Growth Hacking Culture

In an era where technology evolves at the speed of light, many organizations find their Digital Transformation efforts stalled by a neglected component: Human Infrastructure. While billions are poured into software patches and AI integrations, the "Human OS"—the cognitive and cultural framework of the workforce—often remains trapped in a legacy state. This episode features a deep dive with Barbara Wittmann, CEO of the Digital Wisdom Collective, into why technical implementation is only 20% of the success equation.
Host Ivan Palomino and Barbara explore the "Stone Age Brain" paradox, where 21st-century tools are wielded by a biological operating system wired for physical threat rather than digital complexity. They discuss the critical need for "Third Spaces" in corporate environments—areas where experimentation is safe and failure is viewed as a prerequisite for growth. Whether you are a senior executive or a middle manager feeling like a "victim" of top-down strategy, this conversation provides a roadmap for shifting from digital literacy to digital wisdom. Learn why the next competitive advantage isn't the AI you buy, but the human capacity you cultivate to use it.
Key Takeaways
Mindset Over Machines: True digital transformation requires an 80% focus on people and mindset, with only 20% allocated to the actual technology.
The "Human OS" Upgrade: Organizations must move beyond teaching technical skills (digital literacy) to fostering "Digital Wisdom," which involves adaptability, awareness, and cognitive growth.
Embrace the "Co-Working Buddy": Instead of fearing AI as a replacement, leaders should frame it as a co-working partner, allowing employees to delegate routine tasks and focus on high-value human connection.
Cultivate "Third Spaces": Innovation thrives when leaders create "gardens" or test environments where teams can play, fail, and iterate without the fear of losing their bonuses.
Empower the Middle: Change ripples outward from middle management; empowering these leaders to move from "victims of strategy" to "owners of transformation" is vital for organizational health.
Episode Resources
The Human OS: A concept describing the biological and cognitive "operating system" of humans that must be upgraded to match modern technology.
Human Infrastructure: The foundational layer of culture, psychological safety, and adaptability required to support digital tools.
Digital Wisdom Collective: The organization led by Barbara Wittmann focused on shifting corporate focus from tech to human potential.
Digital Literacy vs. Digital Wisdom: The distinction between knowing how to use a tool and having the wisdom to integrate it meaningfully into work.
Quote of the Episode
"21st-century software cannot run on a Stone Age brain. To survive the digital age, we don’t just need better tools; we need better human infrastructure." — Barbara Wittmann
 
How to reach out to Barbara Wittmann?
Her website https://www.digitalwisdomcollective.com/
Her newsletter https://digitalwisdomcollective.substack.com/
 
If you found value in this discussion on the intersection of humanity and technology, please subscribe to the show and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us bring more innovative ideas to leaders worldwide.
 
 

Why do companies spend billions on leadership development only to see engagement scores tank and top talent quit? The answer often lies in the "blind spots" of the human mind. In this episode of the Growth Hacking Culture podcast, we sit down with Sébastien Page, a leader in quantitative finance and author of The Psychology of Leadership.
Sébastien shares how his own journey through high-stakes stress led him to the world of behavioral and sports psychology. We discuss why the most effective leadership doesn't start with managing your team, but with managing your own brain. From distinguishing between luck and skill to understanding the "Roger Federer mindset," this conversation provides a science-based roadmap for anyone looking to improve their management of individuals, teams, and themselves.
Key topics include:
Self-Management: Why the journey to better leadership starts with changing your brain, not just your team.
Luck vs. Skill: How to distinguish between talent and randomness in high-stakes decision-making.
The Feedback Loop: Strategies to reduce the stress response during performance reviews.
Goal-Induced Blindness: Avoiding the ethical pitfalls and "metrics obsession" that can tank organizational culture.
Books Mentioned
The Psychology of Leadership: Timeless Principles to Improve Your Management of Individuals, Teams, and Yourself by Sébastien Page
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke
Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Timestamps
3:54 – Sebastien's journey from quantitative finance to sports psychology
8:12 – The Dr. Daniel Zimmert story: Why losing can be your "best match"
17:18 – The Roger Federer 54% rule for handling professional losses
21:50 – The Luck vs. Skill trap in leadership decision-making
26:22 – Handling "Black Swans" and building organizational resilience
31:15 – The "Feedback Fallacy" and the biology of the stress response
35:50 – Why asking for feedback is 50% less stressful than receiving it
40:24 – Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation: Moving beyond "Carrot and Stick"
45:08 – Goal-Induced Blindness: Lessons from Volkswagen and Wells Fargo
49:40 – The Harvard Study: Why relationships are the ultimate indicator of success
51:10 – The foundation of leadership: Why sleep and ethics matter most
Connect with Sebastien
About the book: The Psychology of Leadership
LinkedIn: Sebastien Page
 
