Shows
Cultures From HellMicromanagers Anonymous: Breaking the Cycle of ControlIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina delve into the pervasive issue of micromanagement, exploring its roots, impacts on psychological safety, and how to foster a culture of trust and autonomy. They discuss the fears that drive micromanagement, debunk common myths, and provide practical steps for leaders and team members to break free from its constraints. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trust in leadership and the detrimental effects of micromanagement on team dynamics and innovation.
Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/
Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/2025-07-2930 min
Cultures From HellCulture Shock: What Happens After a LayoffIn this episode of Cultures From Hell, Lars Nielsen and Paulina discuss the profound impact of layoffs on company culture. They explore the immediate cultural damage caused by mass layoffs, the importance of rebuilding trust and psychological safety, and practical steps leaders can take to engage remaining employees. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, transparency, and consistent action from leadership to foster a positive work environment post-layoff.
Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/
Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/
Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/ 2025-07-2245 min
Cultures From HellShared Purpose or Just a Slogan? When Vision Doesn't Reach the FloorIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars Nielsen and Paulina discuss the critical role of shared purpose in organizations. They explore how purpose can either inspire or demotivate employees, the disconnect between stated values and actual practices, and the importance of consistency in embedding purpose into company culture. Paulina shares her journey in company culture, common mistakes organizations make when defining purpose, and practical steps leaders can take to translate purpose into daily actions. The conversation emphasizes that purpose is not just a slogan but a structural element that impacts employee engagement and overall business success.
...2025-07-1532 min
Cultures From HellThe Mask We Wear: Performing at Work While Withering InsideIn this episode of Cultures from Here, Lars and Paulina delve into the phenomenon of 'faking fine' at work, exploring the pressures that lead employees to wear masks of professionalism while struggling internally. They discuss the implications of this behavior on individual well-being and company culture, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, psychological safety, and leadership by example. The conversation highlights practical steps for creating a supportive work environment and recognizing the signs of employees who may be struggling. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to foster genuine connections and create spaces where vulnerability is welcomed.
Culture Code Foundation...2025-07-0744 min
Cultures From HellCan failure lead to success in company culture?In this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina explore the theme of failure and how it can be transformed into opportunities for growth within organizations. They discuss the importance of company culture in addressing failure, the myths surrounding it, and the necessity of constructive conflict. Through a case study, they illustrate how a tech company turned a significant failure into a learning experience. The conversation also covers strategies for fostering a growth mindset, the challenges companies face in embracing failure, and practical advice for new leaders on building trust and implementing feedback.
Takeaways2025-07-0144 min
Cultures From HellA true story about the CEO from HellIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, host Lars Nielsen and co-host Paulina discuss the alarming signs of toxic leadership, particularly focusing on a guest's experience with a CEO whose behavior fostered a culture of fear and intimidation. They explore the implications of nepotism, extreme outbursts of anger, and the detrimental effects on employee psychological safety and overall workplace culture. In this conversation, Felix shares his experiences with a volatile CEO and the impact of poor leadership on workplace culture. The discussion delves into the dynamics of power in tech companies, the challenges of navigating erratic leadership, and the...2025-06-2451 min
Cultures From HellRemote Culture: New Challenges in a Virtual World 2/2In this episode, Lars and Paulina continue their exploration of remote culture, discussing the challenges and strategies for building effective virtual teams. They recap previous discussions on remote culture issues, share a success story from a German company, and delve into the necessary adaptations for leadership in a remote environment. The conversation also addresses common myths about remote work productivity, the importance of fairness and equity in team dynamics, and effective communication strategies for virtual teams. Key takeaways emphasize the need for intentional culture building, trust, and clear communication.
