Better by Great Place To Work

Better by Great Place To Work

Better is a podcast series from Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. Each episode offers tips, strategy, and advice from experts and executives who strive to make their workplace culture a top priority because they know it’s ultimately better for their people, better for business, and better for the world. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com

Episodes

November 18, 2025 24 mins

Coats, a global textile manufacturer with a 270-year legacy, has consistently led the way in innovation. Its thread played a role in Edison’s first lightbulb in 1879 and was used in the Apollo 11 spacesuits that traveled to the moon.

Group CEO David Paja shares how the company achieves such high levels of workplace innovation at Coats facilities, many of which are in remote, underdeveloped areas where working conditions can be inco...

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Ever wonder how a bicycle company became a $2 billion success story?

Mark Joslyn, VP of HR and IT at Trek, shares how listening to employees and fostering a "do the right thing" culture drives profitability.

From implementing a "personal board of directors" to earning the nickname "Ted Lasso," Mark's insights are both practical and inspiring.

Learn how Trek has risen from No. 94 in 2023 to No. 50 in 2025 on the Fortune 100 Best Com...

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How does active listening transform a company? DJ Casto, chief human resources officer at Synchrony shares the leadership secrets behind their culture shift and business wins.

The company is redefining leadership through active listening, vulnerability, and co-creation. Hear real stories and strategies that are transforming workplace culture and driving business success. Tune in to learn why great leadership isn’t optional — it’s e...

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Wendy Rummler, chief people officer at Credit Acceptance, shares her personal journey with mental health and how it shaped her leadership approach. After experiencing anxiety and panic attacks during the pandemic, she realized the importance of openly discussing mental health in the workplace.

Her vulnerability sparked deeper conversations across the company, including a powerful moment when she shared her story with 700 sales lead...

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The future of workplace learning is changing. Instead of focusing on "what" to learn, the focus is now on "how" to learn.

Jayney Howson, SVP of global learning and development at ServiceNow, says effective learning should be predictive, personalized, and available exactly when you need it — just like what happens when you watch Netflix. This is all possible thanks to AI.

Howson talks about personalized learning powered by AI, equal...

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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,...

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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, benefi...

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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 Wonder...

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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 Gre...

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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...

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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 adul...

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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 no...

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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 k...

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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 emplo...

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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 contr...

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March 19, 2024 2041 mins

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 tha...

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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 al...

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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...

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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 "B...

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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...

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