Read about the upcoming Ivan Palomino's book THE VINTAGE UPGRADE (the science  of staying relevant in a world obsessed with youth)

We’ve all heard the "hustle harder" mantra, but the numbers tell a different story. Right now, workplace disengagement is a global crisis, costing businesses an estimated $9 trillion in lost productivity. In this episode of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast, we’re getting real about what it actually takes to lead without running yourself—or your team—into the ground.
Our guest, Hanna Bauer, author of Hustle with a Heart, brings a perspective on resilience that you won’t find in a standard management textbook. After surviving a terminal heart disease diagnosis, Hanna discovered that resilience isn't a personality trait; it’s a systemic outcome built through intentional habits and a supportive environment.
If you’ve ever felt that burnout is just the price of success, this conversation is for you. Hanna breaks down why "running on fumes" makes you a liability rather than a high-impact leader, and how to use her 52 mini-shifts to transform your leadership from the inside out.
In this episode, we explore:
The ROI of Humanity: Why employee engagement isn't just a "nice-to-have," but a multi-trillion dollar financial lever.
The HEART Framework: Breaking down the five pillars—Hope, Empowerment, Accountability, Results, and Trust.
Resilience as a Network: Why leading in isolation is a recipe for failure and how to build a support structure that lasts.
The "Arrhythmia" of Business: How a relentless hustle culture creates chaos in your systems and kills long-term innovation.
The BEAT Method: A simple, 4-step daily practice (Believe, Engage, Act, Transform) to keep your leadership aligned.
This isn’t just about working less; it’s about leading with a clarity that burns away complexity and empowers everyone around you to show up as their best selves.
Connect with Hanna Bauer:
- Book: Hustle with HEART: 52 Mini-Shifts to Maximize your Impact (available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/dDeK4mD )
- Her website: https://heartnomics.com/  
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bauerhanna 
Key Highlights & Timestamps
00:00 – The $9 trillion leadership crisis: Why disengagement is a financial catastrophe.
04:42 – Moving past the grind: Why resilience isn't just "pushing through."
06:30 – Leading with HEART: Building trust and empowerment in your culture.
11:55 – The Bridge Analogy: Why you can't be resilient on your own.
14:20 – The mandatory recovery: Why restoration is as important as the "sprint."
17:35 – Organizational Arrhythmia: Spotting the signs of a broken culture.
23:45 – The invisible waste: Identifying the cost of human potential being left on the table.
28:10 – The ROI of "Soft Skills": Why resilience is the hardest skill to master.
33:20 – Psychological Safety: The secret ingredient for innovation that actually works.
38:55 – Mastering the BEAT: Aligning your internal beliefs with your external execution.
42:15 – Cutting the noise: How clarity of mission prevents leader burnout.
46:30 – Starting Tomorrow: One small shift to change your leadership trajectory.
 

