Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

How do you know whether your company’s culture is happening by accident or being intentionally designed? That’s the challenge we explore in this episode of Do Good to Lead Well, as I sit down with culture architects James D. White and Krista White, co-authors of the USA Today bestseller “Culture Design.”

James and Krista share why now, more than ever, leaders can’t afford to leave culture to chance. Their advice springs from decades of practical experience: culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s what people do when no one is looking.

In a thought-provoking and engaging conversation, they answer timely questions from the audience including: How do you diagnose the real health of your culture? Can values become more than just “word salad?” What about the unique pressures of remote work, generational differences, or legacy cultures stuck in old patterns?

Through stories and concrete examples, James and Krista reveal what organizations can actually do. They talk about running “archaeological digs” through interviews and surveys, turning employee feedback into actionable strategy, and the power of empathy. They explain how and why leaders should “listen with heart,” make time for micro-moments of connection, and value small steps over perfection.

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is that designing culture is ongoing work. It’s about ensuring that how you operate matches what you say you value and having the courage to change, with empathy, when your organization needs it most.

What You’ll Learn
- Culture is always there – whether you design it or not.
- The importance of closing the “say-do” gap.
- Empathy is a leadership superpower.
- How to design your culture for both stability and change.
- Why you want your values to be actionable and personal.
- The key role of middle managers in fostering culture.
- Honor the past, but don’t cling to it.

Podcast Timestamps
(00:00) - The Inspiration and Meaning Behind "Culture Design"
(05:47) - Intentional Culture: Design vs. Default
(07:17) - Diagnosing Organizational Culture
(16:00) - The Future Back Approach in Leadership
(18:37) - Values: From Performative to Impactful
(22:21) - Organizational vs. Individual Resilience
(25:47) - Empathy as a Leadership Foundation
(33:00) - Generational and Hybrid Workforce Dynamics
(43:37) - Measuring, Supporting, and Sustaining Culture Change

KEYWORDS
Positive Leadership, Culture Design, Organizational Culture, Empathy, Resilience, Values, Change Management, Transformational Leadership, Inclusion, Organizational Stability, Leading with Integrity, Rituals, Future-back Methodology, Cross-generational Workforce, Remote Work, Hybrid work, Employee Engagement, AI adoption, Feedback Loops, Legacy Culture, CEO Success

What if silence in your team meetings isn’t just about shyness or lack of ideas, but something everyone’s been taught—often unconsciously—to protect themselves or others? In this episode, I sit down with Elaine Lin Hering, a top facilitator, global educator, and author of “Unlearning Silence,” to dig into the roots of silence and how leaders can transform it into true engagement.

As the conversation kicks off, we tackle a fundamental leadership dilemma: despite constant encouragement to “speak up,” people often hold back. Why? Elaine reveals it’s not just about courage or confidence. Silence is a learned survival strategy, which is often shaped by culture, hierarchy, and even unconscious organizational habits. Her own story, growing up as the youngest daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, shows how silence sneaks in early and sticks.

Throughout the episode, we explore questions relating to real-world challenges such as how can you create a safe space for candor when your “resting face” or demeanour sets the wrong tone? Or, why do team members only give feedback after a decision is finalized. Elaine offers evidence-informed and practical answers to these situations.

The takeaway is clear: Strong leadership means recognizing that silence is not always golden—and that by unlearning it, we unlock deeper connection, better decisions, and a future not bound by the past.

What You’ll Learn
- Silence is learned… and it’s often unintentional.
- Unlearning silence is an ongoing process.
- Explicit clarity is critical for leaders.
- How to reframe your view of your voice.
- The mode and medium of communication matter.
- What is obvious to you may be the insight someone else is looking for.

Podcast Timestamps
(00:03) - The Origins of Unlearning Silence
(05:46) - The Process of Unlearning Silence
(09:10) - Agency and the Value of Voice
(15:59) - The RACI Framework
(19:16) - How Communication Mode and Process Influence Voice
(24:10) - Surfacing Feedback and Pre-Empting Silence
(32:08) - Imposter Syndrome or Imposter Treatment?
(41:47) - When Is Silence Golden?
(46:52) - Explicitly Creating Psychological Safety

KEYWORDS
Positive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Personal Growth, Leading with Intention, Unlearning silence, Employee Voice, Power Dynamics, Decision-Making Frameworks, RACI Model, Team Communication, Self-Silencing, Imposter Syndrome, Psychological Safety, Personal Growth, CEO Success

In this solo episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I unpack the concept of empathy and leadership. Although considerable research has shown the multiple benefits of empathetic leadership, it may have become a victim of its own success. As it has become increasingly integrated into leadership conversations, there are widespread misunderstandings about what it is and what it is not.

While empathy is often viewed as ‘all about feeling,’ there is more to the concept. I’ll explore its multidimensionality and rather than being one sole element, the secret sauce is how all of this comes together. When only one aspect of empathy is tapped, it’s an incomplete picture.