https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/
https://www...2025-06-0348 min
Cultures From HellRemote Culture: New Challenges in a Virtual World 1/2In this episode, Lars Nielsen and Paulina von Mirbach-Benz discuss the evolving landscape of company culture in the context of remote and hybrid work. They explore the unique challenges that arise in maintaining a vibrant culture when teams are distributed, including the emotional and psychological impacts on employees. The conversation highlights common mistakes made by leaders during the transition to virtual collaboration and offers best practices for fostering a cohesive and engaging virtual culture. Key themes include the importance of face-to-face interactions, the need for intentional communication, and the significance of trust in remote work environments.
https...2025-05-2730 min
Cultures From HellBreaking the Cycle: Turning Failure into OpportunityIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars Nielsen and Paulina von Mirbach-Benz discuss the critical importance of learning from failure within organizations. They explore how to shift from a blame culture to one of learning, the significance of a growth mindset, and practical strategies for leaders to foster a culture of resilience and innovation. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they highlight the transformative power of embracing mistakes and turning them into opportunities for growth.
https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/
https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/
...2025-05-2038 min
Cultures From HellThe Domino Effect: How One Mistake Leads to AnotherIn this episode, Lars and Pauline explore the concept of the domino effect within organizational culture, discussing how small mistakes can lead to larger issues. They emphasize the importance of leadership, communication, and transparency in preventing these cascading problems. Real-life examples illustrate the impact of poor decisions and the need for effective management. The conversation also covers strategies for identifying and halting negative trends, as well as preventative measures to foster a healthy workplace culture.
https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/
...2025-05-1335 min
Cultures From HellMy Sales Onboarding Disaster - A Cautionary TaleIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, host Lars Nielsen and co-host Paulina von Mirbach-Benz welcome their first guest, Dragi, who shares her challenging onboarding experience as a remote account executive. The conversation delves into the critical importance of effective onboarding, the isolation felt in remote work, the lack of support and resources, and the mental health implications of high expectations in sales roles. Dragi's story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for empathy and structure in onboarding processes to foster a positive company culture and employee engagement.
https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/
https...2025-05-0647 min
Cultures From HellStop Talking! The Dangerous Cost of a Culture of SilenceIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina delve into the critical issue of psychological safety in the workplace, illustrated through Marta's story, where fear of speaking up stifles valuable input. They discuss the importance of creating an environment where employees feel safe to express their opinions, the consequences of a toxic culture, and practical advice for both employees and leaders to foster psychological safety.
Takeaways
Psychological safety is the belief that you won't be punished for speaking up.
Fear can stifle valuable input and create a culture of silence.
2025-04-2932 min
Cultures From HellIs Your Workplace a Hotbed of Gossip? And What to Do About ItIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina delve into the pervasive issue of gossip in the workplace. They explore its detrimental effects on trust, morale, and productivity, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication and leadership in managing gossip. The conversation highlights practical steps employees and leaders can take to foster a healthier workplace culture, ultimately aiming to reduce gossip and its negative impacts.
Takeaways
Gossip is common in workplaces and can harm trust and morale.
It creates a false sense of belonging by excluding others.
Gossip can stifle...2025-04-2223 min
Cultures From HellIs Blame Killing Your Workplace Culture?In this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina delve into the detrimental effects of blame culture in workplaces. They discuss how blame culture stifles innovation, creates fear, and damages trust among employees. Through real-life examples, they illustrate the toxic dynamics that arise when mistakes are publicly criticized and accountability is mismanaged. The conversation emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of learning, where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth rather than reasons for punishment. Paulina shares practical strategies for individuals and leaders to navigate and improve blame culture, highlighting the role of psychological safety in promoting...2025-04-1528 min
Cultures From HellInconsistency is the EnemyIn this episode, Lars and Paulina discuss the critical role of consistency in maintaining a healthy company culture. They explore how a disconnect between words and actions can undermine employee engagement and brand reputation. Through real-world examples, they highlight the importance of aligning actions with stated values and the strategies leaders can implement to foster a culture of trust and accountability. The conversation also addresses the steps to rebuild trust after a breakdown and dispels myths about company culture, emphasizing the power of self-reflection and personal responsibility.
Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/...2025-04-0825 min
CULTiTALK#139 Strategische Kulturentwicklung mit Paulina von Mirbach-Benz und Erik Pfannmöller: Werte als ErfolgsfaktorIn dieser spannenden Episode vom CULTiTALK spricht Gastgeber Georg Wolfgang mit seinen Gästen Paulina von Mirbach-Benz und Erik Pfannmöller von der Culture Code Foundation über die essenzielle Bedeutung von Unternehmenskultur. Paulina und Erik teilen ihre persönliche und berufliche Reise, die zur Gründung der Culture Code Foundation führte. Paulina spricht über ihre Erfahrungen im Vertrieb und ihre Rolle als "Cultural Warrior", insbesondere in Bezug auf ihre Werte und die Ablehnung von toxischen Arbeitskulturen. Erik bringt seine Sichtweise als ehemaliger Leistungssportler und Unternehmer ein und betont die Wichtigkeit von Unternehmen, die kulturzentriert arbeiten und integrative Werte leben.2025-04-0353 min
Cultures From HellHow Communication Blunders Destroy Company CultureIn this episode, Lars and Paulina delve into the critical topic of communication breakdowns within organizations. They explore common errors, the impact of poor communication on employee morale, and the essential elements of effective communication. Personal stories highlight the importance of empathy and clarity, while discussions on leadership emphasize the need for support and coaching for young leaders. The episode concludes with practical advice on fostering a healthy communication culture in the workplace.
takeaways
Communication is essential for organizational success.
Common errors include lack of clarity, consistency, and empathy.
Poor communication...2025-04-0127 min
Cultures From HellWhen You Get Driven Towards BurnoutIn this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars Nielsen and Paulina von Mirbach-Benz delve into the pervasive issue of burnout in the workplace. They explore the signs and symptoms of burnout, share a real-life case study of a young woman named Katarina who faced emotional manipulation from her manager, and discuss the long-term effects of toxic work environments. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care, recognizing unhealthy situations, and taking action to protect one's mental health. Listeners are encouraged to seek support and prioritize their well-being in the face of workplace challenges.
Paulina on LinkedIn https://www...2025-03-2532 min
Cultures From HellWhen your manager crosses the lineIn this episode, Lars and Paulina delve into the complexities of toxic workplace cultures, focusing on the boundaries that managers often cross. They share a poignant story about Antonia, a young professional who faced undue pressure from her manager, highlighting the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes the need for managers to be aware of their responsibilities and the impact of their actions on employees. They discuss strategies for creating a supportive work environment and the significance of open communication. The episode concludes with key takeaways for both employees and managers to foster a healthier...2025-03-1839 min
Cultures From HellLeadership Gone WrongSummary
In this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina explore the critical topic of leadership gone wrong. They discuss the common mistakes leaders make, the importance of proper training, and how poor leadership can negatively impact company culture and employee well-being. The conversation highlights the need for self-reflection, the identification of red flags in leadership, and the significance of trust and communication. Through personal anecdotes and examples, they emphasize the responsibility leaders have and the potential for growth and improvement in leadership roles.
Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/
2025-03-1138 min
Cultures From HellWelcome to Cultures From HellIn the inaugural episode of 'Cultures from Hell', hosts Lars Nielsen and Paulina von Mirbach-Benz explore the complexities of toxic workplace cultures. They discuss the importance of recognizing and addressing toxic behaviors, the role of leadership in shaping culture, and the need for intentional cultural transformation. Through real-life experiences and insights, they aim to provide listeners with practical advice on improving workplace environments and fostering positive cultures.
Takeaways
⭐️ Culture has been a passion topic for Paulina for over 13 years.
⭐️ Many leaders believe culture is a soft topic and not crucial for success.
⭐️ Tox...2025-03-0422 min