Overview

In this episode of Culturally Sound, Chandler Cutler sits down with Beth Boyd, Global Director at TalentLab.Live, for a deep dive into what it really takes to build meaningful workplace culture, from onboarding to leadership legacy.

Beth brings decades of experience in leadership development, employee engagement, and learning strategy—along with a refreshingly human perspective on what organizations are getting wrong (and right) when it comes to creating environments people actually want to stay in.

From her early days in retail to becoming a sought-after fractional leader, Beth shares how she’s seen both the pitfalls of transactional workplaces and the power of community-centered cultures. The conversation touches on everything from the value of feedback and trust, to microcultures, onboarding design, and the cost of complacency—both for people and the businesses they serve.

Whether you’re a people leader, HR pro, or emerging manager trying to make a difference, this episode is a candid and energizing reminder that culture isn’t a ping pong table—it’s a practice rooted in action.

Guest Bio

Beth Boyd is the Global Director at TalentLab.Live and a respected fractional leader in leadership development, learning design, onboarding, and employee engagement. With a background that spans retail management and executive learning strategy, she’s helped companies—from scaling startups to global teams—rethink how they grow and support their people. Her approach is grounded in creativity, curiosity, and a strong belief that human connection is the greatest driver of workplace performance.

Episode Breakdown

Leaving Retail to Build Culture (00:00 – 11:45)

Beth’s early career in retail and how it shaped her passion for people-first leadership

From blogging to becoming a full-time expert in engagement and development

What Onboarding Should Really Do (11:45 – 27:00)

Why most onboarding programs miss the mark

The importance of trust-building, feedback, and “positive gossip”

How to turn new hires into connected team members

Culture Isn’t a Poster—It’s a Practice (27:00 – 43:00)

How community outperforms perks

Creating clarity around roles, revenue, and purpose

Why belonging is the foundation of retention

Building Talent Pipelines That Scale (43:00 – 01:02:00)

Helping emerging leaders thrive even in broken systems

Why microcultures matter—and how they quietly shape entire companies

Lessons from leadership programs that actually work

Hope Is Not a Strategy (01:02:00 – 01:20:00)

What legacy really means in leadership

The impact of kindness, play, and awe on high-performing teams

Saving companies money by being more human, not more automated

Summary

Beth Boyd doesn’t just talk about leadership—she lives it. In this honest, energizing conversation, she reminds us that culture isn’t a strategy deck—it’s what happens in the moments that matter. Whether it’s onboarding, feedback, or scaling a team, Beth shares practical insights for building workplaces where people thrive, and where the business results follow.

Relevant Links

🔗 Connect with Beth Boyd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethboyd/

🔗 Learn more about TalentLab.Live: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talentlablive/

🔗 Listen to more episodes of Culturally Sound: