Culture by Design: How to Turn Values into Behaviors with David J. Friedman

Culture by Design: How to Turn Values into Behaviors with David J. Friedman

What if culture wasn’t something you hoped would happen, but something you intentionally designed, practiced, and reinforced every day?In this episode of the People Profit Podcast, Sandra Coker sits down with David J. Friedman, founder of CultureWise and bestselling author of Culture by Design and Fundamentally Different, to talk about what it really takes to build a high-performing culture.David shares how his leadership journey at RSI led to the creation of the 30 RSI Fundamentals, and how those repeatable behaviors became the foundation for the CultureWise operating system. Together, Sandra and David explore why values alone are not enough, how leaders can turn culture into daily action, and why trust, accountability, clarity, and consistency matter more than ever in today’s workplace.In this conversation, you’ll hear:Why culture should be operational, not just inspirationalHow repeatable behaviors shape trust and accountabilityThe difference between values on the wall and behaviors people actually liveHow leaders can reinforce culture in hybrid, high-pressure, and fast-changing environmentsWhy clarity helps employees know what “good” looks likeA practical starting point for leaders who want to build culture by designIf you are a leader, business owner, HR professional, or manager looking to strengthen your team culture, this episode will give you practical, no-fluff strategies you can begin using right away.Learn more about David J. Friedman and CultureWise:CultureWise:https://culturewise.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3AzalE3Sml4Sm1RNHVjUHBJUGdaTVUyLVRZd3xBQ3Jtc0trdWxXWWpyLXlZU25GcWkzczJaNEFiQUpnaHo5TkRlU1JLME9nVzBFM1BLZFprYlE0TnBPZ3lBcGt0WnN3UnJWandEc1NnSWQzdXVSSE55ZzJ6My1PYkdMZ0IwSGlUZDRvOWpFeWlYWndUNGU3d1ZvOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fculturewise.com%2F&v=qX4uvEyLRmI]CultureWise on LinkedIn:  / culturewisellc   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVk3N0tlSmk1M0FZSzNKZFVJWDBvVDBJdUVsZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttRG1RNkdLNUNfNTNLVVg0elpKMzZWY3dqN01QcEY2dkRuaTZpeUVNelp2bE9uVGE1REtUcEw5SWxjODFPa29VN3NMM3VORjRXWkJoSDJsVXk4Zy1QdTZ5OG9XQ2k1OXFMa0M2ckVOWldJZEJ3OVdzbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fculturewisellc&v=qX4uvEyLRmI]David J. Friedman on LinkedIn:  / david-j-friedman-01b38a35   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWc0M2IyU3J6SThLZnpVMEhzUUJiTnhaeW9yUXxBQ3Jtc0tuOWxieTZYd2ZiSHQ2MHI1Z0JoUTJjNndwdlkwQUx1aEJjWHp6STBZOTVsX1hDMkZMcFdhVmpWLXMtenZWZTcxN2dwWGtWOGFnREluSUxPTUxpZ3hKbkM4cmxrcjRobUw5cHBISnhpQkltMktCc1ZfOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fdavid-j-friedman-01b38a35%2F&v=qX4uvEyLRmI]Culture Architects Podcast Library:https://culturewise.com/culture-archi... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk9qd1Y0SkNieXVkaGxEYjNNaGVYa0tUWV95UXxBQ3Jtc0ttS1VLMTFncTBVWENJRkE5eXNBYkdjTHdGMUVnNkFoR2U4LUkyaGtDS1FYNzd6YmZWQWROaG9ITC03N20zSXp6c1RrT2FmZjd5MVRJSWdVc1g4S0JGZG94ZjZvcEdWNGFlWUdTSUgzZHdnUHVoOVBWWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fculturewise.com%2Fculture-architects-podcast&v=qX4uvEyLRmI]Subscribe to the People Profit Podcast for more conversations on leadership, culture, employee engagement, and building organizations where people and performance thrive.#PeopleProfitPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/peopleprofitpodcast] #CultureWise [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/culturewise] #DavidJFriedman [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/davidjfriedman] #CultureByDesign [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/culturebydesign] #Leadership [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadership] #WorkplaceCulture [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/workplaceculture] #EmployeeEngagement [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/employeeengagement] #Accountability [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/accountability] #OrganizationalCulture [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/organizationalculture] #HighPerformingTeams [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/highperformingteams]

