Episode 278: Greg Hawks - Engagement with Ownership Culture

This is Episode #278 of The Limitless Podcast with Nick Jonsson, and we are pleased to welcome Greg Hawks, Founder of Hawks Agency and author of Act Like an Owner.

In this episode, Greg delivers a direct and uncomfortable truth many leaders avoid: employee engagement doesn’t break down because people are disengaged — it breaks down because leaders tolerate the actively disengaged. He introduces a powerful framework that categorises people in every organisation as Owners, Renters, or Vandals, and explains why the vandals — those who spread negativity, undermine morale, and quietly erode trust — cause disproportionate damage to culture and performance.

Greg challenges the common leadership instinct to focus on perks, motivation programs, and surface-level engagement initiatives, and instead pushes leaders to look at the behaviours they allow. His message is clear: culture doesn’t change through slogans or posters — it changes through leadership decisions and accountability.

The conversation also explores a deeper, often-missed insight: everyone comes to work expecting a return. That return may be growth, meaning, opportunity, recognition, connection, or financial security — and when leaders fail to understand what return their people are seeking, engagement efforts miss the mark.

This episode is a wake-up call for leaders who want to build real ownership culture, protect team morale, and create high-performing organisations without ignoring hard truths.

Connect with Greg to continue the conversation:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghawks/⁠

🎧 Find more episodes on our website: ⁠https://www.nickjonsson.com/limitless-podcast