Why do 75% to 95% of business improvement projects fail to last beyond two years?
In this episode, we are tearing down the broken systems that hold businesses back. We are joined by George Pesansky, Operational Excellence Expert and author of Superperformance, to discuss the "massive leaky bucket problem" costing organizations billions.
George argues that most leaders are trapped in a "glass half-empty" mindset—constantly firefighting and obsessing over lagging indicators like profit, rather than mastering the leading behaviors that actually create value. We explore how to shift from the role of a manager to an "Operations Coach" and how to design a culture built for consistency.
Key topics discussed in this episode:
The Utility Factor: Why clarity on "what, how, and why" is the true driver of value.
Overcoming Negativity Bias: How to stop fixating on what's wrong and start scaling what's going right.
The Golden Hour: A mental model for replicating your team’s peak flow states rather than just demanding better scores.
The "Ugly Baby" Method: How to foster true collaboration through high assertiveness and honest feedback.
The Success Formula: Why a perfect technical solution fails if "Acceptance" is low (Success = Quality x Acceptance).
Escaping the Prison of Expectations: How to avoid the burnout that comes from the fear of over-delivery.
Join us to learn how to stop judging your team solely on the scoreboard and start coaching them toward their full potential.
Guest: George Pesansky, Author of Superperformance: 8 Strategies to Reach Full Potential for Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization
 

Is the EU's 40% women on boards quota a genuine push for diversity or a looming compliance trap?
In this essential discussion, board strategy expert Dr. Keith Dorsey breaks down the unwritten rules of the boardroom and the real danger that the 2026 deadline poses for high-potential women. We move beyond outdated concepts of "Old Boys Networks" to explore the proven science of Optimal Diversity—the powerful combination of demographic and cognitive diversity that drives shareholder value, mitigates risk, and unlocks Blue Ocean strategies.
Dr. Dorsey, author of The Boardroom Journey, provides actionable advice for executives, women, and minorities on how to:
Overcome the narratives of Imposter Syndrome.
Present as a T-Shaped director, ready for governance, not just execution.
Ask the right thought-provoking questions that make you an indispensable candidate.
Key Takeaways:
Compliance Trap: Learn why simply hitting a quota risks tokenism and how to ensure your value is recognized, not just your gender.
Optimal Diversity: Understand the metrics that prove diversity (not just gender) leads to better return on investment (ROI) and risk management.
T-Shaped Leadership: Discover the technique to show deep functional expertise while proving a broad, strategic view of governance.
Interview Mastery: Hear Dr. Dorsey's tips on moving from an executive interviewing style (looking in the rearview mirror) to a forward-looking governance mindset (looking through the windshield).
Imposter Syndrome Antidote: Practical steps to audit your journey, identify your "secret sauce," and bring your whole, authentic self to the boardroom table.
Find Dr. Keith Dorsey's book, The Boardroom Journey, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
 
This episode is sponsored by Experts Suisses: We come in, we stabilize, we innovate, we transfer knowledge—and the company gets back on solid ground.
 

The Confidence Crisis: Why many leaders mistake employee "wounds" for weakness.
Join clinical psychologist Dr. Brian Alman for a powerful discussion on the roots of low morale, burnout, and confidence issues in the modern workplace. Dr. Alman, a world-renowned expert in self-hypnosis and mindset, reveals the direct link between an employee's emotional state and their professional performance.
Learn actionable strategies for leadership and HR to help your team heal limiting beliefs, boost resilience, and drive lasting organizational change. This episode is essential listening for managers, business owners, and anyone committed to fostering a high-performing, healthy workforce.
In this episode, you will learn:
The difference between employee weakness and emotional wounding.
How to use mindset techniques to overcome workplace anxiety.
Practical steps for leaders to rebuild team confidence.
Dr. Alman's key message for improving professional well-being.
CONNECT WITH Dr. Brian Alman:
Some of his books: https://drbrianalman.com/book/
Talk to Brian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrianalman/
 
Keywords: Workplace Culture, Leadership, Dr. Brian Alman, Employee Confidence, Burnout, Organizational Change, Hypnosis, Mindset.
This episode is sponsored by Experts Suisses : We come in, we stabilize, we innovate we transfer knowledge—and the company gets back on solid ground.
 

