Unlocking Workplace Culture
with Shari Collins · hosted by Chris Sund
A former teacher turned award-winning leadership consultant on what psychological safety really looks like, why ageism cuts both ways, and how multi-generational teams become an engine of innovation.
Episode Summary
Culture is the word every organization uses and almost none can clearly define. Shari Collins has made it her life’s work to change that. A former teacher turned award-winning leadership consultant and business owner, Shari brings an educator’s precision and a psychologist’s insight to building workplaces where people actually want to show up. She and Chris dig into what psychological safety really looks like in practice, why ageism cuts both ways, how deliberately built multi-generational teams drive innovation, and the real ROI of investing in culture.
Key Takeaways
- 01Culture is defined by psychological safety and inclusivity — not perks.
- 02Ageism affects both younger and older employees and must be addressed on both ends.
- 03How well-structured multi-generational teams enhance collaboration and innovation.
- 04Why creativity thrives only where psychological safety is prioritized.
- 05The measurable ROI of investing in culture.
Standout Quotes
Ageism cuts both ways. We have to stop making assumptions based on the number of years someone has been on the planet.
If people do not feel safe, they will not take risks. And if they will not take risks, you will never get their best ideas.
At the core, every person in your organization needs two things: to feel valued and to feel respected.
Episode Chapters
Tap any chapter to jump straight to that moment on YouTube.
01:16Shari’s Career Journey: From Teaching to Business OwnershipPLAY ›
04:46The Importance of Workplace CulturePLAY ›
06:43Defining Workplace CulturePLAY ›
08:14Addressing Ageism in the WorkplacePLAY ›
12:31Strategies to Combat AgeismPLAY ›
18:25Creativity and Psychological SafetyPLAY ›
20:06The ROI of Investing in CulturePLAY ›
22:37Shari’s Unique Approach to CoachingPLAY ›
30:42Global Perspectives on LeadershipPLAY ›
33:16The Core Human Needs in the WorkplacePLAY ›
About Shari Collins
Shari Collins is an award-winning leadership expert, positive psychology practitioner, and business owner who has built a career helping organizations create cultures where people do their best work. A former educator, Shari brings the precision of a teacher and the insight of a psychologist to the complex, human challenge of building workplaces that are genuinely inclusive, psychologically safe, and strategically strong.
Her work spans industries, generations, and continents — bringing a global perspective to leadership development that few consultants can match. She is known for a coaching approach rooted in education and deep engagement, and for an ability to translate the science of positive psychology into strategies leaders can use immediately.
Why This Episode Matters
Culture is not a feeling. It is a system — and like every system, it can be designed, measured, and improved. Shari Collins makes that case compellingly, and backs it up with the kind of practical frameworks leaders can apply in their next one-on-one, their next team meeting, or their next all-hands.
For any leader who has felt the gap between the culture they want and the culture they have — and has not known quite how to close it — this episode is the place to start.
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