In this episode of Sticky from the Inside, host Andy Goram sits down with leadership coach and visionary, Dan Tocchini to explore the transformative power of vision, resilience, and authentic connections in leadership and company culture. Dan shares profound insights on how embracing discomfort and facing personal and professional "exile" can lead to deeper wisdom, stronger relationships, and extraordinary success.

Discover why a strong vision is the cornerstone of effective leadership and how it can free you from being held hostage by past failures or current circumstances. Learn how to cultivate resilience and stay committed to your goals, even in the face of adversity, and why authentic connections are forged in the toughest of times.

If you're looking to transform your approach to leadership and company culture, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking concepts that will inspire you to lead with purpose, overcome challenges, and create lasting impact.

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• How to turn discomfort into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
• The role of vision in freeing leaders from the constraints of history and circumstance.
• Why resilience and commitment are crucial for achieving extraordinary results.
• The importance of facing reality head-on to unlock new opportunities for success.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky from the Inside 00:03:14 - Dan Tocchini on Transforming Leadership and Company Culture 00:06:15 - The Role of Philosophy in Leadership Development 00:09:57 - Phenomenology and Neuroscience: Understanding Leadership Behaviour 00:12:24 - How Vision Shapes Leadership and Company Success 00:19:38 - Embracing Discomfort for Personal and Professional Growth 00:26:54 - The Importance of Resilience and Commitment in Leadership 00:33:13 - Leading Through Crisis: Lessons from Personal Tragedy 00:39:00 - Overcoming Exile in Business Leadership 00:44:04 - Authentic Connections and Emotional Intelligence in Leadership 0000:46:40 - Key Takeaways: Mastering Leadership and Creating Impact

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

Why don't more organisations treat building an effective culture, like a strategic, commercial imperative? You still hear comments like, "We'll get to this culture stuff when we've weathered this storm." Frankly, I think that's nuts. Not everyone thinks that way though. In this episode, Andy Goram talks to Dan Dowman from Anthem, who believes that "culture is the only differentiator that really matters" because competitors can catch up with everything else. This conversation covers how culture, employee engagement and leadership directly affect the bottom line, and offers up practical advice on how to get the culture your organisation needs, not just put up with the one it has.

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• How to develop an organizational culture that drives bottom line performance.
• Why culture is the only differentiator that matters.
• How to intentionally build the culture your organisation needs to be successful.
• What the leader's role is in building that culture.

• The hidden costs of negative behaviour.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky from the Inside 00:01:32 - The importance of culture in today's world 00:03:01 - Making culture a strategic priority 00:10:06 - Pitfalls of productivity optimisation 00:14:02 - Disconnect in organisational values 00:15:03 - Developing practical values for businesses 00:16:22 - Personalising company values 00:21:39 - Importance of company culture 00:25:42 - Culture as a competitive advantage 00:26:40 - Overcoming Resistance to Change 00:28:35 - The cost of workplace drama 00:29:10 - The cost of poor culture 00:32:18 - Addressing cultural decay 00:35:01 - Honesty and integrity in setting company culture 00:37:57 - The model of collective fluency 00:42:33 - Practical culture transformation 00:44:01 - Sticky Notes 00:46:27 - Conclusion and Farewell

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

In a special show to mark 100 episodes, Andy Goram looks back at the 99 previous conversations and picks a collection of standout moments that either particularly resonated, made him think, filled his heart or have stuck with him. The compilation of clips covers a range of employee engagement and workplace culture-linked topics including Purpose, Significance, Leadership, The Changing Workplace, Trust, Burnout, Commerciality, Compassion and Deep Listening.

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• The difference between the meaning of work and the meaning in work
• The requirements for productive self-managed teams
• How to create employee commitment at work
• The connection between employee engagement and burnout
• How to blend commercial and compassionate skills in developing leaders
• The 3 secret numbers to turn you into a deep listener

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky From The Inside 00:01:18 - Looking back at 100 episodes 00:03:33 - Zach Mercurio: The meaning in work 00:07:44 - Work: A paycheck or more? 00:10:44 - Perry Timms: The changing workforce 00:14:18 - Agency comes with responsibility 00:16:36 - Evangelising leaders 00:18:22 - Joe Mull: Commitment at work 00:22:09 - Employalty: The nine dimensions of employee commitment 00:25:33 - What's at the core of employee engagement? 00:27:23 - Emma Bridger: The darker side of employee engagement 00:31:40 - Can you link employee engagement to results? 00:34:47 - Barrie Robinson: Creating great experiences 00:36:50 - Leadership characteristics 00:42:00 - Oscar Trimboli: 3 numbers behind deep listening 00:44:29 - The difference with deep listeners 00:47:38 - Podcast Close

