When Company Culture Fails: The Hidden Signals Leaders Send Every Day with Dr. Bobby Melloy

Hey Inclusive AF Fam!

We’re back with another insightful and engaging episode, and oh boy, you won’t want to miss this one! Jackye Clayton is flying solo this week with Dr. Bobby Melloy—but not to worry, Bobby is an amazing guest to help fill Katee's shoes.

Here’s what went down:

🔬 People Science & Organizational Psychology Our special guest, Bobby Melloy from Culture Amp, joins Jackye for a deep-dive into “people science.” Bobby shares how the field blends psychology and business, stressing the science behind organizational development, culture, and employee engagement. If you’ve ever wondered why the same workplace issues keep popping up year after year—science has some answers!

🎨 Company Culture: More Than a T-shirt Remember the famous “Company Picnic T-shirt Competition”? Dr. Bobby Melloy tells the cautionary tale that highlights how seemingly innocent ideas can unleash chaos, competition, and questions of fairness. It’s a prime example of why HR and leaders must always consider the psychological dynamics at play.

⚡ Leadership Signals: Actions & Inactions Matter Bobby explains how everything leaders do—or don’t do—sends a powerful signal throughout an organization. Whether it’s an email, a survey question, or the simple act of clicking “happy birthday” on Slack, these signals shape culture, trust, and even stress levels among employees.

🤖 AI in HR: Opportunity or Obstacle? The conversation delves into artificial intelligence’s role in the workplace. Both Dr. Bobby Melloy and Jackye agree: AI can worsen bias, but it also offers a chance to reduce it if we’re intentional. HR teams have a unique opportunity to own, shape, and ethically guide AI strategy—for the benefit of people and not just the bottom line.

📈 Navigating Uncertainty and Burnout This year’s climate of economic, social, and workplace uncertainty is changing company culture fast. Leaders are challenged to help people cope with change by providing clear information, support, and opportunities for growth—especially with so many people reconsidering their values, job alignment, and career moves.

🖖 Real Talk for Job Seekers If you’re looking for a new role, Bobby suggests digging for organizational signals: engagement scores, how a company acts on feedback, and whether its values match your own. And don’t forget to ask about opportunities to learn and grow as tech continues to reshape the future of work.

💡 Big Takeaway HR is at a crossroads with AI and change. Now’s the time for people leaders to step up and steward ethical, inclusive practices—backed by real science—not just gut feelings.

Listener Challenge This episode’s challenge: When facing workplace change, don’t just guess! Tap into the science, reach out to the experts, and shape your organization (and your career!) with intention.

Connect with Bobby Melloy:
Find Bobby on LinkedIn or catch him on upcoming Culture Amp webinars!

Listen, Share & Tag Us
Did something resonate with you? Have thoughts on workplace culture or HR tech? Hit reply or tag us on socials with your insights. We love hearing from our Inclusive AF community!

Until next time,
Dr. Bobby Melloy & Jackye Clayton
Inclusive AF Podcast