Culture is what remains when everything else changes
Transformation is often linked to technology, AI and new ways of working. But according to Kris Garcia, Learning and Employee Experience Manager at Sandvik Mining, lasting change depends on people. In the latest Meet Sandvik Podcast, he shares why trust, emotional intelligence and psychological safety are critical for building strong teams and cultures during times of change.
Episode 67
Culture is what remains when everything else changes
Beyond job titles
Kris Garcia describes his role as helping leaders and employees understand each other better. "I solve the translation problem for managers," he says.
Leadership, he believes, is often about bridging business objectives and human needs. Clear communication and mutual understanding are essential for engagement and performance.
Culture beyond perks
Organizations often mistake benefits and workplace initiatives for culture, Garcia says. Instead, culture is reflected in how people behave under pressure, collaborate through challenges and support one another when circumstances change.
"Culture is what remains when everything else changes."
A strong culture builds trust, encourages collaboration and helps teams navigate uncertainty.
The human side of AI
As AI reshapes the workplace, Garcia believes human capabilities become even more valuable.
"The question isn't only how we make AI smarter. It's how we help humans become more human."
It's how we help humans become more human.
For leaders, that means strengthening emotional intelligence, empathy and self-awareness alongside technical expertise.
Leading through change
During transformation, one of the most important things leaders can provide is context.
"People need context, not just news," Garcia says.
By helping employees understand why change is happening and what it means, leaders create trust, engagement and stronger long-term outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, Kris Garcia believes the most successful organizations will invest as much in people as they do in innovation.
Discover more podcasts:
- Leadership lessons from Mining President Mats Eriksson
- From industrial heritage to tech leadership – the future of Sandvik
- How R&D drives innovation and business value at Sandvik
In each episode of the podcast Meet Sandvik you will meet different persons that give their perspective on Sandvik. Sometimes it´s an employee telling his or her story. Sometimes you will meet experts discussing how a hot topic can affect Sandvik.