Most leaders know that a strong culture is a foundation for building a great organization, but great cultures don’t just happen on their own. Rather, they’re designed and built systematically, brick by brick.  In each episode, David J. Friedman, the best-selling author of Culture by Design, speaks with extraordinary leaders, from all walks of life, and they share their biggest successes, failures, and lessons learned on their culture journeys.  If you’re searching for the best insights on building a high-performing culture, then Culture Architects is for you.

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CULTURE ARCHITECTS EPISODES:

Episode 12: Brad Whitchurch

Part I

In this episode, David welcomes Brad Whitchurch, the founder, CEO, and chairman of Seal Shield. In 2006, Brad invented the world’s first dishwasher-safe keyboard and mouse, and grew the company into an internationally recognized provider of infection control solutions. Today, Seal Shield is an award-winning workplace that is intentional about its people and its company culture. At their helm is Brad Whitchurch, a true Culture Architect.

Part II

David continues his conversation with Brad Whitchurch. In this second part, Brad shares mistakes made and lessons learned from building the culture at Seal Shield, as well as his hopes and projections for the future of the company.

Episode 11: Zach McLeroy

Part I

For this episode of Culture Architects, David sits down with Zach McLeroy, the co-founder and chairman of Zaxby’s. Since opening his first location in 1990, Zach’s leadership has led the way to Zaxby’s becoming the 30th largest restaurant chain in the United States. From humble beginnings, to a billion-dollar franchise, Zach attributes Zaxby’s growth to the intentional relationships made within the company. Zaxby’s company culture is at the core of their success, making Zach a fantastic culture architect.

Part II

David wraps up Part 1 of his conversation with Zach McLeroy. In part two, Zach discusses how he selects his team members to maintain Zaxby’s company culture, as well as his vision for the future of Zaxby’s.

Episode 10: Mark Baiada

Part I

In this episode, David interviews Mark Baiada, the founder and chairman of Bayada Home Healthcare. Since starting the company at age 27, Mark has led Bayada Home Healthcare to international success with over 350 offices in 8 countries. While providing high quality, in home healthcare, Mark has maintained his focus on company culture. In 2002, Mark created The BAYADA Way, a cultural operating system that became the guiding force of Bayada Home Healthcare.

Part II

In part 2 of the episode, David concludes his conversation with Mark Baiada. Listen in as Mark discusses how he’s implemented rituals and behaviors from the Bayada Way and casts a vision for the future of Bayada Home Healthcare and beyond.

Episode 09: Anson Dorrance

Part I

David interviews Anson Dorrance, the legendary head coach of the Women’s Soccer Team at the University of North Carolina. Throughout his 45 seasons as head coach of the Tar Heels, Anson has led his team to over 1,000 wins including 21 NCAA Championships and 22 ACC Tournament championships. In part one, Anson shares the beginnings of his career and the strategic choices he made to create his team culture, known as The Competitive Cauldron.

Part II

David continues his conversation with Anson Dorrance. In part two, Anson shares the qualities he looks for in his players, and what he is most proud of over his 45-season career.

Episode 08: Deanna Knobloch

Part I

The guest today is Deanna Knobloch, the legendary former girls’ lacrosse coach at Moorestown High School. During her 27 years coaching the Quakers, Deanna’s leadership carried the team to unprecedented success, including 15 state championships. Her dedication to building team culture has played a major role in making her one of the most successful high school coaches in New Jersey State History. In Part 1, Deanna, along with her Assistant Coach and husband K.C., discuss the intentional culture she created within her team through establishing core values, rituals, and traditions.

Part II

David wraps his conversation with Deanna Knobloch. In part two, Deanna reflects on her long coaching career, and how this team made an impact on the coaches, the players, and the parents, beyond the game.

Episode 07: Adam Bruckman

Part I

In this episode of Culture Architects, David talks with Adam Bruckman, the President and CEO of OneDigital Health and Benefits. Throughout his extensive career in the healthcare industry, Adam has received numerous awards for his innovation and leadership. Since launching OneDigital in 2000, Adam’s leadership has taken the company from a start-up from to one of the nation’s leading advisory firms. His commitment to culture has been one of the major driving forces behind his success, making him a fantastic Culture Architect. In part one, Adam shares the beginnings of his career and the intentional choice he made to create a culture driven company.

Part II

David continues his conversation with Adam Bruckman. In part two, Adam shares the journey and growth OneDigital has experienced over the years, as well as the lessons learned along the way.

