People and Culture - by David Liddle

About the Book

Use this practical book to develop a combined people and culture strategy in the organization to boost employee engagement and business performance.

Book Synopsis

For business success, organizations need engaged employees working in high-performing teams. HR's transformation into a progressive people and culture function means that it can co-create a workplace culture which is fair, just, kind, inclusive, sustainable and high performing.

Written for HR professionals and business leaders, this book shows how to adopt a people and culture approach in the organization rather than a people or culture focus. It features the innovative People and Culture Operating Model, providing practitioners with the tools they need to create a purpose-driven, values-based and people-centric approach to their company culture and their HR strategy.

Full of engaging real-world examples and practical advice, People and Culture provides practitioners with everything they need to optimize their organizational culture so people will flourish, teams will thrive and the organization will prosper. This includes guidance on aligning purpose, values, strategy, process and behaviours as well as dedicated support on systems thinking, emotional intelligence and communication skills. This book also explains how to align the EVP (Employee Value Proposition) with company culture and shows how HR and leaders can unlock the social, strategic, stakeholder and shareholder value of this people and culture approach. The final part of the book features a playbook which includes a framework for undertaking a cultural audit and the tools needed to resolve toxic behaviours and cultures.

Building on the author's previous work on transformational culture and conflict management, this is essential reading for all business leaders and people professionals.

Review Quotes

"David has distilled decades of experience and wisdom to reimagine the future of HR professionals in a fresh and purpose fit framework, complete with a road map and a toolkit, packed with stories from Chief People Officers. The book challenges the profession to 'Be Better, Do Better'. A Liddle book really does go a long way."-- "Shakil Butt FCIPD, FCCA, DChA, Independent HR, OD & EDI Consultant and Author"

"People and Culture is a powerful and timely guide that places the human heartbeat at the centre of organizational life. Firmly grounded in reality, it offers clear frameworks linking culture, leadership and business outcomes. David delivers a catalyst for meaningful change, and he challenges and equips leaders to embed values, act with purpose and shape thriving workplaces. A must-read for anyone shaping the future of work."-- "Sara Andrews, Chief People Officer at Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies UK Ltd"

"People and Culture manages to pull off the rare trick of being practical and provocative. A tightly written and accessible reflection on what we know about the present and future of work and what a joined up intelligent response to the challenges and opportunities facing us might be. Full of real-world examples and practical frameworks, it's an invaluable guide to rich thinking in this space and a challenge to build better and more productive work for all."-- "David D'Souza Chartered FCIPD, FCPHR, Fellow CEBMa, Director of Profession, The CIPD"

"If People and Culture is to become oracular, a strategic seer in the modern workplace, David Liddle masterfully provides the scripture needed. People and Culture is an incredibly compelling and well-thought-out book and framework. It is timely, necessary and a manifesto for HR leaders to embed culture at the centre of a bold organizational framework."-- "Dan Pontefract, leadership strategist, Thinkers50 Radar, and author of The Future of Work Is Grey."

"In People and Culture, David Liddle articulates a philosophy I deeply share, that cultures rooted in fairness, dialogue and shared accountability are not just good for people, but essential for business. This book is a powerful contribution to the growing movement of leaders building companies that are not only successful, but more human, more resilient and more just."-- "Enrique Rubio, Founder, Hacking HR"

"No question that the field of HR is rapidly moving beyond human capital (talent) to human capability (talent + organization + leadership + HR function) to deliver stakeholder value. People matter, and culture matters even more. David Liddle's thoughtful blueprint offers insights and tools to make this movement happen."-- "Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan and Partner, The RBL Group"

"This book had a physical effect on me when I was reading it - it is genuinely inspiring, thought-provoking and full of real-life examples. It reinforces the purpose of putting people at the centre of organizations and demonstrates the value HR leaders bring. David's ideas, intelligence and thirst for discovery shine through, offering encouragement and evidence to shift your mindset and lead differently."-- "Margaret Ayers, Chief People Officer, Canterbury Christ Church University and Chair of Universities Human Resources (UHR)"

"This book is a true epic. It busts myths, expunges out-of-date practices and elevates alternatives. Beyond an Operating Model, this is the People Profession's Business Model - a clarion call for a people-centric, culture-pro operation. Mixing practical and philosophical is a work of true genius, revealing soaring possibilities in cultures of performance, fairness and togetherness. One People & Culture book to rule them all."-- "Perry Timms MCIPD, FRSA and MODA, Founder & Chief Energy Officer, People and Transformational HR Ltd"

About the Author

David Liddle is the CEO of The TCM Group and president of the People and Culture Association. For over 25 years, he and his team have been delivering award winning conflict resolution, leadership development and cultural change programmes for organizations across the globe. Based in London, UK, he was named as the number one Most Influential HR Thinker of 2025 by HR Magazine. He is also the author of Managing Conflict and Transformational Culture, both published by Kogan Page.