A Viable Workplace Culture Starts With the Right People

Cynthia Cleveland is a Partner at CEO Coaching International, the leading coaching firm for growth-focused CEOs and entrepreneurs. Cynthia is a five-time CEO and president who led companies generating over $4 billion in worldwide sales in consumer products, entertainment, and retail industries. In her 30-plus-year career, she has overseen popular brands, including Universal Studios, Teleflora, Mattel Toys, and Carnation Foods. Cynthia has been an active member of YPO for over three decades and is the former Chair of the Women’s International Network. In 2015, Real Leaders Magazine named her one of the Top 100 Visionary Leaders.

In this episode…

Workplace culture is the culmination of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that characterize a company or organization. It’s a doctrine influenced by the company's mission, vision, and values, but how can it be adequately assimilated to create a positive work environment?

As an accomplished company head who guided numerous teams for major corporations, including a Fortune 500, Cynthia Cleveland explains viable workplace culture is only possible with the ideal people. When leadership recognizes employees who negatively impact team dynamics, they’re responsible for placing them in a different department or part ways. Being a leader sometimes includes making difficult decisions — and in these situations, they must learn to trust their instincts. Leaders also create a culture conducive to employee success by establishing boundaries, setting expectations, respecting employees’ opinions, and giving workers autonomy.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Cynthia Cleveland, a Partner at CEO Coaching International, to discuss how leaders create workplace culture. Cynthia shares her insight on company culture and core values, why leaders need to trust their instincts, and why it’s beneficial to respect employees’ personal lives.