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

Despite the focus, energy and money spent on employee engagement, many companies have struggled to move the dial. The growth in hybrid and remote working has exacerbated the situation too. Though there are organisations out there bucking the trend. One such place is NAHL Group. Andy Goram chats to Marcus Lamont, Group People Officer, about how they have reversed this trend. Marcus reveals the not-so-secret sauce to their success is a focus on the often forgotten group in an organisation - the line managers. Marcus shares the deeply practical ways they have increased their engagement and productivity while repositioning the business and moving to a 70% hybrid and remote model.

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• Unlock the key to reinvigorating your team's passion and commitment in a changing work environment.
• The secrets to leading, inspiring and motivating your line managers to do the same with their teams.
• How to build trust in hybrid and remote working environments.
• The power of soft-skill focused team manager training programmes.

• How to build, grow and maintain an enabling, positive culture no matter where people are located.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky from the Inside 00:01:12 - Employee Engagement Challenges 00:03:50 - The Power of Team Managers 00:04:37 - Marcus Lamont's Background 00:07:19 - Transformation at NAHL Group 00:15:08 - Focusing on Team Leaders for Business Improvement 00:16:45 - Overlooked Group of Managers 00:21:27 - Challenges Faced by Team Managers 00:23:49 - The Pathway to Leadership Program 00:26:40 - Overcoming Resistance to Change 00:29:04 - The Power of Little Marginal Gains 00:31:08 - The Silver Bullet: Team Leaders 00:33:47 - Building Trust within the Organization 00:36:48 - Empowerment and Accountability 00:40:14 - Navigating Remote and Hybrid Work 00:43:19 - Importance of Maintaining Relationships 00:43:59 - Pitfalls of Remote and Hybrid Work 00:44:58 - Human Needs in the Workplace 00:45:26 - Three Pearls of Wisdom 00:47:20 - Conclusion and Farewell

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

Andy Goram speaks with Sam McNeill from SongDivision, an organisation that uses the power of music and songwriting to attach meaning to the words that appear in many corporate mission statements and values lists connecting what drives an organisation with what motivates and drives the people within it. In this engaging, fun and entertaining conversation the pair discuss how the process works, how quickly the feelings of fear and cringe dissipate once the process begins and how even the most stubborn cynics end up rocking out to the new corporate anthem at the end of it.

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• Discover how music can enhance employee engagement and boost workplace morale.
• How to turn dull, meaningless corporate values into catchy, meaningful songs.
• Understand the benefits of integrating music into your workplace culture.
• How music acts as a team-building tool for stronger collaboration and unity.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky from the Inside 00:01:25 - The Power of Music in Engagement 00:02:55 - Using Songs to Connect and Unite 00:03:28 - The Science and Psychology Behind Music 00:04:57 - The Genesis of Song Division 00:14:11 - Sharing First Musical Experiences 00:16:11 - Process of Turning Corporate Values into a Song 00:22:27 - Giving Personal Meaning to Corporate Values 00:23:34 - Dealing with Cynical Participants 00:25:37 - Purpose and Meaning in Song Creation 00:26:03 - Studio Collaboration 00:27:15 - Spontaneous Song Creation 00:28:48 - Song Creation Process 00:29:53 - Cultural Variances 00:33:24 - Observing Company Culture 00:37:25 - The Power of Music in Team Building 00:38:15 - Impactful Feedback and Client Relationships 00:41:22 - Belief and Connection in Employee Engagement 00:44:39 - 3 Sticky Notes of Wisdom 00:47:50 - Wrapping Up with Collaboration and Inspiration

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

Andy Goram speaks with Jeff Klubeck, an accomplished coach, sought-after speaker, and the author of "The Integrity Game." Through his life experiences, Jeff discovered the power of making accountability non-threatening and non-judgmental, laying the foundation for his journey into the integrity game. This journey, intertwined with personal loss, became more than just a professional endeavour. It transformed his approach making integrity an inside job and an essential part of every aspect of life. In this episode Jeff shares his 10-point framework for playing the integrity game successfully, bringing meaning and purpose to what you do, not just a list of buzzwords.

