The H.I.T. Podcast

Great leaders don't have to be great at everything—they need to know what they're great at and surround themselves with people who make them better.

In Part 2 of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy continues his conversation with Daniel Hallak, author of The Trust Circle, about leadership development, career growth, trust, and why the relationships around a leader matter more than ever.

Daniel explores how organizations can intentionally develop their people through stretch, support, and strategy—giving leaders the social architecture they need to grow and succeed.

The conversation also dives into the idea of the "shadow job description." Beyond what's written on paper, leaders juggle countless responsibilities every day. The key is understanding where you bring unique excellence, recognizing what drains you or falls outside your strengths, and having the humility to bring the right people around you.

In this episode:

• Why great leaders need a trusted circle around them
• How mentorship can accelerate employee development and productivity
• The role of stretch, support, and strategy in developing leaders
• Understanding your "shadow job description"
• Identifying what you're uniquely great at
• Building a team that complements your weaknesses
• Why AI and unlimited information can't replace context and nuance
• How trusted relationships help leaders make better decisions

In a world where information is everywhere, knowing the latest leadership theory isn't enough. Real leadership development comes through formation, relationships, context, and having people you trust enough to tell you what you need to hear.

Learn more from Daniel in his book, The Trust Circle.

Leadership can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also be incredibly isolating.

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy sits down with Daniel Hallak, partner at the Sage Group and author of the upcoming book The Trust Circle, for a conversation about trust, leadership, feedback, and the often-overlooked isolation that comes with leading an organization.

Daniel shares how a 13-year exploration of leadership isolation ultimately inspired The Trust Circle—and why every leader needs a small group of trusted “relational investors” who can provide honest feedback, perspective, and support.

Daniel also shares the fascinating journey behind the book, from writing chapters on airplanes and during airport layovers to delivering a TEDx Talk that was ultimately featured by TED and caught the attention of a publisher.

⏱️ In this episode:

• Why leadership becomes more isolating as you move up
• How to build your own trusted circle of advisors
• Separating meaningful feedback from everyday noise
• Why leaders need people who aren't afraid to challenge them
• Navigating transparency, confidentiality, and competing expectations
• The story behind The Trust Circle
• How Daniel's TEDx Talk helped turn his idea into a book
• Creating trusted relationships both inside and outside your organization

There's so much to unpack that one episode wasn't enough. The conversation continues in Part 2 next week!

"It begins with you, but it's not about you."

That may have been my favorite quote from this conversation—but when you're sitting down with a true healthcare legend like Cora Tellez, it's nearly impossible to pick just one.

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy talks with Cora, whose remarkable career has spanned nearly five decades. From leading organizations like Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Prudential, and Health Net to founding Sterling Administration and launching new ventures in healthcare innovation, Cora shares the leadership lessons that have shaped her extraordinary journey.

This conversation is packed with timeless wisdom for leaders, entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and anyone looking to make a lasting impact.

In this episode:

• Cora's incredible journey through the healthcare industry
• Three leadership principles that have guided her career
• Why failure should lead to learning—not blame
• Why no leader succeeds alone
• The importance of addressing personnel issues early
• Finding purpose, building community, and aging well
• How creativity outside of work can make you a stronger leader

Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or simply looking to grow, Cora's insights are practical, inspiring, and as relevant today as ever.

Looking for smarter ways to manage employee health benefits while controlling costs?

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy explores emerging healthcare funding strategies, the latest 2027 HSA updates, and innovative benefit trends that employers should have on their radar.

From Medical Expense Reimbursement Programs (MERPs) and Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) to the growing use of GLP-1 reimbursement programs, this episode breaks down practical options for businesses of all sizes.

In this episode:

• How MERPs can reduce health insurance costs while maintaining quality coverage
• Understanding ICHRAs and when they make sense for employers
• The newly announced 2027 HSA contribution and deductible limits
• Why some employers are creating GLP-1 reimbursement programs
• Strategies to balance employee benefits with rising healthcare costs

Whether you're an HR professional, business owner, benefits administrator, or insurance advisor, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving world of employee healthcare benefits.

Culture isn’t defined by the words on the wall—it’s shaped by the behaviors leaders model, reward, and tolerate every day. ????

In Part 2 of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy continues his conversation with Scott McInnes, Founder of Inspiring Change, to explore what it really takes to build—and sustain—a strong workplace culture.

Drawing from his latest research, Scott reveals the six biggest barriers preventing organizations from creating human connection at work and explains why intentional leadership is more important than ever.

From hybrid work and AI to leadership visibility and generational differences, this episode is packed with practical strategies for HR professionals, executives, and business leaders.

