Culture is Not a Location: Redefining Leadership & Workplace Culture
Watch Our 2024 Conference with Workplace Culture Expert – Mike Desjardins
On November 6th, 2024, we hosted our annual Employers & Leaders conference. Guided by our guest speaker, Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS Inc., we came together to discuss leadership and redefine workplace culture. Mike Desjardins delivered an insightful presentation on leadership mindsets and behaviours that foster a thriving employee experience in hybrid, remote, and in-office environments. With over 20 years of HR expertise, Mike provided actionable strategies and thought-provoking perspectives on building an adaptable and connected workplace.
If you couldn’t attend or want to revisit the key moments, we’re excited to share the full presentation below:
Watch the Full Presentation
We invite you to watch the full presentation to learn more about these transformative ideas and discover how to implement them in your organization.
Key Takeaways from the Presentation:
Mike’s presentation challenged traditional notions of workplace culture and highlighted the critical role leaders play in shaping it. Here are some of the standout insights:
- Culture Lives in Leadership, Not Locations Leaders’ mindsets and behaviours are the true drivers of workplace culture, not physical offices or perks. A strong culture transcends location and is built on purpose and connection.
- The Power of Empathy Empathy is the most important leadership trait in today’s work environment. Leaders who prioritize understanding their teams foster greater engagement and trust.
- The Platinum Rule Mike introduced the idea of the “Platinum Rule”: Treat others as they want to be treated. Recognizing individual and team preferences leads to more effective collaboration and support.
- Adapting to Change Instead of asking, “When do we return to the way things were?” leaders should embrace the reality of a constantly evolving work environment and focus on adaptability (AQ).
- Purpose Over Perks Employees value purpose, connection, and alignment more than traditional perks. Leaders who create meaningful connections with their teams inspire loyalty and motivation.
- The Value of Team Huddles Regular team stand-ups and huddles provide opportunities for alignment and connection, ensuring everyone stays focused and engaged.
About the Speaker
Mike Desjardins is the CEO of ViRTUS, a Human Resource Consulting Group specializing in leadership development and culture-building strategies. With a BCOMM, CPHR, and over 20 years of strategy and leadership development expertise, Mike is a former EO Vancouver President and BIV Top 40 Under 40 honoree. He is passionate about empowering leaders and creating positive change. Mike has worked with leading organizations in British Columbia and around the globe to transform their approach to leadership and employee engagement. We are grateful to learn from his experience and expertise as we navigate today’s workplace challenges.
Continuing the Conversation
We’re grateful to Mike Desjardins and all attendees for making this year’s conference a success.
Contact us if you’d like to learn how we can help your organization build a thriving workplace culture with supportive and competitive benefits. We invite you to explore our services here.
Stay tuned for more events and resources designed to inspire and empower leaders in today’s dynamic work environment.
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