The Art Of Coaching

We’ve all had what we thought was a great idea: a new invention that’ll make us millions, the perfect scheme to get back at our petty neighbor, the solution to end world hunger…    Okay maybe nothing that grand, but you get the point; There are hundreds of ideas that play bumper cars in our minds on a daily basis.  And yet, the majority of these ideas stay there, rotting away because we lack the t...

With how highly they’re touted, you’d think we know everything we need to know about habits and routines; But much of what we’ve heard or read about creating, sustaining and breaking them is pop-psychology, anecdote or trend- not rooted in science.    On today’s episode, we talk to one of the world’s leading experts on behavior change and habits: Dr. Wendy Wood. We get her take on what it really t...

There are some seriously interesting people at the airport... You know them, you’ve seen them, hey maybe you are them! From Security Gate Suzy to Food Court Freddie, on today’s episode we’re breaking down the magical creatures you’re bound to spot during your next trip.  And don’t worry, today’s show isn't meant to be  serious, we’re just having fun. So sit back, relax and enjoy some good natured...

Taking time to do comprehensive audience research before speaking is the single greatest way to ensure our message comes across the way we want.    …And yet hardly any of us will do this thoroughly enough to make a real difference.    But we only get one chance to make a first impression and when people are trusting us with their time, money and attention- we have a responsibility to honor them at...

As we mature into adults, we become a smorgasbord of the good, bad and ugly experiences we endure growing up; Each has a hand in shaping who we become as leaders, coaches, parents, teachers, mentors, and friends.  But regardless of where we begin, the decision to either re-write these narratives or succumb to their self-fulfilling prophecy is the most important one we can make in our development....

Welcome to 2022- where positivity is trendy, motivational quotes plaster coffee shop walls and the “self-help” and “leadership” sections of bookstores have become one.    This may be the norm, but it’s not productive for society.    In our messy world, reducing complex human behavior and leadership to clichés and black & white thinking can be both dangerous and ineffective.    True leadership requ...

It’s not everyday we get to welcome a world champion to our show- let alone one willing to dive into the weeds on everything from building a brand to standing up for yourself when no one else will.  Julianna Peña is the reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion and ESPN’s 2021 Female Fighter of The Year (among MANY other awards). Her victory over Amanda Nunes has been called one of the greatest upsets in...

None of us have an abundance of both time AND money. So why do some people invest in themselves while others fall back on the same excuses over and over again?  It’s simple- for those that don’t invest, either they don’t believe in a particular brand, the product or their own ability to put it to use. For those that do, it comes down to understanding and appreciating the long game. Those who inves...

More often than not, our brilliant ideas are stymied because we lack the skills to properly think through them and take the first step; We get stuck. How do I put this into words and get it out of my head? How do I communicate this in a way that will allow others to share my vision? How should this look or feel or function? Will this even work? And what happens if it does? On today’s episode, we’r...

Assertiveness is key to getting what we want and/or need, but getting it wrong can cost us tremendously… “When we push too hard, or in an ineffective way, our counterparts may resist giving us the material outcomes we want or our relationships might fray. When we do not push hard enough, we fail to have our own needs met and risk undermining our own well‐being.” (Ames, 2008) So what do we do when...

We like to say meanings are in people, not in words.  That statement never seemed more true than in reference to today’s guest, Lacey Jai Henderson. After losing her leg to Synovial Sarcoma at 9, Lacey has worked to rewrite the script for people living with disability everywhere.  Following a Division I athletic scholarship for cheerleading, Lacey started competing in Paralympic Track and Field. T...

“True genius, in strategy or anywhere, lies in self-control, self-mastery, presence of mind, and fluidity of thought.” - Robert Greene  When it comes to the study of human nature, power dynamics and social intelligence, there’s perhaps no one more knowledgeable than Robert Greene.  Collectively, his 7 (soon to be 8) books have sold more than 20 million copies, and along the way he’s consulted coun...