Are you trying to solve a hardware problem with software solutions? In a world dominated by chronic stress, information overload, and the pressure to outperform AI, we often rely on willpower, productivity apps, or endless caffeine to stay focused. But what if the key to sustainable productivity isn't about managing your time, but literally training your brain to function better?
In this episode, we step inside the "brain gym" with Santiago Brand, a leading expert in high-performance psychology, QEEG, and applied neuroscience based in Singapore. We move beyond the buzzwords to explore Neurofeedback—a powerful, data-driven technology used by elite athletes and C-suite executives to regulate brain activity and achieve peak mental states.
This conversation is a deep dive into the mechanics of the mind. We explore how electrical signals in your brain dictate your reality—from your ability to sleep to your capacity to handle high-stakes negotiations—and how you can exert control over them.
In this in-depth discussion, we cover:
The Reality of Brain Mapping: How science can identify your struggles with sleep, focus, or emotional regulation just by looking at wave patterns—without you saying a word.
Beyond the Placebo: Understanding the science of Neuroplasticity and Operant Conditioning. Santiago explains how the brain learns to self-correct through reward systems, using the fascinating example of training your focus by controlling a movie with your mind.
A New Hope for ADHD: Why Neurofeedback is often considered one of the most efficient interventions for ADHD, helping the brain learn what to pay attention to rather than just trying to force focus.
The Burnout Cure? Why burnout is more than just exhaustion—it’s a neurological state. We discuss how regulating brain function can reduce sick days, migraines, and workplace accidents, providing a tangible ROI for corporations.
Navigating the "Wild West": The neurofeedback industry has a dark side. Santiago provides a critical checklist of red flags to help you distinguish between clinical experts and people selling "magic cures" or expensive toys.
Whether you are a corporate leader looking for a competitive edge, someone struggling with sleep and anxiety, or just a bio-hacking enthusiast, this episode provides the scientific roadmap to a better brain.
Connect with our Guest:
To learn more about brain mapping and performance training, you can reach Santiago Brand here:
Website: https://www.santiagobrand.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-brand-a985905/
Instagram: @neuro.santiago
Keywords:
Neurofeedback, Neuroscience, Biofeedback, Mental Health, Executive Performance, ADHD, Neuroplasticity, Burnout Recovery, Sleep Optimization, Corporate Wellness, High Performance Psychology, Brain Mapping.

Most strategic plans are obsolete the moment they're printed. In a world of constant uncertainty, 20th-century models are failing, leaving teams paralyzed by "strategy fatigue."
How do we fix this broken system?
In this episode, we sit down with a leading strategy expert to discuss a powerful new framework. It's designed to move beyond static, 100-page plans and embrace strategy as a daily, adaptive behavior.
He explains why most strategies fail at the execution stage and how an "Inside Out" approach finally addresses the most critical (and often ignored) variable: the human element of your organization.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
The two biggest blind spots that kill most strategic plans
How to use scenario planning to prepare for "Black Swan" events and market volatility
The "Outside In" vs. "Inside Out" balance (Market Forces vs. Human Culture)
Why "Agentic AI" is about to fundamentally change the consulting industry
The danger of overusing frameworks and "the death of strategic thinking"
Critical lessons from major corporate failures
How to build a truly resilient and agile organizational culture that thrives on change
Connect with Lance on https://www.lancemortlock.com/
His book Outside In, Inside Out is available on Amazon https://a.co/d/hxBRuQR
 
