Hire Breakthrough Podcast with Kimone Napier
Most organizational problems don't start with bad hires. They start with unclear systems, misaligned structures, and leaders who are moving too fast to stop and assess what's actually broken.
The Hire Breakthrough Podcast is for founders, nonprofit leaders, and executives who are ready to build organizations that don't just grow — they last.
Each week, host Kimone Napier — HR consultant and organizational strategist with over a decade of experience — brings you practical, no-fluff conversations on people strategy, workforce development, organizational design, and the operational side of building strong teams. No theory for theory's sake. Just real strategy you can act on.
Where breakdowns become your Hire Breakthrough.
Episodes
29 episodes
Why Your Best Women of Color Leave — and How to Retain Them | Cynthia Pong
Your best women of color don't leave because of pay. They leave because they were hired — and then left to navigate a system that was never built for them.In this episode, Kimone Napier sits down with executive coach and Forbes contribu...
5 Signs Your Organization Has Outgrown Its Current Structure
Growth is supposed to feel like momentum. But for a lot of leaders, it starts to feel like chaos — the same problems keep coming back, decisions stall, and no matter how much you do, it's never quite enough. In this episode, Kimone Napier walks...
The Real Reason Your Best People Keep Leaving
You've probably heard it before — people leave managers, not companies. But that's still only part of the story. In this episode, Kimone Napier breaks down the real reasons retention fails: not compensation, not culture buzzwords, but systems g...
AI Is Changing Your Workforce Whether You're Ready or Not
AI isn't coming for your workforce. It's already here. And most organizations are focused on what AI can do — not on what it means for the people inside their organization.In this episode, Kimone Napier cuts through the noise and gets pr...
Hiring Isn't the Problem. The System Is.
Season 4 of The Hire Breakthrough Podcast is here — and it starts with the question most leaders never think to ask: what if your hiring problem isn't actually a hiring problem? In this season premiere, Kimone Napier reintroduces the show with ...
We're Back. And We Have More to Say.
After some time away, The Hire Breakthrough Podcast is returning for Season 4 — and we're going deeper.This season goes beyond hiring. We're talking people strategy, organizational design, workforce development, leadership, and the opera...
2025 Hiring Guide: W2, 1099, or a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?
For years, founders have been told to just hire a contractor—it’s cheaper, faster, and easier. But in 2025? Misclassifying talent could cost you way more than you think.In this re-released episode of The Hire Breakthrough Po...
The DEI Era is Over. What Comes Next for Leadership with Chrysta Wilson
For years, DEI was treated as the solution for workplace equity—but now, companies are rolling it back, budgets are shrinking, and the conversation is shifting. So if DEI wasn’t the revolution, what should leaders be building now?
How AI Deepfakes Are Enabling Fake Remote Workers - And What HR Needs to Do with Aarti Samani
What if the remote worker you just hired… wasn’t real?AI deepfake technology is making it easier than ever for fraudsters to fake their way into jobs—and companies are falling for it. From stolen identities to AI-generated intervi...
I Didn’t Need DEI to Be Qualified—But I Needed It to Be Seen | The DEI Hiring Debate
She’s only here because of DEI.”I’ve heard it whispered in boardrooms. I’ve seen it in comment sections. And let’s be real—if you’ve ever been a woman, a person of color, LGBTQ+, or from any marginalized background, you’ve probably heard...
We're Back: What's New at The Hire Breakthrough Podcast
Big news! The Hire Breakthrough Podcast is officially back, and we’re leveling up in 2025. In this quick teaser episode, Kimone Napier gives you a sneak peek at what’s coming, including exciting new topics, incredible guests, and fresh strategi...
How To Lead Your Team Through Economic Uncertainty?
In the ever-changing world of business, economic uncertainty can strike at any moment. Economic uncertainty isn't just a challenge; it's an opportunity to showcase your leadership prowess. In this episode, I'll explore the core attributes of ef...
From Startup to Enterprise: Crafting an Organizational Chart for Every Growth Stage
Crafting an organizational chart that aligns with your growth strategy is a strategic imperative. In this episode, we'll delve into the crucial considerations and adaptable approaches essential for every growth phase. Tune in to learn how to co...
Demystifying Pay Transparency Laws: Your Blueprint for Compliance and Success
Pay transparency is a legal precedent that has taken our country by storm. It's estimated that eventually 50% of the U.S. will be covered by pay transparency laws. In this episode, we'll explore the pros and cons of pay transparency and h...
7 Common Hiring Mistakes To Avoid And Strategies To Build A Great Team
There are a lot of common mistakes made when it comes to hiring and building a team. In this episode, I’ll discuss the seven mistakes to avoid when it comes to hiring and recruiting team members for longevity.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Hiring: An Aid or A Hinderance?
Artificial Intelligence refers to systems or machines that mimic human intelligence to perform tasks and can iteratively improve themselves based on the information they collect. Should this be used in hiring? In this episode, I'll discuss the ...
Hiring Contractors vs. Employees - What’s the 411?
There is a crucial difference between hiring a contractor versus hiring an employee. Understanding the difference could save you thousands in fines. In this episode, I’ll discuss the discuss the differences between a contractor and employ...
3 Reasons You’re Losing Out On Top Talent
In 2022, thousands of companies are losing their top talent. This is causing an issue with overall employee retention. This episode addresses why companies are losing their top talent and how to stem the tide.
Moving From Manager To Leader
There is a huge difference between managing and leading a team. In this episode, I’ll discuss how founders can move from managing to leading their teams.
Effective Delegation: Why You Need It Like Yesterday
Delegation is a crucial management skill, yet so many founders and leaders struggle with it. In this episode, I’ll discuss tips to delegate effectively and how it will benefit your company for the long-term.
The Importance of Performance Reviews
There are a lot of mistakes made when it comes to managing and leading a team. Performance reviews should never be one of them. In this episode, I’ll discuss why performance reviews are important and how to communicate that to your team.
The Great Resignation or The Great Reorganization?
The Great Resignation is the silver lining to make our workforce the Great Reorganization. In this episode, I'll discuss how we can learn from the Great Resignation to make necessary improvements in the way we work and how we structure our team...
Decide Who You Need to Hire
One of the most common questions people ask me is, "How do I know who I need to hire?" In this episode, I'll outline the steps to take to decide who you need to hire next to push your business forward with a return on investment (ROI).