Collaborative-Culture

Episode Summary

In this first episode of our three-part Metrics that Matter series, Kristine and Monica pull back the curtain on how organizations are trying (and often failing) to measure culture. They walk through the real business case for culture, revenue growth, turnover savings, and performance, and then dig into why most “culture metrics” are actually measuring something else entirely. From employ...

It’s our 10th episode and our first guest! Dr. Kristine Gentry (cultural anthropologist and founder of Culture Grove) and co-host Monica M. Smith (intercultural leadership expert and founder of Tradewinds Career Consulting) sit down with Madhuri Kumar, a global talent executive who has led culture, change, and people strategies across Fortune 500s (GE, Halliburton), tech and health tech, nonprofits, and higher ed (UT...

Show description

RTO isn’t a culture strategy. It’s a seating chart. In this episode, Monica M. Smith (Tradewinds Career Consulting) and Dr. Kristine Gentry (Culture Grove) unpack why so many “back to the office for culture” mandates fall flat and what actually builds connection, trust, and performance. We explore the post-pandemic “great realignment,” the comfort vs. culture trap, and how leaders can replace visibility theater with...

AI doesn’t have to be a layoff story. it can be a growth story. In this episode of Collaborative Culture, hosts Dr. Kristine McKenzie Gentry and Monica M. Smith explore what it means to lead AI adoption with your culture front and center.

They discuss how leaders can turn the AI revolution into a moment for innovation, inclusion, and trust — not fear.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build a culture-firs...

In this episode, Dr. Kristine Gentry (Culture Grove) and co-host Monica M. Smith (Tradewinds Career Consulting) unpack the surge in layoffs tied to AI ambitions and what “managing to a spreadsheet” misses about people, risk, and long-term performance. We discuss the ripple effects of rapid RIFs on engagement, institutional knowledge, and resilience; the CEO messaging that’s eroding loyalty; and why culture must sit alongside cost m...

In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Kristine interviews Monica as they dive deep into the realities of global workplace dynamics—from culture disconnects across continents to the hidden biases baked into our definitions of professionalism. They explore what happens when DEI is fully embedded into a company’s operating system versus treated as a surface-level add-on. Monica shares her signature 3-pillar framework (mindset, mea...

Description: What does it really take to build a thriving workplace culture? In this episode, Monica interviews Dr. Kristine Gentry as Kristine pulls back the curtain on her process, from uncovering hidden culture gaps to aligning leadership and embedding values into daily behaviors. Learn how strong cultures not only help people thrive, but also drive measurable business performance.

Show Notes: In this episode of Collabor...

In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Monica and Kristine dive into the critical difference between teamwork and collaboration, and why culture is the secret ingredient that so many organizations miss when building high-performing teams. While teamwork is essential for structure, roles, and meeting goals, it’s collaboration that fuels creativity, innovation, and resilience. But how do these two forces interact in the moder...

In this episode of Collaborative Culture, Monica and Kristine pull back the curtain on what collaboration really means in the modern workplace. Far from a buzzword, true collaboration is a dynamic behavior—not just a team activity or a calendar full of meetings.

Together, they unpack:

• The key differences between collaboration and teamwork
• Cultural and structural barriers that stall collaboration
• Why being back in...

Is culture just a “vibe”? A breakroom ping pong table? A motivational poster with core values no one remembers? The short answer - No.

In this episode of Collaborative Culture, we go deeper.

Join hosts Dr. Kristine Gentry and Monica Smith as they unpack what culture really is — through the lens of anthropology, leadership, and lived experience. From failed meditation mandates to strategic missteps, they expose ...

🎙️ Episode 1: Meet Your Hosts — A New Conversation on Culture Begins

Welcome to the very first episode of Collaborative Culture! In this kickoff conversation, you'll meet your co-hosts:

• Dr. Kristine Gentry, a cultural anthropologist and founder of Culture Grove
• Monica Smith, a globally-minded leadership coach and founder of Tradewinds Career Consulting

Together, they’re on a mission to redefine how we talk about cul...