How to Define Culture with Ron Ettinger

Bio: Ron is an accomplished Human Resources Executive who combines a unique, hands-on perspective to building successful enterprises. Ron holds a strong belief that, in order to build a thriving company, one must fully develop the company’s talent. This belief is largely based on his deep understanding of organizational effectiveness, global HR management, and corporate governance. Ron’s 40-year career has spanned a variety of workplaces including a global corporation (where he was a Corporate Officer), his own consulting firm, and private psychological counseling. For the past 10 years, as Vice President of Human Resources for the publicly-traded Quaker Chemical Corporation, Ron has been a strategic partner to the CEO and C-Suite colleagues, coached high-potential talent across the global organization, and gained Board and Executive Management experience. Utilizing over 20 years of expertise in organizational and talent development, his contributions have been key to the Company’s growth, from a half-billion – to a two-billion-dollar enterprise and a tenfold increase in share price. During his career, Ron has held a variety of successively responsible positions across diverse industries including: Vice President, Human Resources and Global Director, Learning & Development for a global specialty chemical company; Director of Development, North America for a national consulting and training firm; Senior Consultant, Management and Organization Development for a regional utility company; and Director, Clinical Services for a national employee-assistance provider. Ron spent the first 12 years of his professional career as a psychotherapist, with active practices in both the Philadelphia and Washington D.C. areas. Ron will soon retire from Quaker Chemical after 17 years and is already planning for various consulting engagements – both as an Executive Coach – with a focus on organizational effectiveness, team leadership and building strong corporate cultures. Ron holds a Masters degree in Psychology with a specialty in Family Therapy, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, from Hahnemann Hospital and University. In addition, he has completed advanced coursework in the area of Dynamics of Organization at the University of Pennsylvania Notes: Ron’s background and interest in human development The importance of hiring, training and developing good people People like to be treated well The younger generation is more stimulated by opportunities Why many people don’t prioritize the development of people’ The importance of developing and moving talent around an organization The HiPo program that moves honus from company to people Empowering employees to take ownership of their own development Corporate Dynamics – all companies are living entities, culture How to define culture and align people to that culture People believe what you do, not what you say so you need to align the senior team and cascade down When managing change, clarity of message and rewarding role models is important The changes in HR and Talent Development over the years People’s biggest challenge is time Ron’s greatest accomplishment of putting together a life-changing program Ron’s failure of leaving school prematurely. Wishes he stayed for his PhD Trend in work around emotional resilience and emotional intelligence Advice: Be hungry, look for opportunities and take risks Links: Book: The One Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard Book: On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins Email Address: [email protected] For questions, comments and guest suggestions, contact the host, Andy Storch, at [email protected] Mentioned in this episode:Think Tank...