In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Curtis Hite, CEO of Improving. Curtis shares his insights on classic capitalism and the importance of focusing on values, authenticity, and care in leadership. He discusses how his company, Improving, embodies its true identity through the values chosen by both employees and stakeholders. Curtis emphasizes the significance of conscious capitalism, detailing its aspects such as a stakeholder model, purpose beyond profit, and conscious leadership and culture. The episode delves into the company's mission to change the perception of the IT industry, its commitment to trust and accountability, and various initiatives under its 'Improving Cares' program. Curtis concludes with practical advice on fostering trust and maintaining a higher purpose in business, making it a must-listen for those interested in heart-centered leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authenticity and care are foundational to heart-centered leadership.
• Companies should define values based on who they truly are, not just aspirations.
• Trust is an ongoing, intentional practice—broken trust can be rebuilt step by step.
• Conscious capitalism means business is a force for good, with purpose beyond profit.
• Changing perceptions—of industries and professions—can drive higher purpose and impact.

QUOTES

• “We didn’t choose values that we aspire to be. We chose values that we were known for.”
• “Profit is the air that businesses breathe, but they also need to remember that it is not the end purpose of a company just to make profit.”
• “Assume good intent, or at least don’t assume bad intent when something happens.”
• “You always want to give a path for people to maintain their dignity even when they’re wrong.”
• “Our ambition is to change the perception of our industry.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Curtis Hite.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-hite-a7b228/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Discover How To Unlock the Hidden Growth Inside Your Sales Team. Access The Sales Blindspots in the C-Suite: Four Critical Risks You Can't Afford to Ignore, recording here: https://webinar.salesindex.ai/home-page-222146-313544

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Jonathan Keyser, Managing Partner of Keyser Commercial Real Estate, who shares his journey of transforming the cutthroat commercial real estate industry into a heart-centered business. Jonathan discusses the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and selflessness in building a successful company culture. He highlights his firm's unique values, the necessity of loving and serving others, and explains why disrupting industry norms starts by changing oneself. Jonathan also elaborates on his personal transformation and how it led to creating a company that places service and care above all. This episode is a powerful reminder that heart and disruption can go hand in hand, emphasizing that true success comes from leading with love.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authentic, heart-centered leadership is essential for building a strong, lasting company culture.
• You don't have to be ruthless to succeed in business; selflessness and service can drive both personal and organizational success.
• True disruption starts with inner transformation—leaders must first change themselves before changing their company or industry.
• Excellence in service and genuine care for people are at the core of sustainable business growth.
• Building trust and loving people leads to deeper relationships and better outcomes.

QUOTES

• "You don't have to be ruthless to win."
• "Selfless is selfish—if you're playing the long game, loving and serving as many people as possible is the best way to succeed."
• "The hardest part about having a culture from the heart is that it has to be authentic."
• "If you just come from a place of love and focus your energies on helping others get what they want, giving shall come true."
• "It's like a love contest—who can out love each other, and that's a fun game to play versus who can out screw each other over."
• "Great cultures start with the heart."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Jonathan Keyser.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankeyser/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Discover How To Unlock the Hidden Growth Inside Your Sales Team. Access The Sales Blindspots in the C-Suite: Four Critical Risks You Can't Afford to Ignore, recording here: https://webinar.salesindex.ai/home-page-222146-313544

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company, and bestselling author of 'Any Dumb Ass Can Do It.' Garry discusses how to build a culture that balances tough-mindedness with tenderheartedness, underscoring the importance of authenticity, values, and belonging in the workplace. He shares practical insights into creating a values-driven organization where employees feel appreciated, connected, and engaged. Key themes include the need for hierarchical values, the role of leadership in maintaining culture, and the significance of consistency. Garry also highlights strategies for removing fear, embracing learning moments, and maintaining integrity, ultimately advocating for a culture that generates positive, lasting memories while achieving business success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• True organizational culture is built on belonging, purpose, and consistent values—not just strategy or products.
• Leaders must balance being tough-minded and tenderhearted; the genius is in the middle.
• Culture is not a “microwavable event”—it requires daily, disciplined, and courageous effort.
• Empowerment comes from a clear, hierarchical set of values that guide decisions at every level.
• Removing fear and reframing failure as “learning moments” fosters growth and engagement.
• Coaching, not managing, helps people become the best version of themselves.

