Culture Bites

What happens when challenge turns into constant criticism? In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores oppositional culture — a workplace dynamic where fault-finding, defensiveness, and debate become the norm. While healthy challenge is essential for performance, oppositional cultures take it too far. Ideas are quickly picked apart, meetings become battlegrounds, and people earn influence by being the sharpest critic in the room. Over time, this leads to reduced motivation, slower change, safe (and often mediocre) decisions, and even strained customer relationships. If you’re leading through defensiveness or navigating a culture where every idea gets shot down, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening and what to do about it. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/oppositional-culture-when-challenge-turns-defensive/ Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/c

Avoidance culture thrives on fear, silence, and playing it safe. In this episode, Dominic Gourley unpacks how avoidance culture shows up at work, why it damages performance, and what leaders can do to create ownership, learning, and accountability instead. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/avoidance-culture-when-playing-it-safe-kills-performance/ Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/

In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley unpacks dependent culture — where decision-making is centralised, initiative is discouraged, and progress slows to a crawl. Learn how dependent cultures form, the impact they have on motivation and performance, and what leaders can do to build empowerment and achievement instead.

We unpack what a conventional culture looks like in practice, how it can support stability and consistency, and where it begins to create risk, stifle innovation, and limit performance. Through real-world examples - from warehouses to hospitals - we highlight the dangers of rigid rule-following without clear understanding of purpose, and share practical ways leaders can shift their teams from compliance to ownership.

“Everyone agreed... but nothing happened” - Dominic breaks down the signs, impacts, and causes of an Approval Culture, plus practical leadership shifts to invite dissent, clarify standards, and improve execution.

Culture often feels noisy and complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Dominic Gourley and Ash Smith unpack a simple way to think about culture using four clear buckets - ideal culture, actual culture, what sits between them, and the outcomes - and explain how one or two well-chosen actions in how you already work can drive meaningful cultural change. See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/culture-doesnt-have-to-be-complex/ Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/

Why we seek approval and follow rules - even when they don’t serve us. Dominic and Ash explore Approval, Conventional, Dependent and Avoidance styles, their payoffs and costs, and the Constructive alternatives that work better.

AI is here — but how ready is your culture? Dominic Gourley special guest 'Charlie Turing' explore how AI will reshape culture, why constructive organisations thrive with it, and how leaders can keep humans at the heart of the AI revolution. Show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/ai-and-culture-is-yours-ready-culture-bites-241/ Join the Conversation for this episode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dominicgourley_culturebitespodcast-ai-culture-activity-7388691762396995584-5ELd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABcnDLIBoEbpoUTgYLejZShtNQLgp6gGeE4

Dominic shares his tips no how to go about explaining the Circumplex to an individual or a group. He shares the pattern he uses and the key points he is trying to land. Learn more about the Human Synergistics Circumplex here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/about-us/the-circumplex/ Did you know we've just released a new LSI Digital Platform? Check it out: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/lsi-digital/

LSI Digital is coming soon: An interactive online platform that makes the power of the LSI more engaging, accessible, and actionable than ever before. Learn more about what to expect in this episode. Learn more here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/lsi-digital/

We break down the core Circumplex orientation - Satisfaction (growth) vs Security (protection). Learn how state of mind drives behavior, why confidence is quiet, and practical ways to shift from defensiveness to growth. View the full show notes here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/satisfaction-vs-security-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-culture-bites-248/ Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/ Diagnostics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-diagnostics/ Accreditation: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/become-accredited/

Why do we think and behave the way we do? We speak with Dr Jen Martin - scientist, author, and communicator - about the fascinating science behind our habits of thought and behaviour. Drawing on her new book Why Am I Like This?, Jen explains the psychology behind impostor experiences, procrastination, multitasking, flow states, and more. Together, they connect these scientific insights to leadership, personal development, and the Human Synergistics Circumplex framework. Read the full show notes here: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/why-am-i-like-this-with-dr-jen-martin-culture-bites-247/ Connect with Dr Jen Martin: Get the Book "Why Am I Like This?" https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/why-am-i-like-this-by-jen-martin/9781761450426 Visit Jen's website: https://scidocmartin.com/ Connect with Jen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-martin-scicomm/ Connect with Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Visit Human Synergistics: www.huma

