Big Girl Panties Diaries Entry #15: Create Fun (and a Little Weirdness)

Once upon a time, in a faraway galaxy (Houston, Texas to be exact), I planned what might still be the most unforgettable meeting of my career.

We brought nearly 100 people together at the Houston Space Center—yes, actual space suits and shuttles—and leaned fully into a Star Wars vs. Star Trek theme. Think lightsabers. Costumes. Duel-worthy theme music. People who never dress up were suddenly channeling their inner Chewbacca. And the icing on the cake? Our meeting announcer delivered all key messages in a full-on Darth Vader voice. Every agenda item somehow sounded more important (and slightly ominous).

As for me? I became Princess Leia.

Not just because I loved the costume (though I definitely did), but because there was something about slipping into those white boots—yes, the iconic Leia boots—that made me stand a little taller. Fierce. Feminine. Unapologetically in charge. She led with equal parts brains, bravery, and buns. And for once, I let all of me show up in that room—costume and all.

Not everyone was immediately on board. I got the side-eye. The raised eyebrow. The cautious “Are we really doing that?” But I stuck with it—because I knew that if we wanted connection, we had to loosen the tie, literally and figuratively.

And then came the moment that brought it all together. I interviewed Robert Richman, a former Culture Strategist at Zappos, who shared the company’s core values. Number three? Create fun and a little weirdness.1

That was it. The phrase gave me permission to embrace what I’d been trying to hide: that I lead best when I’m having fun, and that my kind of weird actually makes work work better.

To this day, I continue to be fascinated by culture—and what it really takes to create it. Or as we say in the change world: to shape it. Culture isn’t what you write on the walls. It’s what people feel, say, and do when no one’s watching (and sometimes when everyone’s watching… in full Star Wars gear).

Funny thing is—people still talk about that meeting years later. And not just because of the costumes. The energy, the connection, the ideas that followed? That’s the power of culture at work.

These days, I may not wear a costume to every meeting—but I do try to bring that same spirit. The courage to show up as myself. The commitment to building spaces where others can too.

Because here’s what I’ve learned:

✨ Culture isn’t built with mission statements. It’s built in moments.

✨ Play doesn’t mean a lack of professionalism—it means people feel safe enough to show up fully.

✨ And a little weirdness? That’s often where the magic lives.

If you want people to embrace change, give them a culture they actually want to be part of. One where laughter isn’t a distraction—it’s a signal that something’s working.

Princess Leia didn’t lead by blending in. She led by showing up fully—and pulling others into the fight with her. Culture shaping is no different.

Big Girl Panties Diaries Rule: Never underestimate the power of a good pair of boots and a bold idea.

1. Robert Richman is the author of The Culture Blueprint and former Culture Strategist at Zappos, where he helped shape the company's unique approach to workplace culture and employee engagement.

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