It’s Never Too Late: Self-Leadership and Reinvention with Kira Hartley Klinger

In this episode of the People Profit Podcast, Sandra Coker sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Etsy shop owner Kira Hartley Klinger for a deeply honest conversation about self-leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to start over. After a 20+ year marriage ended, Kira found herself rebuilding from scratch, no formal training, no clear path, just a determination to survive and provide for her family. What followed wasn’t an overnight success story, but years of grit, learning, failure, and persistence that eventually led her to build a thriving e-commerce business, publish bestselling books, and create a life rooted in purpose. This episode goes beyond business. It explores the emotional side of reinvention, navigating self-doubt, silencing outside noise, and choosing courage when the outcome is uncertain. Kira shares how kindness, human connection, and staying grounded in what truly matters, family, purpose, and impact, have shaped her journey. Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, rebuilding after a setback, or simply questioning what’s next, this conversation is a reminder that it’s never too late to begin again. If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind, stuck, or starting over, this episode will meet you right where you are, and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Health Is Your New Wealth: Mindset, Wellness, and Thriving Second Acts with Dr. Carolyn Hatton

What if your next chapter could be your strongest, healthiest, and most fulfilling one yet? In this episode of the People Profit Podcast, Sandra Coker sits down with Dr. Carolyn Hatton, transformational speaker and author of Health Is Your New Wealth, to explore how leaders can redefine success through mindset, wellness, nutrition, and purpose. Dr. Hatton shares her approach to building vibrant “second acts” by helping people rewrite limiting beliefs, shift their identity, and embrace healthier daily habits that fuel resilience, confidence, and long-term growth. From mindset shifts and emotional resilience to movement, nutrition, and brain health, this conversation is packed with insights for leaders who want to thrive personally and create healthier, more energized teams. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why mindset is the foundation for lasting change * How health and wellness impact leadership performance * The power of small daily habits and behavior change * How to create a vibrant second act without burnout * Why leaders need to model wellness for their teams * Practical strategies for resilience, energy, and personal growth If you’re ready to move from burnout to breakthrough and lead with greater vitality, this episode is for you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a leader who’s ready to make health their new wealth.

Why Most M&A Deals Fail: The Human Side of Mergers & Acquisitions | Jennifer Fondrevay

Most mergers and acquisitions fail to deliver the results leaders expect — and the reason isn’t usually financial. It’s human. In this episode of the People Profit Podcast, host Sandra Coker sits down with Jennifer Fondrevay, founder of Day1 Ready and author of Now What? A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions. Drawing from her experience navigating three multi-billion-dollar acquisitions as a C-suite executive, Jennifer shares what really happens inside organizations when companies merge. While most leaders focus on financial strategy and deal mechanics, Jennifer explains why culture, trust, communication, and leadership empathy are often the deciding factors between a successful integration and a failed deal. Together, Sandra and Jennifer explore: * Why 70–90% of M&A deals underperform * The hidden emotional and psychological toll mergers create for employees and leaders * How leaders can manage the critical first 100 days after an acquisition * Why employees often experience organizational change like grief * How to retain top talent and maintain morale during uncertainty * The leadership mindset required to turn disruption into opportunity Jennifer also shares practical tools leaders can use immediately, including how to focus on what you can control during change: your talent, effort, and attitude. Whether your organization is facing a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or rapid change driven by AI and market shifts, this episode offers a powerful reminder: Deals succeed when leaders prioritize people. If you're a leader navigating transformation, this conversation will give you the insights to guide your teams through uncertainty with clarity, respect, and humanity.

Burnout to Breakthrough: Leading with Vision, Trust & Clarity with Sonja Zecevic

In this episode of the People Profit Podcast, host Sandra Coker sits down with Sonja Zecevic—Certified Financial Freedom Coach and Founder of Empowered Mind Coaching—to unpack what happens when “success” is built on sacrifice. From growing up in war-torn Serbia to climbing the corporate ladder in U.S. financial services (from entry-level roles to branch manager and premier relationship manager), Sonja shares the turning point that made her realize burnout isn’t a badge of honor—and that fulfillment can’t be postponed. Together, Sandra and Sonja break down Sonja’s leadership framework: Vision gives meaning. Trust gives energy. Clarity gives speed. You’ll learn how this approach helps leaders fight change fatigue, reduce disengagement, and create psychologically safe workplaces where people can perform without losing themselves. They also explore how limiting beliefs around money and worthiness show up at work, why high income doesn’t always equal wealth, and what leaders can do to support employees like humans—while still holding high standards. If you’re leading a team through constant change—or chasing big goals while feeling depleted—this conversation will help you reset your definition of success and lead with purpose, not pressure. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a leader who needs clarity right now.