264. How to Measure Culture Like a Business Metric - Great Mondays Radio X Truth, Lies and Work

This week, we're sharing a special feed drop from Great Mondays Radio! Our very own Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Leanne Elliott, takes the guest chair as host Josh Levine (Work Futurist, author, and culture consultant) interviews her on creating amazing workplaces.

In this candid conversation, Leanne and Josh dismantle the myths around company culture and redefine it as a strategic, business-critical system rooted in behavioral science. If you're tired of treating culture as a "nice-to-have" or a collection of perks, this episode is a must-listen for business leaders, managers, and HR professionals.

🧠 What We Cover:

• A Clear Definition of Culture: Leanne shares her preferred definition of culture by John Amaechi: "The worst behaviors tolerated." This makes culture behavior-based and is a living, breathing thing that everyone can be responsible for.

• The Biggest Misunderstanding: Why do business leaders mistakenly think culture is something physical (like a cool office, ping-pong table, or the general vibe around the place) rather than something psychological and scientific?

• Moving Beyond Fluff: All the data and science show that building an awesome workplace is fundamentally good for business. It's great for the bottom line, customers, and growth trajectory.

• The Right Data: Leanne advocates for collecting data on psychosocial risk factors (relationships, control over work, trust, resources, change management) because they are transactional elements that directly impact how people think, feel, and behave.

• Innovation vs. Efficiency: An organization's strategy (e.g., chasing efficiency vs. relying on innovation) dictates which psychosocial factors to prioritize. For example, innovation requires nurturing psychological safety to allow people to make mistakes safely.

• Building Internal Capability: Building internal capability for people and culture is critical for survival in the next decade due to increasing complexity and the rate of change. A C-level leader must own this responsibility.

🛠️ Practical Resources

• Oblong Consultancy (Leanne Elliott's Company)

  • Website: https://oblonghq.com/

• HSE Management Standards (UK Health and Safety Executive)

  • Leanne recommends this completely free resource for understanding and measuring key psychosocial risk factors at work.

  • Website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne (Truth, Lies & Work)

• LinkedIn (Show): https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork

• Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott

• Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne

• Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com

• Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

• Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

Connect with Josh Levine (Guest Host):

• Connect with Josh Levine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajoshlevine

• Follow Josh on Instagram: @greatmondays_culturedesign

• Great Mondays website: https://greatmondays.com

• Great Mondays Radio: https://radio.greatmondays.com

• Great Mondays YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GreatMondays

• Get the book "Great Mondays" at greatmondays.com

💚 Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Please reach out to one of the following confidential services:

• Samaritans (UK & Ireland) - Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, available 24/7.

  • Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)

• Mind (England & Wales) - Advice and support for mental health problems.

  • Phone: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US-based) - Confidential, free, 24/7/365 support for those in crisis.

  • Call or Text: 988 (24/7)

• Find A Helpline (Global) - Connects users to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources worldwide.

  • Website: https://findahelpline.com/