Growth Hacking Culture

What does it truly take to build a successful, lasting business in Switzerland? In this episode, we sit down with Henri Martin, a seasoned entrepreneur whose career spans over three decades, to uncover the secrets of the Swiss entrepreneurial spirit.
Since starting his first venture in 1989, Henri has navigated the evolution of the business world, becoming a trusted digital transformation co-pilot for major European corporations and, now, a champion for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the Swiss economy.
Tune in to learn:
The core principles of a human-centered approach to digital transformation and why it's more about people than tools.
How the challenges for entrepreneurs have both changed and remained the same over the last 30 years.
The unique power of Switzerland's multicultural business environment and how it drives innovation.
Why simplicity, focus, and asking "why" are the most powerful tools in a consultant's arsenal.
Henri's actionable insights on building sustainable, resilient, and impactful businesses without getting lost in complexity.
This conversation is a masterclass in pragmatic business strategy, resilience, and the art of staying focused on what truly matters. Whether you're a business leader, an aspiring founder, or simply curious about the Swiss model for success, this episode is packed with invaluable wisdom.📍Connect with Henri Martin:
Damoa Website
Henri's LinkedIn profile
 
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Is your company trying to solve the employee engagement crisis with surface-level perks and fleeting parties? The latest data suggests this common approach is not only failing but contributing to a colossal economic problem, with an estimated $8.9 trillion in lost productivity globally. Only 23% of the workforce feels truly engaged, while the rest are either coasting or actively disengaged, creating a silent drain on resources, innovation, and morale. The issue isn't a lack of effort; it's a fundamental misunderstanding of what happiness at work truly is. This is not a "soft" HR issue; it's a critical business imperative that directly impacts your bottom line.
In this in-depth episode of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast, we go beyond the corporate buzzwords with Matt Phelan, the co-founder and CEO of The Happiness Index and author of "Freedom to Be Happy." As a leading expert who has dedicated his career to measuring emotional culture and its impact on performance, Matt brings a data-driven, evidence-based perspective to one of the most vital conversations in business today. He helps us untangle the complex web of employee well-being, challenging long-held assumptions and providing a clear, actionable framework for leaders who are serious about building a thriving, high-performance organization.
The conversation begins by tackling a critical distinction rooted in neuroscience: the difference between pleasure and happiness. Are your corporate initiatives merely chasing temporary dopamine spikes, leaving the deeper needs of the human brain unmet? Matt explains the ancient Greek concepts of hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure) and eudaimonia (a state of genuine, underlying fulfillment). We explore the "hedonistic treadmill," where the joy from a raise, a bonus, or a new perk quickly fades, leaving employees right back where they started. True, sustainable happiness—the kind that fuels creativity, loyalty, and discretionary effort—is built on an entirely different foundation.
So, what is this foundation? Matt reveals that a company cannot make an employee happy. Happiness is an individual choice and state of being. However, a company is absolutely responsible for creating the environmental inputs necessary for happiness to flourish. Like a gardener preparing the soil, a leader's primary role is to cultivate a culture where people can thrive. Based on data from over 190 countries, Matt identifies the universal drivers of workplace happiness:
Psychological Safety: This is the bedrock. Without a sense of safety, employees operate from a state of fear. Fear is a vital survival instinct but is toxic to creativity, collaboration, and honest communication. When people feel safe to be themselves, to voice opinions, and to make mistakes without fear of reprisal, they can truly engage and perform at their best. We discuss how traditional, high-pressure interview tactics and management styles often backfire by inducing fear, preventing you from ever seeing the real person.
Connection & Relationships: Humans are wired for connection. Surface-level networking and forced team-building events rarely create the deep bonds that matter. The episode delves into how authentic, vulnerable conversations—like the one the host and Matt had upon first meeting—are what forge relationships that last. These strong relationships create a support system that helps employees navigate challenges and fosters a powerful sense of belonging.
Freedom & Autonomy: Micromanagement is a soul-crushing practice that signals a deep lack of trust. Granting employees the freedom and autonomy to own their work is one of the most powerful ways to show acknowledgement and respect. This freedom allows individuals to leverage their unique skills and find the most effective ways to achieve their goals, boosting both their engagement and their output.
Acknowledgement: It’s not just about saying "thank you." True acknowledgement is about recognizing an individual's effort and contribution in a meaningful way. When employees feel seen and valued, their motivation soars.
We also confront the "so what" question. Many companies collect data through annual pulse surveys, only for it to sit in a folder, leading to inaction that breeds cynicism and makes employees feel worse than before. Matt provides a clear guide on how to use data not as a report card but as a conversation starter. The goal isn't just to identify problems but to get to the root cause by speaking directly with your people and co-creating solutions.
Read Matt's book The Happiness Index: Why Today's Employee Emotions Equal Tomorrow's Business Success
Discover how your people truly think and feel. Use The Happiness Index platform – for free 
This episode is a masterclass for any CEO, HR professional, or team leader who wants to move beyond the feel-good fluff and build a quantifiable, performance-driven culture of well-being. It provides practical steps for both organizations and individuals, including a free, university-backed course you can take to deepen your own understanding and application of these principles. Tune in to learn how to stop participating in the $8.9 trillion problem and start building a workplace where both your people and your business can achieve unprecedented growth.

