How do we successfully shift workplace cultures away from being driven by toxicity and fear?
Reshaping company culture is never an overnight project. It requires an investment of time and resources and there is always a messy middle that leaders have to persevere through, even when it feels like team members are resisting change.
But the outcomes of committing to culture change are absolutely worth it, as today’s guest, Adam Roberts, President and CEO of Diversus Health, can attest. When Adam started in 2019 as CEO of Diversus, a community mental health care provider based in Colorado Springs, he recognized the impacts of a toxic culture–turnover was near 50%–and that it had to change.
In this conversation, you’ll hear us talk about the very practical upsides of investing in positive culture, navigating the messy middle of behavior change in organizations, and why defining company values is more than a corporate exercise.
Adam Roberts, has been the President and CEO of Diversus Health, a leading community mental health center in El Paso, Park, and Teller Counties since May 2019. Under his leadership, he rapidly shifted the organization to a telehealth model during the COVID-19 pandemic, transformed the organization's culture to be client-centric, and oversaw a comprehensive organizational rebrand from AspenPointe to Diversus Health. Previously, Roberts served as COO of Valley-Wide Health Systems, and as a senior staff member with the Veterans Health Administration health care system. Mr. Roberts is a Colorado native and enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and also enjoys trail running, golfing, wood carving, and competitive axe throwing at logger competitions.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- How Adam realized that culture had to be a top priority in order for any strategic plans to succeed
- How introducing metrics to the clinical process with a solutions-oriented mindset has empowered teams and improved care
- How committing to their company values has implicitly and explicitly impacted day-to-day operations
- The challenges of invisible resistance to behavior change when shifting company culture
- The question leaders need to start with when something isn’t working
Learn More About Adam Roberts:
Learn More About Heather Smith:
What is Culture By Design?
Meet business owners and executives who recognize that employee culture is too important to be left to chance. Each week, we dive into how companies like yours transform accidental norms into purposeful strategies that accelerate growth while enabling employees to thrive. If you're eager to turn culture into a competitive advantage for your small or mid-sized business, Heather Smith, CEO of Talent Elevated, will give you practical strategies for designing culture with intention and unlocking employee potential. Find the clarity, focus, and actionable insights to build a workplace where your team is invested in their work, their colleagues, and the company mission—even when business priorities feel overwhelming.