“For the employees who spend their career with us, we want to create millionaires.”

In this episode, Bob Whalen, CEO of HB Global, joins Kate Volman to share his insights on leadership and creating a people-first culture. Bob explains the power of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) in driving both financial success and a stronger company culture. He also reflects on his leadership journey, highlighting how growth is more than just revenue. It’s about creating opportunities for employees to thrive. Bob offers valuable lessons on employee engagement and embracing change in today’s evolving business landscape.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The value of allowing employees to take ownership of their work
• Why communication is key when facing challenges
• The importance of being adaptable to change, especially in industries impacted by AI

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:09) The power of employee ownership

(04:47) Hesitations with employee ownership

(08:17) Building a thriving ESOP company culture

(11:56) Where leaders can learn more about ESOPs

(16:34) Finding fulfillment in helping employees

(22:29) People-centered leadership, AI, and workforce implications

(34:54) Rating HB Global’s company culture

(39:01) Bob’s book and podcast recommendations for leaders

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Bob Whalen’s LinkedIn
• HB Global

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“Dreaming is good. That space is where you can live the best version of yourself and your most vibrant life.”

In this episode, Mike Zaccariello shares how coaching helped him rediscover his dreams and find the courage to chase them. A certified Dream Manager, military veteran, and pediatric neuropsychologist, Mike once resisted the idea of coaching. When he finally gave it a try, everything changed.

He opens up about leaving a 17-year career to start his own practice and learning to lean into resistance instead of avoiding it. Mike also reflects on The Dream Manager Program and how it’s allowed him to become a better therapist, deacon, and husband. His story is a reminder that coaching doesn’t just help with professional growth, it helps people live more intentional lives.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why coaching is essential for personal and professional growth
• How dreaming helps you overcome fear and resistance
• The ripple effect of living with purpose and intention

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:11) Meet Mike Zaccariello: Dream Manager and mental health professional

(05:04) Leaving a 17-year career to start again

(09:14) Lean into the resistance

(12:37) Rediscovering the power of dreaming

(15:36) The ripple effect of The Dream Manager

(19:33) Why coaching works better than self-help

(22:53) Favorite books and lessons for every season

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Mike Zaccariello’s LinkedIn
• Mayo Clinic

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“When you hire employees, you hire the whole person, their challenges, and their life circumstances.”

In this episode, entrepreneur and multi-business owner Brian Hess, joins Kate Volman to share how he’s built thriving organizations that prioritize purpose, growth, and connection. Brian discusses what it means to lead the whole person, not just the employee. He also talks about creating opportunities for upward mobility, using culture as a competitive advantage, and why the best strategic plans focus on people, not profit. Brian offers a powerful reminder that great companies are built on trust, empathy, and the shared pursuit of dreams.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to identify and nurture great talent
• Why strategic planning should start with people
• What it takes to create lasting impact as a leader

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:17) Brian’s four ventures and his podcast

(05:07) How a certified Dream Manager joined the team

(07:54) Build culture by investing in people

(11:07) Creating upward mobility in a tough economy

(16:37) Hiring lessons: Predictive Index, timing, fit, and patience

(21:11) Annual planning should start with people

(25:43) The importance of leading by example

(30:25) Brian’s ideal dinner party guests

(38:17) Books and resources shaping Brian’s leadership

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Brian Hess’s LinkedIn
• Brian’s official website
• The Pavement Group
• Top Contractor School
• The Brian Hess Show

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube

“P&L stands for people and legacy as much as it stands for profit and loss.”

In this episode, Steve Sargent, Chair of C12 South Florida, joins Kate Volman to talk about why accountability is the ultimate gift to high-level leaders, why “integration” beats “work-life balance,” and how purpose-driven peer forums help CEOs scale without losing their souls. Steve shares insights from fresh peer-group conversations and research, explains C12’s “do > talk” ethos, and shows how identity and mission become the lens for better decisions, healthier teams, and durable growth.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How purpose and identity create the lens for disciplined, people-first decisions
• Why accountability and peer community accelerate clarity, courage, and follow-through
• A practical path from “work-life balance” to integrated living (and why it matters for your team)

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction and opening thoughts

(01:08) What C12 is and the mission behind it

(03:18) Steve’s journey to becoming a C12 chair

(06:10) Challenges of leadership and lessons from scaling businesses

(22:35) Why accountability matters most to CEOs and leaders

(23:30) Coaching as a gift and the power of asking better questions

(24:19) Recognizing and leveraging employee superpowers

(25:33) Building a thriving and people-centered culture

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Steve Sargent’s LinkedIn
• C12 South Florida
• Join C12

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“Culture isn’t about perks or slogans. It’s about people and the principles that guide them.”

