ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The newest episode of the Mastering Workplace Culture podcast, featuring Nujood Al Khloofi and Rasha Hussain, explores a powerful question:
How do leaders create a workplace culture that employees genuinely believe in, live every day, and help sustain as organizations grow?
Hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbitt uncover a remarkable culture journey that began at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and continues today within Dubai Health.
Drawing inspiration from Disney Institute, Mayo Clinic, and the leadership principles that helped shape the United Arab Emirates, Nujood and Rasha share how they helped establish MBRU's pioneering Values Council. Their goal was simple but ambitious: Transform organizational values from words on a wall into behaviors employees and students could experience every day.
As you listen, you'll quickly notice that Nujood and Rasha approach culture as a shared responsibility rather than an HR initiative. They describe how MBRU engaged employees in defining values, identifying behaviors, and creating a culture grounded in service, respect, trust, and belonging. Their experience demonstrates that leaders strengthen culture by inviting people into the process rather than imposing it from the top down.
The conversation also highlights how small actions create powerful cultural impact. From personalized onboarding experiences and the MBRU Concierge program to employee recognition efforts such as the Hidden Soldier Award, leaders reinforced values through meaningful moments that helped employees feel seen, appreciated, and connected to the organization's mission.
Another key theme centers on leadership behavior. Nujood and Rasha explain that employees trust leaders when leaders consistently model desired behaviors, actively listen, show genuine care, and create environments where people can thrive. Strong workplace cultures emerge when leaders demonstrate values through decisions, interactions, and daily actions rather than relying on mission statements alone.
The discussion also reveals how MBRU's values guided employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Team members stepped beyond formal responsibilities to support vaccination efforts, public health education, and community initiatives because they felt deeply connected to the organization's purpose and to one another. Their story demonstrates how healthy cultures inspire extraordinary commitment during moments of uncertainty and challenge.
This conversation reinforces a simple but powerful reality: Leaders create culture through consistent behaviors, intentional recognition, active listening, and a genuine commitment to helping people succeed.
When leaders put people first, employees respond with trust, engagement, accountability, and exceptional performance.
⏱️ Key Moments
00:00 Introduction & Welcome
04:30 How the MBRU Values Council Started
08:00 Disney Institute, Mayo Clinic & Culture Inspiration
14:00 Building the Values Council Framework
17:00 Embedding Values Into the Employee Experience
18:00 The Hidden Soldier Award & Meaningful Recognition
21:00 Leadership, Trust & Role Modeling
24:00 Lessons from Disney & Mayo Clinic
28:00 Turning Values Into Daily Behaviors
32:00 Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills
35:00 Living Values During COVID-19
39:00 A Powerful Story of Employee Appreciation
42:00 Leadership Lessons from the UAE
46:00 Advice for Leaders Building Strong Cultures
53:00 Life Outside Work
55:00 Final Reflections & Closing Remarks
📣 Join the Conversation
If this Mastering Workplace Culture conversation changed how you think about leadership:
Don't Forget To:
👍 Like this video if you believe leaders create culture through daily actions
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💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway about building a values-driven culture
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