E6 - Adult Cultures - the oldest new idea

In this episode of HR, Unfiltered, Dean and Sue dismantle one of HR's most hyped - but least understood - concepts: Adult culture. Neither Netflix or HR commentators invented it; the idea has been around for nearly a century. So, why are organisations still running Parent-Child workplaces while preaching autonomy, empowerment and trust? 

 

Across almost 60 minutes of honest conversation, we explore: 

- How modern organisations unconsciously design child-like systems that undermine accountability; 

- How HR's templates, scripts, euphemisms and frameworks quietly reinforce dependency; 

- Why leaders slip into Critical Parent or Nurturing Parent, any why employees respond in Adapted/Compliant Child; 

- What adult-to-adult really looks like, with practical, laughably recognisable roleplays; 

- Why regulated industries might often get adult culture more right than others; 

-  How to handle mistakes, performance issues and organisational change without reverting to parent-child dynamics; 

- And the truth that a fully Adult culture is impossible and undesirable - the goal is an organisation where Adult is the centre of gravity, not the *only* ego state. 

This episode blends psychology, leadership practice and HR reality without jargon, without corporate theatrics, and without the empty promises of human-centric slides. 

If you've ever wondered why your culture isn't as 'adult' as your values say it is, this one is for you.