092. How Culture Is Reality: Rethinking NGO Safeguarding with Andrew Henck

In this episode, I speak with Andrew Henck, a scholar-practitioner whose recent PhD research offers a nuanced take on organizational culture in humanitarian NGOs. Together, we explore how culture goes far beyond shared values—it is a lens through which organizations make sense of their reality. They also examine what this means for safeguarding, accountability, and leadership in NGOs, especially amid increasing scrutiny and systemic change.

Guest’s Bio

• Lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University
• PhD in Leadership Studies, University of San Diego
• Former People & Culture leader with World Vision in Papua New Guinea
• Coach, consultant, and certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator

We Discuss

• What the Competing Values Framework reveals about NGO culture
• Andrew’s four-phase model of cultural consciousness
• Why safeguarding policies fall short without deeper cultural insight
• The difference between “organizations having culture” and “organizations being culture”
• How to apply a developmental view of culture to real-world leadership challenges
• Why boards and regulators often miss key dynamics in NGO culture

Quotes
“Culture is not just about values. It’s how people make sense of reality.”
“Organizations are not just entities with cultures—they are cultures.”

Resources

•  Andrew's LinkedIn Page
• Enjoy my essay related to todays topic: Can Organizational Culture Help Explain Recent INGO Scandals?

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