Shows
Collaborative-CultureMetrics that Matter, Part 1: The Culture Metrics MirageEpisode SummaryIn this first episode of our three-part Metrics that Matter series, Kristine and Monica pull back the curtain on how organizations are trying (and often failing) to measure culture. They walk through the real business case for culture, revenue growth, turnover savings, and performance, and then dig into why most “culture metrics” are actually measuring something else entirely. From employee engagement scores and eNPS to “culture surveys” that only test role fit, they unpack how well-intended tools turn into a metrics mirage that leaders game rather than learn from. You’ll walk away with a sharper lens o...
2025-11-1927 minCollaborative-CultureFrom Resistance to Resilience: Leading AI Adoption Through Culture — with Madhuri KumarIt’s our 10th episode and our first guest! Dr. Kristine Gentry (cultural anthropologist and founder of Culture Grove) and co-host Monica M. Smith (intercultural leadership expert and founder of Tradewinds Career Consulting) sit down with Madhuri Kumar, a global talent executive who has led culture, change, and people strategies across Fortune 500s (GE, Halliburton), tech and health tech, nonprofits, and higher ed (UT Austin, University of Houston). With a Wharton Global CXO certification and doctoral work in leadership of change, Madhuri helps enterprises architect human-centered AI adoption that fuels growth, resilience, and innovation.What...
2025-11-0545 minCollaborative-CultureRTO Won’t Save You: Why Culture Can’t Be MandatedShow descriptionRTO isn’t a culture strategy. It’s a seating chart. In this episode, Monica M. Smith (Tradewinds Career Consulting) and Dr. Kristine Gentry (Culture Grove) unpack why so many “back to the office for culture” mandates fall flat and what actually builds connection, trust, and performance. We explore the post-pandemic “great realignment,” the comfort vs. culture trap, and how leaders can replace visibility theater with systems that drive clarity, accountability, and belonging, wherever people work.If you’re a CEO, CHRO, or people leader wrestling with hybrid/remote decisions, this conversation gives you a practica...
2025-10-2245 minCollaborative-CultureAI Meets Culture: How Smart Leaders Build for Growth, Not FearAI doesn’t have to be a layoff story. it can be a growth story. In this episode of Collaborative Culture, hosts Dr. Kristine McKenzie Gentry and Monica M. Smith explore what it means to lead AI adoption with your culture front and center.They discuss how leaders can turn the AI revolution into a moment for innovation, inclusion, and trust — not fear. You’ll learn how to:Build a culture-first AI strategy that aligns with your company’s values and long-term goalsEngage employees as co-creators in AI transformationAvoid “spreadsheet-style” leadership that undermines innovati...
2025-10-0823 minCollaborative-CultureCutting Costs vs. Killing CultureIn this episode, Dr. Kristine Gentry (Culture Grove) and co-host Monica M. Smith (Tradewinds Career Consulting) unpack the surge in layoffs tied to AI ambitions and what “managing to a spreadsheet” misses about people, risk, and long-term performance. We discuss the ripple effects of rapid RIFs on engagement, institutional knowledge, and resilience; the CEO messaging that’s eroding loyalty; and why culture must sit alongside cost models and AI roadmaps. We also zoom out globally—how regulators, talent markets, and high- vs. low-context cultures are reacting to AI and close with practical ways leaders can reduce risk while modernizing responsi...
2025-09-2432 minCollaborative-CultureCulture Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Navigating Successful Global TeamsIn this episode of Collaborative Culture, Kristine interviews Monica as they dive deep into the realities of global workplace dynamics—from culture disconnects across continents to the hidden biases baked into our definitions of professionalism. They explore what happens when DEI is fully embedded into a company’s operating system versus treated as a surface-level add-on. Monica shares her signature 3-pillar framework (mindset, measurability, and practice) for improving cross-cultural collaboration, and offers real-world advice for working across borders, time zones, and traditions. Plus, a case study of a high-potential leader navigating a transition from IT to international vendor negotiations in I...
2025-09-1037 minCollaborative-CultureBeyond Values on the Wall: Creating Cultures Where People Thrive and Performance SoarsDescription: What does it really take to build a thriving workplace culture? In this episode, Monica interviews Dr. Kristine Gentry as Kristine pulls back the curtain on her process, from uncovering hidden culture gaps to aligning leadership and embedding values into daily behaviors. Learn how strong cultures not only help people thrive, but also drive measurable business performance.Show Notes: In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Dr. Kristine Gentry shares what it’s really like to work with her as a culture consultant. Drawing on her training as a cultural anthropologist, Kristine explains why culture isn’t som...
2025-08-2735 minCollaborative-CultureTeamwork vs. Collaboration: The Missing Ingredient in High-Performance TeamsIn this episode of Collaborative Culture, Monica and Kristine dive into the critical difference between teamwork and collaboration, and why culture is the secret ingredient that so many organizations miss when building high-performing teams. While teamwork is essential for structure, roles, and meeting goals, it’s collaboration that fuels creativity, innovation, and resilience. But how do these two forces interact in the modern workplace?From AI’s impact on team dynamics to the evolving expectations of today’s workforce, we explore why understanding the human side of teamwork is more important than ever. Whether you lead a team...
2025-08-1326 minCollaborative-CultureKaleidoscopes, Not Rubik’s Cubes: Rethinking Collaboration at WorkIn this episode of Collaborative Culture, Monica and Kristine pull back the curtain on what collaboration really means in the modern workplace. Far from a buzzword, true collaboration is a dynamic behavior—not just a team activity or a calendar full of meetings.Together, they unpack:The key differences between collaboration and teamworkCultural and structural barriers that stall collaborationWhy being back in the office doesn't automatically lead to connectionHow trust, purpose, and flexibility create the soil for collaboration to growWhether you're managing a global team, navigating hybrid work, or just tired...
2025-07-3035 minCollaborative-CultureDefining Culture: Beyond Perks, Posters, and VibesIs culture just a “vibe”? A breakroom ping pong table? A motivational poster with core values no one remembers? The short answer - No.In this episode of Collaborative Culture, we go deeper.Join hosts Dr. Kristine Gentry and Monica Smith as they unpack what culture really is — through the lens of anthropology, leadership, and lived experience. From failed meditation mandates to strategic missteps, they expose the most common culture myths and offer a clear, actionable definition that goes far beyond the surface.You’ll learn:Why culture is a strategic...
2025-07-1443 minCollaborative-CultureWhy Culture? Why Now?🎙️ Episode 1: Meet Your Hosts — A New Conversation on Culture BeginsWelcome to the very first episode of Collaborative Culture! In this kickoff conversation, you'll meet your co-hosts:Dr. Kristine Gentry, a cultural anthropologist and founder of Culture GroveMonica Smith, a globally-minded leadership coach and founder of Tradewinds Career ConsultingTogether, they’re on a mission to redefine how we talk about culture at work.In this premiere episode, Kristine and Monica share their personal journeys into culture work, the pivotal moments that shaped their philosophies, and how their unique perspectives—grounded in both academic rese...
2025-07-0227 min