Culture First with Damon Klotz

Culture First with Damon Klotz

Culture Amp

How does work culture shape human behavior and experience? How do humans create cultures?From uncomfortable truths to heart-to-heart conversations, Culture First uncovers what it really takes to build a better world of work. We all aspire to rise above the day-to-day commotion and bring more humanity into our work lives.Our host Damon Klotz is dedicated to understanding how we find meaning in our work and how to better the experience humans have within organizations. Join him as he explores journeys of trials and triumphs with the people who put culture first - despite all the things that get...

Bob Sutton on building a workplace with healthy friction and no assholes

Bob Sutton on building a workplace with healthy friction and no assholes

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, host Damon Klotz speaks with Bob Sutton, an organizational psychologist, Stanford management professor, and New York Times best-selling author. They discuss the negative impacts of power differences within organizations, the concept of destructive and constructive friction, and the critical role of leadership in mitigating such friction. The episode delves into Bob Sutton's latest work on 'The Friction Project' and explores how effective leaders can

Jan 27, • 1:05:53

Fresia Jackson & Justin Angsuwat on the trends impacting the world of work in 2025

Fresia Jackson & Justin Angsuwat on the trends impacting the world of work in 2025

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, host Damon Klotz, along with co-hosts Fresia Jackson, Director of People Science at Culture Amp, and Justin Angsuwat, Chief People Officer at Culture Amp, delve into the trends shaping the future of work in 2025. They discuss the implications of AI on job roles, the evolving dynamics between employees and employers, and the declining favorability of do-it-all leadership. The episode is packed with research data, including insights from over 1.3 billi

Jan 15, • 43:01

Esther Perel on the power of relationally intelligent leaders

Esther Perel on the power of relationally intelligent leaders

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, our host Damon Klotz invited Didier Elzinga, the CEO of Culture Amp, to step into the interview seat and speak with Esther Perel, a renowned psychotherapist and pioneering voice in understanding modern relationships and workplace dynamics. Together, Didier and Esther discuss the importance of relational dynamics and the power of storytelling in solving conflicts and creating meaningful connections. The conversation touches on the complexities of toda

Dec 17, 2024 • 1:16:51

Dr. Marcus Collins on why culture is a cheat code for success

Dr. Marcus Collins on why culture is a cheat code for success

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Dr. Marcus Collins, professor and best-selling author of For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be. Together, they discuss the profound impact of culture on brand and organizational success. They delve into the definitions and misconceptions surrounding culture. They explore how brands like Patagonia and e.l.f. Beauty authentically maintain consistency between their external and internal c

Dec 3, 2024 • 55:42

NBA Champion Shane Battier on why data and culture are the secret to success

NBA Champion Shane Battier on why data and culture are the secret to success

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Shane Battier. Shane is a two-time NBA champion and former player for the Miami Heat. He was recognized as a scholar-athlete at Duke University, earning accolades such as the National Player of the Year before being drafted sixth overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. Beyond basketball, Battier is committed to philanthropy through his foundation, which focuses on educational resources for underserved youth. In this episode, Damon talks

Nov 19, 2024 • 57:03

Amy Gallo's Guide to working with difficult people

Amy Gallo's Guide to working with difficult people

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Amy Gallo, an esteemed author and workplace expert. Damon and Amy have an in-depth discussion on conflict resolution, feedback, and workplace culture. Amy shares her experiences and professional insights, addressing the perils of 'artificial harmony', the importance of establishing norms for healthy disagreements, and the role of empathy in feedback. The conversation explores managing conflicts both in-person and remotely, emph

Nov 5, 2024 • 1:01:02

Patagonia's Vincent Stanley on creating a purpose-driven work culture

Patagonia's Vincent Stanley on creating a purpose-driven work culture

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Vincent Stanley, Patagonia’s Director of Philosophy. They discuss Patagonia’s unconventional approach to business, emphasizing cultural confidence and the importance of storytelling in building a responsible company. Vincent shares insights on Patagonia's foundational values, decision-making processes, and the importance of focusing on both environmental and societal responsibilities. The discussion highlights Patagonia's uniqu

Oct 22, 2024 • 52:20

Isabel Berwick on professional growth in uncertain times

Isabel Berwick on professional growth in uncertain times

In what ways are today’s workplace expectations shifting, and what does it mean for the future of professional growth? In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz sits down with Isabel Berwick, the Working Careers Editor at the Financial Times and author of the bestseller 'The Future Proofed Career,' to tackle these very questions. Isabel and Damon discuss key themes around adapting to uncertainty, the role of AI in the workplace, the significance of curiosity, and maintaining a he

Oct 8, 2024 • 52:51

Seth Godin on building a culture of impact

Seth Godin on building a culture of impact

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Seth Godin, renowned author, marketer, and entrepreneur. They delve into the essence of company culture and explore the significance of defining workplace culture by setting expectations and not tolerating disruptive behaviors. The conversation also highlights the importance of storytelling, enrollment, and the distinction between productive and busy work. Seth emphasizes the role of strategy in embodying a company's v

Sep 24, 2024 • 40:32

How people science and people analytics are changing how we work with Amy Lavoie

How people science and people analytics are changing how we work with Amy Lavoie

In this episode of the Culture First podcast, Damon Klotz interviews Amy Lavoie, VP of People Science at Culture Amp, about the role of people science and people analytics in the modern workplace. They discuss practical examples of using data to make decisions, the importance of combining science and technology, and the future of people analytics. The conversation highlights the need for people scientists who can analyze data, provide insights, and consult with leaders to drive meaningf

Aug 6, 2024 • 38:33

The Surprising Long Term Impact of Layoffs on Company Performance & Employee Experience.

