Welcome to The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast. In this episode, we challenge the conventional wisdom that being a "nice" boss is always a good thing. We dive deep into a hidden source of workplace chaos: the overly nice leader.

Join us as we talk with leadership expert Andrea Wanerstrand about the critical distinction between being merely "nice" and being genuinely kind. We explore how an overemphasis on niceness can create an environment of confusion, low performance, and burnout for your team.

Discover the neurological effects this has on employees and, most importantly, learn how to break free from the kindness trap. Andrea, with her experience at top companies like Microsoft and Meta, shares actionable strategies for becoming a truly effective and compassionate leader.

This episode is packed with insights on:

• The difference between niceness (being liked) and kindness (showing true care).

• The surprising consequences for both the leader and the team.

• Why being too nice can lead to burnout.

• A simple, powerful framework to change your mindset and behavior.

Whether you're a manager, a team member, or an aspiring leader, this episode will help you understand the power of courageous kindness in building a high-performing and authentic work culture.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand/

Website: https://a3culturelab.com/

Andrea Wanerstrand is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and cultural transformation expert with 25+ years inside some of the world’s most complex organizations—including Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, and Hitachi. As the Founder & CEO of A3 Culture Lab, and the creator of the Mindset Maven Method, Andrea helps leaders make bold shifts—from control to connection, performance to presence, and burnout to bold cultural influence.

This episode is sponsored by Binôme+

Structuring succession. Securing transmission of Swiss SMEs

Keywords: leadership, work culture, kindness, management, employee engagement, burnout, business strategy, professional development, corporate culture, effective leadership, career growth, authentic leadership, mindset, coaching.

Do you ever feel a knot in your stomach on your way to the office? Do you dread upcoming meetings or interactions with certain colleagues? If so, you're not alone. An astonishing 75% of employees report having experienced a toxic workplace, and the consequences are staggering, affecting not just productivity and turnover, but the very mental and physical health of the workforce. While the term "toxic" is often used casually, understanding its true meaning is the first step toward reclaiming your professional life.

In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Mattice, a leading voice on organizational culture, founder of Civility Partners, and author of "Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies." With nearly two decades of research and hands-on experience in turning around negative work environments, Catherine provides a masterclass in identifying, managing, and ultimately escaping toxicity. This discussion moves beyond simple complaints about a difficult boss and delves into the insidious, systemic issues that define a truly unhealthy culture.

We explore the subtle spectrum of negative behavior, starting from seemingly harmless incivility and rudeness, and how, when left unchecked, it inevitably evolves into more serious issues like workplace bullying and harassment. You will learn why your gut feeling—that sense of dread or anxiety—is a powerful physical indicator that your perception of the environment is real and should not be ignored.

A significant portion of our conversation focuses on the pivotal role of management. Discover the single biggest mistake leaders make: closing their eyes to the small, inappropriate behaviors. We discuss why telling adults to simply "figure it out" is a failed strategy and how the most effective leaders actively manage interpersonal dynamics, not just operational tasks. Furthermore, we challenge the conventional wisdom around company surveys, revealing why popular engagement surveys can be dangerously misleading by failing to measure the true health of a culture.

For anyone feeling trapped in a negative situation, this episode offers a practical survival guide. Catherine shares powerful strategies for building resilience and coping when quitting isn't an immediate option. Learn how to assess whether your organization genuinely cares about its culture and how to create a logical, long-term exit plan. This process is crucial, as it restores a sense of control in a situation that feels uncontrollable, transforming you from a passive victim to the active architect of your career path. We redefine what it means to "win," arguing that leaving a toxic environment is not a failure, but a definitive victory for your well-being.

Finally, we debunk two of the biggest myths surrounding workplace culture. First, we challenge the idea that culture is dictated exclusively from the top down, empowering you to see how you and your peers can influence your immediate environment. Second, we tackle the controversial and complex question every employee has asked: Can you really trust HR? Catherine provides a nuanced, experience-based answer that is essential for anyone considering filing a formal complaint.

Tune in for an honest, empowering conversation that provides the tools and perspective needed to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and build a healthier professional future.

Connect with my guest, Catherine Mattice:

Culture Forward Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6773670768447369216/

LinkedIn: Catherine Mattice https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemattice/

Book: "Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies" https://a.co/d/7xW9GTg

Are you feeling stuck, stressed, or completely burned out by your job? You're not alone. With a staggering 77% of professionals experiencing burnout, the modern workplace can often feel like a minefield of exhaustion and dissatisfaction. But what if you had the power to fundamentally change your relationship with work, starting today?

In this episode, we sit down with workplace experience expert and author Lindsay Barnett to discuss the empowering, evidence-based methods from her book, "Working Hell to Working Well." Lindsay provides a roadmap for taking back control of your happiness and building a professional life that is fulfilling and sustainable.

This isn't about waiting for your company to change; it's about making intentional choices to reshape your own experience from the ground up.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Truth About Mindfulness: Discover what mindfulness at work really is (hint: it's not about yoga mats and meditation) and how to use it as a powerful tool to create space between a trigger and your response.

• The Art of Being Genuine: Learn how to draw the line between being your authentic self and maintaining your professional image, using connection and intention as your guide.

• Practical Habit Building: Uncover simple, actionable ways to weave moments of mindfulness into your busiest days, using "habit bundling" to create powerful micro-habits that stick.

• What is "Job Crafting"?: Explore the transformative concept of proactively crafting your current role into something you love. Lindsay breaks down the first essential step: identifying your core needs (like her "three I's"—Interaction, Intellectual Challenge, and Impact).

