Culture change isn't quick… but the work is a solid investment.

Tim Steinbeck, CEO of GRE HERC Services, joins the Mastering Workplace Culture podcast for a raw, grounded conversation about what change really looks like when moving a blue‑collar workplace from siloed habits to a culture built on "STEAM" values: Safety, Trust, Accountability, Ethics, and Mutual Respect.

From shift‑to‑shift friction and accountability battles… to longtime employees leaving because "you can't pay me enough to be nice to these people"… this talk pulls back the curtain on what real culture transformation feels like inside a 24/7 operational environment.

If you lead people — especially on the plant floor, in facilities, or in field‑based work — you'll hear your world in this conversation.

⏱️ This Episode's Chapter Guide

00:00 – Intro

What Mastering Workplace Culture is all about — real talk, zero jargon.

00:31 – Meet Tim Steinbeck

46 years in energy, leading a major operational takeover in Minneapolis.

02:00 – Why the Culture Wasn't Working

COVID isolation, expectations drifting, communication slipping.

03:45 – Finding "Good Comes First"

The moment the culture reboot started making sense.

04:25 – Building STEAM (Safety, Trust, Accountability, Ethics, Mutual Respect) values

Creating values the plant team could actually use.

05:55 – The First Signs of Change

Frontline reactions, peer feedback, and slow, uneven progress.

07:47 – Leadership Buy‑In ("Are you crazy, Tim?")

How senior leaders responded when culture alignment became a priority.

09:00 – When Values Reveal Who Won't Stay

Some employees chose to leave — and why that mattered.

11:20 – Old Habits vs. New Expectations

Breaking behaviors built over decades.

14:00 – What's Working — And What Still Isn't

New hires, legacy teams, and continued pushback.

17:30 – Respect & Accountability

The issues leadership keeps running into.

20:20 – Post‑Pandemic Realities

Four siloed teams, weak handoffs, and baked‑in independence.

22:30 – Did They Ever Hit Pause?

How the team stayed committed even when things got tough.

24:00 – Frontline Frustrations

Why operators say they're not being heard.

26:00 – The Middle‑Manager Squeeze

Supervisors caught between pressure and values.

28:00 – Are People Enjoying Work More?

Tim's honest take on the culture shift so far.

30:40 – Big Leadership Transitions

New faces, new roles, and keeping momentum going.

39:00 – CEO Drop‑In Chats

Tim's plan to meet operators where they are.

41:50 – Lessons Tim Wishes He'd Known

Vulnerability, consistency, and starting sooner.

48:00 – What He'd Do Differently

More conversations, fewer gaps.

51:40 – Cabin Life!

Ice fishing, Minnesota summers, and family time.

54:30 – Final Thoughts

Safety, warmth, and staying connected.

If this conversation resonated, don't forget to:

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#WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #GoodComesFirst #CultureTransformation #EmployeeExperience #MasteringWorkplaceCulture

In this episode of Mastering Workplace Culture, Katelyn Taylor, Director of Marketing Communications at Boise State University, reveals the hard decisions and practical steps she took to rebuild a toxic team culture. From spotting the waving red flags to hiring for respect and results, this conversation provides leaders a roadmap for transforming any workplace—no matter how tough the starting point.

👉 If you're serious about building a healthier, higher‑performing team, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment sharing your biggest culture challenge!

#MasteringWorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #RespectAndResults #ChangeLeadership #EmployeeExperience

Discover the leadership philosophies that helped turn WD‑40 into a globally admired organization. In this episode of Mastering Workplace Culture, hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbitt sit down with Garry Ridge, former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of the WD‑40 Company — widely known as a Culture Architect.

Garry shares the principles that helped expand WD‑40 into 176 countries while building a culture grounded in trust, accountability, belonging, and values that guide behavior and performance. From authentic care to the concept of positive attrition, he explains how leaders can cultivate workplaces where people feel safe, connected, and motivated to do their best work.

You'll learn:
How values‑based leadership fosters engagement and trust
Why accountability is an act of care — not punishment
How belonging drives performance
What "positive attrition" really means
How WD‑40 sustained its values through the pandemic
How to maintain a strong culture across global teams
Perfect for leaders, HR pros, culture strategists, and anyone passionate about building people‑first workplaces.

⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Meet Garry Ridge
02:44 Garry's Journey with WD‑40
03:46 Building a Global Culture
05:46 Values‑Based Leadership
09:34 The Tribe Philosophy
11:22 Challenges & Resistance
23:41 Accountability that Works
28:02 Overcoming Obstacles with Values
29:39 Why Values Matter in Business
30:18 Thriving During the Pandemic
31:13 Employee Engagement & Safety
32:58 The Power of Belonging
36:26 Global Expansion & Cultural Differences
38:16 Values in Divisive Times
50:28 Addressing Toxic Behavior
53:51 Final Thoughts & Resources

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like the video
💬 Comment below: What value most influences your workplace culture?
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📤 Share this episode with a leader or HR professional!

#Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #GarryRidge #WDCOMPANY #ValuesBasedLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalCulture #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessLeadership #MasteringWorkplaceCulture

Welcome to Mastering Workplace Culture! In this kickoff episode, hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbit share why they launched this podcast and what you can expect. We go beyond corporate jargon to explore practical strategies for building cultures that value respect and results equally.

✅ Why culture change isn't a quick fix

✅ How leaders can manage performance AND values

✅ Real-world success stories from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits

If you're ready to challenge assumptions and create a workplace where people thrive, this podcast is for you.

📧 Have questions or guest ideas? Email us at authors@goodcomesfirst.com

#Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #RespectAndResults #Podcast