The H.I.T. Podcast

Welcome back to the HIT (Human Resources, Insurance, and Technology) podcast! This week, host Toby Kennedy is joined by world-renowned business consultant and author Kevin Lawrence for a deep dive into the strategies that separate stagnant companies from high-growth organizations.With over 30 years of experience helping executive teams scale 5x to 10x, Kevin shares why the "people piece" is the ultimate fuel for any growth engine.In this episode, we explore: The Discernment of Growth: Learn the critical difference between making your business "better" (optimizing units) versus making it "bigger" (driving core growth).Escaping the "Pull of Problems": Discover why leaders often get trapped in the drama of daily problem-solving, inadvertently starving their company's growth engine.The 30% Growth Rule: Why every leader, including those in HR, should aim to spend 30% of their time on future-focused growth activities like networking with top talent.Quarterly Talent Discipline: Why annual reviews aren't enough and how executive teams must actively manage and develop "Aces" every 90 days.Courage vs. Fear: How leadership from the top creates an environment where people feel safe to take chances and learn from mistakes.**About Our Guest**Kevin Lawrence is a strategic advisor to CEOs and executive teams worldwide. He is a key contributor to the book "Scaling Up," author of "Your Oxygen Mask First," and author of the recent release "The Four Forces of Growth."Brought to you by:Montage Insurance Solutions#BusinessGrowth #ScalingUp #Leadership #HRTech #HITPodcast #KevinLawrence #ExecutiveCoaching #HumanResources

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy sits down with Kim Bohr, CEO of Spark Effect, to break down the latest research on organizational trust—and why it may be one of the most important (and overlooked) drivers of performance.This conversation moves beyond theory and into practical frameworks leaders can use right now.Key Insights on Organizational TrustTrust as a KPI:Trust isn’t soft—it’s measurable and directly tied to revenue, retention, and reputation.Thriving in Disruption:Organizations that lean into change can see a +12% increase in trust above baseline.Manager Trust Gap:During change, trust in direct managers drops faster than overall organizational trust.What Builds (and Breaks) Trust: Transparency, empathy, and communication build trust—while misalignment and poor execution erode it.The Five Dimensions of TrustTo make trust measurable, the research outlines five key areas:• Strategic Clarity – Do employees understand where the organization is going?• Psychological Safety – Can people speak up without fear?• Relational Continuity – Do employees feel connected to purpose and culture?• Technology & Systems Trust – Are tools implemented clearly and transparently?• Fairness in Change – How are difficult decisions (like layoffs) handled?The Five C’s FrameworkA practical model for leading through change while maintaining trust:• Context – What’s changing and why• Commitment – What stays the same• Change – What’s happening next• Care – Supporting your people• Call to Action – What to do this weekIf you lead people, manage teams, or influence culture, this episode offers clear, actionable ways to build and sustain trust—even in uncertain times.Access the full report + resources:sparkeffect.com/hit

What does it actually take to build and lead companies that scale?In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, entrepreneur, executive, and author Glenn Poulos joins the show to share lessons from nearly four decades of building, leading, and selling successful businesses. Glenn discusses how moving away from “seat-of-the-pants” management toward a structured leadership system—specifically the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)—helped transform the way his companies operate and scale.We dive into practical leadership strategies including:Structure before people — why clear roles and expectations drive performanceDefining meaningful core values with team inputHolding teams accountable and enforcing culture consistentlyWhy HR must operate as a strategic leadership partner, not just an administrative functionThe importance of meeting cadence — weekly, quarterly, and annual planningHow AI and technology are helping businesses analyze opportunities and streamline RFP processesLessons learned from building and exiting multiple companiesGlenn also shares insights from his book Never Sit in the Lobby, which focuses on sales discipline, leadership accountability, and building durable organizations that customers trust long-term.If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or HR professional focused on building stronger teams and scalable businesses, this conversation delivers practical insights from someone who has done it at the highest level.

What does it actually take to build and lead companies that scale?In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, entrepreneur, executive, and author Glenn Poulos joins the show to share lessons from nearly four decades of building, leading, and selling successful businesses. Glenn discusses how moving away from “seat-of-the-pants” management toward a structured leadership system—specifically the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)—helped transform the way his companies operate and scale.We dive into practical leadership strategies including:Structure before people — why clear roles and expectations drive performanceDefining meaningful core values with team inputHolding teams accountable and enforcing culture consistentlyWhy HR must operate as a strategic leadership partner, not just an administrative functionThe importance of meeting cadence — weekly, quarterly, and annual planningHow AI and technology are helping businesses analyze opportunities and streamline RFP processesLessons learned from building and exiting multiple companiesGlenn also shares insights from his book Never Sit in the Lobby, which focuses on sales discipline, leadership accountability, and building durable organizations that customers trust long-term.If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or HR professional focused on building stronger teams and scalable businesses, this conversation delivers practical insights from someone who has done it at the highest level.

