Within People

Chasing growth dilutes. Chasing impact distils. It's B Corp Month, and I've been reflecting on what it really means to be a B Corp business. I recently got asked why, after 16 years in business, we weren’t bigger. No matter how much we might fight it, there’s always a bit of us that equates size and scale with success. The Moral Compass voting system we developed at Nice and Serious means that we've turned down lots of lucrative briefs over the years - opportunities that would have made us bigger. But I believe chasing growth would have diluted our brand; bloating the business with work that isn't aligned with our purpose. By chasing impact instead, I think we've distilled our brand; by concentrating what we're good at, we create a virtuous circle – helping us to win more work that's aligned with our purpose.? Chasing impact doesn't mean you can't grow. We continue to grow year on year. But that growth is a means to an end, not an end in itself. So when you boil it down, yes we’re not big. But that’s on purpose. -- Interested to hear what other business owners think about this? #BCorpMonth #GenB #BCorp #BLab

I never listen back to these things as I can't really bear it. But... I've been working with Jeff Melnyk as a coach for the best part of a decade, and I got some really nice messages about this podcast after I posted it. Enough to make me want to check it out. I now realise that Jeff craftily lulled me into have a public coaching session with his soothing ways and excellent questions! But listening to it made me realise two things. One, Jeff is amongst the best in the world at what he does, and I possibly take him a little for granted! Two, getting a little older and less serious about yourself isn't all bad at all.... Thank you for everything Jeff, and here's to another amazing ten years for Within!

Exploring values, shaping culture. We’ve been in Lagos, Nigeria, working with the incredible team at Kuda to evolve their values in service of their mission: banking all Africans on the planet. Kuda means love, and this team is bringing heart into how they work, solve problems, and support each other as they grow. Through storytelling, collaboration, and reflection, we explored the behaviors that bring their values to life. Aligning culture with strategy is key to scaling with purpose. These conversations sparked fresh ideas and a shared vision for what’s next. How are values shaping your company’s future? #leadership #culture #growth #valuesdriven #purpose #strategy

"Leadership isn’t just about making the tough calls - it’s about standing by your people." In this clip from Reimagining Work From Within, Daniel Hegarty reflects with Jeff Melnyk on how the pandemic reshaped his understanding of leadership. When faced with uncertainty, he realized that his greatest responsibility wasn’t just to shareholders or growth targets, but to the people who built the business alongside him. At Within People, we’ve seen that values aren’t just words on a wall - they’re the foundation of strong leadership. They guide decisions, build trust, and create cultures where people thrive, even in the hardest moments. ?? Listen to the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/gJ3B8tMa How have values shaped your approach to leadership? #leadership #companyculture #workreimagined #collaboration #valuesdriven

"Culture is there whether you want it or not. If you don’t shape it, it shapes itself." In this special episode celebrating Within People’s 10 years in business, Jeff Melnyk sits down with Daniel Hegarty - entreprenuer, father, and COO of Kuda- to explore what a decade of business has taught him about leadership, purpose, culture, and resilience. We dive into: ?? The myths and realities of startup life in tech ?? Why culture isn’t just a “nice-to-have” but a growth strategy ? How founders can navigate uncertainty, scale, and change Dan’s journey - from musician to entrepreneur to advising at Kuda - is packed with insights for leaders, founders, and anyone thinking about what it really takes to build something meaningful. ?? Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gJ3B8tMa What’s one lesson you have learned about culture in your career? Share your thoughts in the comments. #tech #purpose #culture #leadership #growth

Bringing strategy and culture to life - together. We recently went on the road with landscape architecture firm Callander Associates - CALA to hear from employees across their offices in the Bay Area.? These in-person moments are where insights pave the way for action - and where trust, collaboration, and fresh ideas help define culture and shape growth. Our creative exploration was anchored in client feedback about what makes Callander stand out: deep relationships, real-world solutions, and a commitment to delivering quality work that people truly value. What makes this possible is a strong, talented team and a thriving culture. The team had a chance to workshop how to level up their ways of working, and co-create a picture of the culture they want for the future of the firm.? Grateful to be part of the dialog with the folks at Callander Associates - CALA to shape their strategy and culture. What conversations are shaping your business right now? #leadership #growth #facilitation

Love isn’t just for Valentine’s Day - it’s a leadership quality that shapes the way we show up for others and ourselves. When leaders lead with love, they build trust, foster connection, and create space for people to do their best work. At Within People, love is one of the essential qualities of human-centered leadership. It’s about caring deeply for those we serve and ensuring that leadership is rooted in empathy and purpose. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Within

Growth isn’t just about doing more—it’s about making space for what truly matters. As we step into 2025, how can leaders navigate change with intention? In this special trends episode of Reimagining Work from Within, Jeff Melnyk and Carol Kondo (she,her,hers) explore what it means to lead with curiosity, challenge assumptions, and redefine growth on your own terms. They dive into four key shifts shaping leadership this year: ?? Bringing cultures together ?? Redefining growth beyond the numbers ?? The evolving nature of flexible work ?? AI’s role in human-centered leadership Tune in for an insightful conversation on leading with intention in 2025. ?? https://lnkd.in/gHPQbzpE #reimaginingwork #leadership #growth #curiosity #intention

?? What will shape leadership in 2025? ?? This year isn’t about doing more—it’s about letting go of outdated beliefs, rigid success metrics, and ways of working that no longer serve us. In the latest episode of Reimagining Work from Within, Jeff Melnyk and Carol Kondo (she,her,hers) Kondo explore four key shifts shaping leadership and workplaces: ?? Bringing cultures together – Why leaders must stay committed to inclusion, even as DEI strategies evolve. ?? Redefining growth – Moving beyond traditional success metrics and embracing more meaningful measures of progress. ?? Rethinking hybrid work – Why connection is built through shared challenges, not just physical presence. ?? AI & leadership – How leaders can embrace technology to focus more on people, creativity, and culture. If you’re rethinking what leadership looks like in 2025, this episode is for you. ?? Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gHPQbzpE What’s one thing you’re letting go of this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ?? #leadership #futureofwork #growth #AI #humancenteredleadership #podcast #dei

Do we even have to say it? Rolling back diversity and equity efforts is a step in the wrong direction. At Within People, we believe that equitable, inclusive workplaces aren’t just good for business—they’re essential for building a better future. The recent move to dismantle federal DEI programs undermines the progress so many have worked to achieve. It’s a stark reminder of why this work matters. We’re committed to keeping equity at the heart of what we do. Our recent DEI Commitment and Action Plan reflects this vision: creating workplaces where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to lead and thrive. Change isn’t easy, but we’ll keep learning, unlearning, and leading with purpose. ?? Explore our 2024 DEI Commitment and Action Plan: https://lnkd.in/gNn9jNbb ?? How are you responding to these challenges? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below. (Jeff Melnyk, Laurie Bennett, Carol Kondo (she,her,hers), Emily Shelton, Bev Attfield, Hoa Nguyen, Matthew (McArdle) Wonderland)