Leading With Intention Builds Lasting Culture

Dianne Stefanko, Director, Employee Relations & Safety, The North West Company

With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Dianne Beaurivage is a strategic HR Executive known for driving innovation, fostering diverse workplace cultures, and aligning organizational growth with talent management excellence. Dianne’s expertise spans various HR disciplines, including talent acquisition, organizational development, employee relations, compensation & benefits, leadership development, and performance management. Her strategic vision and people-centric approach have helped companies build high-performing, engaging teams and establish HR frameworks supporting operational efficiency and employee satisfaction. As a Senior Leader in Human Resources and Health and Safety at the North West Company, Dianne drives strategic HR initiatives that foster a positive, high-performance workplace culture while supporting the business’s long-term success.

Positive leadership = positive workplace cultures

In 2025, effective leadership will be more critical than ever as we navigate complex change and challenges. Positive leadership influences foster resilience, guide teams through change, and inspire innovation. Effective leadership ensures organizational success and influences the workplace culture and overall well-being of employees.

Culture shifts as the business changes, grows, or takes new initiatives. During times of change, remember that leaders shape company values, behaviours, and the level of engagement.

Ever hear:

• Be present for your teams

• Be consistent and accurate in communication

• be honest and caring

• Be accountable for your actions

• Show genuine dedication to personal balance – big one today. Because leaders doing these five things will support building a positive, trusting culture

We know the top-down approach is critical, and we’ve heard and seen it a million times. If leadership promotes principles but doesn’t embody them, the message loses credibility and effectiveness. Effective leadership can turn cultural shifts in the workplace into opportunities for growth, innovation, and improved engagement.

“Culture shifts as the business changes, grows, or takes new initiatives. During times of change, remember that leaders shape company values, behaviors, and the level of engagement”

Leaders must champion best practices, be present for their teams, be consistent in their communication, and cultivate trust, not just during times of change but every day. Staying on top of trends or new tools means examining all aspects, from ethical and social impacts to technical and existential threats. Don’t just look at the good; that’s how we let our people down.

With all the changes in our world, AI is here. You’ll hear or read stories about how advanced companies are using AI, but what I don’t see a lot of is awareness of the risk to privacy, confidentiality, bias, and human connection. AI is here to stay, but not being aware of the risk it possesses isn’t going to create the positive workplace culture you’re looking to create.

Ever hear “ops, sorry we didn’t see that coming”? AI is a great tool, but building a positive workplace culture means creating a trusting workplace, which means dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s when caring for your people. It means Leaders from the top down need to tell what they say, and say what they mean!

I often talk about the “shiny new balls”, building that positive work culture means doing the right things for our teams every day, that means being aware of risk, it means shiny new stuff like AI needs research to ensure we’re using the tool correctly. If we do this as shiny new balls come into play, our workplace will remain strong, and a positive, trusting culture will thrive!

AI