The H.I.T. Podcast

We're bringing back a Halloween favorite from The H.I.T. Podcast! In this special episode, we explore creative ways to celebrate Halloween in the workplace while keeping festivities fun, professional, and inclusive. From office costume contests and team activities to seasonal treats and decorations, we share practical ideas for boosting employee morale and strengthening workplace culture. We also discuss best practices for ensuring everyone feels comfortable participating and how HR professionals can avoid potential workplace challenges during holiday celebrations. Whether your organization goes all out for Halloween or prefers a more low-key approach, this episode offers simple ways to encourage team spirit, build connections, and make the season memorable. The H.I.T. Podcast, powered by Montage Insurance Solutions, delivers timely insights and engaging conversations for HR professionals, business leaders, and company executives.

Is your team performing at its full potential—or is something holding it back? In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy continues his conversation with executive coaching experts and authors **Tom Reynolds and Bryan A. Powell** about their book, "The Efficient Frontier of Teaming," and the strategies leaders can use to build stronger, more effective teams. Tom and Bryan introduce the concept of the "teaming inefficiency gap"—the difference between where a team is performing today and what it could achieve with the right leadership, culture, and collaboration. They also explore the bullseye method, a practical approach to setting shared goals, encouraging experimentation, and helping teams make meaningful progress without fearing failure. The conversation goes beyond traditional leadership strategies to examine how hiring, psychological safety, vulnerability, and artificial intelligence can help organizations unlock their teams' potential. In this episode: Understanding the teaming inefficiency gap and how to close it Using the bullseye method to set goals and build momentum Hiring for diverse strengths, perspectives, and team dynamics Why leaders should stop providing all the answers and start coaching Building trust through vulnerability, authenticity, and difficult conversations Using AI as a thought partner to strengthen creativity and critical thinking How a Ted Lasso-inspired AI coaching agent can help leaders navigate workplace challenges Insights from The Efficient Frontier of Teaming and the research behind the book The big takeaway: High-performing teams don't happen by accident. They require intentional leadership, shared ownership, trust, and a willingness to continually learn and improve. The Efficient Frontier of Teaming is available through major booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Walmart. The H.I.T. Podcast with Toby Kennedy

What separates a team that simply gets results from one that consistently performs at its best? On this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy welcomes executive and team coaching experts Bryan A. Powell and Tom Reynolds for a conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain high-performing teams. While organizations often measure success through revenue, productivity, and performance metrics, Bryan and Tom explain why the less measurable elements—trust, psychological safety, authenticity, and shared accountability—are just as important. The conversation explores why so many organizations believe they have high-performing teams when they may actually be maintaining the status quo. From creating space for every voice to strengthening relationships and navigating challenges, the discussion highlights practical ways leaders and employees can build stronger, more resilient teams. In this episode: What truly defines a high-performing team Why trust and psychological safety drive better performance Balancing measurable results with healthy team dynamics The importance of conversational turn-taking and giving everyone a voice Creating shared ownership and accountability at every level How vulnerability and authenticity strengthen workplace culture Why high performance requires both leadership direction and employee engagement How HR can move beyond check-the-box training to create meaningful development opportunities The takeaway: High-performing teams aren't built through metrics alone. They're built through relationships, intentional conversations, and a culture where everyone has the opportunity—and responsibility—to contribute. ???? The H.I.T. Podcast with Toby Kennedy

What separates leaders who simply manage people from those who inspire them? The ability to tell a story people want to be part of. In Part 2 of Toby Kennedy’s conversation with Jonathan Lewis, President of McKee Wallwork, they explore storytelling, identity, responsibility, and what today’s workforce is really searching for. Jonathan explains why leaders need to provide context for the work their teams are doing—not simply communicate goals and expectations. A compelling story can help people understand where they’re going, why it matters, and the role they play in getting there. The conversation also dives into Jonathan’s book, The Rebuilders, which challenges people to take responsibility for rebuilding the institutions, organizations, communities, and relationships around them rather than simply criticizing what’s broken. They also discuss generational changes in the workplace, the search for authenticity and purpose, the dangers of comparison, and why Jonathan believes meaning comes through responsibility and commitment—not simply looking inward for fulfillment. In this episode: - Why great leaders are great storytellers - Connecting everyday work to a bigger mission - How relationships shape our identity - The impact of social media and comparison - Why younger generations are searching for authenticity - Responsibility vs. resentment - The ideas behind The Rebuilders - Finding meaning through commitment and character - What leaders can do to help rebuild workplace culture

What if the biggest workforce challenge isn’t compensation, benefits, or flexibility—but the story employees are being asked to believe about work? Toby sits down with Jonathan Lewis, President of McKee Wallwork, to discuss what their national workforce research reveals about the changing relationship between employees and their organizations. After studying 3,000 participants across the country, Jonathan describes a workforce increasingly defined by TFS: Transactional, Futureless, and Suffering. The traditional promises surrounding work, career, loyalty, and retirement no longer resonate with everyone the way they once did. So how can leaders respond? Jonathan introduces RQM: Relational, Quest, and Meaning—a framework for rebuilding the story of work around human connection, a shared future, and a sense of meaning in the challenges people face. Toby and Jonathan also explore the growing “Who” problem inside organizations, why culture and brand are increasingly connected, and why leaders at every level need to become better storytellers. In this episode: • How the workforce changed after COVID-19 • What TFS reveals about today’s employees • Moving from transactional relationships to relational ones • Why employees need a future worth working toward • Creating meaning instead of simply trying to eliminate struggle • The organizational shift from How → Why → Who • Why a clear internal story can strengthen workplace culture • How leaders can connect everyday work to a larger purpose