The Surprising Long Term Impact of Layoffs on Company Performance & Employee Experience.

This is the second part of a two-part series on layoffs and their impact on the employee experience. The episode focuses on the long-term impact of layoffs, based on research conducted by Culture Amp. The study analyzed data from layoffs in the tech sector between March 2020 and December 2023, including over 3,300 layoff events by 2,400 companies.Chapters03:30 - Rebounding After a Layoff07:00 - How Long It Takes to Rebound11:46 - Determinants and Drivers of Engagement Post Layoff18:50 -

Jul 18, 2024 • 31:17

The Immediate Impact of Layoffs on Employee Experience & Company Performance.

The Immediate Impact of Layoffs on Employee Experience & Company Performance.

This is the first part of a two-part series on layoffs and their impact on the employee experience. The episode focuses on the immediate impact of layoffs, based on research conducted by Culture Amp. The research analyzed data from layoffs in the tech sector between March 2020 and December 2023, including over 3,300 layoff events by 2,400 companies.The conversation explores the impact of layoffs on employee engagement and the employee experience. It discusses the decline in engagement l

Jun 19, 2024 • 46:52

Modern Managers as Performance Coaches: Secrets from Nascar, Detroit Lions, and Ben Crowe live from SXSW 2024

Modern Managers as Performance Coaches: Secrets from Nascar, Detroit Lions, and Ben Crowe live from SXSW 2024

In this episode of the Culture First Podcast, we take you on the road with us to give you a front-row seat to an incredible conversation that took place at SXSW Austin this year.In this episode, Didier Elzinga, CEO and Co-founder of Culture Amp, will moderate a discussion on achieving and sustaining a high-performance culture by drawing upon lessons learned from the world of high-performance sports.He was joined by Lindsay Verstegen, Chief People & Diversity Officer at the Detroit L

Jun 6, 2024 • 1:09:54

Airbnb's Hospitality Expert: The conditions required to do the best work of your life with Chip Conley

Airbnb's Hospitality Expert: The conditions required to do the best work of your life with Chip Conley

In this episode, Damon Klotz and Chip Conley explore what it means to be a modern elder, ponder the notion of our identity being wrapped up in our work, and what role the manager can play in creating the environment and culture to do the best work of your life.If you'd like to listen to the full episode with Chip click here: https://www.cultureamp.com/podcast/how-to-learn-unlearn-stay-curious-at-work-with-chip-conleyLearn more about Culture Amp by heading to www.cultureamp.comWe be

Apr 18, 2024 • 13:56

Your invite to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe & Ben Crowe at Culture First Global 2024

Your invite to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe & Ben Crowe at Culture First Global 2024

Join Damon at Culture First Virtual 2024 to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe and Ben Crowe. Register here to get your free ticket & a thank you for being a Podcast listener. Register now.This May, people leaders and culture creators from all over the world will gather to share innovative ideas and insights on improving organizational culture.Join us at Culture First Global 2024, a free virtual conference where leaders connect on culture at work, to hear from Esther Perel, Megan

Apr 10, 2024 • 5:09

Should Activism Enter the Workplace? Insights from DeRay McKesson

Should Activism Enter the Workplace? Insights from DeRay McKesson

DeRay McKesson is a civil rights activist, community organiser, and host of Pod Save the People. He started his career as an educator & human capital leader and is the co-founder of Campaign Zero. Many of the marches DeRay has helped organize contributed to the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement.DeRay has become a key player in the workplace when it comes to confronting the systems and structures that have led to mass incarceration and police killings of black and other minori

Apr 4, 2024 • 13:41

Scott Shigeoka: Activating your curiosity will change the world around you

Scott Shigeoka: Activating your curiosity will change the world around you

Do we lose access to curiosity as we age? Or is it like a muscle that's always there, but just needs to be activated and strengthened?Scott Keoni Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker and author and he's known for translating research into strategies that promote positive wellbeing and connected relationships around the globe including at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center and through his popular courses at the University of Texas in Austin.In this v

Mar 27, 2024 • 1:33:31

World renowned trust expert: How do we access confidence during uncertainty with Rachel Botsman

World renowned trust expert: How do we access confidence during uncertainty with Rachel Botsman

Do you feel like trust works both ways in your workplace?With the sustained rise in remote or semi-remote roles, the importance of trust in the workplace is top of mind. But trust needs to work both ways, right? The question isn’t only "can employers trust their employees", it also needs to be "can employees trust their employers?"Rachel Botsman is a trust expert, author and lecturer at Oxford University. She's passionate about challenging ideas around trust and humility and has been re

Mar 20, 2024 • 15:08

Viral Poet Cleo Wade: How to Foster Community in the Workplace

Viral Poet Cleo Wade: How to Foster Community in the Workplace

Cleo Wade describes herself as a friend and a community builder. She's the author of bestselling books - Heart Talk, poetic Wisdom for a Better Life and Where to Begin, a small book about your power to create big change. Cleo’s also got a new book coming out in May this year - pre-order it here!From the data we collect here at Culture Amp, we know how important it is to give employees a chance to be heard, give feedback and share stories about their experience at work. Creating space fo

