The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) will host its 82nd Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki. Kim Scott, bestselling author and respected leadership advisor as a keynote speaker. Known for transforming how leaders give and receive feedback, Scott's visit comes at a pivotal time for Hawaii employers facing tight labor markets, rising employee expectations, and evolving workplace dynamics.
Event Details
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Event: HEC 82nd Annual Meeting — “Better Together: An Evening with Hawaii’s Employers”
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Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, 5 to 7:30 p.m. (keynote during program)
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Location: Alohilani Resort Waikiki, 2490 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
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Who/Cost: HEC Members: $115 | Non-Members: $150
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Registration: https://www.hecouncil.org/events/2025/11/18/annual-meeting/2025-annual
membership-meeting/
Why it matters for Hawaii employers
Hawaii employers are navigating one of the most complex workplace climates in recent memory,
marked by talent shortages, shifting employee expectations, and the ongoing challenge of building trust and connection across multiple generations. Kim Scott’s first-ever appearance in Hawaii brings a globally recognized voice on leadership and communication to the local stage at a pivotal time.
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Guidance for a changing workforce. Scott's insights on feedback, culture, and performance offer
timely direction for leaders striving to retain talent and strengthen teams in a tight labor market.
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A message that resonates locally. Her Radical Candor ® philosophy, caring personally while
challenging directly, aligns closely with Hawaii's relationship-driven work culture and emphasis
on respect and community.
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Relevance backed by data. HEC's 2025 Employee Engagement Survey shows engagement levels
climbing statewide, with 75% of employees now responding favorably. Yet communication gaps with senior leadership remain a top concern.
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Trust as a leadership advantage. Supervisors continue to be a bright spot for Hawaii employers,
earning 83% favorable ratings and 87% reporting strong relationships with their teams. Scott's message underscores how that trust can be leveraged into higher performance, retention, and alignment.
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Practical implications for every organization. Her framework for feedback and decision-making
offers clear applications for businesses of any size, including those operating with lean HR
capacity, as well as practical ways to improve communication and culture from the inside out.
Scott's visit underscores a growing shift in Hawaii's leadership conversation–from managing
performance to building cultures of trust and accountability. As organizations across the islands adapt to post-pandemic realities, her emphasis on direct, compassionate feedback arrives at a moment when clarity, connection, and courage in leadership have never been more essential.
“Across Hawaii, leaders are rethinking what effective leadership looks like in a changing world,” said Sarah Guay, President and CEO of Hawaii Employers Council. “Kim Scott’s work captures that evolution, moving beyond traditional management toward cultures built on trust, clarity, and real connection. Bringing her perspective to Hawaii marks a pivotal moment for local employers who want to build resilient, people-centered organizations that thrive in the years ahead.”
About Kim Scott
Kim Scott is the author of Radical Respect® and Radical Candor®. Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was a member of the faculty at Apple University and, before that, led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google.
About the Hawaii Employers Council
The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) is a private, nonprofit employer association dedicated to helping employers build skilled, engaged, and effective workforces. Founded in 1943, HEC has been serving Hawaii’s business community for over 82 years. HEC serves 800 employers statewide with strategic human resources consultancy on employment law, employee and labor relations, collective bargaining negotiations, pay data and compensation, organizational development and effectiveness, and training.
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The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) will host its 82nd Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki. Kim Scott, bestselling author and respected leadership advisor as a keynote speaker. Known for transforming how leaders give and receive feedback, Scott's visit comes at a pivotal time for Hawaii employers facing tight labor markets, rising employee expectations, and evolving workplace dynamics.