When leaders tell me they want a stronger culture, they often expect me to start with solutions.
I don’t.
I start with listening.
After years of leading listening sessions with organizations across industries, I’ve learned that culture doesn’t shift because of a new initiative or a well-written statement. It shifts when leaders are willing to hear what people are actually experiencing.
There’s one question I always save for the end of these sessions. Not because it’s dramatic, but because it’s honest. It opens the door to the conversations that matter most.
If you want the culture you say you want—on your team, in your leadership, in your organization—what must change?
And just as important, what must never change?
This question does two powerful things at once.
First, it reveals the gaps. The places where trust has thinned, where people feel unheard, overlooked, or unsure if they belong. These gaps rarely show up in metrics or reports, but they show up clearly when people are given permission to speak.
Second, it surfaces what’s already working. The behaviors, values, and moments of care that are creating connection and safety. These are the things leaders often overlook in their rush to “fix” culture, yet they are exactly what must be protected.
This is the heart of Caring Leadership®.
Caring Leadership isn’t about constant change or endless improvement. It’s about discernment. It’s about knowing what needs to evolve and what must remain steady so trust can grow. Listening is what gives leaders that clarity.
I encourage leaders to ask this question beyond the workplace.
Ask it about your leadership style.
Ask it about your team dynamics.
Ask it about your household or close relationships.
The answers often surprise us. And they almost always point us toward deeper care, not more control.
If you’re curious how your listening and leadership are currently landing with others, a helpful starting point is reflection. I created a free Feedback Assessment to support leaders in understanding how their care, communication, and listening are experienced by the people around them.
Sometimes awareness is the most powerful first step.
And when teams are ready to explore these questions together, I support organizations through facilitated workshops designed to create space for honest dialogue, shared understanding, and practical next steps. My work focuses on helping leaders strengthen listening skills, practice Caring Leadership®, and build cultures where people genuinely feel they belong.
Culture doesn’t change because leaders push harder.
It changes when leaders pause, listen, and choose care.
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WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP:
Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/
Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com
Access free Art of Caring Leadership resources: https://heatheryounger.com/kit/
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About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP
Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization.
Visit heatheryounger.com or https://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger for more details.