Mar 13, 2024 • 9:41

Achieving Gender Equality: Insights from Future Women's Jamila Rizvi

Achieving Gender Equality: Insights from Future Women's Jamila Rizvi

We can't think of a better way to mark International Women's Day than with a crystal clear call to action to all employers, laying out exactly what is needed to improve the world of work for women. Jamila is Deputy Managing Director of Future Women, where she supports governments and employer organisations working towards gender equality.Listen to Jamila dictate the email that she would like us to send to CEO’s around the world who are ready to improve the world of work for women.&

Mar 6, 2024 • 6:15

Culture First in 2024: Keeping you & your team ahead of the game

Culture First in 2024: Keeping you & your team ahead of the game

More than four years since we released the first episode of this podcast, we're back better than ever for 2024. Join Damon at Culture First Virtual 2024 to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe and Ben Crowe. Register here to get your free ticket & a thank you for being a Podcast listener. Register now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 5, 2024 • 2:03

The 7 trends that will define HR in 2024

The 7 trends that will define HR in 2024

Join Damon at Culture First Virtual 2024 to hear from Esther Perel, Megan Rapinoe and Ben Crowe. Register here to get your free ticket & a thank you for being a Podcast listener. Register now.How will the top 7 HR trends of 2024 impact your workplace? Damon breaks down his top three employee experience predictions for 2024, along with key predictions from four experts around the globe. In this new era of work, our technology, leadership, and communication are all hype

Jan 24, 2024 • 15:33

Damon Klotz with the one thing we all need to hear right now…

Damon Klotz with the one thing we all need to hear right now…

We're signing off for the year with the one thing we all need to hear right now + some exciting news about 2024.If you enjoy and find value in this podcast, please don't hesitate to subscribe, follow and leave a review.Learn more about Culture Amp at www.cultureamp.com or @cultureamp on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 20, 2023 • 4:37

Fresia Jackson shares the six behaviors that define a great manager

Fresia Jackson shares the six behaviors that define a great manager

The research team at Culture Amp are on the cutting edge of everything people + data science, and in this episode you'll get access to the top findings from their latest publication: The State of the Manager Report.The study looks at feedback from over 1 million employees, which analyzed 250,000 plus managers from 3,304 companies during the time period of July, 2022 to 2023. This makes it one of the largest and most comprehensive State of the Manager reports published.Fresia is a Lead R

Dec 6, 2023 • 52:17

Sarah Walsh on creating the conditions for high performance at the Matildas

Sarah Walsh on creating the conditions for high performance at the Matildas

Sarah Walsh has been integral in making women’s football in Australia what it is today. Following a club career that saw her play in the NWSL in the United States and in the A-League Women in Australia, she won 70 caps for Australia’s national team the Matildas and has spent the second half of her career fighting for equity and equality for today’s athletes.In the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Matildas captured the hearts of Australia and the world with record breaking audiences glued to

Nov 22, 2023 • 1:03:55

Susan David on why work feels harder than ever and how understanding emotional agility will help.

Susan David on why work feels harder than ever and how understanding emotional agility will help.

Are you stressed? Or could you get benefit from getting a little more specific and looking within to see if something else is happening? Maybe you identify disappointment, exhaustion or feeling unsupported?Damon's guest today is Award-winning psychologist Susan David, and in this episode she'll break down why getting specific with our emotions activates our readiness potential, allowing us to move forward and have the necessary conversations about why work can sometimes feel really hard

Nov 8, 2023 • 1:27:41

Adam Bryant on how to know if you're ready to become a leader.

Adam Bryant on how to know if you're ready to become a leader.

Adam Bryant is currently senior managing director at the Ex-Co Group, but you might also know Adam for his work as a columnist on one of the most popular NY Times columns of all time. That column was the iconic Corner Office, where he interviewed CEO’s of the world’s top companies and notoriously never missed a single week of publication in his 18 year tenure. If your ambition is to be a leader who leads with empathy and humanity, then you had better take notes during this con

Oct 26, 2023 • 1:24:53

What Succession taught us about toxic workplace culture, with Executive Producer and Writer Lucy Prebble - Part 2

What Succession taught us about toxic workplace culture, with Executive Producer and Writer Lucy Prebble - Part 2

Welcome to Part II of this special episode with Lucy Prebble, executive producer and writer from the hit tv show Succession. If you’re curious about why you both loved and hated Logan, why Shiv was as deeply flawed as her brothers and why a bromance like Tom and Greg’s made us feel all kinds of things, then hit play because all those questions and more will be answered.As Lucy and Damon take a deep dive into the world of Waystar Royco and Succession, Lucy shares openly to what lengths d

Oct 11, 2023 • 44:47

Lucy Prebble: How the Succession writer's room culture changed her life - Part I

Lucy Prebble: How the Succession writer's room culture changed her life - Part I

Lucy is an award winning British playwright and is the Executive Producer, and writer for the TV show Succession. She is known for her compelling story telling that often explores themes of power, corruption, and the dark side of human nature.In part one of this episode we are going to learn about Lucy the writer, the storyteller and the world creator.You’ll hear Lucy applying her techniques for world creation to the company cultures we all experience every day and we'll explore the “no

