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.

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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