Dear Culturati Insider,
As the year winds down, the world feels anything but settled. Economic pressures, social divides, and geopolitical uncertainty remind us that the challenges leaders face today are as complex as they are unrelenting. Yet, amidst this complexity lies the opportunity to lead with clarity and hope.
Hope is proving its worth as a strategic asset. Research shows that it drives creativity, resilience, and collaboration—qualities that organizations need now and for the future. Hope isn’t passive optimism; it requires alignment around shared goals, a sense of agency, and deliberate pathways for action. Leaders who foster this mindset in their teams create cultures of innovation and connection, bridging the gaps that uncertainty leaves behind.
At the same time, CEOs face the pressure of navigating stakeholder relationships with precision. Nearly a third of corporate earnings hinge on the ability to manage these dynamics effectively. Purpose-driven communication proves indispensable when it connects values, actions, and narratives to inspire trust and loyalty. Whether through workplace giving programs that empower employees, the cultivation of curiosity to foster future-ready teams, or by creating cultures that celebrate consistency and innovation, leaders can build purpose, trust, and agency...our theme for Culturati: Summit 2025.
This season invites reflection—not just on what we’ve achieved, but on how we hold true to our core values while driving success for our businesses, employees, and communities in the new year. Resilient cultures don’t happen by accident; they are the product of intentional leadership, grounded in the belief that even in a dynamic world, connection remains our most enduring advantage.
To sustaining hope,
Myste Wylde, COO
The Strategic Power of Hope
Harvard Business Review By Jamil Zaki
Summary: Negativity often masquerades as intelligence, but research shows that hope—active, deliberate, and rooted in shared goals—can unlock creativity, resilience, and opportunity in organizations. Unlike passive optimism, hope combines willpower with actionable pathways, enabling leaders and teams to navigate uncertainty effectively. Studies reveal that hopeful leaders outperform their peers, contribute to positive morale, and ignite virtuous cycles of collaboration and innovation. By aligning employees around shared values, fostering a sense of agency, and celebrating progress, organizations can transform challenges into growth opportunities. Hope isn’t naïve; it’s strategic—a tool to build cultures of connection and drive ambitious outcomes. |
How the Best CEOs Build Lasting Stakeholder Relationships
McKinsey & Company By Blair Epstein, Julia McClatchy, and Kurt Strovink
Summary: As stakeholder expectations grow increasingly influential, the best CEOs distinguish themselves by mastering proactive, purpose-driven communication. McKinsey research shows that exceptional leaders cultivate lasting relationships by balancing diverse stakeholder needs through a clear, distinctive narrative rooted in shared purpose. CEOs with strong communication strategies inspire employees, align external partners, and deliver long-term value—a critical task given that nearly a third of corporate earnings are tied to regulatory and stakeholder engagement. By embracing an EDGE approach—Expanding their role as bridge-builders, crafting Distinctive narratives, fostering a Growth-oriented mindset, and maintaining an Engaged posture—they transform the "soft stuff" into a powerful lever for enduring impact and competitive advantage. |
Charitable Giving In The Workplace Is Back–And Just In Time
Forbes By Maria Gracia Santillana Linares
Summary: As DEI efforts face cutbacks across industries, workplace charitable giving is emerging as an essential tool for nurturing engagement and supporting diverse values. Research shows that 78% of employees in companies with giving programs feel aligned with their organization’s values and 89% report higher job satisfaction. Despite these benefits, participation remains low—just 20% of employees take advantage of employer match programs, leaving $4–$7 billion in matching funds unclaimed annually. With 94% of major companies now offering matching gift programs, expanding these initiatives presents an opportunity to strengthen cultural alignment, empower employees, and reaffirm a commitment to equity and inclusion. |
The Art of Assembling a Future-Ready Team
Fast Company By Max Koby
Summary: Assembling a future-ready team goes beyond hiring for technical skills; it requires creating a culture where innovation and purpose intersect. Organizations that succeed prioritize hiring purpose-driven individuals aligned with core values like quality, creativity, care, and collaboration. By fostering an environment where curiosity, risk-taking, and learning from mistakes are encouraged, teams can push boundaries and deliver meaningful innovation. Partnerships with academic institutions and strategic hires that balance fresh perspectives with specialized expertise further enhance collective knowledge. Using frameworks that align goals and values, organizations can motivate teams to explore, experiment, and innovate—building a culture where every member contributes to transformative outcomes. |
Building a Consistently Excellent Culture: Bain’s Manny Maceda
MIT Sloan Management Review By Donald Sull and Charles Sull
Summary: A consistently strong culture hinges on deeply held core values that guide behaviors across all levels of an organization. Leadership involvement in recruiting, training, and cultural reinforcement is necessary with leaders actively modeling and instilling these beliefs rather than delegating the work. Linking culture to measurable value creation ensures its priority, particularly in people-driven businesses where talent retention drives long-term success. Regular evaluation tools, such as team-specific Net Promoter Scores, can provide actionable insights into leadership effectiveness and team dynamics, with promotions tied to cultural alignment. Formal systems like training and recognition, paired with meaningful, rare awards, further solidify a culture where values and performance intersect. Together, these practices create a foundation for enduring excellence and cohesion, even amid growth and complexity. |
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In our last Culturati: LIVE, resilience expert, Anne Grady, offers practical, neuroscience-based strategies for leaders to strengthen their own resilience while creating environments where teams and organizations can thrive. She highlights the critical role of psychological safety, achieved through openness and authentic communication, and stresses the value of setting clear boundaries and managing stress effectively. Leaders are encouraged to foster gratitude, build trust, and prioritize well-being to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Grady’s insights underscore the transformative impact of resilient leadership, showing how it empowers teams to overcome challenges and drive sustained success.
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LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE
C-SUITE
EMPLOYEES
A.I. AND TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, BELONGING
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