In this episode, I sit down with Matt Marcotte — a seasoned retail and customer experience leader who has shaped some of the world’s most iconic brands. We explore what it really takes to build, scale, and transform organizations through culture, leadership, and a relentless focus on the customer. Matt shares insights from decades of navigating high-pressure environments, leading teams through disruption, and finding clarity in complexity.

Throughout our conversation, we dig into the mindset shifts leaders must make to succeed today, why experience is becoming a non-negotiable differentiator, and how the best organizations create consistency without stifling creativity. We also get personal: Matt opens up about his own evolution as a leader, where he’s gotten it wrong, and what he’s learned along the way. If you’re looking to elevate your leadership, rethink how you serve your customers, or simply hear a refreshingly honest perspective from someone who’s been in the trenches — this episode is for you.

Built on Belief: Why Cultures of Commitment Are the Competitive Advantage

What drives truly successful organizations? It is not just products, processes, or profits—it is belief.

In Built on Belief, leadership advisor Matt Marcotte reminds us that people are a brand’s greatest asset. When leaders and teams align around a shared belief, commitment naturally follows—and commitment always outperforms compliance.

This book is for leaders who want to inspire collaboration instead of control, employees who thrive in connection, and customers who stay loyal because of meaningful experiences.

Marcotte doesn’t offer empty corporate jargon or quick-fix trends. Instead, he distills three decades of leadership lessons into practical, human-centered strategies, including:

• How to clarify and codify the beliefs that define your brand

• How to shift from box-checking compliance to genuine commitment

• How to inspire people with a shared North Star

If you want to lead a culture that begins in the heart, aligns the head, and moves through the hands of every person in your organization, Built on Belief is your guide.

Matt Marcotte is the founder of M2 Collaborative, a leadership coaching and brand strategy consultancy. Over more than 30 years in the C-suite, Matt has helped build, scale, and reinvent some of the most iconic brands in the world, including Apple, Gap, Tory Burch, Bergdorf Goodman, and Salesforce.

He teaches MBA students at Boston College—his alma mater—on the power of brand and consumer relationships. A Columbia University–trained coach, Matt has been recognized as one of RETHINK Retail’s 100 Most Influential People and a Thinkers360 Top 100 Thought Leader.

Matt brings both wisdom and warmth to his work, balancing strategic insight with an unwavering belief in people. He lives in Boston with his husband and their dog.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

The Power of Purpose and People with Stephen Dwyer

In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Dwyer, Incoming CEO (January 2026) of the American Staffing Association (ASA), to explore the intersection of purpose, leadership, and the future of work. From his early ambitions of becoming a lawyer to leading one of the most influential organizations in the staffing industry, Stephen shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—and the values that guide his leadership today.

We unpack the evolution of the staffing sector, how ASA is addressing today’s workforce challenges, and why people-centered leadership is not just a philosophy but a necessity. If you’re passionate about shaping workplaces where people thrive, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Episode Highlights

[0:51] – Stephen’s unconventional path from law to leadership [3:20] – Lessons from two decades at the American Staffing Association [6:45] – Navigating workforce disruption and embracing innovation [10:12] – The human side of staffing: why people matter most [14:05] – Stephen’s vision for the future of work and leadership [18:40] – Advice for leaders navigating change in today’s world

🔗 Links & Resources

• American Staffing Association: americanstaffing.net

• Connect with Stephen Dwyer on LinkedIn: Stephen Dwyer

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review. Share it with someone who needs to hear this message today!

Stephen Dwyer is a leading authority on the legal and public policy aspects of staffing. He engages in and coordinates the association’s legal and public affairs activities and advises the staffing industry on labor and employment law and policy issues. He has testified before legislatures and regulatory bodies regarding, and written extensively and spoken widely on, the staffing industry.

Before joining ASA, he was associated with the New York multinational law firm Chadbourne & Parke, as well as De Forest & Duer, a 100-year-old Wall Street firm. Dwyer is a member of the New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, and District of Columbia bar associations.

https://americanstaffing.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-dwyer-aa1116/

Overview:

In this episode, we unpack key takeaways from Workplace Culture, a resource designed for startup founders, early-stage leaders, and forward-thinking HR professionals who recognize that scaling rapidly without a solid cultural foundation is a recipe for disaster.

The message is clear: Culture is not a line item to revisit after funding, it’s the operating system that determines whether your startup survives, thrives, or crashes from the inside out. As I always say, growth without culture fails.

If you're tired of watching talent burn out or team energy fizzle after every sprint, this briefing is your wake-up call.

Key Themes and Insights:

Why Startups Get Culture Wrong (and Fast): Speed. Funding. Product. That’s the holy trinity for most founders, but in chasing those, culture often gets left behind. When culture isn’t intentional from day one, toxic behaviors like overwork, communication breakdowns, and "hero" leadership creep in and calcify.

Big Insight: Culture is defined by what you tolerate, not by what you write on a wall. It’s what happens when you’re not watching. That’s the truth every founder needs to confront.

The 5 Culture-First Non-Negotiables:

1. Values You Can Actually Live By: Your values should drive who you hire, promote, and let go, not just what’s printed on the About page. They need to guide daily decisions.

2. Leadership That Walks the Talk: Culture starts at the top. If your leadership team doesn’t model integrity, ownership, and vulnerability, don’t expect your team to either.

3. Psychological Safety = Speed: When failure isn’t punished, learning accelerates. Teams move quicker when they don’t fear retribution for mistakes.

4. Sustainable Pace Over Hustle: Growth doesn’t have to mean burnout. Smart startups build in systems for clarity, rest, and reflection, so momentum doesn’t cost mental health.

5. Rituals That Reinforce Culture: Culture isn’t just what’s said in all-hands meetings. It’s embedded in daily rhythms, standups, weekly wins, story-based onboarding,that scale better than a mission statement.

Culture Health Check – Ask Yourself:

• What gets celebrated on your team and why?

• What behaviors are you tolerating that go against your values?

• What emotional experience does a new hire have in their first week?

If your answers are vague, your culture is likely running on autopilot and that’s dangerous when growth accelerates.

Final Takeaway:

Culture isn’t the “soft stuff.” It’s your infrastructure. If you’re scaling, it’ll either be your engine or your anchor. Make it your engine.

Call to Action:

Want to embed culture-first practices today? Download the Workplace Culture Blueprint for just $7, built to give you immediate traction. And for deeper support, join our monthly culture-first community where growth-minded leaders come to share, learn, and lead better.