How to Build Better Workplaces — Govind Negi (Incredible Workplaces) | Dawdle.live

In this episode of the Dawdle podcast, Rishikesh talks with Govind Negi, Founder & CEO of Incredible Workplaces, about building people-centric cultures, leadership gaps in India, practical HR interventions for startups, and the role of technology in people practices. Govind breaks down: How Incredible Workplaces certifies and transforms organizational culture using its Pulse framework. Practical hiring, retention and leadership practices for early-stage startups and growing companies. How founders should manage employees, investors and business partners with honesty and transparency. What HR tech and AI can — and cannot — solve, and how to pick the right tools. Managing burnout: delegation, prioritization and personalized approaches. Guest: Govind Negi — Founder & CEO, Incredible Workplaces Host: Rishikesh — Dawdle Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome 00:26 – Why work culture matters: Govind’s mission (Incredible Workplaces) 00:54 – Three pillars: Recognition (Pulse framework), Transformation, Thought leadership 02:17 – India-specific culture challenges: leadership deficit 04:47 – The role of leaders in shaping culture and how they should behave 06:07 – Managing employee expectations in early-stage startups (pay, passion, transparency) 08:00 – Advice on raising capital: don’t take money you don’t need; seek value-adding investors 11:10 – How HR tech and AI should be evaluated and applied 14:48 – Why tech fails: poor evaluation and leadership follow-through 15:42 – Going global: Incredible Workplaces’ expansion intent 16:36 – Burnout explained: personal differences & the leader’s role in prevention 19:39 – Practical habit: morning goals + day-end review for ownership 21:20 – Advice to HR/HR-tech founders: give 1,000 days to build a sustainable business 23:00 – Final thoughts: consistency, delegation, and long-term commitment 23:38 – Closing & thanks #IncredibleWorkplaces #HRTech #Leadership #WorkCulture #BurnoutPrevention #StartupAdvice #EmployeeEngagement #DawdlePodcast #GovindNegi #PeopleFirst