Oct 4, 2023 • 48:45

Garry Ridge: The stunning business impact of WD40’s Culture First strategy

Garry Ridge: The stunning business impact of WD40’s Culture First strategy

If you've ever doubted the ability of a Culture First company to have their delicious Culture cake and eat it, too - Garry Ridge is about to lay down a 20-minute Master Class on exactly how he made it possible.Our guest today was one of the very first CEO's that Simon Sinek recognised as putting his Golden Circle into practice and in this episode, you’ll hear Garry talk about his relationship with Simon Sinek and he lets us in on the tweaks he made to Simon’s own formula for creating a

Sep 20, 2023 • 24:17

Jamila Rizvi: making work actually work for women

Jamila Rizvi: making work actually work for women

Jamila's role as Deputy Managing Director of Future Women, an agency that supports governments and organizations that are working towards gender equality, is the culmination of a lifetime of fighting for change. Jamila is a former advisor to the Australian Government on gender and early childhood education and also a best-selling author for adults and children, columnist, media commentator and fellow podcast host.Damon's conversation with Jamila is packed with actions you can take into

Sep 6, 2023 • 1:16:14

Simon Sinek on the power of putting culture first

Simon Sinek on the power of putting culture first

In this Culture First episode, Damon Klotz sits down with the iconic Simon Sinek in a conversation wholly shaped around Simon’s concept of the Infinite Mindset of company culture. Inside, you’ll get a sneak peek into Simon’s background and how it shaped his perspective on life and work. You’ll also hear about the massive role that storytelling plays in Simon’s work and how you can use it to help people connect with ideas on a deeper level. Simon’s passion for shaping leaders with an Inf

Aug 23, 2023 • 34:16

Oliver Burkeman on designing an employee experience for mortals

Oliver Burkeman on designing an employee experience for mortals

Have you ever caught yourself saying “Once I’ve achieved this, I’ll have time for that” or “I would love to, but I’m just too busy’?Yes? Same!Our relationship with time and the perpetual quest for control can lead us to feeling incredibly overwhelmed. Enter Oliver Burkeman, the author of "4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals." In his book, Burkeman delves into the profound concept of our mortality and how it shapes our perspective on time. The conversation Damon and Oliver

Aug 16, 2023 • 1:19:46

Esther Perel on building a relationally intelligent workplace

Esther Perel on building a relationally intelligent workplace

This episode contains the never heard before full interview from our very first episode with Esther Perel. It was this sit down conversation that sparked a friendship between Esther and Damon that continues to this day. We believe in the magic that real conversations can create, so we want to take you back to that moment in time, back to the start and give you access to the first time Esther and Damon sat down together.For the first time ever, we’re releasing the full interview fro

Aug 9, 2023 • 58:03

Priya Parker and Gary Ware discuss the company culture showdown: Ted Lasso vs. Succession's Logan Roy.

Priya Parker and Gary Ware discuss the company culture showdown: Ted Lasso vs. Succession's Logan Roy.

‘Pop’ Culture First is a new style of episode and one that we’d love to do more of if you, our audience, agree!In this episode, you’ll hear Damon and his guests unpack the leadership styles of Ted Lasso and Logan Roy, both lead characters in smash hit shows that take us to the edge of what typical leadership is often confined to. When we say smash hit, we mean it! In 2023, Ted Lasso received 21 Emmy nominations, while Succession received 27!Priya Parker, author of the best selling book

Aug 2, 2023 • 52:10

Season Preview: Here's what to expect on the latest episodes of Culture First

Season Preview: Here's what to expect on the latest episodes of Culture First

Interviews with a curated list of workplace culture experts and thought leaders full of actionable insights to help all of us create a better world of work.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 2, 2023 • 1:43

How to hold on to your high performing employees, with Fresia Jackson.

How to hold on to your high performing employees, with Fresia Jackson.

What can 200,000 employees tell us about the relationship between engagement and performance? It turns out quite a lot. On the latest episode of the Culture First Podcast, we are returning to the data to bring you the latest in employee experience research. In the first part of our data and research series, I sat down with Culture Amp's Lead Researcher Fresia Jackson to lay the foundations for the scope and size of the data lake that Culture Amp has. You can listen to tha

Dec 1, 2022 • 48:36

The current state of mental health in the workplace, with Dr Nick Taylor

The current state of mental health in the workplace, with Dr Nick Taylor

While we all know that the world has changed significantly, what you might not know is that the state of mental health in the workplace has also been adjusting to respond to it. One of those changes was that in June of this year, the world's first International Standard (ISO) to address Psychological health and safety at work were published.To better understand what is happening with mental well-being and the workplace, Damon sat down with the Co-Founder of Unmind, Dr Nick Taylor.&

Nov 2, 2022 • 56:48

Culture First Americas 2022 with Susan Cain, Valerie Jarrett, David Whyte, and Oliver Burkeman

Culture First Americas 2022 with Susan Cain, Valerie Jarrett, David Whyte, and Oliver Burkeman

In this bonus episode of the Culture First Podcast, our host Damon Klotz announces the four keynote speakers for Culture First Americas. Join him at Culture First on Wednesday, the 26th of October, to hear from Susan Cain, Valerie Jarrett, Oliver Burkeman and David Whyte. Click this link to get your free ticket.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 25, 2022 • 8:59

How Wilson Sporting Goods puts Culture First, with Director of Retail Erin Pelton, Part 3 of 3.

How Wilson Sporting Goods puts Culture First, with Director of Retail Erin Pelton, Part 3 of 3.

