Culture isn’t a department. It’s a daily practice.

In this episode of Beyond the Class, Misty Janks, CEO of the Chapman Foundation, returns to tackle a common misconception: that organizational culture belongs only to HR or leadership. Misty reminds us that culture is a lived experience shaped by every interaction—every email, meeting, and hallway conversation.

She shares five actionable steps that anyone can take to make culture everyone’s responsibility:

• Lead by example—model trust, respect, and accountability.
• Foster meaningful connections—because culture thrives on relationships, not just processes.
• Communicate with transparency and trust—and learn the four elements that make trust stick.
• Take ownership of problems and solutions—move from commentary to contribution.
• Recognize and reinforce positive behaviors—because people repeat what is appreciated.

From connection questions to stay interviews, Misty shows how intentional actions—big and small—create a workplace where trust grows, and people feel they matter.

LEVEL UP OPPORTUNITY:
Pick one of these five steps and put it into action this week. Write it on a sticky note, set a reminder, and make it happen. Ownership starts with you.

Creating a culture of accountability and trust is a cornerstone of our Caring Workplaces program and our foundational class, Our Community Transforms. Visit the link below to learn more.

Note: You must be an alumnus of Our Community Listens to register for Our Community Transforms.

RELATED RESOURCES:

• Beyond The Class - 006-Rebuilding Trust When You’ve Messed Up
• Beyond The Class - 005-How To Build An Ownership Mindset
• Our Community Transforms - Learn More

BLOG: Organizational Culture: Everyone’s Responsibility

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Everyday actions, not just policies, shape culture.
• Everyone—not just HR or leadership—owns culture.
• Five steps: Lead by example, build connections, communicate with trust, take ownership, and recognize positive behaviors.
• Trust grows through competence, caring, commitment, and consistency.
• Appreciation drives repetition—recognize what’s working.
• Small actions compound into cultural norms.

Culture doesn’t change by memo; it changes in singular moments.

In this episode of Beyond the Class, Misty Janks, CEO of the Chapman Foundation, joins us to demystify the concept of culture change. Drawing from behavioral psychology and real-world examples, Misty shares how meaningful transformation begins not with sweeping initiatives, but with intentional, everyday actions.

She outlines three actionable steps that anyone can take to shape a healthier, values-driven workplace:

1. Define and operationalize your values
2. Provide feedback that shapes behavior
3. Recognize and celebrate what’s working

From basketball free-throw contests to thumbnail reviews, Misty shows how even small interactions can reinforce culture. She reminds us that “people repeat what is appreciated” and that celebrating progress—not just perfection—is key to lasting change.

LEVEL UP OPPORTUNITY:
Choose one interaction this week and use it to model, reinforce, or recognize the culture you want to see.

Creating a plan for your organization's culture is a key component of our third foundational class, Our Community Transforms, within our model for Caring Leadership and our Caring Workplaces program. Visit the link below to learn more.

Note: You must be an alumnus of Our Community Listens to register for Our Community Transforms.

RELATED RESOURCES:

• Caring Workplaces program
• BTC-007-How to Build a Coaching Culture Through Everyday Conversations
• Listen First Podcast-103–Dissecting Top Secret F.B.I. Statements
• Learn about Our Community Transforms

BLOG

Culture Change Feels Overwhelming—Here’s Why It’s Worth It and How to Start Today

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture change is about people, not policies.
• You don’t need a perfect plan—just start with intention.
• Step 1: Make values visible and actionable.
• Step 2: Use feedback to reinforce and coach behavior.
• Step 3: Celebrate progress to fuel positive change.
• Appreciation drives repetition—recognize what’s working.
• Anyone can lead culture change, regardless of title.
• One intentional moment can spark transformation.

Culture doesn’t shift through policy—it transforms through presence.

In this episode, Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation, explores how a coaching-centered culture is built not through programs, but through everyday conversations.

Katie shares that coaching culture starts with intention, not titles. It’s about how we show up: listening with curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting ownership. She goes on to unpack how leaders and teammates can foster growth through small, meaningful interactions.

Katie wraps up with six practical tips to help you start building a coaching culture today:

1. Listen with curiosity
2. Use powerful questions wisely
3. Support ownership
4. Set clear goals
5. Make it safe to grow
6. Take one step at a time

Whether you're leading a team or supporting a colleague, this episode offers actionable insights to help you grow others with care and clarity.

SKILL SNIPPET - FIVE REFLECTIVE LISTENING SKILLS: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2462065/episodes/16817640

005-HOW TO BUILD AN OWNERSHIP MINDSET - https://www.chapmancommunities.org/btc-005/

CONNECT WITH US: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/speaking-and-public-engagement/

BLOG: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/coaching-culture/

Coaching culture is a key component of our third foundational class, Our Community Transforms, within our model for Caring Leadership and our Caring Workplaces program. To learn more, visit https://www.chapmancommunities.org/partnerships/.

Note: You must be an alumnus of Our Community Listens to register for Our Community Transforms.