It doesn’t take a genius.

The 300 Spartans: Three Lessons from the Battle of Thermopylae

We made it to 300 weekly episodes!
Join us to hear about another 300 (made popular in modern times by Frank Miller's graphic novel that inspired a film of the same name).
We learn about one of the most storied battles in history. Leadership and culture were the real winners--and can be for your workplace.
Or, interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

Was Socrates the original coach?

Plato's "Meno" gives some clues on how Socrates used a coach approach--in some ways--and predicted the content of the bestseller "Crucial Conversations." How can you use elements of the Socratic Method?
Our "Crucial Conversations" resources can be found here. 
Or, interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

The criteria for Best Dealerships to Work For--would your team pass or fail?

Six criteria ... six pass-or-fails ... and it applies to any industry. Would your workplace be a best place to work for? 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

So what exactly IS coaching?

Last episode, we discussed the scientific evidence that coaching really works. So what exactly is coaching? What does it look like? Is it OK to want training and advice from a coach? How do you pick a good one? We answer these questions and more.
Want a copy of the white paper we mention?
Or, interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

Scientists prove coaching works--in a certain way

Recent scientific analysis shows that coaching works! But mainly in a particular way. If you partner with a coach or use the coach approach with others, this episode will ensure you are focusing on the right areas for true growth. 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

We can’t believe we haven’t shared this “ask more/share more” tool yet …

We recently decided to dust off an old tool ... and were surprised to find most of the room declaring it the most useful part of the day.
If you care about relationships with customers, coworkers or kin, you'll want to learn the Johari Window. 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

Eliminating friction in your customer experience

A thought-provoking Substack article argues, "We had overestimated the value of 'human relationships'. Turns out that a lot of what people called relationships was simply friction with a friendly face."
Where is the friction showing up in your customer experience? 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

Are you guilty of people triangles? They're making things worse. ...

Have you been outsourcing the hard work of addressing employees directly? Triangles are draining your team--but there are simple techniques to solve them. 
(The excellent "Executive Coaching with Backbone and Heart" was a source for this episode.) 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

It's a myth! "Praise in public, criticize in private."

Welcome to our Myth Busters series! Is it really true you should praise in public, criticize in private? 
Tune in to find out how you might be emphasizing psychological safety to the expense of culture, standards and performance. 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

Do you know your employee's TWO agendas?

Most managers coach on the surface…
📌 Goals. Actions. Accountability. Performance.
But the best leaders know something deeper is always present:
Every employee brings TWO agendas into every conversation.
In this episode of It Doesn’t Take a Genius, we break down one of the most powerful ideas from Co-Active Coaching:
The Little-a Agenda vs. The Big-A Agenda
✅ Little-a agenda = the tactical “what”
✅ Big-A Agenda = the deeper “why”
The real driver behind motivation, fulfillment, and growth.
If you only coach the task, you get short-term compliance.
But when you connect daily work to who someone is becoming, coaching becomes transformational.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most coaching stays stuck at surface level
How to uncover what really motivates your team
The best Big-A questions every manager should ask
A real example of turning a skill goal into an identity breakthrough
Boundaries every leader must respect (you’re a coach, not a therapist)
🔥 Great coaching isn’t just about better results…
It’s about helping people align what they do with who they’re becoming.
Ask one deeper question — and watch the magic happen.
👇 Drop a comment: What’s one Big-A question you want to start asking your team?
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.