In this episode:

• Why culture must be intentionally cultivated—not left to chance
• The 6 biggest barriers to workplace connection
• Why AI and technology can't replace human relationships
• How to make hybrid work more intentional and collaborative
• Why leaders need to be visible and present with their teams
• Bridging communication gaps across generations
• How consistent leadership behaviors shape lasting culture

Missed Part 1? Be sure to watch it first, where Scott lays out The Culture Blueprint and explains why behaviors—not just values—create great organizations.

Every organization has a culture—but is yours intentional?

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with Scott McInnes, Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, to discuss what it really takes to build a thriving workplace culture.

Scott explains why culture should never be left to chance, how leaders shape culture through their everyday behaviors, and why authentic culture change is a long-term commitment—not a quick fix.

Whether you're an HR professional, executive, or people leader, this conversation offers practical insights for creating an organization where strategy, values, and behaviors all work together.

In this episode:

• Why culture starts with a clear organizational vision ("North Star")
• How values guide teams—but behaviors drive accountability
• Why leadership actions influence every level of an organization
• The importance of continuous feedback over annual reviews
• How leaders remove barriers so teams can succeed
• Why meaningful culture change takes 3–5 years

Great workplace culture doesn't happen by accident—it requires intention, accountability, and consistent leadership.

In Part 2 of Toby Kennedy's conversation with Lauren Sweeney, they dive into why company values should be more than words on a wall, how leaders can use shared values to improve communication and accountability, and why investing in culture has a measurable impact on employee engagement, retention, and business performance.

Lauren also explains why executive coaching isn't just for struggling leaders, how outside perspectives help organizations grow, and why focusing on small, consistent improvements can create transformational change over time.

If you're an HR professional, business owner, or leader looking to strengthen your organization, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.

In this episode:

• Why organizations should regularly evaluate their company values
• Turning workplace values into everyday behaviors
• Using culture to address employee concerns
• The connection between engagement, retention, and profitability
• Why coaching helps leaders perform at a higher level
• The power of small, consistent improvements (the 1% principle)

Not every workplace complaint requires a formal investigation—but ignoring the small ones can have big consequences.

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with Lauren Sweeney, Chief Growth & Impact Officer at Riviera Group Consulting, to discuss the "soft complaints" that HR professionals encounter every day—and how to address them before they damage culture and retention.

Topics include:

• What qualifies as a "soft complaint"
• When HR should investigate—and when they should coach
• Helping employees feel heard without escalating every issue
• Encouraging direct, respectful conversations between coworkers
• Using the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize what truly matters
• Applying Gino Wickman's "Hitting the Ceiling" exercise to identify organizational roadblocks
• Building a culture of accountability through Radical Candor

Lauren shares practical strategies HR leaders can use to improve communication, reduce workplace friction, and create healthier, more productive teams.

Whether you're in HR, management, or leadership, this episode offers actionable insights for navigating everyday workplace challenges.

Are your employees truly getting value from their benefits — or are they forgetting about them until open enrollment rolls around?

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with Cindy Washburn from TruHu to discuss why consistent, intentional communication may be the missing ingredient in maximizing employee benefits.

Too often, employees are overwhelmed with information during open enrollment and then hear little to nothing about their benefits for the rest of the year. Cindy explains how organizations can shift to a more effective, year-round communication strategy that increases awareness, appreciation, and utilization.

Topics include:

• Why benefits communication shouldn't happen just once a year
• How bite-sized, "drip marketing" messages improve retention
• Why employees with lesser benefits—but better communication—are often more loyal and satisfied
• Timing benefits education around real-life events, from summer travel to mental health awareness
• Segmenting messages so employees receive information that is relevant to them

Why repetition is one of the most powerful tools in employee education

Using email, text, microsites, and automation to make communication easier and more effective

Whether you're in HR, benefits, or leadership, this conversation offers practical strategies to help employees better understand—and appreciate—the investments your organization is already making in them.

Change is inevitable. The question is: how do great leaders respond to it?

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with returning guest Magalie René, speaker, consultant, and expert in compassionate leadership and change management.

Together, they explore how leaders can become more adaptable, communicate more effectively, and guide their teams through uncertainty without sacrificing accountability or performance.

Topics include:

• Why adaptability is a skill that can be developed
• How to become more agile in the face of constant change
• The role of compassionate leadership in today's workplace
• Using personality frameworks like DISC to communicate more effectively
• Why different people need different communication approaches
• A practical framework for handling difficult conversations
• How intention impacts the outcome of feedback and conflict
• The concept of "Living Your Legacy" and creating meaningful impact through everyday interactions

Magalie also shares leadership lessons from books that have influenced her work, including Who Moved My Cheese?, The Four Agreements, and The Alchemist.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating organizational change, or simply looking to become a more effective communicator, this episode offers practical insights that can be applied immediately.

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