In this episode of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast, Salvatore Manzi explores one of the most overlooked yet mission-critical drivers of organizational success: trust and openness in the workplace.
Join us as we sit down with a leading communication strategist to unpack what truly builds — and breaks — trust inside modern organizations. From startup teams to enterprise leadership, the ability to communicate with clarity, empathy, and consistency is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s essential.
We tackle some of the biggest questions facing leaders today:
Why are employees losing trust in leadership — and how do you reverse the trend
What role does vulnerability play in building credibility?
How do you communicate through uncertainty without eroding morale?
Why is cadence more powerful than charisma when building long-term connection?
How can trust be measured beyond generic engagement surveys?
You’ll also learn actionable frameworks to build psychological safety, lead with presence, and improve the way your team connects and communicates.
Here are some ways to connect with Salvatore Manzi: on LinkedIn or check out his book Clear and Compelling Playbook 
This episode is packed with insights for HR professionals, managers, and executives who are navigating fast change, managing hybrid teams, or simply trying to create a culture where people feel safe, heard, and engaged.
💡 Ideal for leaders ready to ditch performative communication and embrace authenticity that actually builds momentum.
 
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In this episode of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast, host Ivan engages in a transformative conversation with change expert Natasha Todorovic, author of Making Change Work and a recognized authority on human systems and organizational dynamics.
Why do so many change initiatives fail? The answer isn’t poor execution—it’s misdiagnosis. Natasha explains why leaders often misunderstand the human side of transformation, leading to wasted resources, burnout, and failed strategies. She introduces a deeper approach to managing change using the principles of Spiral Dynamics and systems thinking to decode resistance, build resilience, and guide real, lasting change.
This episode dives into the psychology behind resistance to change, how deeply embedded codes in our culture and relationships shape our response, and how leaders can move from checklist-based change to human-centered design. Natasha also explores the importance of timing, motivation, and behavioral alignment in ensuring transformation is sustainable—not just temporary.
Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, organizational consultant, or someone passionate about workplace culture and people development, this conversation delivers eye-opening insights and practical tools for leading effective change in today’s complex world.
🔑 Key topics covered:
Why self-diagnosis leads to failed transformation
The myth of resistance to change
How culture, values, and unconscious codes shape organizational behavior
Why overselling change backfires
Designing change strategies that align with people—not against them
How to build resilience and adaptability into your leadership team
What “elegant” change looks like and how to create it
This is a must-listen for anyone tired of surface-level solutions and ready to create real, human-centered change.
📍 Connect with Natasha: On her website Spiral Dynamics or on LinkedIn
📍Read her book Making Change Work 
 
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Are you truly listening, or just hearing? In this episode, we explore the underrated yet essential skill of deep listening—an ability that can transform your relationships, career, and personal growth. In today’s fast-paced, digitally saturated world, our attention is constantly pulled in every direction, making genuine connection harder than ever. But what if you could reclaim your focus, communicate more effectively, and build stronger bonds simply by listening better?
Join us as we unpack why listening is the most undervalued skill for success, both at work and at home. Discover the science behind how our brains process attention, and learn how digital distractions—from endless notifications to multitasking—are sabotaging our ability to be present. We discuss the difference between just “paying attention” and truly “giving attention,” and why this subtle shift can change the course of any conversation.
You’ll hear practical strategies for overcoming distractions, including how to set up simple systems to protect your focus and make meetings more productive. Learn how building better listening habits isn’t about willpower, but about creating the right environments and cues. We also share real-life stories of how a single act of presence can elevate an entire team, spark innovation, and foster trust.
Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or simply someone who wants to connect more deeply with others, this episode is packed with actionable tips and eye-opening insights. If you’re ready to close those mental browser tabs and finally be present for what matters most, this conversation is for you.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why deep listening is the key to better communication and stronger relationships
How digital distractions hijack your focus—and what you can do about it
The neuroscience of attention and listening
Simple systems to reduce interruptions and improve productivity
The difference between paying and giving attention
Real-world examples of how presence transforms meetings and teams
Actionable steps to build lasting listening habits
Tune in and start your journey to mastering deep listening—because every great connection starts with truly being heard.
 