For the first time on the Culture First Podcast, we are doing a mini-series where we go behind the scenes of a company to learn how they put Culture First at all levels of the company.The first company that we will be exploring is Wilson Sporting Goods. While many people would know Wilson for its products, you probably don’t know that they’ve been around for over 100 years, and it was only in the last few years that it launched retail stores. In the third episode of this series, we

Oct 19, 2022 • 51:56

How Wilson Sporting Goods puts Culture First, with Geoff Watts VP of HR, Part 2 of 3.

How Wilson Sporting Goods puts Culture First, with Geoff Watts VP of HR, Part 2 of 3.

For the first time on the Culture First Podcast, we are doing a mini-series where we go behind the scenes of a company to learn how they put Culture First at all levels of the company. The first company that we will be exploring is Wilson Sporting Goods. While many people would know Wilson for its products, you probably don’t know that they’ve been around for over 100 years, and it was only in the last few years that it launched retail stores. In the second episode of this ser

Oct 13, 2022 • 46:26

How Wilson Sporting Goods puts Culture First, with CEO Joe Dudy, Part 1 of 3.

How Wilson Sporting Goods puts Culture First, with CEO Joe Dudy, Part 1 of 3.

For the first time on the Culture First Podcast, we are doing a mini-series where we go behind the scenes of a company to learn how they put Culture First at all levels of the company. The first company that we will be exploring is Wilson Sporting Goods. While many people would know Wilson for their products, you probably don’t know that they’ve been around for over 100 years, and it was only in the last few years that they launched retail stores. In the first episode of this

Oct 5, 2022 • 46:44

Diving into Culture Amp's data lake - How we uncover insights from 34 million employee experience data points.

Diving into Culture Amp's data lake - How we uncover insights from 34 million employee experience data points.

Have you ever wondered what happens to your survey data after you submit your response? In this episode, we will dive deep into the world of employee experience data and how Culture Amp turns data into insights.Join us as we explore what happens when one individual responds to a company engagement survey. First, we’ll share how the company uses it. Then we’ll share how this one response goes on a journey to land in the largest employee data lake where Culture Amp can use that response t

Aug 17, 2022 • 44:27

How to talk about mental health in the workplace.

How to talk about mental health in the workplace.

In this episode of the Culture First Podcast Damon sits down with Professor Jane Burns and Adam Smiley Poswolsky to discuss how to talk about mental health in the workplace.Professor Burns is a Board Member of the NDIA, Committee Chair at Open Arms Veterans & Families Counseling and formerly involved in Streat and Beyond Blue. Adam is a keynote speaker on workplace belonging and the future of work as well as the author of Friendship in the Age of Loneliness. He also writes for

Jul 21, 2022 • 1:05:44

Designing Culture First Gatherings, with Priya Parker

Designing Culture First Gatherings, with Priya Parker

In this episode, Damon sits down with Priya Parker, master facilitator, and author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters. Priya provides listeners with a masterclass in the art of gathering. Here are some of the questions you might have about your work meetings: Have you wondered if your meetings were serving the right purpose? Have you questioned whether the right people are in the room? Do you worry that the way you gather at work is impacting someone’

Jul 6, 2022 • 58:10

Special: Culture First is back for 2022

Special: Culture First is back for 2022

Welcome back to another episode of the Culture First Podcast. In this episode podcast host, Damon Klotz talks about what's to come in the future for this podcast and for announces new Culture First events for 2022 and beyond. Culture Amp is excited to announce that Culture First – Culture Amp's annual, global virtual event series – is back! I'm inviting you to join us and the community as we explore the role of culture, science, and innovation in building better workplaces and overcomi

Jul 1, 2022 • 8:26

 Rethinking Trust at Work with Rachel Botsman

Rethinking Trust at Work with Rachel Botsman

In this episode, Damon sits down with Rachel Botsman, a leading expert and author on trust in the modern world, to discuss the positive impact of trust in the workplace. You'll hear Rachel and Damon discuss: How Rachel navigated the changes to her professional life without being on physical stages with audiences. The process Rachel uses before she creates a new keynote speech. The definition Rachel uses for trust: “Trust is a confident relationship with the unknown.”&nb

Nov 17, 2021 • 1:08:03

How Carman’s Kitchen achieved 96% employee engagement by focusing on the whole employee experience.

How Carman’s Kitchen achieved 96% employee engagement by focusing on the whole employee experience.

In this episode, Damon sits down with Lainie Tayler the General Manager People at Carman's Kitchen & Founder of HR Squad to discuss reimagining the employee experience and how to retain your best employees. Lainie Tayler is the founder of HR Squad and an experienced Performance Coach, whose mission is to help people achieve their professional and personal goals.In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Lainie believes in the whole person experience and not just the employee experience&

Oct 27, 2021 • 1:11:09

Scaling the employee experience at Asana, with Anna Binder

Scaling the employee experience at Asana, with Anna Binder

In this episode, Damon sits down with Anna Binder from Asana to talk about the journey she’s been on as she’s scaled Asana. As the newest board member of Culture Amp, Anna built a culture powered by clarity, co-creation, and inclusion and shares what she learned from her role at Asana and talk about what’s next for people leaders in 2022Anna Binder serves as Asana’s Head of People Operations, a role she has held since May 2016. During her time at Asana, both Inc. Magazine and Fortune na

Oct 7, 2021 • 1:02:03

How the Major League Baseball connected the dots between the fan experience and the employee experience

