengthen Teams

[26:10] – Beyond buzzwords: making values real. Many organizations define values but fail to clarify what they look like in action. Laura shares how to translate values into daily behaviors.

[33:04] – Try this simple exercise to assess your team’s real culture. Ask employees to list five words that describe the current culture—then compare those to the company’s stated values. The differences might surprise you!

[37:31] – Building a culture oasis in a tough environment. Even if the broader organization struggles with culture, leaders can create a thriving, engaged team by focusing on how they interact and support one another.

[42:14] – The power of hearts and minds in leadership. Culture isn’t just logic and process—it’s about creating emotional connections, fostering belonging, and inspiring people to do their best work.

[43:56] – Why leaders must embrace emotion at work. The old-school approach of “leaving emotions at the door” doesn’t work anymore. Recognizing and valuing emotions helps build a culture that supports both engagement and performance.