Truly objective perception isn’t just difficult, it’s nearly impossible. That means everyday, despite your best efforts, people will interpret your actions, words, and behaviors differently than you intended.  It’s the same reason why there are Michelin star restaurants certain people love and others hate; Nobel prize winners some revere and others think are a hack.  While we can’t control people’...

You’ve been fantasizing about quitting or changing jobs for months and now you’re ready; Making that leap doesn’t scare you, it excites you. The thought of creating something from nothing or joining a team that’s building something from the ground up has driven you to go from fantasizing to finally pulling the trigger. But there is one thing about quitting the job that puts butterflies in your sto...

I can almost guarantee that at some point in your life, you’ll need or want to speak persuasively to a group of people.  Perhaps you’re pitching investors for more money, asking supervisors for a raise, presenting at a national conference or coaxing your kids to bed.  Regardless of the situation, your ability to refine a message, understand your audience and deliver information in a way that will...

It’s easy to let circumstances and self-doubt get in the way of our desires. But it’s not just our desires at risk- self doubt could be holding us back from creating change, advancing in our career or worse, getting in the way of our relationships. Today’s guest Amira Mansour helps us understand that to create change you don’t have to get rid of the negative voice inside your head but rather recog...

The new year is here, and traditionally it’s the time we create new goals and set new standards for ourselves. But you know what ends up happening… February rolls around and we lose focus or forget about what we originally set out to accomplish.  Let’s not drop the ball in 2022.  This episode is quick and delivers immediately. If you’re the self-competitive type who is never satisfied with your wo...

Why would someone continue to believe a false or inaccurate idea when you are presenting them with plenty of facts and logic? You could not have presented your points more clearly! Your rationale is sound but perhaps it’s not the lack of supporting evidence failing to shift their point of view, but rather how you presented it… On today’s episode, Brett is joined by Ali Kershner in-studio for a dee...

You’ve been sitting on this draft for months. You want to hit send, but now you’re second guessing yourself… Why does reaching out to someone you respect and admire have to feel so awkward?  Maybe you’re asking for a job and you’re afraid you’ll get turned down and the relationship will suffer as a result.  Maybe you're reaching out to someone who has the job of your dreams and you want insight on...

It’s a frustrating situation. You’re going out of your way to help someone out and it’s just not taking. You can’t get through to them. They don’t want to listen. You might even feel like your attempt to help has made the situation worse. What gives!? Help me, help you. Help me…Help you!  You might be surprised to hear that maybe you’re the problem.  In this short, digestible, actionable episode I...

These days there’s no shortage of well-meaning leadership, relationship, and financial advice. It seems at every turn we’re reminded, “Winners never quit”, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”, and “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason”.  ...And while some sound pleasantly helpful, there are times this guidance is total B.S.  On today’s show we take a stab at debunki...

The most dangerous phrase in any organization is “because that’s how we’ve always done it”.  It’s the utterance of those scared of change, unwilling to think laterally, and clinging desperately to their comfort zone. Any true leader knows that in today’s rapidly evolving world, those who last will be those who adapt- plain and simple.  As hard as change may be, imagine trying to implement it at th...

Without experiencing true difficulty, doubt, or adversity, it’s hard to know what any of us are really capable of. Truth is unless we’re thrust into such adversity, it’s nearly impossible to manufacture the type of hardship required to test our limits.  Today’s guest, ESPN college basketball analyst Steffi Sorensen, has dealt with more than her fair share. And while she probably wouldn’t wish rece...

No matter what field you're in, technical skills will only take you so far. Eventually, you’ll need to leverage interpersonal skills to stand out and effect change. Problem is, society has misrepresented what it takes to train these skills, making them seem like intangible or innate qualities that can’t be measured or managed.  In reality, there’s more research on human interaction than any exerci...

If you’re listening to this episode, you’re lying to yourself… But you’re not the only one.   Turns out most of us aren’t honest about the REAL reason we do what we do. Why? Because being honest requires admitting we have selfish desires and that we haven’t put ourselves in positions to experience failure. Neither are inherently pleasant but both are required if we want to get out of our own way a...