The Thermostat with Jason Barger

Is your core values language compelling to your people and used as a tool for your culture? It might just be time to revitalize your core values. 
For Full Show Notes Visit: https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/revitalize-core-values/
Jason explores the strategic necessity of moving beyond "poster-on-the-wall" philosophy to turn core values into a living, breathing competitive advantage for your organization.
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Summary:
In a world where many organizational mission statements are resigned to dusty frames in breakrooms, elite leaders understand a fundamental truth: language drives behavior. In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger examines how to revitalize your core values to drive engagement and provide radical clarity for the future culture you are aiming to create.
This conversation moves beyond standard corporate platitudes to address the "poster problem"—the cynicism employees feel when there is a visible gap between espoused values and actual behavior. Jason argues that core values are meant to be a functional tool for leadership in teams, not just a decorative element of corporate culture. He outlines a disciplined process for revitalization, emphasizing that while your soul as an organization shouldn't change, your language must remain precise, aspirational, and participatory to stay relevant in a shifting market.
Essential listening for C-Suite executives, HR directors, and team leaders, this episode offers a tactical roadmap for anchoring your values in the "hard" systems of your business—from hiring and onboarding to performance evaluations and leadership development.
Episode Notes & Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro: Jason explains the importance and impact of revitalizing core values to calibrate the organizational thermostat.
[00:03] Language Drives Behavior: A deep look at why we cannot be surprised when a desired culture doesn't exist if we haven't articulated it in terms of action and behavior.
[00:05] The "Poster" Problem: Addressing the reality of "tainted" employees who have seen values ignored by leadership and why the best organizations treat values as tools.
[00:07] Revitalization vs. Change: Why you don't necessarily need to change your values, but why the language needs a living, breathing update every 8 to 10 years to re-engage your people.
[00:09] The Participatory Pillar: Moving values from "on high" (the CEO or Board) to a cross-functional vision created by the people who actually live the culture every day.
[00:10] The Aspirational Pillar: Why values shouldn't just describe who you are today, but articulate the high-performance culture you need to cultivate for the future.
[00:10] Precision in Language: Moving past abstract words like "integrity." How to define exactly what your values look like in action, interaction, and decision-making.
[00:11] Values as a Functional Tool: How to anchor revitalized language in the daily operations of the business, including hiring, coaching, and performance assessments.
[00:12] Culture as Strategy: A reminder that culture is a non-negotiable strategy—the air we breathe and the temperature we set for how we show up to work.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
Tool, Not Poster: Move your values from decorative slogans to functional guides that dictate how your team operates and communicates.

Participatory Visioning: Engage your people in the co-creation of your cultural language to ensure immediate buy-in and ownership at every level.

Behavioral Precision: Increase your team's effectiveness by defining the specific actions that represent your abstract values, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/revitalize-your-core-values/
Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice.

Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger

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With employee engagement hitting a 10 year low, what are humans looking for in a team and organization? And, what role does the employer and employee play?
For Full Show Notes Visit: https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/employee-engagement-2-way-street/
Jason explores the shifting landscape of workplace commitment, revealing why high-performing organizations view engagement as a dynamic partnership rather than a top-down mandate.
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Summary:
With U.S. employee engagement hitting a ten-year low, leaders are facing a critical disconnect: while 90% of employees want to feel connected to their corporate culture, only 20% actually do. In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger examines the research-backed reality that engagement is a two-way street. He explores the "scarcity of care" in modern organizations and identifies the specific human needs—purpose, clarity, and contribution—that drive elite performance.
This conversation moves beyond standard HR metrics to address the core mechanics of human connection. Jason breaks down the substantial ROI of engagement, including a 22% increase in productivity and higher retention of top talent. He offers a strategic framework for transforming the employee experience through "two-way" hiring, 365-day cultural onboarding, and a shift from annual reviews to continuous coaching.
Essential listening for C-Suite executives, HR directors, and team leaders, this episode provides actionable insights on how to eliminate "cloudy" expectations and build a high-trust ecosystem where every member of the team owns the temperature of the culture.
Episode Notes & Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro: Jason sets the stage for why the best organizations are doubling down on engagement in a time of widespread disconnection.
[00:03] Defining Engagement: A look at engagement as emotional commitment—it's not "puppy dogs and ice cream," but a meaningful connection to organizational goals.
[00:04] The Gallup Data: An analysis of the current crisis: engagement at a 10-year low (31%) and the rising tide of active disengagement (17%).
[00:07] The Human Want List: Jason outlines the six things every human being needs from their employer, from feeling they matter to believing in the future being created.
[00:11] The ROI of Connection: Why engagement predicts work quality, safety, and profitability, and the $322 billion global cost of disengagement.
[00:13] The Clarity Gap: A discussion on why only 46% of employees know what is expected of them and how "cloudy" expectations lead to detachment.
[00:15] Strategy for the 2-Way Street: Why employers must lead the culture first to invite employees into a participatory partnership.
[00:17] Tactical Implementation: Jason explores how to weave engagement into the DNA of hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development.
[00:20] Closing Questions: Strategic inquiries for leaders to assess their current engagement efforts and vision clarity.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
Transactional to Transformational: Shift your hiring and onboarding from simple "check-the-box" tasks to 365-day cultural immersions.

Radical Clarity: Recognize that disengagement is often a symptom of ambiguity. Proactively define roles, goals, and cultural expectations.

The Scarcity of Care: With only 39% of people feeling cared for at work, individual recognition and person-centered leadership are your greatest competitive advantages.

Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/employee-engagement-2-way-street/
Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as we ll as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice.


Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger


Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com
Like or Follow Jason 👍
Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/
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What is the true product, service and Mission for your team and organization? You might want to reflect on the story of Peloton to be reminded.
See Full Show Notes at: https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/culture-lessons-peloton/
Jason examines the meteoric rise, sudden fall, and strategic rebirth of Peloton to reveal critical insights for any organization navigating a shifting market.
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Summary:
What happens when a company's greatest success is tied to a global crisis? In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger analyzes the fascinating case study of Peloton—a brand that grew from $915 million to $4 billion in revenue during the pandemic, only to face a staggering crash as the world reopened. By looking at their journey from the outside, Jason identifies why the most dangerous period for any corporate culture is often immediately following a period of massive growth.
This conversation moves beyond financial analysis to address the core mechanics of mission and focus. Jason explains how Peloton's recovery wasn't found in a better "bike," but in a fundamental shift in mindset. Under new leadership, the company stopped seeing itself as a hardware manufacturer and started seeing itself as a facilitator of human behavior and community. This pivot highlights the necessity of being a "change-seeking" leader and provides a real-world application of the 6A process of leading change.
Essential listening for C-Suite executives, founders, and managers, this episode offers a roadmap for identifying your organization's "secret sauce" and ensuring your leadership in teams stays anchored to the true value you provide your customers.
Episode Notes & Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro: Jason reflects on the strange, isolated times of the global pandemic and the creative ways families maintained their sanity.
[00:03] Slow-Motion Dlamini: Personal memories of hibachi nights and family dunk contests as a metaphor for making the most of a forced pause.
[00:07] The Meteoric Rise: A breakdown of Peloton's growth from 2019 to 2021—quadrupling revenue as home exercise became a global necessity.
[00:08] The Post-Pandemic Crash: Why the world reopening led to hemorrhaging subscribers, massive stock drops, and a loss of organizational direction.
[00:09] A Shift in Mindset: Enter Barry McCarthy. How the former Netflix and Spotify CFO challenged the team to view their product through the lens of human behavior rather than hardware.
[00:11] Instructors as the Product: Realizing that the hardware was just a tool; the true value was the human connection between instructors and the community of riders.
[00:12] The 6A Change Process: Connecting Peloton's pivot to the Harvard Leadership Development Study—how to use Assess, Align, Aspire, Articulate, Act, and Anchor to survive a pivot.
[00:14] Results of Recalibration: How redefining the mission led to a 20% revenue climb in just two quarters and what this means for your own "secret sauce."
[00:15] Questions to Ponder: Jason leaves leaders with inquiries to help them identify where they might have lost sight of their true purpose.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
Focus on Behavior: In a digital world, the most successful products are those that understand and influence human behavior and community.

