What youâll learn in this episode
If youâve got a team that feels âoffââturnover, tension, miscommunication, or projects that keep slippingâthis conversation will hit home. Workplace culture expert Lindsay Barnett breaks down why culture problems usually arenât a âthemâ issue⌠theyâre a leadership clarity issue.
In this episode, we unpack how leaders accidentally create chaos (even with good intentions), why âbeing niceâ can kill accountability, and how to build a culture where people feel seen, understood, and motivatedâwithout sacrificing performance.
Key topics we cover
Why most team problems start with unclear expectations
The leadership trap: managing others the way you want to be managed (and why it backfires)
The shift from the Golden Rule to the Platinum Rule (treat people how they want to be treated)
How to balance empathy with accountability (so work still gets done)
What to do when you have an overbearing boss who keeps piling on tasks
How to ânegotiateâ workload using scope, timeline, quality, or budget tradeoffs
Why sustainable performance requires psychological safety + standards
A practical team tool: work style assessments to reduce stories, blame, and friction
How leaders lose credibility when values are âon the wallâ but not modeled
Memorable moments
Steveâs hard-earned leadership lesson: âThe common denominator wasnât themâit was me.â
Lindsayâs framing: leaders âcreate the weatherâ on a team.
The boundary-setting example that changes everything: start small, test assumptions, and build courage with reps.
Action steps you can try this week
Clarify one expectation youâve assumed your team âshould already know.â Write it down, then say it out loud.
Use this phrase in your next tough conversation:
âAre you open to negotiating?â
Before reacting, replace your story with curiosity:
âHelp me understand what youâre optimizing for.â
If you lead a team, pick one value/behavior youâll model consistently for 30 days (no exceptions).
About Lindsay Barnett
Over the past two decades, Lindsay Barnett has helped transform workplace cultures, leaders, teams, and individuals across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. After becoming âcorporate crispy,â she founded Barnett Coaching, a boutique coaching and consulting firm focused on helping people and organizations thrive. Sheâs also the author of Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work For You.
If you enjoyed this episodeâŚ
You can find Lindsay’s resources in the links below:
- Book: Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work For You â Lindsay Barnett
- Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn
- Learn more at Barnett Coaching – www.barnettcoaching.com
If youâre building a team (or surviving one), share this with a founder or manager who cares about performance and people. And donât forget to subscribe to Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence for more conversations that help you scale impact without burning out.















