Introduction to Micro-Cultures

• Your thriving garden with standout crops represents micro-cultures in organizations.
• Definition and significance of micro-cultures as high-performing teams with unique energy and effectiveness.

Impact of Micro-Cultures

• Deloitte study: 71% of leaders see micro-cultures as crucial, but only 12% take action.
• Micro-cultures lead to 1.8x better employee outcomes and 1.6x higher likelihood of exceeding business goals.

How to Foster Micro-Cultures

• Focus on What Works: Tailor development to the specific tasks and needs of micro-teams.
• Tailor Talent Care: Align hiring, development, and reward systems with each micro-culture’s needs.
• Empower Leaders: Enable leaders to cultivate micro-cultures that align with broader organizational goals.
• Real-Time Measurement: Use tools and feedback mechanisms to monitor and support micro-cultures effectively.

Signals That Micro-Cultures Need Empowerment

• Cultural Drift: Leadership sees a misalignment in organizational culture.
• Grassroots Innovation: Teams develop their own effective work practices.
• Stifled Agility: Rigid processes hinder innovation.
• Talent Disconnect: A one-size-fits-all culture impedes attracting and retaining talent.
• Outdated Norms: Traditional work norms no longer meet evolving needs.

Conclusion

• Importance of “thinking small” to strengthen overall organizational culture.
• Benefits of fostering micro-cultures: enhanced collaboration, improved outcomes, and greater agility.
• Encouragement to embrace and nurture micro-cultures as a path to organizational success and future readiness.

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.

In this episode, Steven Morris, Lori Schwanbeck, and Scott Shute discuss:

• The three components of self-compassion
• Mindfulness is observation without judgment
• Expanding your view of your circumstances
• Practicing empathy and kindness in your self-care

Key Takeaways:

• Practice self-compassion. The three components of self-compassion are these: mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness.
• Mindfulness is observing inner experiences without identification or judgment. Use the concept of “what else is true” to challenge negative thoughts. Ask your inner voice if it has the full story.
• When we go through something difficult, we tend to adopt a narrow view of ourselves and of the world. Remember the concept of “common humanity” when you go through hardships. Always remind yourself that you are not alone in your struggles.
• Once you have practiced mindfulness and have made yourself aware of common humanity, the next step is to bring in kindness to yourself. Ask yourself, “What do I need most right now?” and “How do I want to meet this moment?”

"Gratitude primes us. It's an attentional strategy, like noticing what it is that we're usually taking for granted. It's a self expanding emotion. " — Lori Schwanbeck

“It starts with us… so what's the light that we can cultivate from within and be the lighthouse for others?” — Scott Shute

Lori Schwanbeck and Scott Shute’s book recommendations:

Connect With Lori Schwanbeck:

Website: https://www.lorischwanbeck.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-schwanbeck-43187a7/

Scott Shute:

Website: https://www.scottshute.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottshute/

Get "The Beautiful Business" book by clicking on this link: https://the-beautiful-business.com/

Connect With Steven Morris

Website: https://matterco.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenmorris111/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matter_smorris/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenMMorris

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.

Show Notes:

1. Brand as Olympic Torch Metaphor: A brand embodies its core values and vision like the Olympic torch represents the Games.
2. Role of the Torchbearer: Initially lit by a leader or founder, the torch’s flame should be carried and shared by the entire organization.
3. Sustaining the Flame: Successful brands like Apple and Nike keep their flame vibrant through continuous innovation and adaptation.
4. Consequences of Neglect: A brand that fails to adapt risks becoming irrelevant, similar to how Blockbuster's flame dimmed.
5. Shared Responsibility: Every member of an organization plays a role in maintaining and passing on the brand’s flame.
6. Power of Connection: A strong brand creates a shared experience and connects with customers on a deeper level.
7. Rekindling the Flame: Regularly assess and renew the brand’s purpose, values, and promises to keep the flame burning bright.
8. Impact Beyond Origin: Like the Olympic torch carried globally, a well-managed brand’s influence can reach and inspire beyond its immediate scope.

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.

In this episode, Steven Morris and Michael Bungay Stanier discuss:

• Psychological safety enhances workplace dynamics
• How leaders can nurture the best relationships
• Side-stepping the drama triangle and focusing on clear communication
• Redefining your meaning of success

Key Takeaways:

• Cultivating healthy working relationships is imperative for both personal happiness and success. Conversations that create psychological safety can enhance workplace dynamics.
• For leaders to nurture the best relationships possible, they should aim for safety, vitality, and repairability. These discussions are pivotal for cementing a successful and harmonious rapport.
• Conflict, if not managed well, tends to devolve into putting each person or party in the role of either the rescuer, the victim, or the persecutor. Clear out boundaries and remind everyone that the goal is to communicate effectively, not for either side to win or lose.
• Seek growth through overcoming challenges rather than simply amassing wins. Redefine your meaning of success; set meaningful goals, learn continuously, and know when to feel content and how you can contribute positively.

