What makes culture so powerful, and why do so many organizations get it wrong? Kevin sits down with organizational psychologist Laura Hamill to discuss the disconnect between the practice of culture and the science of culture. Laura defines culture not just as what’s visible on the surface, but as the underlying "collective set of reasons why" behaviors occur in organizations. She explains why leaders must bridge the gap between aspirational values and actual workplace experiences and introduces the concept of cultural betrayal. The discussion also covers the difference between culture and climate, the role of middle managers in operationalizing values, and how behaviors and norms shape what is truly valued in the workplace.

Listen For

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
02:10 Guest Introduction: Laura Hamill
02:44 Opening Remarks and Book Background
03:10 Laura’s Journey to Studying Culture
04:46 Bridging Science and Practice in Culture
05:20 Why the Book is Called "The Power of Culture"
06:58 Leaders' Role in Culture and Power
09:15 Defining Culture
10:23 Culture vs. Climate
14:24 Real World Example of Cultural Disconnect
16:37 Aspirational vs. Actual Culture
20:24 Simple Culture Exercise for Teams
23:10 Cultural Betrayal and Its Impact
25:23 Leading Culture Change Over Time
28:08 Intentional Culture Circle and Behavior Focus
29:24 Role of Mid-Level Leaders in Culture
30:12 Frontline and Leadership Roles in Culture
31:01 What Laura Does for Fun
32:10 What Laura is Reading
33:01 How to Connect with Laura and Buy the Book
34:04 Final Reflections and Takeaways

Laura's Story: Dr. Laura Hamill is the author of The Power of Culture: Bringing Values to Life at Work. She is an organizational psychologist and business leader, focusing on the intersection of science and HR. Laura is an expert on creating great places to work. Her research is centered around employee well-being, employee engagement, and organizational culture. She is the owner of Paris Phoenix Group, a consulting firm specializing in driving impactful research and outcomes. Laura was also a co-founder of Limeade, an employee experience software company, where she held the dual roles of Chief People Officer and Chief Science Officer. Laura earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in industrial/organizational psychology from Old Dominion University and a B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina.

https://www.parisphoenixgroup.com/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahamill

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Book Recommendations

The Power of Culture: Bringing values to life at work by Laura Hamill
A Cognitive Theory of Cultural Meaning (Publications of the Society for Psychological Anthropology, Series Number 9) by Claudia Strauss and Naomi Quinn
Leadership on the Line, With a New Preface: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Change by Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky

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