#27: Choosing Curiosity Over Criticism: The Superpower of Assuming Positive Intent

#27: Choosing Curiosity Over Criticism: The Superpower of Assuming Positive Intent

In this BetterCulture Podcast episode, Brett explores the relationship superpower of "Assume Positive Intent"—Tenet Number Three from Better Culture's 20 Tenets of Culture. You'll learn why most conflict doesn't start with bad intent, but with bad assumptions. Listen and learn practical ways to improve your emotional intelligence, including: * Slowing your reaction and not responding immediately * Getting curious before becoming critical * Separating impact from intent Discover how simply pausing and asking, "What if there's more to the story?" can protect relationships, lower stress, and help you show up with greater maturity, both at work and in life.

#26: No One is Coming To Develop You

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, host Brett Hoogeveen and his colleague Kevin Hensel tackle one of the most transformative truths in personal and professional growth: nobody is coming to develop you. Together, they share real-world stories, practical steps, and motivating insights on what it takes to take full responsibility for your own leadership development. If you’ve been waiting for a promotion, a class, or someone else to tell you it’s time to grow, this conversation is your wake-up call to stop waiting and start moving forward—one intentional action at a time. Special Offer: Ready to accelerate your development and join a community of growth-minded leaders? As a listener of this episode, you get 50% off the brand new Better Culture Virtual Leadership Academy launching July 2026! Use coupon code POD50 at checkout to lock in your exclusive rate. Don’t miss your chance to invest in yourself, connect with peers, and access a year-long, interactive leadership journey—this offer is only available until the end of June 2026! Virtual Leadership Academy - BetterCulture [https://betterculture.com/leadership-development/academy/]

#25: Why Most Leadership Training Fails—And What You Should Do Instead

Ever left a leadership workshop energized, only to find nothing really changed? In this episode, host Brett Hoogeveen together with Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, dissect the six common pitfalls that make leadership training ineffective in most organizations. Learn what separates memorable, impactful training from “book-of-the-month” fluff—and how to get better results for yourself or your team. You’ll learn: * The danger of the "Book of the Month Club" approach * How misalignment with company systems kills progress * Why applied, functional content beats TED Talk inspiration * The power of team-based leadership growth * How repetition cements real-world leadership skills

#24: Leading with Heart: How Falcon Plastics Redefines Workplace Culture (with Jenn Barlund)

Discover how third-generation leader Jenn Barlund is infusing purpose, connection, and care into Falcon Plastics, transforming it from a traditional manufacturing business into a company where relationships, well-being, and fun drive performance. Brett Hoogeveen explores Jenn’s personal journey with imposter syndrome, her commitment to values-driven decision-making, and actionable strategies for building a workplace where people love to show up. Tune in for stories of empowerment, learning from failure, and what it really means to make culture a strategic priority.

#23: Keeping Engagement Alive for Long-Term Employees

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen and Dr. Kim Hogeveen dive into the challenge of keeping long-term employees energized and engaged. They discuss the critical role these employees play in organizational stability, why engagement can fade over time, and share practical, actionable strategies for leaders to ensure team members remain valued and motivated. You'll gain valuable insights into: * The “honeymoon dip”: Why employee engagement often drops after the initial months or years, and what organizations can do to intentionally address this decline. * Innovative recognition: Ways to personalize appreciation, including creative real-life examples, and why regular, varied recognition is essential for long-term contributors. * Career ladders and involvement: How programs like internal career advancement, mentoring, and involving employees (and their families) in company events can boost satisfaction, commitment, and organizational pride. Whether you’re an executive, manager, or just want to make your workplace better, this episode is packed with practical tips—and plenty of good-humored insights—for investing in the people who make your organization great.