How the Major League Baseball connected the dots between the fan experience and the employee experience

For years Major League Baseball has measured everything related to the game. From the data that individual teams use for onfield performance to the analytics they use to tailor the brand and gameday experience for the fans. Brand is a promise to the customer, culture is how you deliver on that promise. In this episode, you’ll hear how Major League Baseball started their journey to create a culture of feedback and analyze the data that most closely impact their employees to deliver

May 18, 2021 • 24:09

How Nasdaq built a transformative culture that is both empowering and accountable

How Nasdaq built a transformative culture that is both empowering and accountable

In this episode Damon Klotz sat down with Richard Taylor, VP of Employee Experience at Nasdaq, to learn about how they think about building a culture first company. What’s holding your employees back from a transformative experience? Nasdaq asked this question, and what they learned was surprising. By deeply listening to employees, the people team gained unexpected insights into key pain points and employee needs. In this episode, you’ll learn how, by addressing your employees

May 18, 2021 • 19:36

Increasing emotional agility in the workplace with Claude Silver and Susan David

Increasing emotional agility in the workplace with Claude Silver and Susan David

In this episode of the Culture First Podcast Damon sits down with Claude Silver to provide a sneak preview into their respective upcoming conversations with Susan David about emotional agility and toxic positivity. You’ll hear insights into how VaynerMedia trains leaders for emotional agility, the quotes from Susan David that have impacted him the most, and the question that will help you better understand your emotions, thoughts and stories you tell yourself about work. To he

May 14, 2021 • 21:52

How to build an anti-racist organization, with Aubrey Blanche

How to build an anti-racist organization, with Aubrey Blanche

In this episode, Damon speaks with Aubrey Blanche, Director of Equitable Impact & Design at Culture Amp. Damon and Aubrey discuss building anti-racist organizations, the work of Professor Ibram X. Kendi & her first memories of what equality and inclusion meant as a young child. You’ll also hear some special reveals about the content and speakers for Culture First as well as the announcement of our MCs for our North America event. Register for Culture First 2021 here: https:

Apr 28, 2021 • 37:02

How to learn, unlearn & stay curious at work, with Chip Conley

How to learn, unlearn & stay curious at work, with Chip Conley

How to learn, unlearn & stay curious at work, with Chip Conley In this episode, Damon Klotz and Chip Conley explore what it means to be a modern elder, ponder the notion of our identity being wrapped up in our work, and why the older generation's emotional intelligence is just as important as the younger generation's digital intelligence. Rebel hospitality entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author Chip Conley disrupted his favorite industry... twice. At age 26 he

Apr 1, 2021 • 43:52

Special: What did Damon Klotz learn from hosting this podcast during a crisis?

Special: What did Damon Klotz learn from hosting this podcast during a crisis?

Join our host Damon Klotz as he reflects on the 7 parts of the working through it series and how they’ve helped him work through it during this time. Damon will share which moments from the episodes he has found himself coming back to, where he’s struggling and how he plans to act on these learnings in the future. For this episode we've also created a toolkit for you to use as you continue to work through it. Head to culturefirst.com/working-through-it/toolkit to download your copy

Aug 21, 2020 • 41:45

Special: How will COVID-19 change the world of work for good?

Special: How will COVID-19 change the world of work for good?

In this episode Damon speaks with Lars Schmidt, one of the leading voices when it comes to modern HR practices, employer branding and open sourcing the future of work. Damon and Lars debate how much of this new normal is going to still be present in the workplaces of the future. This episode is from Part 7 of Culture Amp’s Working Through It series. Learn more about the series at www.culturefirst.com/workingthroughit If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and leave us an

Aug 5, 2020 • 55:33

Special: What is the future of performance management?

Special: What is the future of performance management?

In this episode Damon speaks with Srinivas Krishnamurti, VP of Product at Culture Amp and former CEO of Zugata, about the steps we need to take to create a fairer and equitable performance management process. They discuss organizational justice, how remote work can level the playing field and why your current performance process might be leaving learning opportunities on the table. This episode is from Part 6 of Culture Amp’s Working Through It series. Learn more about the series a

Jul 29, 2020 • 52:46

Special: How does exclusion impact your ability to perform at work?

Special: How does exclusion impact your ability to perform at work?

In this episode Damon speaks with Rajkumari Neogy, an epigenetic coach and executive consultant focused on the intersection of neurobiology, culture, and empathy in today’s business world. She is also the author of “The WIT Factor: Shifting the Workplace Paradigm by Becoming Your Optimal Self.”Damon and Rajkumari discuss the role that exclusion and trauma can have in the workplace. Together, they look to understand whether these feelings can carry over from previous workplaces and if fe

Jul 22, 2020 • 44:26

Special: How to design experiences that increase connection

Special: How to design experiences that increase connection

In this episode, Damon Klotz speaks with Jenny Sauer-Klein. Jenny is an experience designer and masterful facilitator who specializes in designing dynamic learning experiences that help companies engage their employees and bring their culture to life.Damon and Jenny talk about how the shift from IRL to URL has led to a complete redesign in how we’re connecting. Together they explore how to define and scale intimacy in this new world. Jenny shares a framework to design the per

Jul 7, 2020 • 1:16:19

Special: Cleo Wade on connection, community and work culture

Special: Cleo Wade on connection, community and work culture

In this episode, Damon Klotz sits down with author, poet, and community builder Cleo Wade. This conversation is designed to inspire listeners through the power of poetry, space creation, and storytelling. Cleo’s empowering message gives us the tools to build the communities and connections that we need more than ever right now.Cleo Wade is the author of the bestselling books, Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life and Where to Begin: A Small Book About Your Power to Create Big Chan

Jul 7, 2020 • 26:28

Special: How to talk about grief and suffering at work.