Culture doesn’t shift unless leaders do. In this episode, Dominic and Corinne dive into why leaders must go first in culture change - what that looks like in practice, why behaviour beats systems, and how leaders can make the implicit explicit. A must-listen for executives and team leaders navigating change. See our Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/ Use our Diagnosotics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-diagnostics/leaders-managers/ Become Accredited: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/become-accredited/

Join us for a sneak peek into the 2025 Culture & Leadership Conferences in Sydney and Melbourne! In this episode, we preview the inspiring client stories and leadership insights you’ll hear - from transformation at David Jones, global perspectives from Marriott, leadership development at Lindt, to CEO strategy with Richard Harding. Plus, interactive sessions, big culture shifts, and plenty of community connection. Sydney: 27 August Melbourne: 4 September Free to attend – reserve your spot: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/conference/

What does it really mean to be neurodiverse - and how should leaders and coaches respond? In this episode, Dominic is joined by clinical and organisational psychologist Dr Amanda Mullin to explore the realities (and myths) around ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more. They unpack: What the term "neurodiversity" actually includes The difference between labels and lived experience Common challenges around communication, sensory sensitivity, and emotional regulation Why anxiety is more common - and more treatable - than most people realise How leaders can balance inclusion and accountability What coaches need to consider when working with neurodivergent clients If you're leading teams, coaching individuals, or simply trying to build a more inclusive workplace, this conversation is packed with insights and practical strategies. Learn more about Mindworx Psychology Online: https://online.mindworxpsychology.com.au/ Learn more about Human Synergistics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/ Join us at our Annua

We all say we want feedback – but how good are we at receiving it? In this episode, Dominic is joined by fellow consultant Ash Smith to unpack why receiving feedback can be so difficult, even for experienced leaders. They explore what triggers defensiveness, how to stay open (even when feedback is unexpected or poorly delivered), and why a true feedback culture depends just as much on how we receive as how we give. You’ll learn practical techniques for staying curious, assuming positive intent, and making feedback work for you – plus why positive feedback is too often overlooked. A must-listen for leaders, teams, and anyone serious about growth. See show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/how-to-receive-feedback-even-when-its-clunky-culture-bites-ep-244/

Changing culture sounds great - until it asks you to change. In this powerful conversation, Dominic Gourley and Ash Smith explore what it really takes for leaders to step up, lean into discomfort, and lead culture transformation from the front. They unpack why it’s so hard to change the behaviours that once made us successful, why vulnerability doesn’t mean weakness, and how leaders can avoid becoming the exception to the culture they want to build. Whether you're a CEO, team leader, or culture champion, this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead with courage.

We unpack the hidden pressures CEOs and Executives face - and why strong leadership doesn’t have to mean going it alone. We share the small rituals and mindset shifts that can help leaders reconnect with purpose, support, and each other. From ego and armour to shared goals and enterprise thinking - this is a must-listen for anyone working with or within Executive teams.

Richard shares the 5 principles he has used to achieve culture change across three different organisations.

How do we raise confident, resilient kids in a culture that’s become obsessed with supervision? In this episode, Dominic Gourley is joined by Lenore Skenazy – author of Free-Range Kids and President of Let Grow – to explore why independence is crucial for childhood development. They discuss why overprotection can backfire, how free play fosters leadership and creativity, and how building trust (not constant monitoring) strengthens both kids and parents. Drawing parallels between parenting and leadership in the workplace, Lenore and Dominic show why stepping back is the key to helping the next generation step up. If you want to raise or mentor more capable, resilient, and independent young people, this conversation is a must-listen. Learn more about Let Grow: https://letgrow.org/ Learn more about Human Synergistics: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/