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Are you grappling with change fatigue, anxiety, or a chronic sense of being unready amidst the rapid rise of AI and automation?
In this illuminating and vital episode, we host Allister Frost, a visionary who has spent three decades navigating digital transformation. Allister, a former Microsoft leader and the author of the essential new book, ReadyAlready: The Future-Ready Mindset to Keep Up, Stand Out, and Shape What's Next, shares a powerful truth: staying ahead of AI isn't about mastering the latest technology; it's about mastering your mindset.
Allister champions the three essential AI-defeating human superpowers: Curiosity, Creativity, and Courageous Communication. You'll discover why these innate human abilities are non-replicable and how you can actively use them to thrive in the future of work.
Inside this thought-provoking conversation, you will learn:
The "Magic Trick" of AI: Allister explains why he views Artificial Intelligence as a "magic trick" played by tech companies, and why it's more accurately defined as Augmented Intelligence. You'll understand the fundamental difference between human biological processing and AI's pattern-matching at scale.
The Power of Innate Curiosity: Explore why human curiosity is biologically motivated and an inherent survival instinct, allowing us to ask "why" just for the joy of exploring—a capability that far exceeds AI's reactive, outcome-oriented algorithms.
The Limit of AI Creativity: Learn why AI's ability to generate "millions of ideas" in seconds often results in statistically novel but filtered-less concepts. We discuss why human creativity—which is tiresome and slow—is crucial for generating better ideas that are feasible and valuable.
Overcoming the Inner Critic: Get practical advice, including the "yes and" technique, to delay the "killing off" of ideas and sanctify your personal creative process, moving away from stressful, unproductive corporate brainstorming.
A Message to Leaders: Allister delivers a critical message to CEOs and "HIPPOs" (Highest Paid Persons' Opinion), stressing the importance of humility and accepting that senior leaders no longer hold all the answers. This is the foundation for creating a future-ready culture.
The Final Step to Innovation: Understand how to build the courage to champion your ideas, transition from "what if" to "let's try," and inspire belief in your solution by aligning with shared organizational goals.
Don't let the pace of change make you feel chronically unready. Listen now to learn how to harness your unique human capabilities to stand out and shape what's next.
Connect with Allister Frost: Find more details about the future-ready mindset model and his book, ReadyAlready, at: https://allisterspeaks.com/readyalready/
 

In this essential episode, we dive deep into one of the most critical and challenging topics in the modern workplace: the powerful resistance to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Our guest is global corporate leader, former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Merck, and author of the vital new book, The Truth About Equity: What it really is, what it isn't, and why everyone wins when we get it right. Celeste Warren is uniquely qualified to help us talk through the noise and confront the root causes of fear and resistance.
Key Takeaways You'll Learn:
The Problem: Learn why a significant number of employees view their employer's DEI efforts as divisive and why many fear losing their job in a more diverse organization.
Equity vs. Equality: Celeste breaks down the core misconception that equity means preferential treatment. She uses the powerful "rocks and fences" analogy to distinguish between equality and true equity.
Reframing the Narrative: Discover how to reframe the conversation to show that equity is not about unfair advantage, but about ensuring everyone has a fair shot at the starting line.
Addressing the Fear of Loss: Learn the strategy for engaging leaders and employees who fear that equity means giving up their privileges. The approach is to acknowledge the fear but reframe equity as an expansion, not a subtraction.
The Cost of Exclusion: Understand the immense liability for corporations and society when people feel a lack of belonging, leading to reduced contribution and social unrest.
Beyond Box Ticking: Celeste provides a clear roadmap for embedding equitable practices—not just counting people, but making people count by leveraging their full cultural awareness.
This conversation offers a clear, practical roadmap for turning every employee into an ambassador for true win-win equity.
About my Guest:
Celeste Warren is an internationally recognized leader and the author of The Truth About Equity. She shares how we can collectively move past the resistance and build organizations where everyone is able to succeed.
 
Timestamp Breakdown:
Time
Topic
0:37
The resistance: Employee backlash and divisive perceptions of DEI programs.
3:12
The confusion between equality and equity.
3:48
The "rocks and fences" analogy to explain true equity.
10:50
Reframing equity: How to position it as expansion, not subtraction.
11:12
Appealing to business leaders: Why DEI is a good business and not just a moral imperative.
15:35
The cost of a lack of belonging and how it harms society and the workplace.
21:30
Removing bias from hiring processes and selection practices.
24:05
Addressing the misconception that equity lowers performance standards.
25:13
The best way to tackle arguments from DEI skeptics: dialogue vs. compliance.
33:32
An inside-out approach to measuring DEI success and embedding it into company values.
35:58
Beyond "butts in seats": Measuring success by making people count and getting feedback.
46:19
How to address inappropriate behavior with conversation and dialogue instead of punishment.
 
Connect with Celeste Warren:
Website: www.crwdiversity.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/
Her book: https://amzn.eu/d/iCDW5Er