Culture vs. Behaviour

Culture vs. Behaviour

Everyone talks about culture. Far fewer people talk about what happens when the values on the wall don't match what people experience every day. In this episode of Reel Impact Dan is joined by Mike Carhart-Harris, Senior Communications Manager at Magna Housing, for an honest conversation about culture. Together they explore why culture isn't something you can simply define in a strategy deck, how trust is built through behaviour rather than messaging, and why organisations often struggle to close the gap betweenwhat they say and what they do. The discussion also explores the role of storytelling in shaping culture, the rise of micro-cultures within teams and the challenges leaders face as organisation become increasingly remote and distributed. Whether you're leading a team, shaping internal communications or trying to build a workplace where people genuinely feel they belong, this episode offers practical insights into what culture looks like when it's lived rather than simply talked about. Key questions: * [02:20] What is culture and why is it so difficult to define? * [07:24] Are organisations describing their actual culture or the culture they aspire to have? * [09:28] Why does trust break down when behaviour doesn't match stated values? * [10:48] Why is culture not a communications campaign? * [15:30] Is organisational purpose just dressing up profit with better language? * [20:28] What role does storytelling play in building culture? * [25:46] How can storytelling help organisations navigate difficult change? * [30:07] What are micro-cultures and when do they become a problem? * [34:03] Has remote and hybrid working made culture harder to build? * [38:19] What practical steps can leaders take to close the gap between culture and behaviour? More about Mike Carhart-HarrisMike Carhart-Harris is Senior Communications Manager atMagna Housing.   His career began in journalism before moving into communications and public relations roles across local government, the charity sector and social housing. Throughout his career, Mike has specialised in helping organisations communicate with clarity, build trust and createmeaningful connections with the people they serve.   He is particularly passionate about storytelling, organisational culture and internal communications, and has previously heldcommunications roles with organisations including the RNLI. Further reading: * Nottingham Trent study: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2025/01/organisational-culture-survey-shows-widespread-mismatch-between-behaviour-and-policies [https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2025/01/organisational-culture-survey-shows-widespread-mismatch-between-behaviour-and-policies] * Bruce Daisley podcast: https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/ [https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/] * Bruce Laker: https://www.benjaminlaker.co.uk/ * Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/tip/2025/09/stop-treating-company-culture-like-a-campaign [https://hbr.org/tip/2025/09/stop-treating-company-culture-like-a-campaign] * Podcast with Josh Levine: https://open.spotify.com/episode/10SiO3lm7Y8h7Y6hlNP1wA?si=_SscjQmwQcezvmieBuutIA [https://open.spotify.com/episode/10SiO3lm7Y8h7Y6hlNP1wA?si=_SscjQmwQcezvmieBuutIA] * RNLI 200th Anniversary campaign: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024 [https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024] * Sapien by Yuval Noah Harari: https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens/ [https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens/] * Belonging by Owen Eastwood: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/owen-eastwood/belonging/9781529410310/ [https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/owen-eastwood/belonging/9781529410310/]   Want to work with dmb films? If you want content that doesn’t just look good but actually lands with your audience, visit ⁠https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/ [https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/] and start a conversation.