Episode 06: Mike Burns

Part I

This week’s Culture Architect is Michael Burns. During his distinguished military career, Mike was involved in hundreds of combat operations around the world and is the recipient of numerous military awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. Mike also served as a team leader for multiple SEAL, Joint Forces, and multinational teams. Mike is currently an associate at Sway Ventures. In part one, Mike shares what he learned about being a leader while playing lacrosse at the University of North Carolina, what led him to enlist in the Navy, and the importance of working together as a team.

Part II

David wraps up his conversation with Michael Burns. In part two, Mike shares the importance of servant leadership, the skill set he acquired as a Navy SEAL that is helping him today, and why sometimes you need to sacrifice to succeed.

Episode 05: Kevin Oaks

Part I

David welcomes Kevin Oakes to the podcast. Kevin is the CEO and co-founder of The Institute for Corporate Productivity and the author of Culture Renovation:18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company. Kevin has made it his mission to study and measure the role culture plays in organizational success. In part one, Kevin shares how he was introduced to the human capital field and how he defines a successful culture change.

Part II

In the conclusion of David’s discussion with  Kevin Oakes, the author of Culture Renovation:18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company, Kevin talks about why companies should rethink the way they bring on new employees and why there are no shortcuts when it comes to changing a culture.

Episode 04: Rich Miller

Part I

This week’s Culture Architect is Rich Miller. In 1995, Miller was the CEO for West Jersey Health System and three years later he played a pivotal role in a merger between West Jersey Health System and Memorial Hospital in Burlington County. That led to the formation of Virtua Health in the marketplace, where Miller would work for 22 years. In part one, Rich shares when he first recognized the importance of culture, why he was inspired to create an employee advisory group, and why building a culture requires ‘heavy lifting’ by CEOs.

Part II

In the conclusion of David’s conversation with Rich Miller, the retired CEO of Virtua Health, Rich talks about the two principles that guided his leadership journey and how his team screened for candidates that would fit their culture.

Episode 03: Horst Shulze

Part I

David welcomes legendary Culture Architect, Horst Schulze. Horst is one of the co-founders of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and over the course of his career transformed the approach of service and hospitality across multiple industries. In part one, Horst shares his humble beginnings in the service industry, why he joined the founding team of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, and how he built a culture of customer service excellence.

Part II

In the conclusion of David’s conversation with Horst Schulze, the legendary co-founder of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Horst shares what every CEO is responsible for and why the principles of Ritz Carlton’s Gold Standards apply to all industries.

Episode 02: Peter C. Bayer Jr.

Part I

David welcomes Peter Bayer Jr. to the podcast. Pete is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Penske Logistics. He is also the recipient of the Silver Star while serving in the United States Army during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, where he helped develop the strategy that brought down the regime in Baghdad. Pete joined Penske Logistics in 2014 where he leads numerous warehousing and transportation operations across the U.S. In part one, Pete shares how he ‘stumbled’ upon a 30+ year career in the Army, the importance of culture in the military, and how the Army’s 7 values guide soldiers and leaders to do what is right on a day to day basis within their career.

Part II

David wraps up his conversation with Peter Bayer Jr., who proudly served over 29 years as a Soldier in the United States Army and is currently the SVP of Operations at Penske Logistics.  In part two, Pete talks about the most difficult part of his transition to civilian life, the importance of being a servant leader with humility, and what he’s learned from the biggest mistakes he’s made as a leader.

Episode 01: Matt Doherty

Part I

On the premiere episode of Culture Architects, David welcomes Matt Doherty.  Matt was a starter on the 1982 National Championship team at North Carolina where he was coached by the legendary Dean Smith. He then went on to spend 22 years as a college basketball coach, including head coaching stints at Notre Dame and North Carolina. He is now an executive coach, gives keynote speeches, and is the best-selling author of Rebound: From Pain to Passion – Leadership Lessons Learned. In part one, Matt shares how Dean Smith built a dynasty in Chapel Hill and why he fell in love with coaching high-performing athletes and business people.

Part II

David wraps up his conversation with Culture Architect,  Matt Doherty, the former head coach at Notre Dame and North Carolina and the best-selling author of Rebound: From Pain to Passion – Leadership Lessons Learned. In part two, Matt imparts some advice for the next generation of coaches and leaders and how his leadership skills evolved during his 22-year basketball coaching career.

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