Mastering Workplace Culture

In this powerful Mastering Workplace Culture conversation, David Mollitor Jr. shares the remarkable journey of transforming Consolidated Electrical Contractors (CEC) from a traditionally hard‑driving construction company into a people‑first, values‑anchored organization. This episode highlights a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at a blue‑collar business choosing respect, clarity, and cultural consistency over outdated pressure tactics that once dominated the industry. David walks us through saving 15 jobs in the mid‑90s, navigating explosive growth followed by a devastating recession, and rebuilding a company where 200 employee‑owners now contribute to a shared legacy. You'll hear how a call to Ken Blanchard reshaped the company's direction, why CEC committed to cultural accountability, and how one leader known for intensity became one of the company's strongest culture champions. You'll also experience vulnerable reflections on leadership, organizational rebirth, employee ownership, and the deeply personal shift that led David to redefine success—not through volume or status, but through meaningful impact on people's lives. The episode closes with a heartwarming look at his newest role: becoming a grandfather and watching the next generation grow. This story is a reminder that culture is not a slogan—it is a daily commitment, a leadership discipline, and a long‑term investment in human potential. ⏱️ Key Moments 00:00–02:30 — Introductions + David's early career 02:30–06:00 — Saving 15 employees and restarting an aging company 06:00–09:00 — Confronting entrenched construction‑industry behavior 09:00–14:00 — Rapid growth, hard lessons, and the recession crash 14:00–17:00 — The "do‑over" mindset and discovering Gung Ho! 17:00–19:00 — The pivotal call to Ken Blanchard 19:00–24:00 — Acknowledging the need for cultural reconstruction 24:00–29:00 — Managing skepticism and blue‑collar resistance 29:00–34:00 — Aligning the executive team with values and behaviors 34:00–39:00 — A major leadership transformation inside CEC 39:00–42:00 — Training breakthroughs and real‑time behavior practice 42:00–48:00 — Why culture requires intentional professional guidance 48:00–53:00 — Leadership legacy and redefining personal success 53:00–57:00 — The emotional impact of a people‑centered company 57:00–59:00 — David welcomes a new chapter as a grandfather 
 If this conversation expanded your perspective on leadership and culture, help more leaders discover this message: 👍 Like this episode to support meaningful workplace conversations 🔔 Subscribe for more transformative stories on Mastering Workplace Culture 💬 Comment with the moment that reshaped your understanding of leadership 🔗 Share this episode with someone ready to build a healthier workplace #MasteringWorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #PeopleFirstLeadership #ConstructionLeadership #ESOP

  Culture change isn't quick… but the work is a solid investment. Tim Steinbeck, CEO of GRE HERC Services, joins the Mastering Workplace Culture podcast for a raw, grounded conversation about what change really looks like when moving a blue‑collar workplace from siloed habits to a culture built on "STEAM" values: Safety, Trust, Accountability, Ethics, and Mutual Respect. From shift‑to‑shift friction and accountability battles… to longtime employees leaving because "you can't pay me enough to be nice to these people"… this talk pulls back the curtain on what real culture transformation feels like inside a 24/7 operational environment. If you lead people — especially on the plant floor, in facilities, or in field‑based work — you'll hear your world in this conversation. ⏱️ This Episode's Chapter Guide 00:00 – Intro What Mastering Workplace Culture is all about — real talk, zero jargon. 00:31 – Meet Tim Steinbeck 46 years in energy, leading a major operational takeover in Minneapolis. 02:00 – Why the Culture Wasn't Working COVID isolation, expectations drifting, communication slipping. 03:45 – Finding "Good Comes First" The moment the culture reboot started making sense. 04:25 – Building STEAM (Safety, Trust, Accountability, Ethics, Mutual Respect) values Creating values the plant team could actually use. 05:55 – The First Signs of Change Frontline reactions, peer feedback, and slow, uneven progress. 07:47 – Leadership Buy‑In ("Are you crazy, Tim?") How senior leaders responded when culture alignment became a priority. 09:00 – When Values Reveal Who Won't Stay Some employees chose to leave — and why that mattered. 11:20 – Old Habits vs. New Expectations Breaking behaviors built over decades. 14:00 – What's Working — And What Still Isn't New hires, legacy teams, and continued pushback. 17:30 – Respect & Accountability The issues leadership keeps running into. 20:20 – Post‑Pandemic Realities Four siloed teams, weak handoffs, and baked‑in independence. 22:30 – Did They Ever Hit Pause? How the team stayed committed even when things got tough. 24:00 – Frontline Frustrations Why operators say they're not being heard. 26:00 – The Middle‑Manager Squeeze Supervisors caught between pressure and values. 28:00 – Are People Enjoying Work More? Tim's honest take on the culture shift so far. 30:40 – Big Leadership Transitions New faces, new roles, and keeping momentum going. 39:00 – CEO Drop‑In Chats Tim's plan to meet operators where they are. 41:50 – Lessons Tim Wishes He'd Known Vulnerability, consistency, and starting sooner. 48:00 – What He'd Do Differently More conversations, fewer gaps. 51:40 – Cabin Life! Ice fishing, Minnesota summers, and family time. 54:30 – Final Thoughts Safety, warmth, and staying connected.   If this conversation resonated, don't forget to: Like this video to support more real conversations about workplace culture Subscribe for future interviews with leaders who tell the truth Comment with your biggest takeaway (or what you're struggling with in your own culture) Share this with someone who leads a team and needs to hear it (maybe your boss)   #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #GoodComesFirst #CultureTransformation #EmployeeExperience #MasteringWorkplaceCulture  