The 6A Roadmap: Use a disciplined process to lead change; don't skip to "Action" before you have reached "Alignment" and "Articulation."

Identify the Tool vs. the Mission: Don't confuse your delivery method (the bike) with your true value proposition (the connection and community).

Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/culture-lessons-peloton/
Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice.

 
Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger

 
Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at htt ps://www.jasonvbarger.com

 
Like or Follow Jason 👍
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/
X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger

Is your environment shaping you or are you making a difference in your environment. Jason Barger is joined by Damon West in an inspiring story about leading yourself and the cultures around you.
Get all the Shownotes and links at: 
https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/be-a-coffee-bean-damon-west/
Summary
Jason is joined by his friend, three-time best-selling author and keynote speaker Damon West, for a soul-stirring conversation about the power of being a "change agent" in any environment.
Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others!
Summary:
In the "boiling water" of high-stakes business and life, does your team soften like a carrot, harden like an egg, or transform the environment like a coffee bean? In this special live episode recorded at Thermostat Cultures Live, Jason V Barger sits down with Damon West. Damon's story is one of the most remarkable redemption arcs in modern leadership—from a Division I starting quarterback to a 65-year prison sentence, to becoming one of the most in-demand speakers for Fortune 500 companies and elite athletic programs.
This conversation moves beyond standard motivational tactics to address the deep-seated mechanics of corporate culture and leadership in teams. Jason and Damon explore the "Coffee Bean" metaphor—a lesson learned in a maximum-security prison that provides a blueprint for how individuals can set the temperature of an organization rather than being a victim of the heat. They discuss the necessity of servant leadership, the strategic value of "controlling the controllables," and why the most resilient cultures are built from the bottom up.
Essential listening for executives, managers, and anyone navigating significant transition, this episode offers profound insights on the power of hope, the weight of grace, and the responsibility we all have to be "useful" to those around us.
Episode Notes & Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro: Jason welcomes the live audience at Thermostat Cultures Live and introduces the theme of mindset and interaction.
[00:04] The Teaser: Damon shares why the "Coffee Bean" message wasn't actually about him, but about a mission for someone else.
[00:06] The Fork in the Rd: Damon reflects on the 1996 injury that ended his football career and his subsequent spiral into addiction and organized crime.
[00:10] The Debt: A look at the "RICO" trial and the 65-year life sentence that forced a total recalibration of identity.
[00:14] The Pot of Boiling Water: Damon recounts his meeting with Muhammad in the Dallas County Jail and the origin of the carrot, egg, and coffee bean metaphor.
[00:19] Outside the Comfort Zone: Why growth requires navigating toward the scary places and how Damon established a "fluent" understanding of his environment.
[00:20] Servant Leadership in Prison: How a free tutoring service inside a level 5 facility transformed a culture of hopelessness.
[00:22] Body Language as a Tool: Why your non-verbal cues either "infect" or "affect" the room's thermostat.
[00:29] The Jason's Deli Story: A masterclass in servant leadership—how Joe Tortorice Jr. flipped the pyramid to create one of the most loyal workforces in America.
[00:32] Hope vs. Strategy: Lessons from Shawshank Redemption—why hope is essential but must be paired with the grit to "go through" the obstacle.
[00:39] The Parole Test: The one question that determined Damon's freedom: "If you could be remembered for anything, what would it be?"
[00:45] The Kansas City Chiefs Example: Why Andy Reid's culture is anchored by the players carrying the torch when the coach is not in the room.
[00:51] Finding Muhammad: The emotional conclusion to the story of James Lynn Baker II and the power of redeeming someone else's legacy.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
Be the Change Agent: Like the coffee bean, your job is to change the "water" (environment) around you rather than letting the pressure change who you are.

