Brad interviews Paula Mitchell on the challenges and triumphs of building company culture and leadership in the ever-evolving business landscape. Drawing from her experiences as a co-founder of multiple companies and her journey from a failed lawyer to a successful entrepreneur, Paula shares insights on the importance of trust, the impact of leadership on culture, and the necessity of continuous personal and professional growth. They touch on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace happiness, the significance of mentorship, and the need for leaders to create an environment where employees feel empowered to contribute to the culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Company culture is significantly influenced by leadership, but it can also be shaped by team members. A strong culture requires clear communication of values and behaviours, allowing everyone in the organisation to contribute positively.

Trust is a complex concept that leaders must extend generously to their team members. While it takes time to build, it can be fragile, and leaders should communicate openly about any issues to maintain a healthy trust dynamic.

Personal and professional growth should not be limited to climbing the corporate ladder. Mastery in one's current role or exploring new interests can lead to fulfilment and engagement. Leaders should encourage this mindset among their teams.

Leaders often get caught in the daily grind, making it essential to carve out time for reflection and strategic thinking. This practice can help organisations adapt to changing cultures and improve overall employee satisfaction.

Having mentors or advisors can help individuals navigate the overwhelming amount of information available today. Engaging with someone who has experience can provide valuable insights and guidance for personal and professional development.

BEST MOMENTS

"If your leadership aren't kind of pulling in the same direction, aren't aligned in what the message is, then sadly, the knock-on effect is that the culture is affected for everybody."

"What the fuck? Like, how can that be that we spend so much of our time in work and it can be so poor for so many people?"

"Trust takes years to build, but moments to break. I just think I don't like the moments to break bit."

"I think it's important for the leaders to be the ones that extend [trust] first and to extend it generously."

"We forget how freaking wonderful it is to get better at shit because we are not quite as deliberate about it as we were in our early years."

HOST BIO

Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow.

He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting.

Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader.

Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week

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