Don’t let culture get lost in growth

In this episode of The Standup, we’re joined by David Hanrahan, SVP of People Success at SolarWinds, who brings over 15 years of leadership experience in high-growth tech companies like Eventbrite, Niantic, and Twitter. David’s deep expertise in HR leadership, employee experience, and organizational design offers invaluable insights on building culture in fast-scaling environments.He explains the importance of fostering a thriving workplace as companies grow and scale, explaining how leaders can balance the values that matter most during periods of change. From navigating divergent cultures across teams to the evolving role of HR, David shares strategies for leaders to stay connected with their teams while pushing for meaningful performance. Plus, he reflects on a personal failure that taught him the power of collective ownership and how leaders can create sustainable change without forcing their vision on others.What you’ll learn:How to scale company culture without losing core valuesWhy leaders should spend time outside of their teams to stay ahead of potential issuesThe key question to ask when leading through change and uncertaintyThings to listen for:(00:00) How curiosity drives leadership success(01:13) Building and scaling company culture at large organizations(03:15) Convergence vs. divergence in company culture(04:31) The importance of skip-level meetings in understanding company culture(05:04) Pros and cons of flattening hierarchical structures(07:04) Diversity, equity, and inclusion in building a strong, unified culture(08:49) Embracing cultural differences while staying true to core values(10:36) The importance of listening and seeking diverse perspectives(11:23) A failure in driving change at Twitter — and the lesson learned(14:01) The role of AI in leadership development and talent assessmentResources:Connect with DavidSolarWinds WebsiteConnect with YaelFor more leadership insights and trending news sent to your inbox weekly, subscribe to monday insights