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The Thermostat with Jason Barger

The Thermostat with Jason Barger

Von: Jason V Barger
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A thermostat is proactive. It sets the temperature in a room. Controls the temperature. Regulates the temperature. But in today’s distracted, fast-paced and digital world, it’s easy for individuals and organizations to act more like thermometers, slipping into reactionary thinking, becoming scattered and inconsistent. The most compelling leaders, teams, organizations, families or collection of humans of any kind operate in thermostat mode. They calibrate their mind and heart to set the temperature for the vision and culture they want to create. Jason Barger, globally celebrated author, keynote speaker and founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting, guides this journey to discover authentic leadership, create compelling cultures and find clarity of mission, vision and values. Learn more at JasonVBarger.com or on social media @jasonvbargerJason V Barger 2019 Erfolg im Beruf Management & Leadership Ökonomie
  • 4 Habits Your Culture Needs
    Feb 17 2026
    As workplace trends continue to evolve, Jason identifies 4 foundational habits that every culture needs to be intentional about to create their future. Gemini said Jason builds on the emerging workplace trends of 2026 to identify the four foundational habits every organization needs to cultivate a high-performing culture. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: In a workplace landscape defined by a 10-year low in employee engagement and the rapid integration of AI, how do leaders ensure their teams remain connected and high-performing? In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V. Barger outlines a roadmap for 2026, shifting the focus from reactive trends to proactive, human-centered habits. He explores how the "soft skills" of the past—empathy, adaptability, and trust—have become the essential hard skills for modern executives. This conversation challenges the traditional "work-life balance" myth, proposing instead a "work-life rhythm" that treats employee well-being as a core business strategy rather than a perk. Jason breaks down the mechanics of "setting the temperature" through strategic culture audits, intentional 365-day onboarding, and the participatory alignment of values. By moving values from "posters on the wall to people in the room," leaders can build an environment where culture is co-created and sustained at every level. Essential listening for C-Suite executives, HR directors, and emerging leaders, this episode offers a tactical guide to navigating the technological shifts of AI while doubling down on the human elements that drive long-term organizational health. Episode Notes & Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Jason sets the stage for 2026, identifying four habits your culture needs to navigate current workplace shifts. [00:03] 2026 Workplace Trends: A recap of the five key trends impacting the workforce, including values alignment and the engagement crisis. [00:05] The New Core Competencies: Why empathy, communication, and trust-building are now the most critical "hard skills" for leaders. [00:06] From Balance to Rhythm: A strategic look at well-being as a performance driver and the reality of the hybrid work standard. [00:10] Habit 1 – The Culture Audit: Moving beyond survey fatigue to a strategic, honest assessment of your organization's "temperature". [00:12] Habit 2 – 365-Day Onboarding: Why the best organizations view onboarding as a year-long cultural roadmap rather than a first-week event. [00:14] Habit 3 – Participatory Values: Strategies to move values from static slogans to actionable behaviors that drive decision-making. [00:15] Habit 4 – Continuous Leadership Development: Why senior leaders must avoid becoming "finished products" and remain committed to their own growth. [00:17] Closing Questions: Jason leaves leaders with reflective prompts to strengthen their personal and organizational habits. Key Takeaways for Leaders: Audit for Action: Conduct a culture audit every 2–3 years, but only if you are committed to communicating themes and acting on the feedback to avoid survey fatigue. The 365-Day Rule: Treat onboarding as a long-term strategic immersion into your culture, not just a logistical checklist. Human-AI Balance: Lean on AI for efficiency, but double down on human judgment and emotional intelligence to lead effectively. Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/4-habits-your-culture-needs/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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    19 Min.
