And that’s not always a good thing. My clients often tell me that working together feels like therapy. I usually smile and clarify—it’s not therapy. However, it probably feels therapeutic because we’re engaging in the kind of deep, honest work that’s rare in most professional settings. And lately, it seems like everyone I’ve talked to—or […]
Everybody’s a Coach These Days Read More »
One of my father’s best qualities was his ability to be satisfied with what he had. He didn’t just accept it—he celebrated it. His five-year-old Ford? “Best car on the block.” A new doorbell? “That’s the best doorbell I’ve ever heard.” His three sons? “Best kids in the neighborhood… well, except maybe that third one.”
Can I Get Some…Satisfaction? Read More »
A few weeks ago, I sat down with Danielle Krischik on her podcast The Story Effect. We were supposed to talk about boundaries and resilience—things I know a lot about professionally. But through her skillful hosting, it didn’t stay in the shallow end for too long. We started discussing the most complex boundary in our
I’ve Spent a Career Helping Others: Here’s What I’ve Learned About Helping Myself Read More »
Most of today’s discussion concerns what’s broken—at work, in our mental health, and the world. There’s an entire industry built around trauma, focusing on how burnt out, stressed, overlooked, and disrespected we feel in our workplaces and daily lives. These are real, vital issues. But for a long time, I’ve been asking: What if we
What’s Next: It’s Time to Focus on What’s Right Read More »
My colleague and co-author, Michael Couch, recently forwarded a note from the president of a search firm who had just placed a leader at a long-time client of ours: Mike, I must tell you that you and Richard completely transformed this organization. I presented some of your work at another organization’s board meeting, shared a
“No One Ever Taught Me That” – The Hidden Gap in Leadership Read More »
Tariffs on, tariffs off. Market down, market up. AI is revolutionizing everything —or maybe it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. We used to talk about uncertainty as if it were temporary. A rough patch. A phase. But what if uncertainty isn’t going away? Uncertainty, ambiguity, and aggravation are backdrops of our everyday decisions.
Uncertainty Is the New Normal—So Now What? Read More »
The other day, I was in my mastermind group when a colleague—let’s call her Susan—shared a story that stopped us in our tracks. After 15 years, one of her former students, Max, had reached out. She hadn’t heard from him in all that time. He wrote to say how much her teaching had shaped his
The Note That Changed Everything Read More »
This week, a Wall Street Journal article by Callum Borchers caught my attention. It focused on managing Gen Z in the workplace and featured Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and other sports leaders. The article suggests that the locker room is a helpful metaphor for understanding the values and expectations of today’s youngest workers. We
What’s Next: Generational Drama- Brought to You by Lazy Thinking Read More »
When change isn’t a choice—what do you do with it? Most of us don’t seek out change. It happens to us, whether we are looking for it or not. A layoff. A health scare. A relationship ends. A company sells. A role disappears. One day, the life you knew… isn’t there anymore. That moment—when something
NextWorks: The Psychology of What’s Next Read More »
Today’s What’s Next was sparked by an article from Korn Ferry discussing artificial intelligence in hiring. Before I get into that story, let’s take a little detour… We all have questions—concerns even—about the good and bad of AI. But I knew the tide had turned when a self-proclaimed tech skeptic friend proudly told me she
What’s Next: AI, Careers, and the Human Advantage Read More »
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