What Enron, Layoffs & Love Taught CEO of Improving, Curtis Hite

What happens when you combine trust, tech, and a deep commitment to doing business the right way? You get Curtis Hite, CEO and Chairman of Improving, a software consulting company that’s turning heads—not just for their tech chops, but for how they treat people. In this episode of The Conscious Capitalists, Timothy Henry and Raj Sisodia chat with Curtis about his inspiring journey from the high-stakes world of Enron to becoming a champion of Conscious Capitalism. He shares how a few key moments—including a powerful Speed of Trust event and attending the Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit—changed the way he leads and lives. Curtis gets real about the need to change the game in tech, especially when it comes to creating more space for Hispanic, Black, and female professionals in an industry that desperately needs more diversity, equity, and inclusion. He talks about what it takes to build a business that people actually want to work for—think profit-sharing, transparency, and a big helping of trust. From surviving corporate chaos to learning how to lean into pain (yes, really), Curtis doesn’t hold back. He even shares his morning routine and the books that keep him grounded. This episode is packed with personal stories, powerful leadership lessons, and a refreshing dose of optimism for what capitalism can look like when it’s done consciously. ** If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience. Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.com This show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor. Thank you for your support! - Timothy & Raj Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Improving's Mission 00:50 Welcome to The Conscious Capitalists 01:22 Introducing Curtis Hite 02:49 Curtis Hite's Journey to Conscious Capitalism 05:45 Implementing Conscious Capitalism at Improving 09:21 Curtis Hite's Entrepreneurial Beginnings 11:50 Using Negative Emotions for Growth 16:20 Overcoming Business Challenges 23:12 Trust and Leadership at Improving 25:30 Stakeholder Philosophy and Community Engagement 30:59 The Secret to Employee Engagement 31:15 Balancing Freedom and Equality in Business 32:15 Inspiration Over Obligation 33:02 Spirituality in Leadership 35:36 Celebrating and Elevating Capitalism 39:35 The Role of Stakeholders 43:08 Addressing Diversity and Inclusion 46:15 Profit Sharing and Employee Ownership 53:00 Preparing for Economic Uncertainty 55:40 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks