Why learning to fail well can be a superpower with Amy Edmondson
Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, and one of the world’s foremost thinkers on organizational behavior. Best known for her pioneering work on psychological safety, Amy’s research has transformed how leaders build trust, foster learning, and create high-performing teams. Her books—including The Fearless Organization and Right Kind of Wrong—have become must-reads for anyone serious about culture and innovation.In this episode, Amy and Subbu dive deep into the science of failing well, teaming in a hybrid world, and why psychological safety isn’t about being nice but about being brave. We explore the roots of her work, lessons from early setbacks, and what it takes to build resilient, learning-focused organizations in an age of AI, burnout, and constant change.In this episode, we cover:Amy’s unconventional journey—from working with Buckminster Fuller to redefining team learningThe surprising discovery that launched psychological safety researchCommon myths about psychological safetyHow hybrid and remote work are reshaping interpersonal risk-takingThe difference between errors and failures, and why most organizations confuse the twoWhat “intelligent failure” looks like, and how to cultivate itWhy team-based learning is the underappreciated engine of innovationThe link between psychological safety and burnout—and what leaders can do about itA systems-thinking lens for navigating consistent, variable, and novel work contextsAmy’s next big question: Given the larger societal and technological changes around us, how do we make work work for everybody?
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Leading in the Creator Economy with Ankur Mehra
Ankur Mehra is a creator economist, bestselling author of Pixels to Profits, and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices on the creator economy. With a diverse career spanning the armed forces, big tech, and media, Ankur brings a rare blend of structure, strategy, and storytelling to the world of digital creators. He has worked with platforms like Facebook and Instagram, built media partnerships with cultural icons like Rajinikanth, and today champions the rise of creator-led ecosystems.In this episode, Ankur and I unpack how the creator economy is not just disrupting media—it’s reshaping leadership, organizations, and the future of work. We explore what it means for CEOs, CHROs, and employees to embrace their voice, create content with purpose, and build communities—not just audiences.In this episode, we cover:Ankur’s journey from lieutenant in the Indian Army to creator economy evangelistThe media moment that changed how he saw purpose at workWhy creators are the new media, and what that means for influence and trustHow CEOs and CHROs can lead with content and culture through employee-generated content (EGC)The 5C and 3R frameworks that decode the complexity of content creationMental health, originality, and fighting FOMO in a content-saturated worldA thought-provoking glimpse into the decentralized, creator-led future of the internet
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Your career is an enduring marathon with Gurucharan Singh Gandhi
Gurucharan Singh Gandhi (Guru) is the CHRO of Vodafone Idea Limited and has held leadership roles at Madura, Aditya Birla Capital, Max Life Insurance, and more. He’s the author of Kabir in Corporates and Careerathon, and a passionate marathon runner who brings a poetic clarity to life and work.In this episode Guru and I explore how careers are best viewed as long-distance runs rather than short-term races. Guru shares his unconventional, adjacency-led career path and the life lessons that came from embracing change, nurturing endurance, and respecting the track—whether in work or while running a marathon.In this episode, we cover:Guru’s zigzag yet intentional career journey across sales, L&D, and HRWhy personal evolution is the real foundation for career growthThe metaphor of running – from hydrating well to forgetting the last race – and how it mirrors modern careersLearning to recognize your own “drivers” and how not to get trapped by comparisonHow resilience, reflection, and mentorship help you navigate downturnsWhat forgetting the last race teaches us about transitions and adaptabilityA provocative take on the future of work – and why the question should be “whose future of work?”Whether you're early in your career, rethinking your path, or just looking for a fresh take on leadership and growth, this episode is a thoughtful listen packed with insights.
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How Culture Can Influence Customer Experience with Dave Ulrich
Dave Ulrich is ranked #1 management guru by Business Week, named one of the Top 10 Creative People in Business by Fast Company, a Top 5 Executive Coach by Forbes, and consistently featured on the Thinkers50 list of the world’s most influential business thinkers. Dave has written over 30 books, shaped the field of HR as we know it, and continues to inspire with his unwavering passion for ideas with impact.In this episode, Subbu and Dave discuss Dave's illustrious career spanning over 4 decades, how he keeps going even today, the evolving definition of culture, how culture impacts customer value, the importance of hope, and a whole lot more.Key topics discussed:How Dave got interested in the field of organizational behavior and theoryDave's OCD - Organization Compulsive BehaviorWhat keeps Dave going even todayWhy does culture matter?How the definition of culture has evolved over the yearsA bold new definition of cultureWhy culture transformation efforts may failRituals turn personal habits into realized values and guiding principlesWhen rituals can become powerful in an organizational contextA lesson from Dave's mentor: the late CK PrahladEmployee experience v/s team performanceThe need to look seriously at mental health in a work settingThe 5 waves of employee experienceHR is on the cusp of transformation, thanks to AIWord-ball game!The future of work and the emphasis on cultureHow stay relevant in the world of AIHonoring Dave's legacy
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Shifting the narrative around mental health with Aruna Gopakumar
Aruna Gopakumar is the founder of leadership consulting firm Navgati and The School Of You. Aruna is also co-author of the book 'And How Do you Feel About That’. She has spent over two decades helping leaders navigate complexity, build emotional intelligence, and create meaningful impact. She is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and also an expert in the area of Transactional Analysis.In this episode, Subbu and Aruna discuss a whole host of topics, including why it's time we shifted the narrative around mental health at the workplace.Key topics:Aruna's very unique career arc spanning engineering, MBA and psychotherapy!The motto - Build and they will come!The journey to becoming an authorStories of personal transformationShifting the narrative on mental health at workAruna's new venture - The School Of YouDown the rabbit hole with Alice in WonderlandThoughts on the future of work
Learning, Leadership and Organizational Development expert Subbu Kalpathi talks with leading academics, researchers, authors, corporate leaders, consultants and subject matter experts on the topic of organizational culture. From harnessing the science of happiness at work to innovations such as the 4-day workweek, Culture Matters will challenge the way you think about your people strategy for the new world of work.
Brasil