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Collaborative-Culture

Collaborative-Culture

By: Kristine Gentry and Monica M. Smith
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Collaborative-Culture: Bridging Perspectives, Building Stronger Teams

Culture shapes how we live, work, and collaborate—yet it remains one of our most misunderstood and underutilized assets. Collaborative Culture explores what culture truly means in our workplaces and across societies, revealing how it powers organizational and community success.

Hosted by cultural intelligence experts Dr. Kristine Gentry (Culture Grove) and Monica Smith (Tradewind Consulting), this podcast creates a forum for transformative conversations about the intersection of culture, leadership, and human connection.

Through candid interviews with thought leaders, revealing case studies, and proven strategies, we examine:

  • Building cultures that ignite collaboration and breakthrough innovation
  • Mastering cross-generational and cross-cultural workplace dynamics
  • Navigating the fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation
  • Developing global leadership dexterity in our interconnected world
  • Preparing for the evolving future of work and its impact on teams
  • Implementing practical techniques for cultivating inclusive environments


For business leaders, people managers, HR professionals, and culture enthusiasts, this podcast challenges conventional thinking while delivering actionable insights to help you build environments where everyone thrives.

Culture isn't just a concept—it's your competitive advantage. Join us as we explore how to create cultures that work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Collaborative Culture Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Culture Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Navigating Successful Global Teams

    Culture Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Navigating Successful Global Teams
    Sep 10 2025
    In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Kristine interviews Monica as they dive deep into the realities of global workplace dynamics—from culture disconnects across continents to the hidden biases baked into our definitions of professionalism. They explore what happens when DEI is fully embedded into a company’s operating system versus treated as a surface-level add-on. Monica shares her signature 3-pillar framework (mindset, measurability, and practice) for improving cross-cultural collaboration, and offers real-world advice for working across borders, time zones, and traditions. Plus, a case study of a high-potential leader navigating a transition from IT to international vendor negotiations in India—and thriving!If you're a leader managing global teams or expanding internationally, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful mindset shifts.Show NotesTimestamps & Key Topics:00:00 – Welcome & setting the stage: Why global context matters in culture and DEI01:00 – DEI backlash in the U.S. vs. global expectations: Why some companies can’t just “drop” DEI04:00 – Monica’s client focus: Global companies at a pivot point06:30 – The command-and-control trap: How legacy companies lose out on innovation15:30 – Monica’s 3-Pillar Framework: Mindset, Measurability, and Practice25:00 – Kristine’s take: Why anthropological principles like ethnocentrism matter27:00 – Monica’s example of cultural differences yes, even in road trips and your family!30:00 – Success story: From IT specialist to cross-cultural leader34:00 – The ROI of preparing expats—and why companies should invest early36:00 – The 60% mistake: Why expats often leave for the competitors after return from assignments abroadResources Mentioned:CEOs Touting Smaller Headcounts as Strategic WinsInstagram Reel on Small Teams, Big ImpactChallenger Gray Report on June 2025 Layoff Trends“CEO Pride in the Shrinking Workforce” Podcast EpisodeNext Episode Teaser:We’ll be diving deeper into AI and its impact on company culture.Thanks for Listening!We’d love to hear from you.Kristine Gentry, PhDkgentry@culturegrove.com🌐 www.culturegrove.com🔗 LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie GentryMonica M. Smithtradewindscareerconsulting@gmai.com🌐 www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com🔗 LinkedIn: Monica Mary SmithIf you enjoyed the show, please: subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building better teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 mins
  • Beyond Values on the Wall: Creating Cultures Where People Thrive and Performance Soars

    Beyond Values on the Wall: Creating Cultures Where People Thrive and Performance Soars
    Aug 27 2025

    Description: What does it really take to build a thriving workplace culture? In this episode, Monica interviews Dr. Kristine Gentry as Kristine pulls back the curtain on her process, from uncovering hidden culture gaps to aligning leadership and embedding values into daily behaviors. Learn how strong cultures not only help people thrive, but also drive measurable business performance.


    Show Notes: In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Dr. Kristine Gentry shares what it’s really like to work with her as a culture consultant. Drawing on her training as a cultural anthropologist, Kristine explains why culture isn’t something you “fix." It’s something you cultivate.