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• Understand the complexity of what integrity is really about.
• Recognise your unique personal gifts and the part they play in integrity.
• The impact integrity has on teamwork and productivity.
• How to take ownership and embrace accountability.
• How integrating, not aligning the 10-point framework us where the real power is.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky from the Inside 00:02:39 - The Meaning of Integrity 00:06:02 - The Power of Parables 00:08:45 - The Importance of Emotional Connection 00:12:48 - Integrity Beyond Professional 00:13:06 - Exploring the Mentee-Mentor Relationship 00:13:32 - The Voice in Jeff's Head 00:16:21 - Accountability and Integrity 00:16:57 - Widening the Understanding of Integrity 00:22:20 - Going Beyond Word and Behaviour 00:24:22 - Navigating Complex Decisions 00:27:19 - Integrity and Integration 00:32:00 - Identifying Personal Gifts 00:37:10 - The Ten Points of the Model 00:43:33 - Three Sticky Notes of Wisdom

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

Andy Goram speaks with Kelly Campbell, a trauma-informed leadership coach, who shares their personal journey and insights on the impact of childhood trauma on leadership behaviour. Through their own experiences and professional expertise, they delve into the correlation between unresolved trauma and leadership patterns, highlighting the connection between childhood experiences and adult leadership styles. Kelly's emphasis on the importance of acknowledging and addressing trauma, both on a personal and organisational level, offers valuable perspectives for leaders and managers and offers up a path to healing.

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• The importance of addressing trauma in leadership roles for a healthier work environment.

• The impact of unresolved trauma on workplace culture and how it affects team dynamics.

• The practical steps to begin trauma healing for leaders, fostering personal growth and more effective leadership.

• Trauma-informed leadership practices to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace.

• How healing trauma can benefit organisational wellbeing, productivity and employee engagement.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:10 - Introduction to Sticky from the Inside 00:01:11 - Impact of Unresolved Trauma on Leadership 00:02:16 - Trauma-Informed Leadership and Kelly's Journey 00:08:23 - Trauma-Informed Leadership Definition 00:11:00 - Writing "Heal to Lead" 00:16:12 - People Pleasing Or Controlling Leaders 00:18:24 - The Impact of Unhealed Trauma in Leadership 00:21:43 - The Epidemic of Not-Enoughness 00:27:41 - Taking Responsibility for Healing 00:30:49 - Lifetime Commitment to Healing 00:31:32 - The Concept of Healing Trauma 00:32:39 - Taking Responsibility 00:39:09 - Impact on Organisations 00:42:31 - Business Sense of Caring 00:46:33 - Sticky Notes of Wisdom 00:48:17 - The Ripple Effect of Healing 00:48:47 - Connect with Kelly Campbell

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Get the full transcript of the episode here

Andy Goram speaks to Jo Coxhill, an internal communications expert and employee listener with a passion for improving organisational culture and employee experience. With a background in marketing and extensive experience in internal comms and engagement, Jo has a deep understanding of the nuances of workplace dynamics. In this episode Jo's focus on employee listening strategies, hybrid working, burnout solutions, and building inclusive workplace cultures enables her to share valuable insights of the good, the bad, and the crazy things she hears inside organisations.

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• How effective employee listening strategies create a more engaged and productive workforce.

• How to make the most of hybrid working and enhance collaboration and productivity.

• How others are addressing workplace burnout and boosting employee well-being.

• The responsibility on leadership roles in driving employee engagement and satisfaction.

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The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:10 - Podcast introduction

00:02:53 - Importance of Listening to Employees

00:09:41 - Role of an Employee Listener

00:11:45 - Motivation for Independent Consulting

00:13:46 - Positive Client Relationships

00:14:13 - Common Misconceptions about Employee Listening

00:16:47 - Employee Listening: Fashionable or Genuine Thirst?

00:21:35 - Pitfalls of Employee Listening

00:24:50 - Building Trust through Employee Listening

00:26:13 - The Hybrid Work Dilemma

00:27:30 - The Pitfalls of Employee-Led Hybrid Working

00:30:28 - EY's Framework for Hybrid Working

00:32:00 - Best Practices for Hybrid Working

00:37:24 - Impact of Hybrid Working on Burnout

00:40:18 - Rethinking Productivity and Work Hours

00:41:15 - The Importance of Productivity and Reshaping Work

00:42:04 - The Gold Standard of Leadership and Employee Listening

00:43:42 - Creating Harmony and Consensus in the Workplace

00:45:30 - The Power of Employee Listening

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Get the full transcript of the episode here