362. Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment: Featuring Dr. Ben Johnson and Bobby Dodd

What if you could actually see the hidden influencers on your campus and use those connections to move culture forward instead of fighting it?​ In this energizing Aspire to Lead episode, Joshua Stamper sits down with Dr. Ben Johnson, assistant superintendent and executive coach, and award-winning principal Bobby Dodd to unpack their new book, Intentional Influence, Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment. Together, they introduce cultural mapping as a practical way to “make the invisible visible,” helping leaders identify formal and informal influencers, understand levels of commitment, and design intentional moves that build trust, belonging, and buy-in across a school or district.​ Ben and Bobby walk through their three-phase process—mapping your people, reflecting on commitment and connections, and planning next steps—while sharing real stories of shifting disengagement, navigating resistance, and turning isolated talent into aligned teams that carry initiatives forward instead of waiting for top-down directives. Whether you lead a classroom, a building, or a system, this conversation offers a human-centered roadmap for using relationships as your strongest currency and building a culture where people feel seen, supported, and ready to commit to the work that matters most. About Dr. Ben Johnson: Dr. Ben Johnson serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools in Bismarck Public Schools, North Dakota. A leader, author, and executive coach, Ben has a passion for developing innovative systems that align culture, leadership, and learning through his Cultural Mapping framework. His work centers on building commitment through relationships and purpose—helping leaders transform compliance into authentic engagement. Ben is also the author of Intentional Influence: Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment. Follow Dr. Ben Johnson

• Website:https://cascadingsolutions.org
• Twitter (X): @dr_ben_johnson
• Instagram:@dr_ben_johnson80
• Facebook:@dr_ben_johnson80
• Linkedin:linkedin.com/in/drbenjohnson80

About Bobby Dodd: Bobby Dodd (JD) is an award-winning educational leader, speaker, and principal known for his focus on organizational culture and innovative leadership. He brings decades of experience helping schools and leaders build capacity through trust, collaboration, and reflection. Bobby’s leadership philosophy blends servant leadership with practical strategy—empowering leaders to develop high-performing, connected teams where everyone leads with purpose. Bobby is also the coauthor of Intentional Influence: Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment. Follow Bobby Dodd

• Website:https://cascadingsolutions.org