))
Building Cultures Where People Belong and Perform: Megan Carter, Blenheim Palace
Manage episode 520324583 series 3310977
What does it really take to build a work culture where employees genuinely belong and perform at their best? The conversation with Megan Carter - Head of People at Blenheim Palace and Pye Homes - clears away the gloss and gets down to the essentials.
Even when joining an organisation with positive foundations, it’s easy for teams to fall into silos or lose sight of shared purpose. The solution, as Megan points out, lies in clear values and a lived approach to leadership. It’s not about a strategy sitting idle, but about the everyday behaviours, especially from leaders, that help people feel heard and valued.
A high-performing workforce is sustained by fostering human connections, regular feedback, and authentic listening. I loved hearing about their ‘You said - we did’ process, which isn’t just an HR tick-box exercise, but an ongoing cycle of feedback and collective action. Their very low staff turnover and positive atmosphere are the results of intentional engagement, employee forums, and a culture where everyone’s voice matters.
It isn’t hierarchical; it’s approachable, personal, and rooted in day-to-day interactions - remembering names, checking in with genuine concern, and encouraging emotional intelligence. The three pillars - Grow, Give, and Belong - run through everything they do, helping ensure that everyone’s potential is supported, community connections are strong, and each person feels they matter.
Too often, people talk about work culture as a set of slogans or initiatives, but as Megan shared, it’s the little things - regular check-ins, supporting managers, empowering employees to solve problems together - that add up to a thriving, resilient workforce.
If you’re a leader or manager, don’t shy away from honest feedback, keep role modelling the behaviours you want to see, and remember: sustainable success is always collective. When your people thrive, so does your business.
More about Megan:
Megan Carter is a People Director dedicated to shaping positive working environments and fostering strong, inclusive cultures that drive innovation and inclusivity. She prioritises wellbeing and personal growth for organisational success.
Links to contact Megan:
LinkedIn:
Resources & References
Insight to Action Building a Culture of Belonging and Excellence - Downloadable Resource
The Emotional Needs Audit (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Tomorrow's Workplace - Building workplaces around employee emotional needs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Building Cultures - B4 People Ecosystem(itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Rethinking Leadership for meaningful wellbeing (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
High Performance through Happy People - Festival of Happiness 2024 (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Burnout Signs & Solutions in Modern Workplaces (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:
LinkedIn: lisapsychology
Website: itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Contact me: itstimeforchange.co.uk/contact
Email me for a friendly chat: [email protected]
106 episodes
Share
