Darcy Verhun, CEO of Canada Diagnostic Centers and co-author of "The Freedom of Constraints," joins Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton to discuss his leadership transformation playbook. From inheriting a company with 121 unfinished projects to implementing his focused "CDC" framework (Culture, Deliver Care, Cost Excellence), Darcy shares how he's revolutionizing healthcare leadership through coaching principles and strategic clarity.
Key topics include:
Why culture change begins immediately, not in years
The power of the "65%" principle for laser focus
How asking "How are you?" transformed his leadership approach
Moving from boss to coach in command-and-control environments
Creating remarkable patient care that spans multiple brands and locations
The clinic excellence index: measuring what good looks like
Why constraints actually create freedom in organizations
Whether you're leading healthcare teams or any organization facing complexity, Darcy's insights on servant leadership, strategic focus, and human connection offer practical frameworks for building cultures where people want to stay.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Culture Change
00:41 Welcome to The Culture Works Podcast
00:58 Meet Darcy Verhun: Transformational Leader
01:54 Unpacking the Leadership Playbook
02:58 The Concept of Clinic Excellence Index
03:57 Balancing Quality and Access to Care
05:32 The Freedom of Constraints
08:02 The 65% Rule in Arts and Business
12:05 Focusing on Culture, Care, and Cost Excellence
15:20 The Power of a Smile in Healthcare
18:01 From Boss to Coach: Rewiring Team Leadership
18:31 From Boss to Coach: Key Lessons for Executives
20:25 Coaching Culture and Financial Excellence
21:36 The Importance of Follow-Up in Coaching
22:34 Maintaining a Coaching Mindset: Habits and Rituals
24:52 The Culture Challenge: Real-World Leadership Dilemmas
32:44 Lightning Round: Leadership Principles and Practices
34:22 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
Follow Chester & Adrian and Darcy:
Connect with Chester & Adrian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/
Website: https://thecultureworks.com/
Connect with Darcy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-verhun/
Website: https://canadadiagnostics.ca/
In this episode of Culture Works, hosts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton sit down with Dr. Brent Ridge, co-founder of Beekman 1802, to explore how authentic leadership and purpose-driven culture can transform both business outcomes and human lives.
From losing his job as a Manhattan physician during the 2008 recession to building a global beauty brand powered by goat milk and kindness, Brent's journey demonstrates that culture truly drives business success. Discover how he and his husband Josh turned a weekend farm purchase into a purpose-driven empire that puts kindness at the center of everything, literally listing it as an ingredient in every product.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Culture Work Podcast
01:00 Meet Brent Ridge: Physician Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Beekman 1802
02:29 The Origin Story of Beekman 1802
03:38 Building a Brand on Kindness
07:09 Lessons in Leadership and Resilience
13:05 Embedding Purpose in Company Culture
26:10 Maintaining Authenticity and Values
29:35 Staying Grounded and Humble
32:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Follow Chester & Adrian and Brent:
Connect with Chester & Adrian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/
Website: https://thecultureworks.com/
Connect with Brent:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-ridge-md-0641791/
Website: https://beekman1802.com/
Most communication fails because people aren't communicating well with themselves first. Leadership expert Molly Tschang, co-author of "Say It Skillfully" with Marshall Goldsmith, joins Adrian and Chester to unpack why those post-meeting sidebar conversations are killing team alignment, and what leaders can do about it.
In this conversation, you'll discover the difference between being direct and being destructive, why vulnerability makes senior executives uncomfortable (and why it's essential anyway), and how to create the kind of psychological safety that actually moves teams forward. If you've ever struggled with having difficult conversations or wondered why your team isn't as aligned as you thought, this episode cuts straight to the practical solutions that work.
00:00 Introduction to Effective Communication
00:30 Meet Molly Tschang: Transforming Team Communication
01:59 The Importance of Trust in Leadership
03:54 Addressing Sidebar Conversations
06:19 Say It Skillfully: Finding Your Authentic Voice
11:58 Real-Life Examples and Executive Presence
16:13 Handling Difficult Personalities at Work
19:05 Building Credibility and Offering Constructive Feedback
21:01 The Importance of Transparency in Leadership
22:01 Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Dissent
24:18 Aligning Leadership Actions with Cultural Values
28:47 Addressing Politeness and Realness in Organizational Culture
30:24 Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights
35:03 Final Thoughts and Resources for Growth
Follow Adrian, Chester and Molly:
Connect with Adrian Gostick | Chester Elton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/
Website: https://thecultureworks.com/
Connect with Molly:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollytschang/
Website: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/
The Culture Works Podcast dives deep into the evolving dynamics of leadership and workplace culture. Hosted by bestselling authors and leadership experts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, this show brings real conversations with C-suite leaders, HR changemakers, and cultural innovators. From recognition and psychological safety to AI disruptions and hybrid work, every episode helps today’s leaders thrive—not just survive. Whether you’re leading a team of five or five thousand, discover practical insights to build cultures that connect, perform, and endure.