QUOTES

• “Culture equals values plus behavior times consistency.”
• “Happy people create happy companies, happy companies create happy communities, and happy communities create a happy world.”
• “You can have a balance between being tough minded and tenderhearted.”
• “We manage our bank account. We don’t manage people. We are there to coach people to their best performance.”
• “You cannot sprinkle fairy dust on an organization with one or two training programs. You have to live it from the top down.”
• “We didn’t make mistakes, we had learning moments.”
• “If a company that puts oil in a can can create positive, lasting memories, anyone can do it.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Garry Ridge.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Discover How To Unlock the Hidden Growth Inside Your Sales Team. Access The Sales Blindspots in the C-Suite: Four Critical Risks You Can't Afford to Ignore, recording here: https://webinar.salesindex.ai/home-page-222146-313544

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Michel Harding, the owner-operator of Chick-fil-A, to discuss the foundational principles behind Chick-fil-A's renowned company culture. Michael reveals the intentional strategies and touchpoints he uses to foster a loving and supportive environment for his employees, emphasizing that the restaurant is in the people business, not just the chicken business. From personalized team member dinners and birthday desserts to intentional onboarding practices, Michael shares how his dedication to caring for his team has led to high engagement and exceptional service. This episode provides valuable insights for leaders looking to enhance their organizational culture by focusing on the well-being and development of their people.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture is about consistently and intentionally loving on people, not just serving products.
• Employees who feel genuinely cared for are more engaged and provide better service.
• Hiring for attitude and cultural fit is prioritized over simply filling positions.
• Personal touchpoints and recognition (like birthday desserts) foster a sense of belonging.
• Leadership means serving and supporting employees through both challenges and celebrations.
• Start building culture with small, intentional steps—refine and add over time.

QUOTES

• “We are not in the chicken business. We're in the people business.”
• “Cared for people, care for people.”
• “If you can love on your people, they will actually run through a brick wall.”
• “Our team members will never treat their guests better than they are treated.”
• “Just start with one thing. It's not all or nothing.”
• “The more you know about your people, the more you grow with your people.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Michel Harding.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelharding/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Kate Volman, the CEO of Floyd Consulting. The discussion centers on fostering a heart-centered company culture through the Dream Manager program, which helps employees achieve their personal dreams. Kate emphasizes the importance of caring for employees and describes how this simple yet profound strategy can lead to higher engagement and mutual growth for both individuals and the organization. Listeners learn about the Dream Manager certification process and how it positively impacts both personal and professional development. The episode offers a deep dive into creating a supportive work environment where everyone is encouraged to dream and strive for their best selves.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Caring for your people is the foundation of a strong culture.
• Leaders who help employees achieve personal dreams create more engaged teams.
• Culture is felt through energy, not perks or benefits.
• Simple, consistent care for people leads to organizational and personal growth.
• Dream Manager programs unlock engagement by encouraging people to dream.
• Everyone has dreams—leaders should ask and support their teams in pursuing them.
• A mission-driven, supportive team culture drives success and fulfillment.

QUOTES

• “Simple care for your people. They will care for you.”
• “Your organization can only become the best version of itself to the extent that your people are becoming better versions of themselves.”
• “If you pour into your people, they'll pour into you.”
• “Culture is not about ping pong tables and perks—it lies in the heart of your organization.”
• “The one thing that connects everyone in the world: we all have dreams.”
• “When you start to help your people focus on their dreams, they become more engaged, confident, and happy.”
• “If you think it, ink it—just get it on the page.”
• “Great cultures start with the heart.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Kate Volman.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevolman/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Andrew Cohen, the co-founder and CEO of Work Better Now. The discussion delves into the significance of creating a strong, mission-driven company culture led by core values such as compassion, service, integrity, transparency, and continuous learning. Andrew shares how intentional efforts to nurture an inclusive and supportive work environment lead to empowered employees who, in turn, provide excellent service to clients. Through narratives of team achievements and strategies for managing a distributed workforce across multiple countries, the episode highlights the vital role culture plays in driving organizational success. The exchange also emphasizes the importance of onboarding processes, continuous engagement, and recognizing contributions to foster a cohesive and motivated team.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Treat your people well—they’ll treat your clients well.
• Core values and culture must be intentional and constantly reinforced.
• Recognize and celebrate employees who embody company values.
• Building culture in remote, distributed teams requires creativity and effort.
• “Remote talent” should be integrated as true team members, not just task-doers.
• Care, integrity, and transparency are foundational for trust and success.
• Culture cascades beyond your company to clients and partners.
• Leadership is about intentionality and leading with heart.

QUOTES

• “It’s how you treat your people that’s gonna determine how they’re gonna treat your clients.”
• “The line that brings us together is much stronger than the line that can separate us.”
• “If you’re not pushing your culture or your core values, there still will be a culture. It’s just not one that’s designed by you.”
• “Put our talent first. With that, they’re gonna put our clients first.”
• “Make them a part of your team. Don’t think of them as a cog in a wheel, because if you do, that’s what they’ll be.”
• “Culture is the heartbeat of every organization, and as Andrew has reminded us today, it is about intentionality.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Andrew Cohen.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cohen-a4b77113/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Joe Thornton, CEO of Scooter's Coffee. They explore how Thornton infuses empathy, love, integrity, and humility into the workplace culture, impacting both employees and customers. The discussion highlights the importance of storytelling, authentic leadership, and creating an emotional connection in driving business success. Thornton shares practical strategies for maintaining a heart-centered culture across a franchise network and emphasizes the role of store managers in sustaining these values. Listeners are encouraged to lead with their hearts to build thriving, authentic workplace cultures.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leading with empathy, love, and authenticity creates a powerful, heart-centered culture.
• Simple, memorable core values (integrity, love, humility, courage) help scale culture across large organizations.
• Emotional connection at the store level is the true differentiator—great managers can overcome strategy gaps.
• Consistency in customer experience, even in brief interactions, builds loyalty and community.
• Leaders must be master storytellers and invite feedback to inspire and align teams.
• Local ownership and community ties deepen loyalty and cultural impact.

