Management Muse

Ep 87 - The Truth About Strong Workplace Culture: What Every Leader Needs to Know

Most companies say they have a culture. Very few actually do.
In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin break down what workplace culture really means and why most organizations fall short. 
Cindi and Geoff explain how culture acts like choreography. When people know the steps, they move in sync. When they don’t, departments end up dancing to different music which breeds confusion, inefficiency, and sometimes outright conflict. Without shared values, leaders are stuck micromanaging because there is no built-in guidance for decision-making.
This episode is for executives and team leads who want clarity on the framework of building a culture that drives performance. You’ll learn the two key drivers to unify your organization, and why culture, when done right, becomes your best tool for performance and coordination.
Episode Highlights:
What real culture is and how to tell if you have it
The two things you need to build a successful culture
What happens when every department has its own values
How shared values guide decisions, behavior, and performance
Why strong cultures reduce the need for micromanagement
The role of peer accountability in culture enforcement
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ju7rgp9wVb0
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Satell, G and Windschitl, C. “High-Performing Teams Start with a Culture of Shared Values,” Harvard Business Review, 11 May. 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/05/high-performing-teams-start-with-a-culture-of-shared-values 
Collins, Jim. Good to Great: A Study of Management Strategies of Companies with Lasting Growth, Harper Business, 16 Oct. 2001, https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 
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Ep 86 - The Overlooked Power of Work Relationships

We often treat work as a necessary evil, but it might be doing more for your happiness than you think. 
In this episode, Cindi and Geoff dig into the power of workplace relationships, and how easily they’re overlooked. They challenge assumptions about loneliness, connection, and meaning, unpacking why the daily rhythms of work life can be so hard to lose. From first jobs to the so-called freedom of retirement, Cindi and Geoff reconsider what work actually gives us, and why it matters.
If you're looking for ways to build stronger bonds and shared purpose on your team, this podcast is worth a listen.
Episode Highlights:
Why work relationships matter more than we think
Surprising findings on loneliness
The three ingredients of a good life
How to foster genuine connection–without forced fun
Avoid the pitfalls of retirement
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VFR9dGExIBU 
*Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Wright, SL and Silard, AG. “Loneliness in Young Adult Workers,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 4 Nov. 2022; 19(21):14462. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114462
Knight, Rebecca. “The office friendship is dead. That’s bad for all of us – especially our employers,” Business Insider, 13 Apr 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/office-friendship-dead-remote-work-employers-turnover-great-resignation-2022-4 
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Why Failure Might Be Your Best Strategy with Spencer Fraseur - From the Archives

This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up a second helping of one of our favorite episodes featuring Cindi’s nephew, academic and author Spencer Fraseur.
In a world chasing perfectionism, Spencer makes a provocative case: failure is actually a competitive advantage. Drawing from his research and book Failing Upward, he lays out how resilience, reflection, and smarter pivots fuel success. 
Packed with practical tools for turning missteps into momentum, this episode will change how you think about failure–and why embracing it can put you ahead. 
About Spencer:
Spencer Fraseur is an academic and author of Failing Upward, a book that challenges the traditional views of failure and offers a new framework for embracing it as part of the journey toward success. Spencer recently received his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Texas at Arlington and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University, where he continues to explore themes of resilience, learning, and personal development. His first book, The Irrational Mind, won the Royal Dragonfly Book Award in 2020.
*Connect with Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerfraseur/ 
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tnmdVVgyCug 
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Heinrich, Ally. “Why Failing is Critical to Your Team’s Success,” Harvard Business School Online Business Insights, 17 Apr. 2025, https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/failing-well
Wang, D, Wang, Y, and Jones, BF. “Early-career setback and future career impact,” Nature Communications, 1 Oct. 2019; 10, 4331, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12189-3
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Ep 85 - How AI Is Stretching Managers Too Thin—and What It’s Costing Organizations

As AI and automation reshape the workplace, companies everywhere are trimming management layers in the name of efficiency. But how lean is too lean?
In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff examine what happens when managers take on too many direct reports, what AI can (and can’t) replace, and the long-term costs of organizational flattening.
Discover the key dynamics that predict performance and retention, and the simple managerial practice that could safeguard them both. If you’re evaluating how to restructure around AI, this episode will help you strike the balance between efficiency, results, and the people who make both possible.
Episode Highlights:
How AI and automation are reshaping management
What efficient companies overlook about long-term success
The breaking point for leader bandwidth
What happens when managers lose touch with their teams
Key habits to prevent burnout and builds engagement
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5hkqOAMQdFA 
*Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Cantrell, S, Kirby, L, et al. “Is there still value in the role of managers?,” Deloitte Insights, 24 Mar. 2025. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends/2025/future-of-the-middle-manager.html 
Fischer, C, Amabile, T, and Pillemer, J. “How to Help (Without Micromanaging),” Harvard Business Review, Feb. 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-to-help-without-micromanaging? 
Rogelberg, Steven. “Make the Most of Your One-on-One Meetings,” Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec. 2022. https://hbr.org/2022/11/make-the-most-of-your-one-on-one-meetings
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Ep 84 - Developing Your Team Starts with the Right Narrative

