 |
The CrossKnowledge PodcastAuthor: The CrossKnowledge Podcast
The CrossKnowledge Podcast is delighted to welcome a diverse set of hosts and guests to discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges of corporate digital learning. Were happy to have you join us! Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
The Human Advantage: Shaping company culture to fuel performance with Sarnjit Kaur from Cox Automotive
Episode 11
Monday, 18 November, 2024
In this episode of The Human Advantage podcast series, we are thrilled to welcome Sarnjit Kaur, Chief People Officer International at Cox Automotive, a leader in the automotive sector with over 3,000 employees across UK, Europe, Brazil, and Australia. Sarnjit is dedicated to fostering a positive workplace culture that truly supports employee well-being and drives performance. She’s been leading impressive initiatives like: - A well-being group focused on men’s mental health— essential in an industry where 80% of the workforce is male. This group provides employees with a safe space to talk about their challenges, seek support and learn ways to manage stress. - A Neurodiversity group to celebrate and support diverse talents, fostering a more inclusive and innovative workplace. - The “Make Your Mark” program, which empowers employees to connect with causes they’re passionate about. This initiative has been a hit, allowing everyone to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. In this episode, we’ll explore the strong connection between company culture and business performance. 4 key insights from Sarnjit Kaur The role of leadership in shaping organizational culture Organizational culture isn't just a set of policies or values. It's about how employees feel, how they're treated, and whether they feel empowered and valued. Leaders, especially HR professionals, play a crucial role in shaping this culture through their behaviors and interactions. They must model the values they want to see, consistently showing up with empathy, trust, and respect. Active listening creates meaningful change The most impactful cultural initiatives often come from actively listening to employees. Sarnjit describes how their neurodiversity group and the "Level Up" language program emerged from employee feedback. Beyond formal surveys, she emphasizes the importance of leaders being visible and creating informal opportunities to gather insights that can improve the workplace. Aligning culture with business strategy Sarnjit's approach focuses on creating an environment that enables business success through key strategic elements: prioritizing employee well-being, fostering continuous learning and development, and building a culture that "cares first." She firmly believes that when you treat people well and create conditions for growth, business results naturally follow. Middle managers are the glue of organizational culture Middle managers play a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining culture. Sarnjit views them as the "glue" that holds organizations together. They are the ones who interact directly with employees and put the company's values and culture into action. By investing and equipping them with the skills to lead with empathy and adaptability, organizations can ensure that culture is consistently reflected at all levels. This ultimately boosts performance and engagement.