Special: How to talk about grief and suffering at work.

In this episode Damon speaks to Kelsey Crowe, Ph.D., author of There is No Good Card for This: What to do and say when life is scary, awful and, unfair to the people you love. Kelsey and Damon discuss what stops us from asking for help, how to show up for people who are suffering, and coping with grief at work. What do you say to a colleague who is grieving? Whether someone is experiencing a personal or professional setback, it’s tempting to shy away from uncomfortable

Jun 24, 2020 • 1:04:09

Special: The new rules of emotions at work

Special: The new rules of emotions at work

In this episode Damon speaks with Mollie West Duffy, co-author of the book No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power Of Embracing Emotions At Work. She’s also one half of the workplace culture Instagram account @lizandmollie. Mollie is an expert in organizational design, development, and leadership coaching. She’s currently the head of organizational development at communications firm RALLY, and previously led organizational design at global innovation firm IDEO. Damon and Mollie discuss

Jun 24, 2020 • 59:52

 Special: How to talk about politics and race in the workplace.

Special: How to talk about politics and race in the workplace.

Leaders around the world are trying to help their teams navigate an incredible amount of uncertainty. This can lead to a deep sense of frustration about the world, the workplace, and our role within it. That’s why we need to have the courage to have difficult conversations about topics such as race, politics, equity, and belonging.In this episode, Damon Klotz speaks with Michelle Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of Awaken. Michelle and Damon talk about how to manage a team in times of political

Jun 10, 2020 • 45:55

 Special: How to use open source to respond to a crisis.

Special: How to use open source to respond to a crisis.

The open-source movement has given us an insight into the decisions that organizations around the world have been making to help their employees work through it during a crisis. But we don’t always get to learn about how or why they make the decisions that end up in the open-source policy or document. 

To learn more about prioritizing open and transparent communication during this crisis, Damon Klotz sat down with Tariq Meyers, Global Head of Belong, Inclusion, and Diversity at Coinbas

Jun 10, 2020 • 50:03

Special: The false codes of leadership to deconstruct in turbulent times

Special: The false codes of leadership to deconstruct in turbulent times

Leaders at all levels are faced with an increasingly blurred boundary between personal and professional. As we try to understand exactly how much of our full selves we can bring to work, managers are uniquely positioned to create a safe space for vulnerability - in times of crisis and beyond.In this episode, Damon Klotz speaks with Larissa Conte, Founder of Wayfinding. Together they explore what this changing environment can teach us about leading, how to manage our egos when budgets an

May 28, 2020 • 33:27

Special: Keeping momentum while leading through crisis

Special: Keeping momentum while leading through crisis

All eyes are on leaders as the world of work tries to adapt in the face of crisis. Fortunately, this is not the first time we’ve had to do this, and there are many learnings we can use as a guide. Whether we like it or not, there may never be a ‘return to normal.’ Now is the time to redefine how we work in this new world.In this episode, Damon Klotz speaks with Chris Fussell, President of McChrystal Group. Chris shares an optimistic framework for leading through periods of change. Toget

May 28, 2020 • 30:55

Special: Navigating the unknown with resilience

Special: Navigating the unknown with resilience

As most people are trapped at home, forced to grapple with the stress and anxiety from a confined space, there has never been a more relevant time to prioritize mental health. People are experiencing widespread and prolonged burnout and looking for ways to build meaningful connections in this new environment.In this episode, Damon Klotz speaks with Dr. Omar Dawood, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Sales at Calm. Together they explore how to make space for vulnerability at work and tact

May 13, 2020 • 36:06

Special: What happens to our brain during a pandemic

Special: What happens to our brain during a pandemic

COVID-19 has rapidly impacted individuals and organizations around the world. However you’ve been affected, the stress and anxiety from this global pandemic can take a meaningful toll on our health and wellness.In this episode, Damon Klotz speaks with Wendy Suzuki, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at New York University, about how extreme stress affects our brains. Throughout their conversation they explore simple techniques for calming anxiety, the difference between good and b

May 6, 2020 • 28:12

Special: Working Through It - A collective, seven-part journey through crisis.

Special: Working Through It - A collective, seven-part journey through crisis.

We are excited to announce a new seven-part series of the Culture First Podcast as we navigate the impacts of the global pandemic and explore the new world of work.Join our Culture First community to discuss how you and others are #WorkingThroughIt.Head to https://www.culturefirst.com/workingthroughit as we begin a collective journey through this crisis, together.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf

Apr 28, 2020 • 1:01

A seat at the table, with Minda Harts

A seat at the table, with Minda Harts

In this episode, Damon sits down with Minda Harts, founder of The Memo, and author of the book by the same name. Minda has dedicated her life’s work to supporting the career development of women of color. Listen below to learn Minda’s approach to improving workplace inclusivity. In the modern business landscape, everyone seems to be vying for a seat at the proverbial leadership table. However, Minda suggests it might be time to throw out the old table and build a new one designed t

