3 Things We Learned from Torin Ellis About Building Real Human-Centered Workplaces

Torin Ellis doesn’t hold back. As a longtime advisor, strategist, and truth-teller in the world of workplace transformation, his guidance cuts through the noise.

When Noelle sat down with Torin for a conversation on what’s next for HR, people leaders, and organizational design, one theme kept surfacing: our tools can’t do the hard work of human connection for us. But they can help make it easier.

Here are three things that stuck with us from the conversation:

1. Data helps us see. Stories help us act.

Torin talked about how dashboards alone aren’t enough. We need context and more importantly, we need to translate what we see into action that reflects care, clarity, and accountability.

“If I see that a team has high attrition and low engagement scores, I don't just want the numbers. I want the story behind it. What happened? What changed? What do we do next?”

At Illoominus, we believe the same. Data helps us catch signals early. But action starts when teams feel empowered to understand the why and are properly equipped to respond.

2. Inclusion isn’t an initiative. It’s how you lead.

Instead of programs or policies, Torin pushed us to think about the experience of being on a team. Are people heard? Are they given opportunities to grow? Are they being coached, not just evaluated?

“The root of any real workplace change starts with how people feel in the rooms they’re in. The questions they’re asked. The chances they’re given.”

Tools can amplify this work, but they can’t replace it. That’s why we’re building Illoominus to surface signals across the employee journey from recognition gaps to mobility to retention trends so leaders can lead with intention.

3. Change starts when someone is brave enough to speak up and smart enough to do something about it.

Torin reminded us that performance cultures aren’t just built through data, KPIs, or OKRs. They’re built when someone says: “This isn’t working,” and the organization listens.

“You need people willing to raise their hand, and systems ready to respond.”

We see this every day with the 300+ people leaders shaping our platform. The best orgs don’t wait until they’re in crisis. They ask better questions early. And they build systems that help them hear the answers.

One Final Takeaway

No one system can build a great workplace on its own. But the right systems designed with people at the center can be the difference between slow change and strategic transformation.

Huge thanks to Torin for the powerful conversation and ongoing partnership.

If you’re interested in tools that turn your signals into action, we’d love to talk. Schedule a demo →

Watch the full video on LinkedIn here.