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A World of Difference

A World of Difference

By: Lori Adams-Brown
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 Tired of the same old leadership advice? Step into a new era of leadership with the A World of Difference podcast. Hosted by Silicon Valley tech executive, global leadership expert, and advisor to Silicon Valley CEOs, Lori Adams-Brown, this podcast is for leaders who want more than just surface-level strategies—they want to lead with authenticity, purpose, and impact. Each episode features real stories and hard-won lessons from authentic leaders across industries who have faced challenges, embraced change, and built inclusive cultures that drive success. Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a business, or making a difference in your community, this podcast gives you the tools to lead boldly and inspire real change. If you’re ready to move beyond traditional leadership, subscribe now and discover how to lead with authenticity and create the lasting impact you’ve always dreamed of.© 2023 Lori Adams-Brown Economics Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Catherine Mattice on Strategies To Transform Toxic Work Environments From The Inside Out

    Catherine Mattice on Strategies To Transform Toxic Work Environments From The Inside Out
    Jun 18 2025
    Have you heard these myths about toxic work environments? 1. "It's just part of the job, suck it up." 2. "If you speak up, you'll be seen as a troublemaker." 3. "You're overreacting, it's not that bad." I'll share the truth about these toxic workplace myths, but trust me, you'll want to stick around for the real strategies. In this episode, you will be able to: Mastering strategies for creating psychological safety at work can transform team dynamics and boost productivity. Navigating toxic work environments requires understanding the impact on employee well-being and organizational success. Identifying workplace bullying behaviors empowers leaders to foster a healthier and more inclusive work culture. Understanding the impact of abrasive leaders on team health is crucial for cultivating a positive and supportive work environment. Building healthier team dynamics in the workplace can lead to increased collaboration, engagement, and overall job satisfaction. My special guest is Catherine Mattice Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500's to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. Catherine’s award-winning book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, was hailed by international leadership-guru, Ken Blanchard, as, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” Her latest book is Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies (Wiley). The key moments in this episode are:00:02:19 - Recognizing Toxic Behaviors in the Workplace 00:08:00 - Overcoming Gaslighting and Competence Questioning 00:10:39 - Shifting Toxic Culture in Organizations 00:13:22 - Misalignment of Organizational Values 00:02:55 - Impactful Conversation with Kathryn Matthias 00:13:54 - Challenging Narratives and Toxic Work Environments 00:15:33 - Dangers of Abrasive Leadership 00:19:37 - Perception and Behavior Change 00:23:25 - Impact of Workplace Bullying 00:25:37 - Uncovering Blind Spots in Organizations 00:27:02 - The Purpose of Core Values 00:29:02 - The Cost of Toxic Behavior 00:32:23 - The Importance of Self-Awareness 00:37:00 - Reimagining HR for Culture Management 00:38:56 - Preparing for Keynotes and Leadership 00:40:01 - Evolution of Workplace Trends 00:41:37 - Humanizing the Workplace 00:42:24 - Supporting Victims of Workplace Bullying 00:44:32 - Encouraging Empathy and Kindness Subscribe, rate, and share the show with five people to spread the message of empathy, equity, and kindness. Help build a community of people who believe in listening to those who are different from us. Join the Patreon community, Difference Makers, for behind-the-scenes content, extra questions, and a community that gets it. Hop on Substack for deeper conversations and thoughts, where the deeper conversations happen. Rate and review the show to provide feedback and shape the community. Share what challenges you are facing at work and what you would love to hear more of on the podcast. Check out the Mastering the Career Pivot masterclass to take control of your career pivot with confidence and land a job you love. Gain access to video training, self-paced exercises, a free career pivot guide, and the Pivot Package for a clear, actionable roadmap to make career moves.
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    50 mins
  • Turning Tribal Wisdom into Belonging: Lessons from WD-40 CEO Emeritus Garry Ridge

    Turning Tribal Wisdom into Belonging: Lessons from WD-40 CEO Emeritus Garry Ridge
    Jun 11 2025
    Want to know the surprising truth about creating a workplace culture that actually works? Garry Ridge just shattered every excuse and showed us why every dumbass has what it takes to lead with courage, humility, and heart. And here's the kicker - he's got the blueprint for building a tribe where people feel safe, valued, and ready to innovate. Get ready to be inspired, because this is not your typical leadership advice. It's time to stop waiting for permission and start making a difference in your workplace. Sound intriguing? Keep listening to find out how your work culture can be a place of thriving. In this episode, you will be able to: Build Psychological Safety in Your Workplace: Learn how to foster an environment where every team member feels valued and comfortable contributing their ideas. Embrace Leadership Lessons from Garry Ridge: Discover actionable insights from Garry Ridge that can transform your approach to leadership and inspire your team. Create a Tribal Culture at Work: Uncover the secrets to cultivating a strong sense of community and belonging within your organization. Emphasize the Importance of Empathy in Leadership: Explore the powerful impact of empathy in leadership and how it can elevate your team dynamics. Implement Strategies for High Employee Engagement: Uncover effective tactics to boost employee engagement and create a more fulfilling work environment for your team. My special guest is Garry Ridge Garry Ridge is the Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company, where he spent 25 years as CEO, building a culture of trust, belonging, and engagement that drove both business success and human flourishing. Now, as The Culture Coach and founder of The Learning Moment, he shares his wisdom with leaders worldwide, helping them create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired.Named one of the Top 10 Most Admired CEOs in the World by Inc. Magazine and a Top 30 Global Guru in Organizational Culture, Garry is also an executive coach, adjunct professor, and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard. His latest book, Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, promises to challenge and inspire leaders to build cultures of learning and belonging. The key moments in this episode are:00:04:11 - The Bold Title of Garry's Book 00:08:33 - Creating a Safe Environment for Learning 00:10:41 - The Power of Tribal Culture 00:14:12 - The Future of Work and People-Centered Culture 00:18:37 - Workplace Culture and Its Impact Beyond the Office 00:23:22 - Talent Development and Engagement Strategy 00:26:20 - Shifting Mindset for a People-Centered Culture 00:28:19 - Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership 00:28:45 - The Importance of Psychological Safety in Leadership 00:30:14 - Empathy and Understanding in Leadership During COVID 00:34:31 - Learning from Fijian Tribal Leaders 00:39:53 - Grounding Practices for Leadership 00:42:11 - Finding Joy in Purpose 00:42:24 - Paying It Forward 00:42:44 - Life's a Gift 00:43:26 - Human-Centered Leadership Check out Garry Ridge's book Any Dumbass Can Do It and consider purchasing a copy to gain insights into leadership, psychological safety, growth mindset, and creating a culture of belonging. Be different. Make a difference. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Patreon (for exclusive episodes just for Difference Makers) Make a difference: Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps the community grow and keeps these important conversations going. Sponsors: If you need professional help, such as therapy: https://www.betterhelp.com/difference If you are looking for your next opportunity, sign up for Lori’s Masterclass on Master the Career Pivot: https://www.loriadamsbrown.com/careerpivot
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    50 mins
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