• Navigating HR and Difficult Conversations: Get an insider's perspective on the role of Human Resources and how to advocate for yourself effectively within the corporate structure.

This conversation is for anyone ready to move from feeling powerless to feeling empowered. If you're ready to stop surviving and start thriving in your career, this is the episode you need to hear.

Find More from Lindsay Barnett:

• Book Website & Free Resources: https://workinghelltoworkingwell.com/

• Coaching & Consulting: https://barnettcoaching.com/

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaykbarnett/

In this powerful episode of The Growth Hacking Culture podcast, host Ivan Palomino interviews Dr. Apollo Emeka, an expert in leadership and organizational culture, to dissect one of the most persistent and costly challenges in business: the massive gap between a brilliant strategy and its execution. Dr. Emeka reveals that between 70% and 90% of strategies fail not because they are bad ideas, but due to poor implementation. Companies lose billions in wasted resources, missed opportunities, and burned-out teams because they focus on "the what" instead of "the how".

Dr. Emeka introduces a transformative framework that challenges conventional strategic planning. He argues that traditional strategic plans, with their multiple, disparate elements like vision, values, mission, and objectives, can be paralyzing for individuals. Instead of setting vague goals, he advocates for making clear, bold "decisions".

A good decision, he explains, is like a toddler's run-on sentence—it's complex and connects to things that people genuinely care about. By crafting a decision that encompasses not just revenue targets, but also things like positive community impact or improved team culture, organizations can create a shared purpose that lights people up. This approach makes planning easier and eliminates analysis paralysis by focusing on a handful of activities that must happen to meet all criteria simultaneously.

Drawing from his unique background in military intelligence and the FBI, Dr. Emeka shares how his experience in war gaming and threat assessment taught him to proactively identify potential failures. He applies this same rigorous, logical process to business strategy, encouraging leaders to ask, "What must we do?" and "What would damn near guarantee success?" to cut through the "busy trap" of things they "could" or "should" do.

The conversation also delves into the critical role of self-awareness and the surprising limitations of coaching. Dr. Emeka, a coach himself, believes the true value of coaching lies in helping organizations develop a culture of clear decision-making. He asserts that many communication and accountability problems are not what they seem; they are, in fact, "decision problems". When a decision is big and clear, communication and accountability become almost automatic.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, innovators, and anyone looking to move beyond the talk and start executing. Dr. Emeka's insights provide a clear and actionable path to building a resilient, purpose-driven organization where everyone feels ownership of the results.

Key Takeaways:

• The majority of strategies fail due to poor execution, not bad ideas.

• Focus on making big, bold "decisions" that inspire action, rather than just setting goals.

• A good strategic decision is complex and connects to multiple aspects that people care about, such as revenue, community impact, and team well-being.

• Borrow from military intelligence: identify "must-haves" and "game-changers" to avoid wasting resources on non-essential activities.

• True accountability starts with a clear, inspiring purpose and a well-defined decision.

• Many corporate problems, including communication issues, are actually symptoms of a "decision problem".

📍Learn more about Dr Apollo Emeka at https://www.apollostrategy.com/

#StrategyExecution #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #GrowthHacking #OrganizationalCulture #Accountability #DrApolloEmeka #BusinessGrowth #StrategicPlanning #LeadershipDevelopment

In this episode, we're joined by Barry Labov, author of "The Power of Differentiation," to challenge the traditional pillars of competition. For decades, the business playbook has focused on innovating your product, slashing prices, or outspending competitors on marketing. Barry argues that the most powerful and sustainable competitive advantage isn't something you advertise, but something you build within your own walls: a strong company culture.

Discover why companies with highly engaged employees achieve 21% greater profitability and 10% higher customer ratings. Learn about the "perfect trap" that keeps leaders from making progress and the importance of vulnerability and continuous learning.

Barry shares powerful stories, including the Rev Ambulance employee who realized he wasn't just building wire harnesses—he was saving lives. We also explore how a compelling company story can motivate employees to become brand catalysts, making them the most authentic and cost-effective advertisers you can have.

If you're a leader or entrepreneur looking to build a brand that defies comparison, this episode will provide a refreshing and human-centric approach to business growth.

His website https://www.barrylabov.com/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-labov-6965241/

His book The Power of Differentiation

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Ute Liersch, author of "A Minimalist Guide to Becoming Resilient," joins us to discuss how we can build mental fortitude without the overwhelm. We dive into the science behind a resilient brain, the power of neuroplasticity, and why emotions like anger and sadness aren't "negative." Dr. Ute challenges our conventional ideas of success and happiness, offering practical, minimalist strategies to help modern leaders and creators thrive under pressure and find clarity.

Key Discussion Points:

• Redefining resilience and moving beyond the "demolition derby" mindset.

• The connection between minimalism, Stoicism, and resilience.

• Why the pursuit of "happiness" might be overrated.

• The importance of listening to your body's signals to prevent burnout.

• Understanding neuroplasticity and how to create new mental pathways.

• The unique challenges of building resilience as a neurodivergent person.

• The surprising concept of "toxic resilience" and how to avoid it.

• The single smallest step you can take today to begin building strength.

Connect with Dr. Ute:

• Find her book, "A Minimalist Guide to Becoming Resilient" https://a.co/d/3k7fSEF

• Check her profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drute/ or access for free her masterclasses https://www.youtube.com/@DrUteLiersch