Delta Air Lines has been making headlines in recent years—and not just for ranking high in customer service and passenger satisfaction. In this episode of Better by Great Place To Work, we explore the incredible transformation at Delta, especially its meteoric rise on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list from No. 94 to No. 15 in just one year. Allison Ausband, Delta's executive vice president & chief people officer, takes listeners on a journey through the evolution of Delta’s people-first culture, its ripple effects on business success, and the actionable strategies that can inspire organizations of any size to prioritize their people. Ausband began her career as a flight attendant and now leads the charge in creating a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. “If our people know they matter,” she says, “they’ll serve our customers extremely well — and that drives business success.” Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and save 20% off registration for the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2026 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter: Culture Edge Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Delta’s Allison Ausband on People-First Culture and Business Success | Great Place To Work® Read more about Delta’s rise: How Delta Air Lines Soared to No. 15 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List | Great Place To Work®

In this episode, we dive into Marriott International's journey of resilience and reinvention over the past few years. Ty Breland, EVP and CHRO of Marriott — a 27-time Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® winner — shares insights on how workplace flexibility and a redefined leadership mindset have driven significant business success. This evolution has led to higher engagement scores, lower turnover, and increased revenue, benefiting associates, the company, and customers alike. You’ll learn how Marriott's innovative job sharing and scheduling approach has created a more engaged and committed workforce. Ty also shares advice for HR colleagues on the importance of having a seat at the table, balancing work and life, and staying present. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Marriott’s Ty Breland on Workplace Flexibility | Great Place To Work® Fortune article: People-first culture is vital to Marriott’s 25-year run as one of the 100 Best Companies | Fortune Download Marriott’s report for an in-depth look on how it transformed the associate experience.

If you’ve had Fiji water, Wonderful pistachios, or Halo mandarins, then you’ve been enjoying some of the products made by The Wonderful Company!  We learn how the powerful story of how it has transformed the rural community of Lost Hills, California, into a thriving place to live and work for its employees. We sit down with Stephen Howe, EVP of human resources and chief financial officer, to explore the incredible impact The Wonderful Company is making on its employees and communities, and the innovative employee programs that bring meaning and purpose to the lives of the hourly, frontline workforce. Tune in to hear why The Wonderful Company earned its spot as one of the Fortune 100 Best Workplaces to Work For® in 2024! Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit The Wonderful Company’s Stephen Howe on Creating a Great Place to Live and Work | Great Place To Work®

Hybrid work offers employees flexibility, but it requires intentional effort to maintain in-person connections. Suzan McDaniel, CHRO at Edward Jones, shares practical tips for creating a rewarding in-office experience, effectively managing a hybrid workforce, using personas for better communication, and supporting employee well-being. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Edward Jones’ Suzan McDaniel on Creating Social Connections in a Hybrid World | Great Place To Work®

Only 2% of CHROs think their performance management system truly inspires employees to improve. Liz Heitner, CHRO at Penn Mutual, understands why and shares how to change that. We dive into how Penn Mutual leaders have transformed their approach, resulting in a performance success program that actually works – and employees enjoy. She candidly shared lessons learned, how to manage imposter syndrome, and what she’s learning from Tik Tok. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Penn Mutual's Liz Heitner on Effective Performance Management | Great Place To Work®

Unlike many workplaces where hourly employees miss out on meaningful work, mental health support, and training compared with their salaried counterparts, CarMax has found ways to fill these gaps. Diane Cafritz, EVP and chief innovation and people officer at CarMax, explains how. Diane also opens up about her personal experience as part of the sandwich generation, balancing the demands of raising children and caring for elderly adults, and how that has shaped her perspective on the importance of flexibility in the workplace. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit CarMax’s Diane Cafritz on Empowering Hourly Workers | Great Place To Work®

Alveda Williams, chief inclusion officer at Dow, talks about how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are making a big difference at Dow. With 600 chapters around the world, these groups have helped shape company policies and create new products. In the past seven years, participation in ERGs has jumped from 15% to 60%. These groups are now a key part of the company’s success. She also explains why leadership includes influencers and non-managers, and shared some wisdom we can all benefit from — bloom where you’re planted. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Dow's Alveda Williams on How Employee Resource Groups Drive Business Success | Great Place To Work®

Kim Jones, managing director of talent strategy and people experience at PwC, shares insights on the importance of trust in the workplace, the role of middle managers in building a positive culture, and how PwC is using AI to create equal opportunities for all employees. She also opens up about her personal journey to better well-being and the lessons learned from a health scare. Her journey is a powerful reminder that our bodies keep the score, and taking care of ourselves is crucial for sustained success. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Kim Jones on Improving Workplace Trust | Great Place To Work®

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with journalist, speaker, and podcast host Ellen McGirt to discuss the intricate balance of caregiving and maintaining a career. Ellen shares her personal journey as a member of the sandwich generation, caring for both her family and three vulnerable adults. We explore the emotional and logistical challenges caregivers face and offer practical advice for workplaces to better support their employees. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that aims to normalize caregiving discussions and foster a more supportive work environment. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. Listen to the Brittany Howard interview: Brittany Howard on the Importance of Belonging | Great Place To Work® For a transcript of this episode, visit Ellen McGirt on Supporting Caregivers at Work | Great Place To Work®

Stepping outside of our comfort zones is where growth begins. As Monique Herena, chief colleague experience officer at American Express, puts it, change is both necessary and challenging. She offers practical strategies for helping leaders navigate change, and what to do with leaders who aren't on board. She also shares how American Express has navigated flexible work, and why it's important for everyone, including individual contributors, to model values and leadership behaviors. Share a time you stepped outside your comfort zone at work with me. E-mail me at roula.amire@greatplacetowork.com. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit American Express’ Monique Herena on Embracing Change at Work | Great Place To Work®.

