Culture Shock: How Microcultures Can Make or Break Your Organization with Lisa Hazen
Wed Feb 04 2026
What happens when great people bring their old culture into your organization—and no one talks about it? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer is joined by Lisa Hazen, co-author of Culture Shock and founder of StoriTel, for a deep dive into the hidden force shaping organizations from the inside out: microcultures.
Lisa draws on 25+ years in the biopharma industry to explain how microcultures form, why they’re not inherently bad, and how—when left unmanaged—they can quietly erode collaboration, innovation, and trust. Together, Nicole and Lisa explore how leaders can turn culture shock into a strategic advantage by intentionally shaping an agile, resonant employer brand.
This conversation is packed with real-world examples, practical frameworks, and powerful insights for leaders navigating growth, mergers, high turnover, or constant change—whether you’re in biopharma or any people-driven industry. If you care about retention, resilience, and results, this episode is a must-listen.
Vibrant Highlights
06:45 – Microcultures form when people bring more than their resumes into a new organization; they bring shared habits, language, and ways of working that can subtly reshape culture.
10:15 – Microcultures aren’t inherently negative and can drive fast productivity, but when left unmanaged they create silos, exclusion, and internal disconnect.
13:45 – Resilience is not an innate trait but a learned skill, and coaching provides a critical anchor for employees navigating constant change and instability.
18:30 – Building an agile, resonant employer brand requires identifying authentic cultural themes, intentionally evangelizing them, and continuously adapting as the organization evolves.
44:15 – The cost of ignoring culture and microcultures is exponentially higher than the cost of investing in them, impacting innovation, retention, and long-term business health.
Connect with Lisa:Culture Shock by Lisa Hazen & Kim Hazen: https://a.co/d/dNSyIdzWebsite: https://www.storitel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahazenstoritel/LI Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/back-bay-storitel/BONUS: Email nicole@vibrantculture.com to receive a FREE Change Readiness Assessment!
Also mentioned in this episode:Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson: https://a.co/d/3i9zXc2The Danger Booth: https://www.thedangerbooth.com/
Listen at vibrantculture.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
Book Nicole to help your organization ignite clarity, accountability, and energy through her SHINE™ Coaching Methodology.Visit vibrantculture.comEmail: nicole@vibrantculture.comWatch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/SMbxA90bfXE
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What happens when great people bring their old culture into your organization—and no one talks about it? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer is joined by Lisa Hazen, co-author of Culture Shock and founder of StoriTel, for a deep dive into the hidden force shaping organizations from the inside out: microcultures. Lisa draws on 25+ years in the biopharma industry to explain how microcultures form, why they’re not inherently bad, and how—when left unmanaged—they can quietly erode collaboration, innovation, and trust. Together, Nicole and Lisa explore how leaders can turn culture shock into a strategic advantage by intentionally shaping an agile, resonant employer brand. This conversation is packed with real-world examples, practical frameworks, and powerful insights for leaders navigating growth, mergers, high turnover, or constant change—whether you’re in biopharma or any people-driven industry. If you care about retention, resilience, and results, this episode is a must-listen. Vibrant Highlights 06:45 – Microcultures form when people bring more than their resumes into a new organization; they bring shared habits, language, and ways of working that can subtly reshape culture. 10:15 – Microcultures aren’t inherently negative and can drive fast productivity, but when left unmanaged they create silos, exclusion, and internal disconnect. 13:45 – Resilience is not an innate trait but a learned skill, and coaching provides a critical anchor for employees navigating constant change and instability. 18:30 – Building an agile, resonant employer brand requires identifying authentic cultural themes, intentionally evangelizing them, and continuously adapting as the organization evolves. 44:15 – The cost of ignoring culture and microcultures is exponentially higher than the cost of investing in them, impacting innovation, retention, and long-term business health. Connect with Lisa:Culture Shock by Lisa Hazen & Kim Hazen: https://a.co/d/dNSyIdzWebsite: https://www.storitel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahazenstoritel/LI Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/back-bay-storitel/BONUS: Email nicole@vibrantculture.com to receive a FREE Change Readiness Assessment! Also mentioned in this episode:Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson: https://a.co/d/3i9zXc2The Danger Booth: https://www.thedangerbooth.com/ Listen at vibrantculture.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts! Book Nicole to help your organization ignite clarity, accountability, and energy through her SHINE™ Coaching Methodology.Visit vibrantculture.comEmail: nicole@vibrantculture.comWatch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/SMbxA90bfXE