What You’ll Learn
- The science behind the power of empathy in leadership.
- The most common way people use to define empathy.
- Why affective (e.g., emotional) empathy is only one aspect of high empathy leadership.
- The crucial difference between empathic joining and empathic concern.
- The power of perspective-taking.
- How inaction can be at the heart of leadership excellence.

KEYWORDS
Positive Leadership, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Excellence, Strategic Thinking, Personal Growth, Communication, 360-Feedback, Affective Empathy, Cognitive Empathy, Empathic Concern, Empathic Joining, Leading with Intention, Leading with the Heart and Mind, The Power of Thoughtful Inaction, CEO Success

When was the last time you paused before taking action to ask, “What problem am I really trying to solve?” In this episode, I sit down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, to unravel what it means to lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world. The conversation starts with her daring career move from a global role at Deloitte to building a new organization from the ground up, which was fueled by a passion for meaningful innovation.

If you’ve ever questioned your own courage to change course or felt the tug-of-war between personal boundaries and professional expectations, Kendra offers practical wisdom. She talks through her steps to manage risk when taking on something new, using self-reflection rather than bravado to guide decision-making. Facing imposter syndrome? She’s been there too, and her advice is grounded and honest: focus on your unique contributions and let curiosity lead, especially when you’re the newcomer in the room.

For leaders building teams, or founders starting with just a vision, the conversation surfaces actionable insights such as the crucial role of constant communication, the importance of recognizing and rewarding small acts of courage in teams, and the need to set and protect personal boundaries to stave off burnout. Kendra is transparent about the challenges of remote work and the ongoing experiment to keep her own organization connected across digital distance.

True leadership is about the quality of the questions we ask ourselves and others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how we can do both.

What You’ll Learn
- Strategies for overcoming the fear of career pivots.
- How to motivate teams to embrace innovation… without being annoying!
- Balance operational realities with purpose-driven missions.
- Build a thriving remote team culture.
- Overcoming imposter syndrome and leading as an introvert.

Podcast Timestamps
(00:00) – Career Journey: From Deloitte to Ocean Economy
(07:06) – Innovating with Purpose: Framing the Right Problem
(09:45) – Courage to Change: Navigating Career Transitions
(12:29) – Building Organizations from the Ground Up
(15:17) – Setting Boundaries & Personal Clarity in Leadership
(18:13) – Leading as an Introvert: Speaking, Visibility & Energy
(24:28) – Top Leadership Qualities for Today’s World
(28:15) – Motivating Teams & Driving Innovation
(39:09) – Leading in AI & Tech-Driven Times

KEYWORDS
Positive Leadership, Innovation, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Career Transition, Technology Adoption, Artificial Intelligence, Continuous Learning, Remote Work Culture, Organizational Culture, Psychological Safety, Courage, Resilience, Authenticity, Global Mindset, Diversity in Leadership, Work-Life Boundaries, Imposter Syndrome, Trust, Team-Building, Ethics in AI, Burnout Prevention, Curiosity, Change Management, Mentoring, CEO Success

Do you ever wonder if the quietest voice in the room can truly lead—and win—in a world built for extroverts? This episode of Do Good to Lead Well is a refreshing, insightful journey into that very question, as I sit down with Benjamin Friedman, author of “Silent Strength: The Introvert’s Guide to Building Successful Startups.”

The conversation opens with Benjamin’s “me-search;” his personal and professional quest to understand how introverts can succeed when the business world often favors extroverted traits. Can an introvert be authentic and ambitious, all while driving top-tier results? Absolutely, says Benjamin, but it’s all about leveraging your way of being, rather than trying to fit someone else’s mold.

Listeners will come away with practical advice for managing meetings, leveraging networks, and navigating self-doubt. He also shares tools for raising our self-awareness, the power of a “challenge network,” and the importance of aligning values with the people you build alongside. When fear or imposter syndrome strikes, Friedman reframes those moments as evidence you care and offers ways to harness uncertainty as fuel for growth.

The common thread throughout this episode is one of curiosity and vulnerability. It is about questioning our assumptions and beliefs while building a roadmap to authentic success.

What You’ll Learn
- The power of the quiet leader.
- Self-awareness as a foundation.
- Leveraging a Challenge Network.
- How to harness fear and navigate uncertainty.
- Reframing networking.
- The secret sauce of vulnerability.

Podcast Timestamps
(00:00) – Silent Strength: The Origin Story
(06:01) - The Universal Value of Introvert Insights
(11:42) - Self-Awareness as a Foundation for Success
(18:44) - Reframing Imposter Syndrome & Building Presence
(22:29) - Empowering Introverted Voices in Meetings
(28:56) - The Power of a Challenge Network
(36:15) - Getting Useful Feedback
(40:29) - Navigating Fear, Uncertainty & Opportunity
(45:32) - Thriving as an Introvert in Sales & Networking
(50:25) - Co-Founders, Relationships & Final Insights

KEYWORDS
Positive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Personal Growth, Vulnerability, Leading with Intention, Curiosity, Startup Founders, Introverts in Leadership, Challenge Network, Networking Strategies, Sales (for Introverts), Eustress vs Distress, Leveraging Strengths, Authenticity, Managing Meetings, Inclusive Environments, Managing Fear, CEO Success