Some Listening Resources:
Read Oscar's book How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication https://amzn.eu/d/erKb7PZ
Take the Deep Listening Assessment to improve your workplace listening: https://www.oscartrimboli.com/2024lqv2/
 
📩 Subscribe to the Growth Hacking Culture Newsletter: Weekly Thought-Provoking Ideas to Scale Human-Centric and Performing Work Cultures.
 
 

In this compelling episode of Growth Hacking Culture, we take a deep dive into the complexities of driving innovation in the public sector—a space often defined by bureaucracy, oversight, and risk aversion.
My guest, Matthew Oleniuk, a seasoned risk and audit expert with global experience across multiple continents and sectors, shares powerful insights into why so many government initiatives struggle to innovate—and what can be done to change that. With a career that bridges both the private and public sectors, his unique perspective uncovers the cultural, structural, and leadership-level barriers that prevent bold ideas from turning into real progress.
We examine the roots of risk-averse behavior, explore how systemic issues like leadership turnover, stakeholder overload, and rigid approval structures inhibit progress, and provide real-world examples of high-profile failures in government projects.
🎯 Key topics discussed in this episode:
Why public institutions are structured to avoid risk—and why that’s dangerous
How fear of the unknown leads to missed opportunities and failed innovation
The cultural divide between project teams and auditors, and how to bridge it
How government leaders can balance accountability with bold, future-driven strategy
What truly innovative public leadership looks like in complex systems
The problem with underfunding long-term initiatives and chasing quick wins
What we can learn (and what we can’t) from global models like Singapore
When “playing it safe” becomes the riskiest move of all
How to embed productive risk culture into public service delivery
Tips for external consultants and internal changemakers trying to push transformation
Packed with practical takeaways, expert-level discussion, and real examples, this episode is essential listening for anyone involved in public administration, policy innovation, internal audit, risk management, or large-scale organizational change.
Whether you’re a public servant, policy advisor, consultant, or a reform-minded leader, this episode will challenge how you think about innovation in government—and give you tools to start making change happen from within.
📍Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn or Diagnose Your Project Risks on his website.
 
📩 Subscribe to the Growth Hacking Culture Newsletter: Weekly Thought-Provoking Ideas to Scale Human-Centric and Performing Work Cultures.
 
  

Leadership today is at a crossroads. Despite best intentions, many leaders struggle to create meaningful growth, not because they lack vision, but because traditional systems reward control over curiosity, quick fixes over reflection, and answers over the right questions.
In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Dave Reynolds, leadership consultant and author of Radicle Growth, to challenge everything you think you know about coaching and leadership. Drawing from decades of experience and real-world examples, Dave reveals why most leadership development fails and how organizations can ignite lasting change by shifting focus from top-down direction to collaborative discovery.
This conversation dives deep into the psychology and practice of asking transformative questions. Dave explains how a single mentor—armed only with powerful, well-timed questions—completely reshaped his career, and why that same approach can unlock innovation, ownership, and capacity in your team.
📍Connect with Dave on LinkedIn or his website Rumin8 Group
We cover:
The biggest misconceptions about coaching in corporate environments
How to replace performative coaching checklists with authentic, everyday growth conversations
The difference between reactive vs. proactive questioning in leadership
How to build a coaching culture that supports results without adding more to leaders' plates
The impact of curiosity on psychological safety, employee engagement, and retention
How “doing less and asking more” leads to stronger, more capable teams
Real stories and frameworks that help leaders let go of control and become facilitators of growth
Whether you’re an executive, team lead, HR professional, or simply someone striving to lead more effectively, this episode will reframe your approach to leadership and provide actionable tools to start asking better questions immediately.
 
📩 Subscribe to the Growth Hacking Culture Newsletter: Weekly Thought-Provoking Ideas to Scale Human-Centric and Performing Work Cultures.