To be a better manager, start telling a better story.
In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff dig into the science behind oscillating narratives and how honest, full-spectrum storytelling builds resilience and helps employees develop. Leaders who acknowledge both setbacks and successes don’t just help their teams handle adversity better, they actually appear more credible.
You’ll learn why always-upward or always-downward narratives distort reality, how to model reflection without losing authority, and why the stories you share shape identity and culture. If you want a smarter approach to leadership narratives that trades perfection for endurance and connection, start here. 
Episode Highlights:
Why full-spectrum narratives build resilience
The danger of all-good or all-bad thinking
How to lead without pretending to be perfect
When to share mistakes (and when not to)
The link between storytelling and trust
Creating teams that can bounce back
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fon1hWUXYcA
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Grant, Adam. “The Fine Line Between Helpful and Harmful Authenticity,” The New York Times, 10 Apr. 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/smarter-living/the-fine-line-between-helpful-and-harmful-authenticity.html
Fivush, Robyn, Duke, Marshall, and Bohanek, Jennifer. “The Power of Family History in Adolescent Identity and Well-Being.” Journal of Family Life, Emory Center for Myth and Ritual in American Life (MARIAL), 23 Feb. 2010, https://ncph.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/The-power-of-family-history-in-adolescent-identity.pdf 
Kinkead, Eugene. In Every War but One. W. W. Norton & Company, 1959. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4032542-in-every-war-but-one 
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Ep 83 - Wellness That Works: Leading with Calm in High-Pressure Jobs

What if the key to workplace wellness isn’t what you do, but how you respond?
In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with management coach Belinda Block about embedding well-being into high-performing work. From collapse to clarity, Belinda shares how nervous system regulation, small behavioral shifts, and smarter boundaries can help managers lead with more presence and less pressure.
This episode spotlights the invisible skills that steady a team: emotional regulation, responsive leadership, and staying present under pressure. Whether you’re quietly burning out or guiding a team through a heavy lift, you'll get accessible tools you can apply right away; no sweeping initiative required.
Episode Highlights:
Why wellness starts with what you can control
How to respond instead of react
The power of self‑regulation at work
Tools that make wellness easier to integrate with your team
How competition and tracking can boost wellness initiatives
The link between presence, performance, and realistic expectations
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ITHGHw-ZgRs
About Belinda Block:
Belinda Block is a management coach with a Ph.D. in industrial psychology who helps high-performing leaders lead more effectively without burning out. Drawing on experience across industries like pharma, finance, and media, she focuses on executive presence, time management, and team leadership. Her coaching blends behavioral science with real-world strategy to help managers stay focused, grounded, and impactful.
*Learn more about Belinda here!
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Shiba, Koichiro, et al. “The Association between Meditation Practice and Job Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study,”  PLoS One. May. 2015;10(5). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4449168/ 
David, Susan, and Congleton, Christina. "Emotional Agility." Harvard Business Review, Nov. 2013, https://hbr.org/2013/11/emotional-agility
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Ep 82 - Chameleons at Work: The Science of Self-Monitoring and Success

Self-monitoring, when wielded well, is one of the most powerful personality traits in the workplace. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore what it means to be a high or low self-monitor, and how that affects everything from career trajectory to team dynamics.
Are you a social chameleon who adapts easily to any room? Or someone who always says what they think, no matter the context? Both approaches have advantages—and pitfalls. The key is knowing how to work with both types.
Drawing on foundational research by psychologist Mark Snyder and insights from decades of leadership consulting, Cindi and Geoff break down how self-monitoring shapes management, influence, and even ethics. You’ll leave with a sharper lens for reading behavior, and a better playbook for managing your own.
Episode Highlights:
What the self‑monitoring assessment actually measures
High vs. low self-monitors: strengths and tradeoffs
The importance of understanding your company’s social network
Why high self-monitors are more likely to get promoted
The compensating behaviors both sides must master
How culture and context factor shape impact
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ob_2xRMH1IA 
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Kilduff, M., & Day, D. V. (1994). “Do Chameleons Get Ahead? The Effects of Self-Monitoring on Managerial Careers.” Academy of Management Journal, 37(4), 1047–1060. https://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Self-presentation_Impression_Formation/Kilduff_Day_1994_Do_chameleons_get_ahead.pdf 
Snyder, Mark. (1974). “Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 526–537. DOI:10.1037/h0037039
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Ep 81 - Company Culture that Leads Itself: AI, Alignment & Shared Leadership with Torben Nørby, Part 2