What are we actually chasing?Likes?Applause?Recognition?Or real impact?In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Dr. Brandi Stankovic, Ed.D. joins us fresh off her recent TED talk to challenge the modern definition of “success” — especially the kind fueled by online praise and performative wins.We explore:• Why fake happiness and surface-level validation are so easy to chase• How leaders unintentionally reward the wrong behaviors• What organizations should really be measuring• How to build cultures rooted in meaningful work — not opticsIf you lead people, influence culture, or care about what your organization is truly optimizing for, this conversation is a must-watch.This one goes deeper than tactics — it’s about intention.

What do rules and expectations have in common? You shouldn’t set them if you’re not willing to enforce them. Unenforced standards make bad performers worse—and they quietly drain the motivation of your best people when they see inconsistency.In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Tommie Jo Brode for a powerful conversation about leadership, culture, team-building, and what it really means to hold the line as a leader.We talk about: Why accountability protects your top performers How culture erodes when standards aren’t enforced The connection between expectations and trust What strong, consistent leadership actually looks likeThis is one of those conversations that feels simple—but hits deep. If you care about building high-performing teams and protecting your culture, you won’t want to miss this one.

What exactly is a TPA (Third-Party Administrator)—and why does it matter in the world of health insurance?In this episode, Nick Buratti from Allied Benefit Systems joins me for a clear, practical conversation about how TPAs operate, what they’re responsible for, and where they fit into the broader health insurance ecosystem. If you’re involved in employee benefits, self-funded health plans, or just want to better understand how all the moving pieces connect, this episode is a must-watch. #TheHITPodcast #HealthInsurance #TPA #EmployeeBenefits #SelfFunded #HRLeadership #AlliedBenefitSystems #HealthcareExplained

What does it really take to build a high-performing, low-drama team?In this episode, we break down the real-world strategies behind employee management, intentional turnover, and aligning teams with mission, vision, and values—including practical lessons from the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).We cover:Managing People & TurnoverThe real cost of keeping the wrong person in the roleWhat “intentional turnover” means—and how to handle transitions the right wayCreating kind, professional exits while protecting team performanceWhy strong teams naturally push toward “right people, right seats”Intelligent HiringHiring for natural wiring—not just resumesUsing personality and behavioral assessments to identify top performersWhy the best employees make difficult roles look effortlessData-driven filtering to focus on candidates most likely to succeedEOS & Team AlignmentHow EOS aligns teams around mission, vision, and valuesThe Six Key Components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, TractionUsing scorecards, structured meetings, and accountability rhythmsMilitary-style” backward planning from long-term goals to 90-day prioritiesIf you’re a leader, founder, or HR professional trying to build a disciplined, accountable, and high-performing culture—this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

That advice we all know we need to hear—delivered in a no-nonsense, get-it-done way.In this episode, we’re joined in studio by Chris Hallberg, aka The Business Sergeant—one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 Leadership and Management Experts, published author, and personally trained by Gino Wickman, creator of EOS and author of Traction.Chris breaks down his world-renowned leadership principles that help teams:Stop accepting poor leadershipBuild real accountabilityAdopt a disciplined, military-style mindsetGet measurable resultsThis is a must-watch for leaders who are done with excuses and ready to raise the standard.

We’re excited to welcome Mark Dunahoo, President & COO of TruHu, into the studio for a thoughtful conversation on employee engagement and feedback.In this episode, we dive into TruHu’s mission, how organizations can better listen to their people, and what HR leaders should be thinking about as they look to strengthen culture, communication, and trust across their teams.We cover:Practical approaches to employee engagementWhy feedback systems often fail—and how to improve themWhat HR leaders should prioritize right nowTools and strategies that actually work in the real worldThis episode is a great watch for HR professionals who care about culture, connection, and building workplaces where people feel heard.Special thanks to our sponsors:TruHu, Excel Health, Cigna, KLB, and Rula#HR #HumanResources #HRPodcast #EmployeeEngagement #HRTechnology #EmployeeFeedback #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeBenefits

Following up on our 2026 employment law update, employment attorney Brian Koegle is back with a highly practical breakdown of the top three legal compliance issues that continue to trip up HR teams—even experienced ones.In this episode, we cover:Recordkeeping do’s, don’ts, and common pitfallsKey compliance beats around leave lawsPro tips for avoiding wage & hour mistakesThis isn’t theory—it’s real-world guidance drawn from what Brian sees employers getting wrong every day. Clear, actionable, and incredibly relevant for HR leaders, managers, and business owners alike.If you haven’t watched Part 1 yet, be sure to check it out for the full legal landscape—this episode builds right on top of it.