The Generational Divide

Are younger employees really harder to manage, or are organisations still trying to lead in ways that no longer work? In this episode of Reel Impact, Dan is joined by generational researcher Josephine Hansom for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about the realities of today’s multi-generational workplace.Together, they unpack the labels we apply to different generations, where those stereotypes come from, and why so many organisations are struggling to adapt to changing expectations around work, leadership and communication. From hybrid working and transactional workplaces to burnout, management gaps and the rise of AI, this episode explores what younger generations are really looking for and why many leaders may be asking the wrong questions.Dan and Josephine discuss the collapse of the traditional career ladder, why only 6% of Gen Z want leadership roles, and how poor communication and outdated management styles are fuelling tension between generations at work.This is an honest conversation about culture, connection and what organisations need to rethink if they want future teams to thrive. Key questions[02:32] How are generations actually defined beyond age? [09:14] What are the biggest differences between Millennials and Gen Z in the workplace? [11:57] Why does work feel increasingly transactional for younger generations? [14:39] Why do so few Gen Z employees want leadership roles? [16:17] How is AI reshaping entry-level work and career progression? [21:05] Is management the real problem behind the “Gen Z issue”? [24:14] What is the “incivility spiral” in workplace culture? [25:40] Has hybrid working damaged communication and learning at work? [31:25] Do Slack and Teams encourage transactional working relationships? [36:26] What practical steps can leaders take to better engage younger employees? More about Josephine Hansom Josephine Hansom is a researcher and speaker specialising in generational trends, workplace culture and the future of work. For more than 20 years, she has worked with organisations and brands to better understand younger generations, challenge stereotypes and futureproof products, services and workplace culture.  Her work focuses on helping leaders understand how social, economic and technological shifts shape generational attitudes towards work, communication and identity. Further reading *  Communication styles: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg [https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/444545/supercommunicators-by-duhigg-charles/9781847943644] * Toilet stat: Social Muscle Report by Pryority Group, a 2024 study of workplace behaviours by Henna Pryor [https://pryoritygroup.com/study/] * Silly question stat: MRS Delphi report 2025 [https://www.mrs.org.uk/about/delphi-group]  * Deloitte’s 2026 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey [https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/work/genz-millennial-survey.html] (published May 2026, drawing on 22,500+ respondents across 44 countries) finds that only 6% of Gen Zs and Millennials say achieving a leadership position is their primary career goal. * Open plan stat: Kim & de Dear (2013) in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. ‘Workspace satisfaction: The privacy-communication trade-off in open-plan offices.’ [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494413000340]  More about dmb films dmb films is a video production agency specialising in creating content that helps organisations communicate with clarity and impact. From branded content to podcast production, they work with businesses to tell stories that connect with the audiences that matter. * ⁠Website⁠ [https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/] * ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmb-films/] * ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dmb_films/] Want to work with dmb films? If you want content that doesn’t just look good but actually lands with your audience, visit ⁠https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/⁠ and start a conversation.

The Power of Storytelling

Can storytelling in a corporate world really mean something,or is it just another comms buzzword? In this episode of Reel Impact, Dan is joined by RichardEtienne, former videographer to Theresa May, for a practical and honest look at what storytelling actually does when it’s done well. Together, they explore why storytelling is not a “nice to have”, but a strategic tool that shapes how people think, feel and act. From behind-the-scenes insights at Downing Street to everyday internal comms challenges, this episode unpacks the difference between content that fills space and stories that drive real change. They challenge why corporate storytelling often feels hollow, how to make it authentic, and what it takes to cut through in a world of short attention spans and risk-averse leadership. If you’ve ever struggled to get buy-in for a different approach to comms, or wondered why your message isn’t landing, this episode gives you a new way to think about it. Key questions * [03:08] When do you first realise the power of storytelling? * [06:00] What turns content into storytelling that actually drives action? * [07:03] What was it like shaping the story of a PrimeMinister at Downing Street? * [13:08] What can internal comms teams learn fromcommunicating with senior leaders under pressure? * [18:20] How does storytelling work in a world of shortattention spans? * [21:08] How do you get buy-in for creative storytelling inrisk-averse organisations? * [24:44] Why does corporate storytelling often feel hollow? * [29:56] What does good communication actually look like in practice? * [39:30] What are the top three tips for becoming a better storyteller? More about Richard Etienne Richard Etienne is the founder of The Introvert Space, wherehe supports introverted professionals to thrive and helps organisations build more inclusive, effective communication environments. He is also a former videographer to the UK Prime Minister,working at the heart of government to shape more human, relatable storytellingat a national level. His work focuses on the intersection of storytelling, personality and performance, helping organisations move beyond broadcasting messages to creating communication that genuinely connects.⁠ * Website⁠ [https://www.richardetienne.co.uk/] * ⁠LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardetienne/ ] Further reading * Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t StopTalking by Susan Cainhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0141029196 * Ipsos Employee Experience:https://www.ipsos.com/en/employee-experience More about dmb films dmb films is a video production agency specialising in creating content that helps organisations communicate with clarity and impact. From branded content to podcast production, they work with businesses to tellstories that connect with the audiences that matter. * ⁠Website [https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/]⁠ * ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmb-films/] * ⁠Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dmb_films/]⁠ Want to work with dmb films? If you want content that doesn’t just look good but actuallylands with your audience, visit https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/ [https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/]⁠ and start a conversation

