ridging two brands, two cultures, and two ways of working isn’t for the faint of heart—but it’s where growth truly lives.

In this conversation, Lauren McTiernan, Senior Director of Customer Operations & Fulfillment at Crocs, breaks down what it really takes to align fast-moving teams, build shared priorities, experiment your way forward, and keep people energized when customer expectations never stop evolving.

From the realities of merging Crocs and HEYDUDE to the leadership lessons that shaped her 17-year journey, this episode delivers grounded insights for leaders navigating complexity, change, and rapid growth.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

• 00:00 – Why this conversation matters for leaders navigating growth
• 01:14 – Lauren’s 17-year journey at Crocs and what kept her energized
• 03:46 – Inside the acquisition of HEYDUDE
• 04:39 – Culture differences: stable processes vs. startup experimentation
• 05:34 – Fun at work and why it’s often misunderstood
• 06:53 – The power of celebrating wins (and why leaders don’t do it enough)
• 08:11 – Recognizing teams in a remote-first world
• 09:03 – Bridging cultures: where things stand today
• 10:20 – The “one team” North Star for Crocs and HEYDUDE
• 11:19 – Setting priorities when every function has its own agenda
• 12:24 – The leadership program shaping Crocs’ future
• 13:19 – Support vs. collaboration: the difference that moves organizations
• 14:21 – When subsidizing becomes a trap
• 15:57 – Survival through positivity and opportunity-spotting
• 16:33 – How Crocs does continuous improvement
• 17:01 – Experiments, pilots, and quick wins
• 18:02 – In-person vs. virtual collaboration
• 19:17 – Bringing teams together: cadence and strategy
• 20:06 – Advice for leaders facilitating cross-team alignment
• 21:30 – Helping teams stay steady during increased customer demand
• 22:56 – Why communication must match personality (Insight Colors)
• 24:20 – The Crocs collection we had to ask about
• 25:40 – Childhood insights: values, twin dynamics, and finding joy in work
• 27:45 – People, happiness, and the energy we feed off at work
• 29:59 – Family, communication, and learning to navigate conflict
• 30:26 – Leadership advice: change is your greatest teacher
• 31:21 – Closing and next steps for listeners

Before you run to your next meeting full of “priorities,” remember to:

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#LeadershipDevelopment #CultureBuilding #ChangeManagement #TeamAlignment #ContinuousImprovement #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience #LeadershipPodcast #Crocs #HEYDUDE #OperationalExcellence #PeopleLeadership #ScalingTeams