Feeling stuck? It might be your fear of failure. Amy Edmondson, Novartis professor of leadership and management at Harvard Business School, joins us to talk about her new book, “The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well”— the 2023 Business Book of the Year. Renowned for her research on psychological safety, Amy talks about failing well, what types of failures to avoid, and why high performing teams report more errors than lower performing teams. Companies that learn from failures are also more likely to be innovative and agile. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Amy Edmondson on How Failing Well Can Help Companies Thrive | Great Place To Work®

Ric Campo and Keith Oden, CEO and president, respectively, of Camden Property Trust share their approach to building a company culture centered around care. This philosophy has boosted employee engagement and satisfaction, and contributed to the company's business success. We explore how Camden fosters a caring environment and how they've addressed challenges like maintaining a strong company culture during difficult times. They also shared their approach to workplace flexibility in an industry where flexibility hasn't been the norm. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Camden’s Ric Campo & Keith Oden on Building a Culture of Care | Great Place To Work®

Feeling unseen and unheard at work? You're not alone. But what if your workplace felt like a place where everyone belongs and thrives? Join Yolanda Friend, inclusion & diversity lead at Accenture North America, as she shares powerful insights and actionable steps to create a more inclusive culture. From the importance of mentors and sponsors to the everyday micro-experiences that make a difference, Yolanda's practical tips will inspire you to champion belonging and unlock your employees’ full potential at work. Learn why having a diverse workforce is good for business. Plus, get a sneak peek into Yolanda's mentor's new book, “Unwavering,” filled with invaluable career and life lessons. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Accenture's Yolanda Friend on How to Create Inclusive Workplaces | Great Place To Work®

Michael Matthews, chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer at Synchrony, talks about the power of vulnerability among leaders, and how it can help build trust and create a more inclusive workplace culture. He shared how leadership is evolving at Synchrony, and what it means to be seen at work. And he opened up about how he built a strong relationship with his CEO and CHRO — and how you can do the same. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. Learn more about The Great Transformation: The Great Transformation Is as 'Close to a Blueprint For the Future of Work as Anything We've Seen' | Great Place To Work® For a transcript of this episode, visit Synchrony’s Michael Matthews on Vulnerability in Leadership | Great Place To Work®

Tina Jones, senior VP of global HR at Cadence, walks us through how and why Cadence ties the top 100 leaders’ bonuses to their ability to create and support more equitable teams.   She shared what every HR pro can do today to make inclusion groups — or employee resource groups — essential to the business.   You’ll also learn what traits and skills she thinks HR pros need. Let us know what you think in the comments!   Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work®   Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter.   Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification.   For a transcript of this episode, visit Cadence’s Tina Jones on the Power of Inclusion Groups & Top HR Skills | Great Place To Work®   Learn more about The Great Transformation: The Great Transformation Is as 'Close to a Blueprint For the Future of Work as Anything We've Seen' | Great Place To Work®  

Kelly Jones, chief people officer at Cisco, talks about how the company makes hybrid work successful for all teams -- and how you can do the same. Hear new research on the impact of return-to-office mandates, and the five questions people managers at Cisco ask in every check-in. Plus, she shared the secret to making the Fortune 100 Companies to Work For® List. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. For a transcript of this episode, visit Cisco’s Kelly Jones on Making Hybrid Work Successful | Great Place To Work®.

Dr. BJ Fogg, founder and director of Stanford's Behavior Design Lab, and author of The New York Times bestseller, “Tiny Habits,” talks about how to change behavior in the workplace. He applies his behavior model to common workplace scenarios like listening better, making time to meet with your people, and persuade your boss to sign-off on a culture initiative. He shares his favorite habits, and the No. 1 habit he recommends we all start today. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® If you like what you hear on the podcast, be sure to subscribe to our company culture newsletter. For a transcript of this episode, visit Stanford’s BJ Fogg on Behavior Change and How to Listen Better at Work | Great Place To Work®.

Alexi Robichaux, co-founder and CEO of BetterUp, talks about the most powerful way to recognize your people, the importance of inner work, and the connection between meaningful work and giving extra on the job. You’ll hear him talk about why we should stop thinking of management as supervisors and more as catalytic converters, and the three jobs everyone has at BetterUp. (Hint: the job you’re hired for is last on the priority list.) You’ll also learn about the Camino de Santiago trail—a pilgrimage across Spain—and how that experience influenced Alexi’s approach to culture. If you like what you hear on the podcast, be sure to subscribe to our company culture newsletter. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® For a transcript of this episode, visit Alexi Robichaux on the Power of Special Recognition at Work | Great Place To Work®

Jen Fisher, chief well-being officer at Deloitte, shares her burnout experience, signs she ignored, and the impact that workplace friendships and in-person connection have on our mental health, productivity, and retention. She talks about the No. 1 thing you should do before starting any well-being program, and how to help remote workers combat loneliness. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® If you like what you hear on the podcast, be sure to subscribe to our company culture newsletter. For transcript of this episode, visit Jen Fisher on burnout and the power of social connection and friendships at work | Great Place To Work®

Tim Richmond, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at AbbVie, and Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work, talk about blind spots around culture, why listening is the No. 1 leadership behavior, and a new way of leading where leaders feel accountable for every manager down to the front-line supervisor. Plus, Tim and Michael share how they maintain a work-life balance for themselves.  Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® If you like what you hear on the podcast, be sure to subscribe to our company culture newsletter. For transcript of this episode, visit Tim Richmond & Michael C. Bush on Leadership Blind Spots | Great Place To Work®