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Table of Contents
About the Book
"Connected Culture blends solid organizational research with clear, actionable steps, showing leaders how to strengthen trust, clarity, and collaboration in their teams." -- DAN HEATH - New York Times Bestselling Author of RESET and Co-Author of UPSTREAM and SWITCH
Most leaders can tell when a culture is breaking down. Meetings stay polite while the real conversations happen afterward. Capable people retreat, engagement scores drop, and culture initiatives come and go without addressing the underlying problem.
Connected Culture gives executives a way to measure what is happening inside their teams and decide where to focus first.
After more than 25 years working with CEOs and leadership teams, organizational psychologist and executive coach Jamie Shapiro developed the 5Cs Model of Team Cohesion and Thriving Organizational Culture. Created in partnership with Principles, the culture company founded by Ray Dalio, the model breaks culture into five measurable components:
1) Connection - Trust and well-being
2) Candid Communication - Psychological safety, healthy conflict and feedback, idea meritocracy and transparency
3) Clarity - Defined roles and responsibilities, processes, and shared goals
4) Collaboration - Team support, accountability, and collective excellence
5) Contribution - Purpose, values, and meaningful impact at work
Research behind the model found that these five factors account for nearly 80 percent of employees' satisfaction with their organization's culture and roughly half of overall job satisfaction.
Drawing from executive coaching work, case studies, and organizational research, the book shows how the 5Cs appear inside leadership teams, where problems tend to surface, and which areas need attention first.
Most leaders can tell when a culture is breaking down. Meetings stay polite while the real conversations happen afterward. Capable people retreat, engagement scores drop, and culture initiatives come and go without addressing the underlying problem.
Connected Culture gives executives a way to measure what is happening inside their teams and decide where to focus first.
After more than 25 years working with CEOs and leadership teams, organizational psychologist and executive coach Jamie Shapiro developed the 5Cs Model of Team Cohesion and Thriving Organizational Culture. Created in partnership with Principles, the culture company founded by Ray Dalio, the model breaks culture into five measurable components:
1) Connection - Trust and well-being
2) Candid Communication - Psychological safety, healthy conflict and feedback, idea meritocracy and transparency
3) Clarity - Defined roles and responsibilities, processes, and shared goals
4) Collaboration - Team support, accountability, and collective excellence
5) Contribution - Purpose, values, and meaningful impact at work
Research behind the model found that these five factors account for nearly 80 percent of employees' satisfaction with their organization's culture and roughly half of overall job satisfaction.
Drawing from executive coaching work, case studies, and organizational research, the book shows how the 5Cs appear inside leadership teams, where problems tend to surface, and which areas need attention first.
Product Details
- Publisher: Ideapress Publishing (May 12, 2026)
- Length: 208 pages
- ISBN13: 9781646872343
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Raves and Reviews
"In Connected Culture, Jamie Shapiro blends solid organizational research with clear, actionable steps, showing leaders how to strengthen trust, clarity, and collaboration in their teams."
– DAN HEATH, New York Times Bestselling Author of RESET and Co-Author of UPSTREAM and THE POWER OF MOMENTS
"Connected Culture speaks directly to the real challenge leaders face today: not wanting a better culture in theory, but knowing how to build one in practice. Jamie Shapiro cuts through the noise with a grounded, human approach that shows how trust and connection are shaped through everyday leadership choices. This is a thoughtful, steady guide for leaders who want cultures that truly last—not just ones that sound good.”
– DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH , Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times Bestselling Author of THE EARNED LIFE, TRIGGERS, and WHAT YOU GOT HERE WON'T GET YOU THERE
“In Connected Culture, Shapiro distills years of leadership wisdom into a clear framework for leaders who understand that culture is the true competitive advantage. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical roadmap for executives who want to unlock performance by building organizations where people feel both seen and empowered. Insightful and actionable, it’s a must-read for anyone committed to building thriving teams, making it essential for leaders at every level.”
– PABLO VEGAS, CEO, ERCOT
“Every page of Connected Culture radiates Jamie’s rare combination of clarity, warmth, and wisdom. She brings a deeply human voice to the science of leadership—making complex ideas feel intimate, actionable, and profound. This book doesn’t just inform; it resonates. It’s the kind of guide you return to again and again, not just for what it says, but for how it makes you feel about the work you do and the people you lead.”
– HELEN GIZA, CEO, Fresenius Medical Care
"A must-read for every person who is responsible for and/or contributes to high-performing teams and building company cultures. Cultures tend to happen by default. This book will guide you through how to craft or recalibrate your company's culture with intention; to design one that elevates the company's mission and vision, and create teams of people who become your biggest assets (rather than your biggest liabilities), so that your company can live out its purpose while enjoying the process."
– DARRAH BRUSTEIN, Writer, Founder, Thought Leader, and Executive Coach
“Connected Culture is a superb, beautifully written contribution. Shapiro blends credible research, practical frameworks, and vivid personal examples into a model that makes complex issues clear and actionable. A truly valuable resource for leaders and teams.”
– DR. KIM CAMERON, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan and Pioneering Co-Founder, Positive Organizational Scholarship
“What sets Jamie apart is how she blends rigorous science with a truly human touch. Having worked with her for many years, I’ve seen how deeply her advice is rooted in research-based organizational psychology and neuroscience. She has a rare ability to quickly read team dynamics and open leaders up to growth in a way that feels authentic, practical, and personal. In Connected Culture, she distills her approach through the 5Cs framework, turning science and human connection into an essential toolkit for CEOs.”
– MOSTAFA KAMAL, President & Chief Executive Officer, Prime Therapeutics
"Connected Culture is one of the most valuable evidence-informed practical books ever written on how to build thriving teams and organizations. Dr. Jamie Shapiro succeeds where many leadership books fall short—she translates high-quality science into a clear, measurable, and actionable framework that leaders can actually use. The 5Cs Model is elegant, evidence-informed, and deeply human, capturing the core drivers of sustained performance, well-being, and human and organizational flourishing. This book should be required reading for executives and all leaders serious about culture change that truly lasts."
– STEWART I. DONALDSON, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, Claremont Graduate University
"Connected Culture offers a powerful reminder: thriving organizations are built from the inside out. Jamie Shapiro gives leaders the tools to transform connection into performance—with heart, science, and soul."
– TALIA FOX , CEO, Kusi Global Inc. and Author of THE POWER OF CONSCIOUS CONNECTION
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