On Culture: Embracing Cognitive Hospitality

Myste Wylde
Jun 19, 2024
5 min read

Dear Culturati Insider,

Reflecting on the research, ideation, and innovation discussed at Culturati: Summit 2024, we see how the best practices in leadership continue to evolve beyond conventional norms. This year we introduced the concept of “cognitive hospitality,” a term coined by our CEO, Eugene Sepulveda, and Rev. Steven Tomlinson, PhD to describe how we optimize environments for creativity, innovation, and collaboration by prioritizing rest, resilience, and psychological safety. Central to this approach is the profound yet straightforward principle: "leader, know thyself." This edition draws from the cognitive hospitality framework, presenting a modern playbook for today’s challenges.

To start, we see top CEOs embracing emotional intelligence alongside their technical skills to drive organizational performance, reflecting the deep self-awareness at the heart of cognitive hospitality. Similarly, the success of hybrid work models proves that adapting work environments can boost employee satisfaction and productivity, resonating with our focus on optimization.

Further supporting these tenants, the evolving role of CHROs, including the strategic navigation of DEI challenges and AI integration, illustrate why we foster inclusive and psychologically safe workspaces. These examples not only reflect the broader application of cognitive hospitality but also demonstrate resilience and adaptability in modern leadership practices.

As we move forward, these themes will guide us in shaping leadership approaches that are not only effective but also conscientious, equipping us to tackle the challenges of an increasingly complex world. Want to discuss in person? Reach out to see how we can organize a Culturati: Connect dinner in your city. Or, if you have insights you'd like to share, apply to be in an upcoming Culturati: LIVE. Limited early bird registrations for Culturati: Summit 2025 are available now.

To self-discovery,

Myste Wylde, COO

The ‘Inside Out’ Leadership Journey: How Personal Growth Creates the Path to Success

McKinsey & Company

By Dana Maor, Hans-Werner Kaas, Kurt Strovink, and Ramesh Srinivasan

Summary: Over a decade of collaboration with more than 500 CEOs, including those from Fortune Global 500 companies, reveals a crucial insight: mastering traditional executive skills does not necessarily equate to effective organizational performance. This gap, driven by a deficiency in human-centric leadership qualities like self-awareness and empathy, is detailed in the authors' book, How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out. Data from a McKinsey Global Institute study across 1,800 companies demonstrates that those prioritizing these soft skills alongside hard skills are 1.5 times more likely to maintain high performance and exhibit 50% less earnings volatility. This underscores the necessity for leaders to balance technical proficiency with emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of modern business environments and AI integration effectively.

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This New Hybrid Work Study Could Help Reconcile The War Over Work From Home

Forbes

By Jena McGregor

Summary: A landmark study published in Nature by Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom and colleagues provides compelling evidence supporting hybrid work models. Conducted with 1,612 employees at Trip.com, the randomized controlled trial divided participants based on birthdates, assigning one group to a hybrid schedule (working from home on Wednesdays and Fridays) and the other to a traditional five-day office schedule. Over six months, the hybrid group saw a one-third reduction in attrition rates—more pronounced among non-managers, women, and long-commute employees—while maintaining comparable performance reviews, promotion rates, and productivity (measured by lines of code submitted) to their office-based peers. Initially skeptical, company managers adjusted their views, acknowledging a potential productivity increase of 1% by the end of the trial. These findings suggest that leaders should consider integrating flexible work arrangements as strategic initiatives to maintain organizational standards, attract and retain talent, and potentially reduce operational costs, demonstrating that a balanced approach to remote and in-office work can be beneficial across various organizational levels.

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Is Psychological Safety Being Weaponized?

Fast Company

By Graham Winter

Summary: Leaders today face the complex challenge of promoting psychological safety without compromising accountability within teams. This tension is evident in scenarios where initiatives for fostering a supportive environment clash with the need for rigorous performance discussions. Harvard researcher Amy Edmondson defines psychological safety as the confidence to take interpersonal risks, which is crucial for high-performing teams. Effective leadership requires integrating psychological safety with collective accountability, creating a culture of "accountable collaboration." Leaders must ensure that psychological safety is leveraged to enhance, not undermine, team performance, promoting an environment where trust, open communication, and clear accountability coexist to drive continuous improvement and robust team dynamics.

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The 4 New Must-Have Skills for CHROs According to Industry Experts

Fortune

By Paige McGlauflin

Summary: The HR function has evolved significantly, positioning CHROs as critical strategic leaders within the C-suite. Beyond traditional tasks like payroll and disciplinary actions, today’s HR leaders are increasingly involved in shaping company strategies and driving business outcomes. Experts like Steve Patscot from Spencer Stuart note that the role of CHROs has expanded, requiring a robust understanding of data and analytics to effectively align HR initiatives with business goals. Moreover, the demand for skills in generative AI and internal communication strategies underscores the shift towards a more dynamic HR role that addresses high employee expectations and fosters a culture of accountable collaboration. To keep pace, CHROs are advised to enhance their strategic influence by engaging directly in corporate strategy discussions, building strong relationships with other C-suite executives and the board, and continuously developing their skills through experiences across different business functions. This strategic integration ensures that HR not only supports but actively contributes to the broader business objectives, positioning CHROs as indispensable leaders in the modern corporate landscape.

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There's a New Product That Can Help With Today's Unique Legal Risks with DEI

Inc.

By Melissa Angell

Summary: In the current climate where DEI initiatives are increasingly scrutinized and subjected to legal challenges, many companies are pulling back on their diversity efforts due to fear of litigation. Mandy Price, co-founder and CEO of Kanarys, a Dallas-based DEI data analytics firm, notes a significant retreat in organizations openly discussing or advancing their DEI strategies. Despite the challenges, the importance of DEI remains, supported by McKinsey's finding that diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their peers. To navigate these complexities, Kanarys has developed tools that help companies assess and adjust their DEI programs in compliance with legal standards, collaborating with legal and communications firms to ensure that these initiatives are both effective and defensible. This approach not only helps companies maintain their commitment to diversity and inclusion but also minimizes legal risks, enabling them to continue crucial DEI work without drawing undue suspicion in a politicized environment.

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