Want less micromanagement and more momentum? Start with culture.
In Part 2 of our conversation with leadership expert Torben Nørby, we shift from diagnosing cultural drift to designing companies to thrive in a changing world. This episode dives into shared leadership, the role of AI in shaping behavior, and the power of culture to reduce friction and unlock performance.
Cindi and Torben explore what it takes to build aligned and adaptive organizations when change comes fast and complexity is high. From the pitfalls of control-based management to the possibilities of contextual AI application, they chart a course for leaders who want to empower and encourage high performance in their teams.
Whether you're navigating organizational change or adapting to AI’s growing role in management, this episode is essential.
Episode Highlights:
Why it’s time to stop talking about leaders and start talking about leadership
How a strong culture often helps managers
The power of asking “What do we want?” instead of “What’s broken?”
The case for more shared leadership
How managers can leverage AI
Determining your company’s culture
*Watch Part 1 of this conversation!
 
About Torben Nørby:
Dr. Torben Nørby is the CEO of People & Performance, the author of The Contextual Leader, and the creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI). With more than three decades of leadership experience, Torben is a leading authority on contextual leadership, which is helping executives align strategy, culture, and behavior to improve organizational performance.
Torben has advised thousands of leaders across industries on how to adapt their leadership and shape their operating environments. His work blends practical insight with psychological depth, offering senior leaders ways to build alignment, empower teams, and lead meaningful cultural change.
 
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9x6e5YnphrQ
 
*Want to understand the science behind your people? Call CULSURE
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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Bradford, Nichol. “Navigating the AI Landscape: Is Culture the Key to Success?” Society for Human Resource Management, 13 October 2024, https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/ai-hi/navigating-the-ai-landscape--is-culture-the-key-to-success- 
Fitzsimons, Declan. “How Shared Leadership Changes Our Relationships at Work.” Harvard Business Review, 12 May 2016, https://hbr.org/2016/05/how-shared-leadership-changes-our-relationships-at-work. 
 
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Ep 80 - Culture Doesn’t Have to Crawl: Torben Nørby on Changing Fast and Getting it Right, Part 1

Think culture change has to be slow and painful? Think again.
In this episode, Cindi Baldi is joined by leadership strategist Torben N rby to challenge the belief that culture change is a long, uphill crawl. Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be, if you get the context right.
Torben explains how most organizations don’t explode—they erode, slowly sliding out of alignment as they grow and the world shifts around them. Cindi and Torben break down the anatomy of culture change and introduce a smart framework leaders can use to shift culture without wrecking trust or clarity. From international business case studies to the current work-from-home debate, they explore what it takes to lead rapid and lasting cultural shifts.
This episode is for anyone ready to redesign a work culture. You’ll walk away with practical tools for evaluating your current culture, for aligning behavior with values, and for creating space for continuous improvement. 
*Tune back in next week to hear Part 2 with even more insight!
Episode Highlights:
How deliberate interventions can build strong cultures
The risk of drifting out of alignment as your organization grows
The importance of context in culture change
How to act without overcorrecting
What global case studies reveal about adaptable organizational cultures
Why shared leadership drives more sustainable and effective culture shifts
About Torben Nørby:
Dr. Torben Nørby is the CEO of People & Performance, the author of The Contextual Leader, and the creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI). With more than three decades of leadership experience spanning the Danish military, global retail, and international consulting, Torben has become a leading authority on contextual leadership, which is helping executives align strategy, culture, and behavior to drive real organizational performance.
Drawing on both rigorous research and experience, Torben has advised thousands of leaders across industries on how to adapt their leadership styles and shape their operating environments. His work blends practical insight with psychological depth, offering senior leaders ways to build alignment, empower teams, and lead meaningful cultural change.
Check out Torben’s book, The Contextual Leader
 
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ve70VwxTE_U
Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook
Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!
 
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Ep 79 - The Authenticity Trap: When Real Goes Wrong in Leadership

Authentic leadership is a hot topic. But what if bringing your whole self to work is a terrible idea? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin tackle the tension between being real and being reckless. What if being authentic doesn’t make you a better manager, just a more difficult one? 
From the importance of self-monitoring to the paradox of power, Cindi and Geoff unpack what it means to show up at work without blowing up. You’ll learn why awareness matters more than rawness, how emotional regulation helps you meet the moment, and why the best managers actually aren’t always authentic.
Whether you're steering a team or quietly questioning your coworker’s fourth overshare of the week, this conversation brings clarity (and a few laughs) to one of the most misguided ideas in modern work culture.
Episode Highlights:
Why bringing your authentic self to work isn’t always a good idea
The importance of alignment and awareness
How and why many leadership trends are self-defeating
The dilemma of power
How leather jackets (and other stuff) can change a leader
Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rEvWlLV_ORY
 
Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here
Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!
 
Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:
Pfeffer, Jeffrey. Power: Why Some People Have It — and Others Don’t. Harper Business, 2010. https://www.amazon.com/Power-Some-People-Have-Others/dp/0061789089 
Snyder, Mark. “Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 30, no. 4, 1979, pp. 526–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0037039
 
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