Welcome to the Growth Hacking Culture podcast! In this insightful episode, we explore the intricate world of self-development with Dr. Lincoln Stoller. A published voice in diverse fields from quantum mechanics to psychotherapy, Lincoln shares his unique perspective on human potential and personal growth.
We tackle crucial questions about guru culture and misleading advice, discussing the role of metaphor in understanding complex concepts like quantum physics and the law of attraction.
Lincoln offers valuable insights on how to discern genuine self-development paths, the importance of embracing discomfort and curiosity for growth, and the challenge of identifying your true values in a world full of influences. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of effective personal growth strategies and how to navigate the pitfalls of the self-help industry.
In this episode, we discussed:
Lincoln's Morning Routine & Self-Development Teachings
Quantum Physics, Law of Attraction & Metaphor
Ethics in Self-Development & Guru Culture
Responsibility and Intervention in Beliefs
Curiosity, Exploration, and Discerning Genuine Growth
Embracing Failure and Experimentation in New Ideas
Identifying Authentic Personal Values
Understanding Values on Different Levels (Intellectual, Social, Subconscious)
Find Lincoln's latest books https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HX2J2ZF  or reach out to Lincoln on https://www.mindstrengthbalance.com/ 

Is your office layout sabotaging team productivity and happiness? While many companies enforce return-to-office mandates based on guesswork, a deep science exists that links our physical environment directly to performance, collaboration, and well-being.
In this episode, I sit down with Adel El-Mawla, an engineer and the founder of Workplaced, to define the logic behind optimal workplace strategies. Adel explains how his journey started from a master's program project and evolved into a mission to crack the code of workplace design. He shares the evidence-based frameworks and data-driven methods that can help any organization move beyond assumptions and create a workspace where people genuinely thrive.
This conversation is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and real estate managers who want to make informed decisions that foster a positive, productive, and resilient company culture.
 
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
The Foundational Frameworks: Discover the key scientific principles and models, including the Big Five personality traits and the Competing Values Framework, that influence modern workplace strategy.
 
Focus vs. Collaboration: Learn the science behind designing layouts that successfully balance the need for deep, focused work with opportunities for spontaneous collaboration.
 
Data Over Guesswork: Why most companies fail at workplace strategy and how to use tools like IoT sensors and observational data to understand true employee behavior and space utilization.
 
 
The Hybrid Work Debate: A critical look at the research proving the effectiveness of hybrid and remote models, and why so many leaders still demand a full return to the office.
 
Small Changes, Big Impact: How simple environmental factors like indoor temperature, biophilia (plants), and lighting have a measurable impact on our brains, bodies, and productivity.
 
The Future of the Office: A look ahead at how workplace design will continue to evolve with advancements in technology and a growing focus on employee well-being.
 
🔴 Reach out to Adel on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelelmawla/  Or try Workplaced Free Tools https://www.workplaced.com/home 

Are you tired of HR tools claiming to be "data-driven" without delivering real results? In this episode, we cut through the noise with Cole Napper, author of the upcoming book "People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset." Cole shares his expert insights on how to move your HR practices beyond gut instinct and truly leverage the power of people analytics and Generative AI.
 
Discover the fundamental principles of effective people analytics, and learn how organizations can demonstrably add value and calculate ROI by focusing on high-impact areas like multi-incumbent roles and performance variability.
 
Cole also demystifies the role of Generative AI in HR, predicting a significant transformation in the people analytics function. Imagine a future where report pulling, dashboard building, and even data manipulation are automated, freeing up HR professionals to focus on asking better questions and taking strategic action.
 
Key discussion points include:
Separating marketing hype from actual data-driven decision-making in HR tech.
 
The core of people analytics: using scientific methods to find evidence for what works.
 
Practical ways AI (beyond automation) will enhance HR, particularly people analytics.
 
The future skill set for people analytics professionals: embedding with the business to ask the right questions and drive action.
 
Ethical frameworks and the importance of judgment when implementing AI in HR, with Cole's advice to "not build the future you don't want to live in."
 
Overcoming HR's traditional conservatism by starting with AI applications that automate transactional, low-value tasks.
 
The surprising power of simple analytical methods, like comparing control groups to experimental groups.
 
The importance of people analytics teams committing to and being accountable for tangible business ROI.
 
This episode is a must-listen for HR professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of work, talent management, and the practical application of AI in business.
Pre-order Cole Napper's book, "People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset" (available August 26th, 2025, in the US, and early August 2025 in Europe).
Connect with Cole Napper on LinkedIn or check out his podcast, "Directionally Correct."