The Influence Economy Podcast with Shayna Davis

The Influence Economy Podcast with Shayna Davis


The Culture Mistake That’s Costing You Innovation w/ Elizabeth Bieniek

September 15, 2025

Let’s talk about the real ROI of joy.

If you think workplace culture means ping pong tables and pizza parties… let’s fix that. In this episode, I sit down with disruptive leadership expert and Fortune 100 trailblazer Elizabeth Bieniek, author of Cake on Tuesday, to unpack why joy isn’t just a vibe—it’s a strategy.

We go deep into what most leaders get wrong about culture (yes, even the well-intentioned ones), and how real influence comes from authenticity, not armor. Whether you’re leading a team, consulting for enterprise clients, or building your empire—this conversation will challenge how you think about culture, leadership, and the kind of business you actually want to run.

Elizabeth and I are peeling back the curtain on what it really means to bring your full self to work—and how that one shift can unlock exponential ROI.

What We Cover:

  • The #1 culture mistake leaders make (and how to correct it)

  • Why “joy” is a leadership superpower, not a weakness

  • How to create magnetic workplace culture that retains talent and drives innovation

  • The ROI of authenticity (including how one employee turned joy into a patent!)

  • Tangible ways to “craft” culture vs. just listing values on a wall

Resources Mentioned:

  • Learn more about Elizabeth Bieniek https://www.elizabethbieniek.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cakeontuesday/

Your Next Steps: