TRAITS podcast: Building Higher Performing Organizations

TRAITS podcast: Building Higher Performing Organizations


Episode 24: From Chaos to Clarity: Creating Culture with Rick Hays

June 10, 2025
How leadership vision—and the right people—transformed a company from the inside out

SummaryWhat if the problem isn’t your people—but your clarity as a leader? In this episode, Rick Hays shares how his experience at Aircom, a growing Western Canadian company, taught him that culture doesn’t just happen—it’s created. From rethinking how leaders show up, to facing the truth about hiring missteps and personal blind spots, Rick opens up about the mindset shifts that helped turn uncertainty into purpose.

Whether you’re building a business or trying to reset your team, this episode will get you thinking differently about creating culture that truly works.

Show Notes:

1:45 Nothing to improve?

8:05 The beginnings of the three amigos

17:05 A mindset of growth in leadership

21:50 Hiring needed to get right

32:40 The missing leg of a chair

43:50 Creating culture

49:50 Openness vs. honesty vs. uncertainty

58:45 The greatest changes with Aircom’s employees

Episode Resources & Links

Loved this conversation with Rick? In Episode 007, Aircom President Sean Lavin shares how the leadership foundation Rick helped build is driving real, measurable impact today.

Aircom Instrumentation Ltd.

Rick Hays

Sean Lavin

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