QUOTES

• "You must be a master storyteller as a CEO."
• "A great store manager can make up for a bad strategy, a bad owner, a bad district manager, a bad whatever, because that's where the emotional connection happens."
• "I want people to bring their whole self to work, flaws and all."
• "Love is a strong word. Most companies don't even dare use the word love. We lean into it."
• "When love is present, you don't have to say it as much because people feel it."
• "We always try to solve these world problems and forget that the root cause is often the person who is running the store."
• "Grow big and stay small."
• "Culture is the heartbeat of every organization."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Joe Thornton.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerobertthornton/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Duane Guidry, Principal at Chrane Food Service Solutions. The discussion delves into how intrinsic culture and heart-centered leadership play crucial roles within Chrane's organization. Duane emphasizes the importance of consistency, trust, and growth, both personally and professionally, and shares insights on how Chrane prioritizes excellence by helping others achieve their goals. Through the EOS model and fostering open communication, Chrane creates an empowering environment for both employees and clients, leading to a thriving business culture. The episode highlights the transformative power of aligning personal and organizational values to build a successful and inspiring workplace.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture from the heart is intrinsic and defines who you are.
• Excellence is measured by the excellence you help others achieve.
• Trust is the foundation for everything in business.
• Consistency breeds trust and open communication.
• Growth happens when you help others grow.
• Operational excellence enables fun and meaningful work.
• Leadership is about empowering, not managing, people.

QUOTES

• “At the end of the day, our measure of excellence sits below and is dependent upon the excellence we help others achieve.”
• “If you have culture from the heart, it’s something that’s intrinsic. It’s who you are. It’s a definer.”
• “Everything begins with trust, and if you can earn somebody’s trust, everything else just really starts to fall in line.”
• “Everybody loves a good leader. Nobody wants to be managed.”
• “Growth is continuing to take on more challenges, learning more, and giving that back to others because I feel that I grow when others grow.”
• “When you pour into your people, when you connect at a heart level, they will run through brick walls.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Duane Guidry.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duane-guidry-809a9437/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Ian Stickland, CEO of Charcoalblue, to explore the essence of heart-centered leadership and its impact on organizational culture. Ian shares insights into how Charcoalblue's mission to create exceptional spaces for storytelling and experience sharing influences their global company culture. Emphasizing the importance of supportiveness and active listening, Ian discusses the role of physical and collaborative environments in fostering a sense of belonging, collaboration, and creativity within teams. The episode delves into practical tips for leaders on designing spaces that align with and enhance their organization's culture, ultimately supporting their mission and vision.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture of Support: Charcoalblue emphasizes creating a supportive environment that allows employees to take risks and potentially fail to foster innovation.
• Listening to Understand: Leadership involves truly understanding the context and motivations behind what team members are communicating.
• Flexible and Personalized Spaces: Effective workspace design should facilitate personalization, making employees feel ownership and comfort.
• Shared Experiences: Collaborative and shared physical spaces are crucial for building a strong company culture.
• Cherished Guests: Ensuring everyone who steps into a workspace feels welcome and valued is foundational to creating a positive culture.

QUOTES

• "You have to understand someone to be able to really listen to them.”
• "Willful opportunism...you actively look for opportunities and when they arrive, you make the most of them."
• "We want everyone to feel like a cherished guest in this moment, that people are using their leisure time or they're using...everyone's time is valuable."
• "The culture is about supportiveness. It's about not pushing people hard. It's about giving them the support to go and achieve what they can achieve."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Ian Stickland.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianstickland/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Patrick Lencioni, founder and president of The Table Group. They discuss the importance of vulnerability in leadership and how understanding one's own heart can transform organizational culture. Patrick shares his personal journey of self-discovery and the impact it had on his life and leadership style. The conversation covers key topics such as the role of emotional intelligence, the importance of loving and understanding employees, and the significant advantages of creating a heart-centered workplace. This episode is rich with insights on fostering authenticity, trust, and emotional health in business environments.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leadership involves loving and understanding the people you manage.
• Vulnerability and trust are fundamental to building strong relationships and organizational culture.
• Knowing oneself and others deeply leads to more effective and peaceful leadership.
• Personal growth and self-understanding can significantly impact professional leadership and organizational culture.
• Embracing one's true self and managing according to individual strengths and preferences can prevent burnout and improve overall satisfaction.

QUOTES

• "When you're a CEO or a head of sales, you are called to love the people under your charge."
• "Trust is at the heart of all human relationships."
• "Selling is serving, but it requires that we're actually willing to say, I love you enough to do something that would be hard for me."
• "Success without peace is different."
• "Leadership requires that we know ourselves and can be vulnerable with those we lead."
• "It's hard to love others, especially as a leader, if you struggle to love yourself."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Patrick Lencioni.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture