Why People-First Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Culture with Pierre Battah

Built to Last

Challenging common leadership mantras with wisdom, wit, and real-world stories.
In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby are joined by leadership expert, award-winning author, and jazz bassist Pierre Battah. What begins as a nostalgic reconnection turns into a candid, insightful exploration of leadership, organizational culture, and the future of work. Pierre shares personal stories from his transition from HR executive to independent consultant and speaker, lessons learned through tough client calls, and his approach to reshaping culture from fear-based to learning-oriented environments.
The conversation dives into the nuances of facilitation, performance psychology, and the evolving employer-employee relationship. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical wisdom and plenty of inspiration.
Links and Resources Mentioned
Pierre Battah –https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrebattah/
Pierre Battah’s website and book https://www.pierrebattah.com/
Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) https://www.canadianspeakers.org/
David Allen – Getting Things Done https://gettingthingsdone.com/
Quotes Worth Sharing
“It’s not about being happy—it’s about being engaged.”
“I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. I set out to be independent—and then got hooked.”
“Culture isn’t ‘people first.’ It’s results through people.”
“Safety isn’t soft. It’s the foundation for productivity.”
“Not all things that are curious are part of the work.”
Segment Breakdown
07:00 – Changing the Employer-Employee Relationship
Reframing leadership in the age of talent scarcity.
From “you’re lucky to have a job” to “we’re lucky to have you”
Why culture change is harder than culture theory

14:00 – People First? Not Quite.
Why “people first” can be misleading
The importance of balancing empathy with high standards
Creating cultures that are challenging, not coddling

20:00 – Breaking the Culture of Fear
A real-world example of cultural fear at a successful company
Transitioning to a learning culture: the power of debriefs, safe space, and senior-level self-awareness
Why some leaders need to step back for progress to happen
27:00 – When to Walk Away from a Client
Recognizing misalignment, even when you're hired
Ethics and candor in advisory roles
When great work isn’t the right fit
33:00 – Craft of Facilitation & Speaking
Pierre’s journey from comfortable speaker to certified pro
Learning the science behind storytelling, delivery, and adult education
The blend of edutainment and real impact
41:00 – Writing a Book & Building Credibility
The surprising reason Pierre decided to write Humans, Resourced
Behind the scenes of hybrid publishing and distribution
Why a book may not be a business—but it can still build one
61:00 – Advice for Young Professionals
Stop chasing passion—start with what you’re good at
The unexpected journey from engineering to agriculture
Why trying and failing early matters
68:00 – The Future of Work & Leadership
The two biggest trends to watch: AI and patterns in your own business
Importance of white space and strategy time
Why being surrounded by big thinkers matters
75:00 – The Limits of Psychology in Change Work
Behavior change vs. emotional diagnosis
Organizational coaching and habit adoption
The role of incentives in leadership development
83:00 – Levi & Colby Reflect on Resistance
Why meaningful change often starts with organizing your data
The resistance to long-term investment when ROI isn’t immediate
Why “working with” instead of “working at” is a mantra at Iron House