Apr 22, 2020 • 52:36

Activism at work, with DeRay McKesson

Activism at work, with DeRay McKesson

In this episode, Damon sits down with DeRay McKesson, civil rights activist and host of “Pod Save the People”. DeRay works to connect individuals with knowledge and tools, and provide citizens and policymakers with policies that ensure equity. Empowering employees to bring their whole selves to work is a staple of a Culture First organization. But does that mean leaders should make space for activism in the workplace? Damon and DeRay McKesson explore how organizational activism can be a

Apr 8, 2020 • 52:38

The resilience playbook for leaders, with Tania Luna

The resilience playbook for leaders, with Tania Luna

In this episode, Damon meets with Tania Luna, Co-CEO of LifeLabs Learning, whose work revolves around learning, psychology, and surprise. Together, they shine a light on the opportunity leaders have to make the most out of the COVID-19 crisis being nimble and adaptive.In times of crisis, the environment we operate in changes the norms we are used to. When volatility and uncertainty are at their peak, we need different tools than the ones used when things are predictable, consistent and

Mar 25, 2020 • 48:48

Empathy, compassion, work: Part 2, with Taryn Hughes

Empathy, compassion, work: Part 2, with Taryn Hughes

We believe that compassion is mandatory in the building of a Culture First organization. If like us, you’re passionate about people, there’s a good chance you also have high levels of compassion. However, compassion does come with a risk of secondary trauma exposure, or “compassion fatigue”.In this episode, Damon meets with Taryn Hughes, CEO of Forest Hughes & Associates, somatic trauma recovery specialist, and creator of the first-ever workplace friendly secondary trauma recovery p

Mar 11, 2020 • 51:44

Empathy, compassion, work: Part 1, with Michael Ventura

Empathy, compassion, work: Part 1, with Michael Ventura

Intuitively, you might get the sense that empathy and compassion play a key part in the making of a Culture First organization. Yet their definitions, inherent differences, and potential downfalls remain somewhat of a blur, especially in the context of the workplace.The next two episodes of the Culture First podcast are dedicated to bringing clarity and applicable knowledge around these skills. Part 1 focuses on applied empathy, while Part 2 will bring compassion fatigue into the light.

Feb 26, 2020 • 40:47

The death and rebirth of soft skills, with Claude Silver

The death and rebirth of soft skills, with Claude Silver

The death and rebirth of soft skills, with Claude SilverThey’ve been called fluffy, vital, old school, new age… While few people in the world of work disagree about their benefits, many still argue over what to call them, and how to define them.In this episode, Damon meets with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and executive coach, to discuss whether soft skills need rebranding, and what HR and Marketing functions might have in common. Hint: it’s a soft skill.Next, we he

Feb 5, 2020 • 50:58

The infinite mindset organization, with Simon Sinek

The infinite mindset organization, with Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek identifies two different kinds of games: finite and infinite.Finite games, such as football or chess, have known players, fixed rules, and an agreed-upon objective that often ends the game with a winner and a loser.Infinite games, on the other hand, can be played by known and unknown players, have no exact rules and an infinite length of play. An unshakable optimist, Simon believes in a bright future and works toward improving our ability to build it together. For him,

Jan 22, 2020 • 48:33

Designing for love and magic, with Oshoke Abalu & Chinedu Echuero

Designing for love and magic, with Oshoke Abalu & Chinedu Echuero

How do we foster love and magic within our organizations? This is the question on which architect Pamela Oshoke Abalu and serial entrepreneur Chinedu Echuero founded the Love & Magic Company. Their job is to help change-makers develop enthused and powerful business solutions. In this episode of the Culture First Podcast, Damon explores with them what it means for work to be “love made visible”.They discuss the concept of seeing your customer or employee as your beloved, designing fo

Jan 8, 2020 • 44:57

Scaling Culture, with Ambrosia Vertesi

Scaling Culture, with Ambrosia Vertesi

Scaling Culture, with Ambrosia VertesiNumerous organizations face a common dilemma: how to maintain their foundational culture and values while experiencing tremendous growth.In this episode, Damon Klotz sits down with Ambrosia Vertesi, co-founder of HR Open Source and former Vice President of People at Duo Security, to discuss the why and the how of scaling culture.Ambrosia shares many of the lessons she learned during her time at Hootsuite and Duo Security and gives us insight on how

Dec 18, 2019 • 46:29

Relationships at work, with Esther Perel

Relationships at work, with Esther Perel

In this episode, Culture Amp’s Work Culture Evangelist Damon Klotz sits down with psychotherapist and best selling author Esther Perel to explore what makes up the fabric of work culture: relationships.Esther shares ways to develop relational intelligence in the workplace, explains where trust originates and how to cultivate it, and gives us insight into how cultures of innovation can be fostered.You’ll also hear the lessons Wade Foster (CEO and Founder of Zapier) and Courtney Seiter (D

Dec 3, 2019 • 43:59

Introducing the Culture First Podcast

Introducing the Culture First Podcast

Culture First: Stories for a better world of work is a podcast about work culture by Culture Amp, the People & Culture platform.Join host Damon Klotz as he dives into heart-to-heart conversations with well-known and underground culture experts, and hear stories of trials and triumphs by people who are leading the culture first revolution.Guests will include Esther Perel, DeRay McKesson, Chip Conley, Simon Sinek, Claude Silver, and many more.Whether you are a seasoned leader who is p

Sep 27, 2019 • 2:39

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