Summary 

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenge of accountability for values with guests Karen Jones and Karen Hackett. They explore the importance of articulating and embedding organizational values, the role of managers in fostering a culture of accountability, and the potential pitfalls of weaponizing values in the workplace. The conversation also touches on the significance of onboarding processes and the need for open communication and feedback within organizations. 

Takeaways 

• Accountability for values is a significant challenge for many organizations. 

• Values must be articulated and understood to be effectively lived. 

• Creating a culture of feedback is essential for accountability. 

• Managers play a pivotal role in releasing the energy of their teams. 

• Onboarding processes should embed values from the start. 

• Psychological safety is crucial for open conversations about values. 

• Values can be weaponized, leading to defensiveness in feedback. 

• Organizations need to be bold about their current culture and desired future state. 

• Storytelling can help connect employees to organizational values. 

• Time is a critical factor in enabling managers to engage with their teams. 

Chapters 

• 00:00 Introduction to Accountability for Values 

• 01:24 Understanding Organizational Culture 

• 04:18 Insights from the Mind the Gap Report 

• 06:19 Bringing Values to Life 

• 11:03 Accountability in Practice 

• 17:17 Weaponization of Values in the Workplace 

• 22:16 Building a High-Performance Culture 

• 24:53 The Role of Managers in Organizational Success 

• 30:01 Empowering Middle Managers 

• 37:22 The Importance of Storytelling in Leadership 

• 37:49 Effective Onboarding Practices