    She walks through her step-by-step process, from quick culture reviews to deep assessments, leadership alignment, and practical implementation. Along the way, she shares examples of how companies can move beyond surface-level fixes, like values on the wall, to create intentional cultures that boost engagement, retention, and business results.


    What you’ll hear in this episode:

    • Why values on the wall don’t equal culture, and what actually makes them stick.
    • The difference between a Culture Roots Review (mini-audit) and a full culture assessment.
    • How anthropology-inspired methods uncover the unspoken rules shaping culture.
    • Why leadership alignment is non-negotiable for culture change.
    • How fast-growing companies, M&As, and businesses preparing for sale can benefit from intentional culture strategies.
    • A powerful case study of an aviation company where culture work quite literally saved lives.
    • Practical entry points for leaders, from advisory calls to long-term transformation projects.

    Resources & Links:

    • Find out about 3 low-cost entry points to working with Kristine: https://www.culturegrove.com/seeds-of-change
    • Book a call: www.culturegrove.com/call

    Thanks for Listening!

    We’d love to hear from you.


    Kristine Gentry, PhD

    kgentry@culturegrove.com

    🌐 www.culturegrove.com

    🔗 LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie Gentry


    Monica M. Smith

    tradewindscareerconsulting@gmai.com

    🌐 www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com

    🔗 LinkedIn: Monica Mary Smith


    If you enjoyed the show, please: subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building better teams.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 mins
  • Teamwork vs. Collaboration: The Missing Ingredient in High-Performance Teams

    Teamwork vs. Collaboration: The Missing Ingredient in High-Performance Teams
    Aug 13 2025
    In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Monica and Kristine dive into the critical difference between teamwork and collaboration, and why culture is the secret ingredient that so many organizations miss when building high-performing teams. While teamwork is essential for structure, roles, and meeting goals, it’s collaboration that fuels creativity, innovation, and resilience. But how do these two forces interact in the modern workplace?From AI’s impact on team dynamics to the evolving expectations of today’s workforce, we explore why understanding the human side of teamwork is more important than ever. Whether you lead a team of innovators or maintain a well-oiled machine, this episode offers insights into building a culture that empowers your team to do more than just check off tasks — but to truly thrive.Show Notes:Key Topics Discussed:Teamwork vs. Collaboration: What’s the difference, and why does it matter in your workplace?The Role of Culture in Team Dynamics: Why culture is the missing link in many teams and how to integrate it into your processes.Adapting to Change: The impact of rapid technological advancements like AI on teamwork and collaboration, and why companies need to embrace adaptability.The Shift in Work Expectations: Exploring the shift from rigid job roles to more flexible, innovative roles as we move away from traditional work models.Real-World Examples: Lessons learned from the aviation industry and healthcare that highlight the consequences of failing to understand the human element in teamwork.Leadership in Teamwork: The importance of leading with empathy, trust, and a focus on human connection in team management.Why It Matters:As organizations grapple with change, adaptability, and innovation, the ability to foster effective teamwork is no longer just about meeting deadlines. It’s about creating an environment where collaboration thrives, and individuals can bring their full selves to work. Monica and Kristine discuss how to build the right foundation for team success by blending structure with culture.Takeaways:Teamwork gives structure, but culture drives true collaboration.Embrace change by cultivating a team dynamic that values collaboration as much as efficiency.Recognizing the human side of your team is key to long-term success.Connect with Us:If you're looking to build a stronger, more collaborative culture within your team, reach out to Monica and Kristine today! Let’s work together to create a culture where teams don’t just perform, but thrive.We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or suggestions to either of our email or message us via LinkedIn.Please follow/subscribe, give us a rating and review, and share with anyone who is interested in workplace culture! Thanks for Listening!Dr. Kristine Gentrykgentry@culturegrove.com🌐 www.culturegrove.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-mckenzie-gentry/Monica M. Smithtradewindscareerconsulting@gmail.com🌐 www.tradewindscareerconsulting.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamarysmith/If you enjoyed the show, please: subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building better teams. Thanks for Listening!We’d love to hear from you.Kristine Gentry, PhDkgentry@culturegrove.com🌐 www.culturegrove.com🔗 LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie GentryMonica M. Smithtradewindscareerconsulting@gmai.com🌐 www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com🔗 LinkedIn: Monica Mary SmithIf you enjoyed the show, please: subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building better teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    26 mins
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