  • People and Culture Trends 2026
    Feb 10 2026
    The future of work is evolving each day. Jason dives into his observations, reflections, and research about the growing trends as it relates to developing people and culture. Jason shares his strategic forecast for the year ahead, analyzing the critical people and culture trends shaping organizations in 2026. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: As we step into 2026, the workplace is simultaneously becoming more technological and more human. In this season premiere of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger unpacks the shifting landscape of work, drawing from his own consulting experience across industries and data from sources like Harvard Business Review and Gallup. He challenges leaders to move beyond the old label of "soft skills" to embrace "human-centered leadership" as the primary driver of performance. This episode confronts the reality of a decade-low in employee engagement and provides a roadmap for reversing the trend. Jason explores five essential shifts: the rise of employee-driven values, the necessity of re-skilling senior leadership, the transition of AI from a mere tool to a daily practice, the strategic imperative of well-being (shifting from balance to rhythm), and the permanence of flexible, hybrid work models. Essential listening for C-Suite executives, HR directors, and team leaders, this discussion offers actionable strategies to recalibrate your culture, ensuring you attract talent and drive results in a rapidly evolving environment. Episode Notes & Timestamps: [00:00] Season 10 Kickoff: Jason welcomes listeners to the new season (over 315 episodes!) and sets the stage for a year focused on authentic leadership and compelling cultures. [00:02] The Power of Sharing: A reminder on how rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast helps amplify positive messages in a noisy world. [00:05] The Evolving Future of Work: Jason introduces the context for 2026, noting that organizations must adapt to what people need now to remain sustainable. [00:06] Trend 1: The Engagement Crisis: With global engagement hovering around 21%, Jason discusses the shift toward employee-driven cultures where values alignment is non-negotiable for job seekers. [00:09] Trend 2: Human-Centered Leadership: Why "soft skills" are now the skills. A look at how empathy, adaptability, and trust-building are becoming core competencies for senior leaders. [00:12] Trend 3: AI as a Practice: Moving beyond fear, successful teams are using AI as a "thought partner" to automate tasks while doubling down on human judgment and connection. [00:13] Trend 4: Well-Being as Strategy: Jason reframes "Work-Life Balance" to "Work-Life Rhythm," explaining why employee health is a performance strategy, not just a perk. [00:15] Trend 5: Flexible & Hybrid Models: The experiment is over. Jason explains why personalized, role-based flexibility is the new standard for retaining diverse talent. [00:18] Questions to Ponder: Jason concludes with critical questions to help leaders identify which trends need immediate attention in their own organizations. Key Takeaways for Leaders: From Soft Skills to Core Skills: Empathy and trust are no longer optional; they are the primary metrics for effective senior leadership. Work-Life Rhythm: Replace the static goal of "balance" with a dynamic, performance-based rhythm that supports mental health and prevents burnout. Tech & Touch: Leverage AI for efficiency, but prioritize human connection to solve complex problems and build culture. Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/people-culture-trends-2026/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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    20 Min.
  • Best Meeting Ever with Rebecca Hinds
    Feb 3 2026
    There is a great opportunity to lead more effective and engaging team meetings. Jason is joined by author and organizational behavior specialist, Rebecca Hinds, for a profound conversation about elevating meeting culture. Jason is joined by leading expert on organizational behavior, Rebecca Hinds, PhD, for a tactical conversation on how to transform meetings from a reactive default into your most valuable organizational product. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: In an era of chronic calendar bloat, how do high-performing teams regain their focus and drive results? In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V. Barger sits down with Rebecca Hinds, PhD—founder of the Work Innovation Lab at Asana and the Work AI Institute at Glean—to discuss the "epidemic" of unproductive meetings. Rebecca challenges leaders to stop "spending" time and start "investing" it by treating every meeting as a carefully designed product intended to build culture and drive decision-making. Moving beyond typical time-management advice, Jason and Rebecca explore the psychology of the "meeting suck reflex" and the social pressures that keep dysfunctional meetings on the calendar. They introduce actionable frameworks like the "4D CEO Test" to determine if a meeting deserves to exist and the "Meeting Doomsday" strategy for resetting organizational habits. From the science of equal airtime to the strategic use of AI and analytics, this episode provides a blueprint for executives to optimize collaboration. Essential listening for C-suite leaders, managers, and anyone navigating the future of work, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on intentionality, corporate culture, and the art of the "Best Meeting Ever". Episode Notes & Timestamps: Intro: Jason introduces the core concept: meetings are the most important, yet least optimized, product in any organization. Meet Rebecca Hinds: An introduction to Rebecca's background at Stanford, Asana, and Glean, and how her career as a competitive swimmer shaped her view of high-performing teams. Meetings as a Product: Rebecca explains why we must apply product development principles—like user-centric design—to our internal communication. The "Meeting Doomsday" Reset: A deep look at the radical strategy of deleting all recurring meetings to rebuild a more intentional and productive calendar. The Jolt of Intentionality: Why changing a meeting from 30 minutes to 27 minutes can shift a team's mindset from the status quo to active engagement. Minimalist Design: Rebecca outlines four dimensions for leaner meetings: length, attendee list (the "stakeholders vs. spectators" rule), agenda items, and frequency. Measuring Effectiveness: How to use return on time investment (ROTI) and AI analytics to track speaking balance and multitasking. The 4D CEO Test: A two-part filter to determine if a meeting is necessary: Does it Decide, Debate, Discuss, or Develop? Is it Complex, Emotional, or a "One-Way Door"? The Future of Work: Jason and Rebecca discuss the importance of intentionality and "fresh starts" when designing corporate culture for 2026. Key Takeaways for Leaders: User-Centric Meetings: Design meetings for the attendees' needs, not just for the organizer's convenience or for those who talk the most. The Power of the Reset: Periodically "cleanse" your communication stack to eliminate outdated social contracts and unproductive habits. Strategic Communication: Use synchronous meetings for complex, high-stakes, or emotionally intense topics; use digital tools for everything else. Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/best-meeting-ever-rebecca-hinds/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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    39 Min.
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