Overtime: Inside Furman’s Hill Institute—How They Actually Build Entrepreneurs

This Overtime is all about Furman. Marty and Dale unpack their conversation with Brian & Eric from Furman University’s Hill Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship—and why their approach is creating graduates who can actually start, build, and lead in the real world.

We highlight the Hill Institute’s three pillars—critical thinking & self-discovery, storytelling, and grit—and talk about how they show up in student ventures, community projects, and early careers. We also share the simple “Fresh Eyes” onboarding practice leaders can steal tomorrow, and how tools like Working Genius help map people to work that gives them energy.

If you care about entrepreneurship, culture, and developing leaders, Furman’s model is worth a closer look.

What we cover:

- What the Hill Institute is building at Furman (mission, mindset, outcomes)

- The 3 pillars: critical thinking, storytelling, grit—and why they beat “business as usual”

- Fresh Eyes onboarding: the 30-day observation play any leader can use

- Connecting pillars to Working Genius for team design and momentum

- Why Greenville, SC is an ideal lab for student founders and community impact

🌐 Learn More About Exit Strategy & Leadership – https://www.bydesignadvisors.com/contact-us

🎧 Subscribe to By Design Podcast for more unfiltered leadership truth bombs

📘 Finding Significance by Marty Osborne – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTQD79BH/?bestFormat=true&k=finding%20significance%20marty%20osborn&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k1_1_12&crid=37ZRISVQPV8P3&sprefix=marty%20osborn

🧠 Take the DISC Assessment – https://profiles.innermetrix.com/VO/b2a2eb33/en

Question: Which pillar would transform your team fastest—critical thinking, storytelling, or grit?

#FurmanUniversity #HillInstitute #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #GreenvilleSC #WorkingGenius #StudentFounders #MartyOsborne #DaleThrush #ByDesignAdvisors #Overtime