Everything changed that day.
Six years ago, on the eve of our biggest conference ever (5,000+ attendees), I got the call: my dad fell and was in a coma; he wasn’t expected to live. Just like that, everything I’d spent months preparing for came to a screeching halt. My team gave me the gift of stepping back. I handed over the reins in an hour and left. But what happened next? That’s where culture showed up in ways we hadn’t scripted.
People grew up. Volunteers became leaders. Attendees felt something different in the air. And I realized—culture isn’t just what we create; it’s who we become when no one’s watching.
In a recent podcast conversation with leadership and culture strategist Dorothy Enriquez, we unpacked exactly that: the role of leadership in creating transformational event cultures.
And let me tell you—this conversation didn’t just affirm what I’ve come to believe… it sharpened it.
Leadership is a Skill, Not a Job Title
Dorothy shared that she’s a “third culture kid,” raised at the crossroads of Belize, Italy, Japan, and the U.S.—a walking cultural blend. For her, leadership didn’t come from a title. It came from daily choices, shaped over time, practiced like a musical instrument.
I resonated with that deeply. As someone who’s spent years practicing piano and saxophone, I know that mastery is less about brilliance and more about daily commitment. Leadership is the same. You don’t arrive—you practice until you can’t get it wrong.
“They say practice makes permanent, but only perfect practice can achieve perfection.”
Whether you’re a CEO or a greeter at the registration table, your ability to lead is measured in how you shape the space around you.
Culture is a Living Organism
Dorothy said it best–asking forgiveness for the vernacular: “Culture is who we be when we show up in here.” It’s not what’s printed in a handbook—it’s what people actually do when they step into the room.
Culture isn’t passive. It breathes, shifts, and evolves with every person who joins—or leaves—the space. One toxic leader can flatten energy like a popped balloon. But one committed culture-keeper? They can ignite an entire room.
Think of it like a sourdough starter. The ingredients matter, yes, but the environment is everything. If it’s fed well and kept at the right temperature, it grows. If it’s neglected? It dies.
Events are the same. You can have a stellar lineup and Instagram-worthy visuals, but if your culture is cold, transactional, or unclear, your attendees will feel it before they hear it.
From Attendees to Ambassadors
The magic of transformational culture? It creates momentum.
When people leave your event changed—more confident, more connected, more seen—they don’t just become fans. They become ambassadors. Word-of-mouth spreads. Loyalty deepens. Registration soars.
But here’s the twist: It’s not just about what they experienced. It’s about how they felt in the presence of your culture.
Dorothy reminded us that people don’t brag about mediocre experiences—they warn others. So why not give them something unforgettable to share?
Ah, thank you for the clarification—and yes, that list is just as essential. Here’s a one-sentence description for each of those five intentional design elements, highlighting their role in creating transformational event culture:
Intentionality: The Secret Ingredient
- Clarity of values
When everyone knows what matters most, decision-making becomes aligned, purposeful, and empowering at every level. - Consistency in practice
Culture is reinforced not by big moments, but by repeated behaviors that echo the values day after day, session after session. - Simplicity in language
Clear, memorable language becomes a cultural shorthand that helps teams act decisively and guests feel included. - Ownership across the board
When every person sees themselves as a culture keeper, excellence is no longer dependent on titles—it becomes a shared standard. - Permission to be human
Creating space for vulnerability, grace, and authenticity ensures that people can show up fully—and sustainably.
We can’t expect volunteers or staff to embody our culture if we’ve never defined it. And even then, values without definition are just slogans. As Dorothy pointed out, “Even values have dialects.” So spell them out. Make them real.
And when life “lifes,” as she put it, give people the grace to step back. Leaders are holistic people—not robots. When we pretend otherwise, we risk doing more harm than good.
Bread Bite: Culture-Building Checklist
Here’s your takeaway—five questions to guide your next event:
- What story do we want people to tell after they leave?
- What emotional transformation do we want to invite?
- How are we preparing every team member to embody our culture?
- What unspoken messages are shaping the atmosphere?
- Are we building something sustainable—or performative?
At the end of the day, content might attract attendees.
But culture makes them stay.
Leadership makes them grow.
And intentionality makes the whole thing work.
If you want to hear the full, soulful conversation with Dorothy Enriquez, I highly recommend you check it out [insert podcast link].
And hey—if this stirred something in you, if you’re ready to design more than just events…
Let’s design experiences that change people.
Subscribe to the newsletter, and let’s keep making magic—one unforgettable event at a time.
Who is Dorothy:
Dorothy Enriquez is a respected leadership practitioner, facilitator, and coach who helps leaders and teams reset how they lead—especially in high-pressure, high-turnover environments. She’s the creator of the Culture Transformation Formula, a proven 5-step method that helps organizations rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and drive sustainable results.
With over a decade of experience, Dorothy combines research, real talk, and relatable delivery to make leadership development accessible, actionable, and transformative. She’s partnered with government agencies, corporations, and mission-driven organizations across the U.S. to deliver measurable culture change.
A former member of the Forbes Coaches Council and a recipient of both the Education 2.0
Leadership Award and Wisconsin’s Marketplace Rising Star Award, Dorothy is known for her
clarity, candor, and her core belief that you are required to lead from every seat you sit in.
Connect with Dorothy:
www.theellevatecollective.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothyenriquez/
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