[Episode 17] Where Is the True Value of People and Culture?

Patti Cuthill, SHRM-SCP, Vice President of People and Culture at Verve Cloud, discusses the evolving role of HR in cultivating workplace culture. She highlights her career journey from the Navy to startups and emphasizes the importance of intentional culture-building, servant leadership, and prioritizing people for organizational success.

"Culture is alive. Culture is a living, moving organism that is always changing. You constantly need to nurture it and pay attention to it. This doesn’t mean there are significant changes, as your values keep you grounded. However, culture always requires care and tending." - Patti Cuthill

Patti emphasizes that leadership in the digital age requires a shift towards prioritizing people, purpose, and empathy. She highlights that intentionally cultivating culture is essential for creating engaged, thriving workplaces. By modeling empathetic leadership and aligning with purpose, organizations can foster vibrant cultures that resonate deeply with their teams.

Key Takeaways: 

• Culture must be actively nurtured to thrive; organizations need to define and maintain environments where employees can excel.

• Leadership is about caring for people and creating an atmosphere where they feel valued and appreciated.

• Employee fulfillment and purpose are key to preventing burnout and maintaining long-term engagement.

• HR should go beyond compliance and focus on fostering cultures that promote empathy and purpose-driven work.

• Companies have a responsibility to create environments that enhance well-being, leading to greater productivity and growth.