In this episode, Tony Ferraro, Director of Coaching at Floyd Consulting, breaks down The Culture Solution by Matthew Kelly and shares what more than 1,500 culture assessments reveal about today’s workplaces. He talks about the six principles of a dynamic culture, and why mission consistently ranks highest, why hiring with rigor is often overlooked, and how overcommunicating the plan keeps teams aligned. Tony explains why simplicity makes mission statements powerful, how scorecards give A-players the clarity they crave, and why coaching conversations are a gift that saves leaders time and builds trust.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why simple, clear mission statements drive stronger culture
• How disciplined hiring decisions shape long-term success
• Why overcommunication creates alignment and avoids “shiny object” distractions

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(00:29) Why company culture matters today

(01:08) Launching the culture assessment tool

(01:34) What defines company culture

(03:12) Key insights from assessment results

(04:36) The six principles of culture

(05:32) Mission is king: top rated principle

(11:06) Hiring challenges and disciplined processes

(19:23) How to evaluate hiring effectively

(20:58) Why clear communication drives culture

(23:17) Using scorecards to set outcomes

(29:38) Coaching’s role in strong leadership

(36:11) How to take the assessment

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Tony Ferraro’s LinkedIn

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“I truly believe I would not be the leader I am today if I had not gone through coaching.”

In this episode, Laura Furner, Chief Operating Officer at Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, shares how coaching transformed her leadership, boosted her confidence, and built trust across her team. She explains why she chose coaching over traditional training, how she found her voice in tough conversations, and the personal breakthroughs that followed. Laura reflects on the systems she still uses, the value of having a “vault” for honest feedback, and the lasting impact beyond work—including better communication at home, clearer priorities, and why she urges leaders not to wait until they feel “ready” to start.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How coaching builds lasting confidence and clarity in leadership
• Why having a safe space for honest feedback changes everything
• How personal growth fuels stronger teams and healthier culture

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:20) The journey to hiring a coach

(04:37) Overcoming hesitations and making the investment

(08:13) Building confidence and finding your voice

(13:51) The power of coaching and accountability

(19:49) Balancing personal and professional life

(27:17) The impact of coaching

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Laura Furner’s LinkedIn
• Alphastar Capital Management, LLC

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“We don’t have big aspirations to be a big company—but we do have a big mission.”

In this episode, Reid Hutchison, COO and Dream Manager at HOH Water Technology, shares how The Dream Manager Program has become a powerful catalyst for cultural transformation inside a third-generation, family-owned business. Reid opens up about what it means to build a company you love working for, the tension between caring deeply for people and driving performance, and how the Dream Manager framework helped him and his team reconnect with their purpose. He shares real stories—from career-changing breakthroughs to personal triumphs—and how HOH is using this program to increase emotional intelligence, trust, and ownership across the organization. You’ll also hear how Reid’s own dreams have evolved and what the program has meant for him as a leader, father, and Ironman-in-training.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How The Dream Manager Program builds emotional intelligence and trust
• Why combining care and accountability leads to stronger culture
• How personal growth translates into organizational success

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:15) Meet Reid Hutchison: COO and Dream Manager at HOH

(03:00) A family legacy and a mission-driven business

(06:45) When growth replaced their “why”

(08:00) Choosing better, not bigger

(10:30) Balancing care and performance

(14:15) Letting people grow—even if they leave

(18:00) The Dream Manager rollout and team buy-in

(22:00) Why this coaching program feels different

(26:15) A Dream Manager story: love, risk, and breakthrough

(30:00) Reid’s personal dreams and Ironman goal

(33:00) Becoming a better leader through coaching

(36:45) Culture, client impact, and what’s next

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest

• Reid Hutchison’s LinkedIn
• HOH Water Technology

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“You want people to stay because they're like, ‘Wow, this company really cares about me.’"