In this episode of Mastering Workplace Culture, Katelyn Taylor, Director of Marketing Communications at Boise State University, reveals the hard decisions and practical steps she took to rebuild a toxic team culture. From spotting the waving red flags to hiring for respect and results, this conversation provides leaders a roadmap for transforming any workplace—no matter how tough the starting point. 👉 If you're serious about building a healthier, higher‑performing team, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment sharing your biggest culture challenge! #MasteringWorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #RespectAndResults #ChangeLeadership #EmployeeExperience  

Discover the leadership philosophies that helped turn WD‑40 into a globally admired organization. In this episode of Mastering Workplace Culture, hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbitt sit down with Garry Ridge, former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of the WD‑40 Company — widely known as a Culture Architect. Garry shares the principles that helped expand WD‑40 into 176 countries while building a culture grounded in trust, accountability, belonging, and values that guide behavior and performance. From authentic care to the concept of positive attrition, he explains how leaders can cultivate workplaces where people feel safe, connected, and motivated to do their best work. You'll learn: How values‑based leadership fosters engagement and trust Why accountability is an act of care — not punishment How belonging drives performance What "positive attrition" really means How WD‑40 sustained its values through the pandemic How to maintain a strong culture across global teams Perfect for leaders, HR pros, culture strategists, and anyone passionate about building people‑first workplaces. ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction  00:31 Meet Garry Ridge  02:44 Garry's Journey with WD‑40  03:46 Building a Global Culture  05:46 Values‑Based Leadership  09:34 The Tribe Philosophy  11:22 Challenges & Resistance  23:41 Accountability that Works  28:02 Overcoming Obstacles with Values  29:39 Why Values Matter in Business  30:18 Thriving During the Pandemic  31:13 Employee Engagement & Safety  32:58 The Power of Belonging  36:26 Global Expansion & Cultural Differences  38:16 Values in Divisive Times  50:28 Addressing Toxic Behavior  53:51 Final Thoughts & Resources 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like the video  💬 Comment below: What value most influences your workplace culture?  🔔 Subscribe for more insights on leadership and workplace culture  📤 Share this episode with a leader or HR professional! #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #GarryRidge #WDCOMPANY #ValuesBasedLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalCulture #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessLeadership #MasteringWorkplaceCulture

Welcome to Mastering Workplace Culture! In this kickoff episode, hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbit share why they launched this podcast and what you can expect. We go beyond corporate jargon to explore practical strategies for building cultures that value respect and results equally.   ✅ Why culture change isn't a quick fix ✅ How leaders can manage performance AND values ✅ Real-world success stories from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits   If you're ready to challenge assumptions and create a workplace where people thrive, this podcast is for you.   📧 Have questions or guest ideas? Email us at authors@goodcomesfirst.com   #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #RespectAndResults #Podcast