When Culture Becomes the Competitive Advantage: Leadership Lessons from LinkedIn's First CHRO w/ Steve Cadigan

Have you ever stopped to ask why your organization does things the way it does?

In this episode, Jule sits down with Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn's first Chief Human Resources Officer and author of Workquake, whose leadership helped guide LinkedIn through one of the fastest periods of growth in its history.

Steve shares what he learned while helping scale LinkedIn from 400 employees to more than 4,000 and why one simple question changed the way the company approached leadership, recruiting, and culture. Along the way, he explains why the strongest organizations don't follow best practices by default. They challenge assumptions, build trust, and intentionally create environments where people can do their best work.

For leaders navigating rapid growth, organizational change, or the evolving role of AI in the workplace, Steve offers practical insights on why culture isn't something you delegate. It's something every leader helps create.

In this conversation, Steve and Jule discuss:

• Why asking "Why do we do it this way?" can unlock better leadership decisions
• How LinkedIn built a culture that became its greatest competitive advantage
• Why trust grows through transparency, curiosity, and difficult conversations
• How leaders can use AI to strengthen people instead of simply replacing them
• Why winning organizations focus on helping people grow, not just keeping them happy

If you're leading through growth, building a stronger culture, or trying to prepare your team for what's next, this episode is a reminder that culture isn't built through policies or perks.

It's built by leaders who ask better questions, earn trust, and create environments where people can thrive.

Connect with Steve:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan/

Website: https://www.stevecadigan.com

Book: Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working

Connect with Jule:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/

Website: https://www.julesalem.com

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