In this episode of Lead with Culture, Michele Marquis, Senior Executive Coach at Floyd Coaching, joins Kate Volman to walk through three powerful signs that your company is ready to implement The Dream Manager Program. Drawing on real stories and client outcomes, Michele explains why good culture isn’t enough—organizations that thrive are the ones that invest in emotional loyalty, holistic growth, and meaningful benefits that show people they matter.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The three indicators your team is ready for The Dream Manager Program
• How emotional loyalty influences engagement and retention
• Why a coach can be the difference between keeping or losing top talent

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:41) Sign 1: Commitment to a people-first culture

(05:07) Sign 2: Addressing disengagement and burnout

(08:10) Sign 3: Strengthening retention and loyalty

(12:06) Implementing The Dream Manager Program

(12:47) Next steps if you’re interested in The Dream Manager

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest:

• Michele Marquis’s LinkedIn

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

"Work is greedy. It will spread over your calendar wherever you don’t stop it."

In this episode of Lead with Culture, Kate Volman sits down with Bree Groff, workplace culture expert and author of Today Was Fun, to explore what it really takes to make work more joyful, without relying on happy hours or ping pong tables.

Drawing from her years of experience advising leaders at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Target, Bree breaks down why we’ve been sold the wrong narrative about work, and how to rewrite it for ourselves. From redefining productivity to embracing humanity at the office, this conversation offers a refreshing lens for anyone who’s ever counted down to Friday.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to rethink “fun” at work (hint: it’s not mini-golf)
• The simple mindset shift that helps you reclaim Mondays
• Why thin-slicing your day can help you spot joy in tough roles

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(00:28) Can work actually be fun?

(01:56) Why Bree wrote Today Was Fun

(03:11) Reframing the role of work in our lives

(06:08) Fun as a function of value creation

(08:56) What makes work “fun-able”

(13:20) The leader’s role in shaping joy

(17:44) The consulting story that changed everything

(24:14) Generational differences at work

(30:58) The danger of equating work with worth

(34:45) Rethinking remote culture and always-on schedules

(38:11) Leading with humanity

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the guest:

• Bree Groff's LinkedIn
• Bree Groff’s Website
• Today Was Fun

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram

“Your work should make the rest of your life better.”

In this episode of Lead with Culture, Tony Ferraro, Director of Coaching at Floyd, joins Kate Volman to unpack why employee benefits, especially wellness and financial literacy programs, often go underused. Despite leaders' best intentions, a communication gap and lack of personal strategy keep team members from engaging with programs designed to help them thrive. Tony explores how coaching and intentional dialogue can bridge that gap, making benefits more meaningful and transformative.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why employees don't take advantage of voluntary benefits even when they say they want them
• The critical role self-awareness plays in participation
• How The Dream Manager Program multiplies the impact of your existing benefits

Invest in a coach to achieve your dreams: https://www.floydcoaching.com/

Discover how to implement The Dream Manager Program:

https://www.thedreammanager.com/

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(00:26) The problem with employee benefits

(00:50) Rethinking employee benefits and care programs

(01:58) Defining voluntary benefits

(02:42) The disconnect between offering and utilization

(06:21) Success stories and statistics

(07:24) The role of financial literacy and wellness programs

(13:41) The Dream Manager Program: A holistic approach

(17:16) Real-life impact of The Dream Manager Program

(25:37) Leveraging programs for better work-life integration

Resources:

• Floyd Coaching
• The Culture Assessment
• Matthew Kelly’s Books
• Floyd Coaching’s Blog

Connect with the Guest:

• Tony Ferraro's LinkedIn

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

• Kate Volman’s LinkedIn
• Floyd Coaching on LinkedIn
• Floyd Consulting on Facebook
• Floyd Consulting on Twitter
• Floyd Consulting on YouTube
• Floyd Consulting on Instagram