HR TODAY

As co-editors, our journey together began in 2007 at Satyam School of Leadership (now Tech Mahindra), where we led cultural transformation initiatives. Alongside a remarkable team, we played a key role in Satyam becoming the first non-U.S. company to be ranked #1 on the Association for Talent Development’s (ATD) BEST List. Even when the company faced a crisis, its culture provided the resilience needed to rebuild. Many of those who contributed to that transformation have since shaped cultures in major organizations, proving that strong, intentional cultures endure even in the toughest storms. Since our time at Tech Mahindra, we have continued to collaborate on many projects, driving transformation in organizations, including PwC India, Capgemini, and Western Union.

Our shared passion for cultural transformation and high-performing teams has led us to collaborate on a forthcoming book, Transformative Team Excellence, along with several other contributors. Set to be published by ATD Press in 2026, this book will explore how relationship-driven, performance-based teams can align human connection with business outcomes to drive sustainable success.

This issue features the following articles:

Ed Cohen’s “Culture as a Catalyst for Innovation and Agility” explores how companies like Amazon embed agility into their cultures, proving that psychological safety, inclusivity, and experimentation fuel long-term success.

“The Wonderland Effect: Reimagining Corporate Culture for Equity and Innovation” by Pris Nelson draws on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to illustrate how unspoken rules and invisible barriers shape leadership experiences, particularly for women.

Sheina Laws exposes the hidden dangers of manipulative leadership in “Is The Dark Triad Controlling Your Workplace—Without You Realizing It?” revealing how narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy can silently erode workplace trust and engagement.

“Beyond Perks: Why Employee Experience is the New Competitive Advantage” by Kimberly Saied argues that EX is no longer about superficial benefits but about designing meaningful employee journeys that drive retention, engagement, and business success.

Rahul Andrews, in “Sustainable Work Cultures – Balancing Profit and Purpose,” explains how businesses can align profitability with sustainability by embedding ESG principles and stakeholder capitalism into their core strategies.

“AI and the Creative Workforce: Bridging Technology and Human Expression in South Korea’s Creative Industries” by Mika (Jaeyun) Noh examines how AI is transforming creative industries, challenging traditional notions of authorship, and redefining artistic collaboration.

Ana Milenkovic’s “Between Two Worlds: How Transparent Communication Builds Resilient Teams” highlights the crucial role of open communication in fostering psychological safety, preventing disengagement, and strengthening workplace resilience.

“The Role of Leadership in Shaping Resilient Cultures” by Anna Glynn explores how leaders can embed resilience into their organizations to navigate disruption, sustain high performance, and drive cultural transformation.

Ibanga Umanah’s “Designing AI to Serve Your Culture” is a purposeful reminder that AI is here to augment the culture an organization desires to create, rather than define it, while acknowledging that business culture and AI can mutually influence each other.

In another perspective of “The Role of Leadership in Shaping Resilient Cultures”, Akona Makoboka emphasises that leadership has a role in helping organizations make the shift from not just enduring change, but rather thriving in the midst of constant change as a means to innovate.

Like every issue, this one also features five insightful book reviews, offering perspectives on leadership, work culture, and organizational transformation. Let’s dig in.

Editors,

Ed Cohen & Rahul Andrews