Controlling the Controllables: Focus your team's energy only on what they can impact: what they think, say, feel, and do.

Bottom-Up Buy-In: High-performing cultures aren't just top-down mandates; they are anchored when every member of the team owns the vision.

The Power of Grace: Understand that grace often costs the giver more than the receiver, but it is the essential ingredient for true organizational redemption.

Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/be-a-coffee-bean-damon-west/
Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice.
Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger
Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com
Like or Follow Jason 👍
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/
X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger

CBS Analyst, Clark Kellogg, joins Jason Barger for a special Final 4 episode to celebrate March Madness and talk about the lessons around leadership, culture and performance that play out right in front of our eyes each year.
Jason is joined by his friend and CBS Sports analyst, Clark Kellogg, for a special Final Four edition of the podcast focused on the intersection of high-stakes athletics and elite organizational health.
See the Complete Show Notes https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/special-final-four-clark-kellogg/
Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others!
Summary:
When the pressure of a global stage meets the "agony of defeat" and the "thrill of victory," what determines who rises to the top? In this special Final Four episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger sits down with legendary analyst Clark Kellogg to examine why the NCAA Tournament is the ultimate laboratory for leadership in teams. Beyond the buzzer-beaters, they analyze the "mosaic" of human interest stories and cultural standards that define championship-caliber organizations.
This conversation moves beyond standard sports commentary to address the core mechanics of performance under pressure. Clark and Jason explore the "85/15 Ratio"—the belief that while tactical coaching is vital, 85% of success is driven by the habits, standards, and accountability ingrained in the players themselves. They also explore the concept of "Thermostat Players"—the value-utility "glue guys" who keep a team connected when the external temperature rises.
Essential listening for C-Suite executives, managers, and team leaders, this episode offers a nuanced look at how to pivot during misfortune, the importance of "repeated beingness" in high-stakes moments, and how to build a corporate culture that remains poised when the win probability is against you.
Episode Notes & Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro: Jason welcomes listeners to a special Final Four edition, setting the stage for a conversation on the leadership lessons that play out in front of our eyes every March.
[00:02] The Mosaic of March: Clark Kellogg describes the first two weeks of the tournament and why the dramatic finishes and human stories provide a unique look at human resilience.
[00:04] Rising to the Forefront: A look at teams like High Point and Michigan—how groups remain on a mission even when they lose a "key cog" in their organizational structure.
[00:05] The Thin Line: Clark analyzes the "same coin" of victory and defeat, exploring how a single pass or turnover defines the trajectory of an entire season.
[00:07] Poise in the Clutch: Jason and Clark examine the "Thermostat Culture" of teams like UConn and Purdue. How do leaders stay calm and execute when trailing by 19 points or facing a neck-and-neck finish?
[00:11] The Physicality of Culture: A look at Iowa's surprising win over Florida and the parallels to the legendary Butler teams—why culture is something you have to "be in the gym" to truly feel.
[00:14] Identifying "Glue Guys": A discussion on thermostat players—the value-utility individuals who don't always top the stat sheet but are essential for team cohesion and trust.
[00:19] The 85/15 Ratio: Clark deconstructs the influence of a leader. Why coaching is most impactful in setting expectations and habits long before the "pressure moment" arrives.
[00:23] Indianapolis & The Big Ten: Reflections on the Final Four host city and the strategic mission of the teams vying for the national championship.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
Culture Over Tactics: Focus your leadership on the "85%"—the standards and habits that allow your team to execute even when you aren't actively directing them.

The Power of the Pivot: View misfortune or the loss of a team member as an opportunity for "utility players" to rise and reveal hidden organizational talent.

Setting the Temperature: High-performance teams don't reflect the chaos of their environment; they calibrate back to their identity and remain poised under pressure.

Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/final-four-clark-kellogg/
Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice.


Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger


Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com


Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/
X:  https://x.com/JasonvBarger