"Keep asking yourself what success is, and then keep finding opportunities to do work that is thrilling and important and daunting, that gives you some principles to figure out some interesting stuff and be fulfilled." — Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier’s book recommendations:

Connect With Michael Bungay Stanier:

Website: https://www.mbs.works/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbs_works

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFUOWjr4uI6T45zN1uJZ3Q

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mbs_works-113849977032317

Get "The Beautiful Business" book by clicking on this link: https://the-beautiful-business.com/

Connect With Steven Morris

Website: https://matterco.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenmorris111/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matter_smorris/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenMMorris

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.

In this episode, we dive deep into the real meaning of branding and why it's more than just a logo refresh. Here's what we cover:

Rebranding vs. Re-Logo-ing:

• Why many rebranding efforts fall short by focusing solely on logo updates.
• A critical observation from a retail CEO about the difference between true rebranding and just better decoration.

What is Branding?

• Branding as a promise, a story, and a problem solver.
• The essence of a brand beyond its visual identity.

The Role of a Logo:

• How a logo serves as an identifier but isn’t the core of what a brand stands for.
• The value of aligning a logo with core brand beliefs.

Identifying Your Audience:

• Understanding your target ‘avatars’ or ‘personas’ and what they believe, value, and want.
• The importance of crafting a unique promise that resonates with these individuals.

The Power of Brand Stories:

• How great brands like Apple, The Beatles, and Patagonia have built reputations through their stories and values.
• The role of storytelling in shaping how people perceive and share your brand.

The Impact of Brand-Culture Alignment:

• How company culture embodies and delivers on brand promises.
• The importance of integrating brand and culture for trust and effective customer experience.

Why Change is Crucial:

• The necessity of acting on branding changes driven by economic and market pressures.
• How businesses evolve through brand evolution during challenging times.

The Role of a Brand Strategist:

• Beyond aesthetics: How a brand strategist helps shape and align your organization’s strategy with your brand’s core values and audience.

Culture’s Influence on Branding:

• How employees’ alignment with brand promises affects customer satisfaction and trust.
• The dynamic between brand promises and cultural delivery.

Achieving Synergy:

• The strategic importance of integrating brand and culture.
• How this fusion drives results, team synergy, and overall business success.

Key Takeaways:

• Branding is about more than just logos—it's about promises, stories, and solving problems.
• True rebranding involves deep connections with your audience and alignment with your core values.
• Culture and brand must work together to build trust and achieve business goals.

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.

Visionary Leadership:

• Emphasize the ability of visionary leaders to see beyond immediate concerns and inspire others to strive for a better future.
• Discuss how the Earthrise photo represents the transformative power of vision in driving meaningful change.

Environmental Consciousness:

• Highlight the ecological movement initiated by the Earthrise photograph and its relevance to sustainability in business.
• Explore the benefits of integrating environmental stewardship and sustainable practices into business operations and decision-making.

Borderless Global Perspective:

• Address how viewing Earth from space offers a perspective that transcends borders, politics, and ideologies.
• Encourage embracing diversity, fostering inclusion, and practicing global thinking in today’s interconnected world.

Gratitude and Humility:

• Reflect on how witnessing Earth’s beauty and fragility from space fosters a deeper appreciation for our planet.
• Discuss the importance of approaching leadership responsibilities with humility and recognizing the interconnected impact of our actions on future generations.

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.

Benefits of Harmonizing Internal Conflicts
When leaders address these internal conflicts, the results are profound:

• Self-Trust: Teams and leaders rediscover confidence in their abilities.
• Resilience: Uncertainties transform into a robust support system.
• Deep Growth: Superficial insights deepen, driving sustainable progress.

A Roadmap for Change
Phase 1: Awareness and Assessment

• Identify Barriers: Reflect on personal and organizational behaviors that hinder progress—especially the invisible barriers.
• Gather Feedback: Use surveys and discussions to uncover internal conflicts.
• Set Goals: Define clear, specific improvement goals.

Phase 2: Understanding and Addressing Unproductive Behaviors

• Explore Motivations: Uncover the beliefs driving unproductive behaviors.
• Challenge Assumptions: Reframe fears and resistance.
• Take Stock of Unproductive Behaviors: Identify and track counterproductive actions.

Phase 3: Implementation and Reinforcement

• Action Plans: Develop and implement plans that promote productive behaviors.
• Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review progress and adjust strategies.
• Celebrate Successes: Reinforce new behaviors by acknowledging progress.

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.