Nov 23, 2016
Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview
Paul Spiegelman, Chief Culture Officer of Stericycle, a NASDAQ
listed global services organization, with more than 25 thousand
employees. Jan and Jim talk with Paul about his journey from
starting a small company, exiting, and taking on a C-suite role.
They also discuss The Small Giants community, Paul’s three books,
and the reality that the problem is not change, but a lack of
transparency.
Listen in to learn how culture is truly about leader
engagement throughout the organization.
Key Takeaways
[4:27] If you create an environment in which people
love the work and feel cared for personally; if you help them
achieve their personal vision, as well as the company vision, they
perform better.
[7:48] What was the intention of founding the Small
Giants community?
[10:06] Paul and his brothers started their business
based on their Dad’s saying, “Always be nice; treat people with
respect; and don’t burn bridges.”
[10:55] ‘Command and Control’ leaders need to acquire
new skills for a collaborative culture.
[15:02] Leadership balance is a promise to provide an
environment in which leaders care as much about employees and their
personal growth, as leaders expect employees to care about the
organization and its growth. Responsibility and accountability is
required on both sides.
[18:52] Respect and trust at the highest level can
cascade to the rest of the organization, which takes time.
[29:03] Change becomes problematic when there is no
transparency, when employee buy-in is not sought. Leaders lose
trust when they don’t communicate the ‘why.’
[30:06] People adjust willingly, as long as you keep
them in the loop with what’s going on.
[37:26] Paul recommends reading business books, and
seeking mentors to learn and grow. And, as a leader, mentor other
people, and master the art of storytelling.
[45:02] Paul’s message is to lead with your heart,
and allow people to be themselves. Culture then becomes the
driving force of the success.
Quotable Quotes
"When the kids knew that you cared about them, they
performed better, and they took feedback better."
“We sold, not what we did as a business, but who we
are -- who we were, as a company.”
“I became passionate about this idea of people being the driver for
business success.”
“We all want to grow our businesses, but they wanted
to grow with purpose. They wanted to lead with values.”
“You not only have to perform, but you also have to
have the engagement and respect of your team.”
Books Mentioned on the Show
Small Giants: Companies That
Choose to Be Great, Instead of Big, by Bo
Burlingham
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others
Don't, by Jim Collins
Why Is Everyone Smiling?: The Secret Behind Passion,
Productivity, and Profit, by Paul Spiegelman
Smile Guide: Employee Perspectives on Culture, Loyalty and
Profit, by Paul Spiegelman
Patients Come Second: Leading Change by Changing the Way You
Lead, by Britt Berrett, Paul Spiegelman
Bio
Paul Spiegelman is the founder of BerylHealth, the
Beryl Institute, and the Small Giants community. Paul is a New
York Times bestselling author, and has been honored with the
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. Paul is a
sought-after speaker, and author on leadership, employee
engagement, entrepreneurship, corporate culture, and customer
relationships. He makes frequent radio and TV appearances, his
views have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, and
Inc. Magazine, and he’s currently a columnist for
Forbes.com.
Paul’s passion is to make culture into a core
competency of an organization, not just an accident of
leadership.
Website: SmallGiants.com