Steve Nancarrow
General Manager, Kao’s Consumer Care Division, Australia and New Zealand
For Steve Nancarrow the importance of bringing his true self to work had been something he realized early in his career, having spent two decades in diverse corporate and country inspired cultures. However, what he witnessed through his team’s work with Culture Conscious was how others could embrace the same level of authenticity. "What Culture Conscious did was give my team the framework, language, and ‘permission’ to truly understand themselves and bring their authentic selves to work," Steve noted.
Empowering Authenticity and Daily Growth
The program went beyond just identifying the team’s Enneagram types—it provided a foundation for deep reflection on personal and team values. Through workshops that layered insights over time, the team began to understand the motivations behind not only their actions but also those of their colleagues. "For me, understanding the details and logic is important, and in the past, I would get frustrated when others didn’t provide them. Now, I see this as part of my own motivation and, equally, I understand what drives others. This shift has reduced conflict and improved communication," Steve shared.
Kao AU’s Journey with Culture Conscious
One of the most profound impacts of the work with Culture Conscious was the connection it brought to the wider Kao AU leadership team. Initially formed as a new group of leaders with a challenging workplace culture, they gradually developed a deeper understanding of themselves and each other, leading to stronger, more effective relationships. "The realization that there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ personality or ‘type’—that we’re all different—has really changed the way we work together. We now have empathy for each other’s perspectives, which has enhanced collaboration across the team."
Steve emphasized that the lasting effect of the program came from the regular application of these learnings. "The work wasn’t just a one-time event. The team workshops were designed to build on each other, reinforcing our understanding and making sure it stayed fresh in our minds for daily use. It’s had a lasting impact on the way we interact every day," he said.
Through Culture Conscious, Steve and his team were able to unlock their full potential, creating an environment where people brought their true selves to work, enhancing team cohesion, communication, and overall performance. As Steve reflected, "This work reinforced for me—and for the team—that being yourself isn’t just okay; it’s essential for long-term success." As a testament to the transformative impact Steve, along with the wider AU leadership team, have decided to roll these programs out to the entire country organization to reap similar benefits on a broader scale.