Lead with Culture

Latest Episodes:

The Role of Culture in Business Success and Growth Featuring Brian Hess Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

“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:

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Creating a Culture of Care featuring Steve Sargent Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

“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:

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Lessons From The Culture Solution featuring Tony Ferraro Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

“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:

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Tony Ferraro’s LinkedIn

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How Coaching Shapes Leadership featuring Laura Furner Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

“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:

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Why We Chose Better Not Bigger Featuring Reid Hutchison Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

“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:

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3 Signs You’re Ready for The Dream Manager Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

“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:

Connect with the Guest:

Michele Marquis’s LinkedIn

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

Finding More Joy at Work Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

"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:

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Maximizing Benefits for Employee Success Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

“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:

Connect with the Guest:

Tony Ferraro's LinkedIn

Connect with the Host & Floyd Coaching:

Unlocking Purpose in the Fourth Quarter Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

"How you finish matters. And you get to define what finishing well looks like."

In this episode of Lead with Culture, Kate Volman sits down with Dr. Allen Hunt, author, speaker, and founder and CEO of Fourth Quarter Guy, to explore how we can find purpose, passion, and peace in the later stages of life.

Drawing from his bestselling books No Regrets and The Fourth Quarter of Your Life, Allen shares the five keys to thriving after 60, why regrets remain such a powerful force in our lives, and how a dream-driven mindset can quite literally extend your life.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why embracing a single virtue can transform your final decades
The role of forgiveness and dreaming in breaking free from regret
How men especially benefit from collective reflection and group coaching

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) The Fourth Quarter Guy

(01:26) The impact of 'No Regrets' and 'The Fourth Quarter of Your Life'

(04:00) Defining life's quarters and embracing aging

(08:03) The importance of dreams and virtues in the fourth quarter

(20:26) How to thrive in your fourth quarter

(25:04) The power of regrets and forgiveness

(30:23) Coaching success stories

(36:44) Good news about your worries

Resources:

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Building Culture Through Dreams and Purpose featuring Kevin McGhee Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

“My superpower is continuous learning—and I want to help others become the best version of themselves.”

In this episode of Lead with Culture, host Kate Volman sits down with Kevin McGhee, Senior Director of Staff Relations and Certified Dream Manager at Marillac St. Vincent Family Services. Kevin shares how his journey from data compliance to people leadership helped transform his organization’s culture—one dream at a time.

From launching a Dream Manager Program that includes homeownership cohorts and coaching pathways to earning over 25 certifications, Kevin lives what he teaches. His story is a powerful reminder of how investing in people personally can uplift entire teams professionally.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How Dream Management can unlock personal growth and organizational trust
The ripple effect of supporting employees’ homeownership, education, and wellness goals
Why leading with heart and structure builds a culture people want to be part of

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:

(01:32) About Marillac St. Vincent and its impact

(04:24) Finding and adopting The Dream Manager

(07:25) Launching the program internally

(09:58) Starting a homeownership cohort

(13:21) The emotional side of coaching

(16:26) Culture shifts and growing interest

(17:16) Dreams achieved by staff

(22:08) How certification changed Kevin