The Best of Season One

Welcome to “Culture at Work,” the podcast dedicated to exploring how to maintain a strong corporate culture in a rapidly changing world. I’m your host, Tim Carroll, and today we’re taking a trip down memory lane with a special “Best of Season 1” episode. Join us as we revisit some of the most insightful conversations with industry leaders who share their expertise on building a positive, productive, and engaging workplace culture. From tackling post-pandemic entitlement with Willie Spears to embracing AI’s impact with J. Scott Christensen, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to inspire and elevate your organizational culture. Let’s dive in!

Episode 1 - Culture at Work - Hybrid Work Realities: Crafting Culture in A New Era

Streaming

HOST

Tim Carroll, COO

Working Spaces

GUEST

Willie Spears

Owner and Motivational Speaker
The Willie Spears Experience

GUEST

Chester Elton

Author, Executive Coach and Speaker

GUEST

Cory Carlson

Leadership and
Life Coach

GUEST

J. Scott Christianson

Associate Teaching Professor of Management
University of Missouri

GUEST

Pat Ivers

Founder
Continuum Media

GUEST

Doug Ryan

Principal and Executive Vice President
Colliers, Nashville

GUEST

Marilyn McSweeney

President and CEO
The McSweeney Group

SYNOPSIS

In this special “Best of Season One” episode, host Tim Carroll of “Culture at Work” revisits some of the most impactful conversations from the podcast’s inaugural season. The episode highlights insights from industry leaders on building a positive, productive, and engaging workplace culture.

Willie Spears discusses the post-pandemic shift towards a mentality of entitlement among employees and emphasizes the need for regular and candid communication to foster an ownership mentality. He advises leaders to measure organizational health by asking strategic questions and addressing entitlement issues head-on.

Chester Elton, an organizational strategist, underscores the importance of emotional connections in the workplace. He advocates for immediate and public recognition of employees’ efforts and advises leaders to acknowledge and correct mismatches in values promptly.

Cory Carlson, author of “Win at Home First,” extends the discussion to the home, stressing the need for intentionality in family life. He encourages leaders to apply the same level of effort and empathy at home as they do at work, promoting continuous engagement until the end of the day.

J. Scott Christianson, a seasoned entrepreneur and professor, explores the growing impact of AI in the workplace. He envisions AI as a valuable assistant for handling formulaic tasks, allowing humans to focus on creativity and relationship-building. He notes that while AI enhances creativity, human involvement is still crucial for generating new ideas.

Pat Ivers, founder of Continuum Media, shares his approach to bringing employees back to the office post-pandemic. He emphasizes flexibility, creating collaborative environments, and improving office spaces. Ivers highlights the balance between offering flexibility and ensuring personal accountability among employees.

Doug Ryan, a Nashville real estate expert, discusses strategies for recruiting and retaining young employees. He highlights the importance of office amenities, walkable locations, and sustainability. Ryan believes that strong workplace culture is best fostered through in-person interactions.

Marilyn McSweeney, a veteran recruiter, focuses on attracting top talent by emphasizing the company’s core values, mission, and purpose. She stresses that employees seek meaningful work and autonomy, advising companies to avoid micromanagement and ensure clear expectations.