Employment law continues to evolve—and staying ahead of it is critical for HR leaders and employers.In this episode, employment attorney Brian Koegle joins me in studio to break down the most important legal updates impacting the workplace in 2026. We cover what’s already in effect, what’s changing, and what organizations should be preparing for now.Topics include:Key employment law changes affecting HRCompliance updates employers can’t ignorePractical steps to reduce risk and stay aheadWhat to prioritize as you plan for the year aheadClear, practical, and focused on real-world impact—this episode is a must-watch for anyone responsible for people, policy, and compliance.

“Do better. Somehow.”That’s how a lot of professional goals are set — and it’s exactly why they fail. Most goals don’t collapse because people lack motivation. They fail because they’re too vague, unowned, and impossible to measure once real work, real calendars, and real pressure show up.In this episode, we break down what good professional goal setting actually looks like—the kind that survives busy schedules, competing priorities, and everyday reality.We cover:Why vague goals are a trapWhat ownership really meansHow to build goals you can measure and maintainA practical framework you can actually use at workIf you’ve ever set goals that sounded great… and then quietly disappeared, this episode is for you.

Curious what The H.I.T. Podcast is all about? This episode is the perfect place to start.We’ve pulled together a hand-picked collection of our favorite moments—10 short clips stitched into one episode—to give you a true feel for the conversations, insights, and energy that define the show.Real talkPractical insightsIncredible guestsBite-sized, digestible takes on the topics that matter in HR, benefits, leadership, and the future of workIf you’re new here—or wondering why this podcast is a must-follow heading into 2026—this episode will tell you everything you need to know.Hit subscribe and welcome aboard.

“We’re thinking about switching HRIS…”Famous. Last. Words.This episode is all about how HRIS platforms actually differ—and why so many teams end up frustrated after implementation.If you’ve sat through five demos that all felt exactly the same, this will help you ask better questions before you sign anything. This is a truly neutral guide to HRIS platforms—no selling, no affiliate links, no bias.I don’t work for those guys and I’m not here to push one platform over another. What I did do was conduct countless interviews across the HRIS ecosystem to build a tight, concise episode covering:Where platforms really differWhy implementations go sidewaysWhat actually matters for your organizationHow to avoid common (and costly) mistakesSave this if an HRIS decision is on your horizonTag the person who’ll end up owning the implementationDM me if you’re mid-HRIS evaluation—this episode was built for you

It’s that time of year… when HR gets absolutely flooded with FSA questions.Yes — your FSA can buy some pretty weird stuff.Oura rings?Massage guns?DNA tests?Yep. All real.In this episode, we break down unusual (but legit!) FSA purchases, clarify what actually qualifies, and help employees make the most of those use-it-or-lose-it dollars before they disappear.Perfect for HR pros, benefits teams, and anyone trying to spend FSA funds wisely—without crossing the line.

This episode features an awesome conversation with Shane Foss, CEO of Hooray Health, about a super affordable and high-value option your employees will actually use and love.We break down a benefit designed specifically for part-time and hourly staff, offering:Low co-paysA large national provider networkVirtual care accessRx componentSimple, predictable costsA benefit employees genuinely appreciateIf you’ve been looking for a way to strengthen your benefits portfolio without blowing up your budget — this might be the perfect solution.Don’t miss this fun, insightful episode!

Some of you know my story, and some of you don’t — but growing up on the run from a violent household, spending time in battered women’s shelters, and even living through a kidnapping are all parts of what shaped me. They’re also why I care so deeply about doing good in this world… and why I’m so proud to serve on the board of Rainbow Services, Ltd., an incredible organization supporting survivors of domestic violence.Coming right after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday — days centered on food, deals, and consumption — Giving Tuesday gives us a meaningful contrast. It’s a reminder to pause, give back, and choose impact.In this episode, we cover:What Giving Tuesday is really aboutHow companies can approach corporate giving in a way that fits their cultureOne powerful nonprofit (Rainbow Services) doing life-changing workHow individuals AND organizations can make a differenceWhether you’re giving personally, leading a team, or shaping company culture, this episode offers a thoughtful roadmap for purposeful generosity.

The holiday season is officially underway… which means holiday party planning is in full swing!But before you hit send on those invites, this episode breaks down the 9 essential things HR and employers need to consider — the details that can truly make or break your event.We cover:Alcohol or no alcohol?Family-friendly vs. adults-onlyExpectations, communication & guardrailsHow to create a fun, safe, inclusive celebrationA quick, practical guide your future self will thank you for.

There’s a fairly new(ish) legislative mandate that’s catching some employers off guard — the Gag Clause Attestation requirement tied to your company’s health insurance plan.In this quick, informative episode, we break down:What the Gag Clause Attestation actually isWho needs to file it (and how often)Important deadlines & compliance stepsSimple action items to make sure your organization is coveredShort, clear, and to the point — everything you need to know to stay compliant and avoid costly oversights.