The Leadership Reality Check

Are you actually a good leader - or just good at telling yourself you are? In this first episode of Series 2, Dan is joined by Rebecca Sangster-Kelly, of Studium Consulting, for a direct and, at times, challenging conversation about what leadership actually looks like in practice, not just in theory. Together, they strip back the language we often hide behind: purpose, culture, psychological safety, and ask what happens when those ideals meet real-world pressure, ego and decision-making. From hiring “your people” to balancing being a doer versus a leader, this episode challenges some of the most widely accepted leadership behaviours. Dan and Rebecca look at honesty, accountability and the moments where leadership either builds trust or quietly erodes it. Key questions * [01:30] What really makes someone a good leader * [03:25] Why is the shift from doer to leader so difficult * [05:11] Is office politics just part of leadership or a sign something is broken? * [11:30] What happens when leaders think they know their people without actually asking them? * [12:35] Why do some leaders build a trusted “posse” and is that always a bad thing? * [16:40] Does leadership create culture, or does culture shape leadership? * [18:55] Why do values and psychological safety so often become lip service? * [34:48] Is honest indifference better than pretending to care about employees? * [35:19] What changes when leaders consistently show people they matter? More about Rebecca Sangster-Kelly Rebecca, from Studium Consulting, is a Communications and Stakeholder Management Coach. She works with leaders and organisations to strengthen how they engage, communicate and build meaningful relationships with their audiences. Her work focuses on helping individuals move beyond assumptions, improving clarity, and delivering communication that genuinely lands. * Website [https://studiumconsulting.co.uk/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasangsterkelly/] Further reading * ‘What got you here won’t get you there’ book: ⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Got-Here-Wont-There/dp/1401301304⁠ [https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Got-Here-Wont-There/dp/1401301304] * Regulatory focus theory article explaining three studies: https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/how-much-evidence-do-you-need-to-make-a-decision# [https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/how-much-evidence-do-you-need-to-make-a-decision#] * Near misses in hospitals from the good catch awards: 1. https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/14/Suppl_2/A59 [https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/14/Suppl_2/A59] 2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3888507/#:~:text=Anesthesiology%20residents%20use%20the%20process,in%20the%20Weinberg%20Surgical%20Suite [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3888507/#:~:text=Anesthesiology%20residents%20use%20the%20process,in%20the%20Weinberg%20Surgical%20Suite]. More about dmb films dmb films is a video production agency specialising in creating content that helps organisations communicate with clarity and impact. From branded content to podcast production, they work with businesses to tell stories that connect with the audiences that matter. * Website [https://www.dmbfilms.com⁠] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmb-films/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dmb_films/] Want to work with dmb films? If you want content that doesn’t just look good but actually lands with your audience, visit https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/ [https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk/contact/] and start a conversation.

L&D: If leaders don't do it...no one will! How learning really happens at work.

In this episode, Dan sits down with Paul Coates, Head of International Consultant and Delivery Excellence at FranklinCovey — and a leader who has spent more than two decades shaping how organisations learn, adapt and transform. Paul’s journey is a rare one: first a FranklinCovey client, now one of its global senior leaders. That dual perspective gives him a unique lens on what truly drives performance and culture — and why learning has shifted from “training sessions” to leader-led journeys that build resilience, trust, and real behaviour change. Together, Dan and Paul explore: * Why culture change only happens when leaders go first and the powerful truth behind “people will do it when they see it being done”. * The five essentials that make learning stick — from intentional design to shared language and accountability. * The role of storytelling in unlocking emotion, inspiring change, and building connection across teams, countries and cultures. * What it takes to deliver learning at scale — and why real stories from real people matter more than ever. * How apps, digital tools and habit-building techniques can reinforce learning long after the workshop ends. Paul also shares honest reflections on leadership, vulnerability and the challenge of prioritisation - plus the moment a CEO tried a new questioning technique for 15 minutes and came back saying it was “the best meeting I’ve ever had.” This is a rich, practical and deeply human conversation for anyone working in learning and development, people leadership, organisational change, or culture transformation. Listen now — and explore more episodes and resources at dmbfilms.co.uk [https://www.dmbfilms.co.uk].