Blog Archives
Maximizing Organizational Performance: A Guide to Effective Performance Coaching
Maximizing Organizational Performance is a practical guide that dives deep into the power of performance coaching within organizations. Dr. Patrick Behar-Courtois lays out a clear, real-world approach to building coaching systems that help people grow and perform at their best. The book covers everything from understanding coaching fundamentals and identifying performance gaps to measuring success and adapting to hybrid work environments. Each chapter is full of case studies, personal stories, and actionable tools meant to empower leaders, HR professionals, and coaches alike to create high-impact coaching cultures.
What stood out most to me was the author’s voice. It’s rare to find a book that mixes business savvy with raw honesty in such a relatable way. Patrick’s early career failures and triumphs set the tone right away. It didn’t feel like he was preaching from a mountaintop. Instead, it felt like sitting across from someone who’s been through the trenches. Someone who learned the hard way that performance isn’t just about pushing people harder, but about supporting them smarter. The stories about his early coaching experiences gave the book emotional depth. I found myself pausing at moments just to reflect on my own leadership habits. His writing struck a balance between tough love and genuine care. It made me think more deeply about how I show up for my team.
As for the ideas themselves, they’re refreshingly no-nonsense. The book doesn’t try to dazzle with corporate buzzwords or theories. Instead, it’s packed with down-to-earth advice that works. I appreciated how Behar-Courtois emphasized tailoring coaching plans to individuals, respecting each person’s unique strengths, struggles, and pace. He also tackled common leadership blind spots like overestimating one’s impact or skipping structured feedback, with clarity and candor. While some concepts like SMART goals or 360-degree feedback aren’t new, the way they’re applied here, layered with real examples and plenty of practical detail, makes them feel fresh and worth revisiting. I also loved the emphasis on creating a coaching culture, not just one-off interventions. That shift in mindset is key.
I think this book delivers what so many leadership guides promise but rarely accomplish, it teaches you how to help people get better in ways that actually stick. If you’re an HR leader, coach, or people manager trying to drive real change, Maximizing Organizational Performance is a must-read. It’s perfect for those who want to grow their people with purpose.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0FDGT5PZZ
Data-Driven Decision-Making
The Goldilocks Team is a candid, research-backed guide to building teams that thrive through personal alignment and human connection. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I find the sheer scale of employee disengagement around the world disturbing, understanding the devastating impact it has on the bottom line results of companies and the quality of life of individuals. So when I realized that much of this disengagement is avoidable – that in fact there is a better way to retain, hire, and engage employees – it just became my mission to help eliminate as much of the disengagement as I can.
What moment in your own career made you realize that most hiring strategies are missing the point?
The realization came when I saw the massive disparity between what employers focus on in the hiring process versus what is needed for hiring success. Specifically for hiring success, the following three are needed:
1) Solid capability to do the job. Most employers do a relatively good job trying to assess the ability to do the job from the candidate’s previous experience.
2) Values Alignment for long-term engagement – which means that what the candidate values is delivered by the employer. Yet most companies look for candidates that come in ready to regurgitate their company values and never even consider how well they as employers will be able to meet their future employee’s needs.
3) Interpersonal Alignment for smooth collaboration – which is the natural fit of two people (especially employee with manager). Most organizations focus on scrutinizing the candidates and totally miss the point that collaboration is a two-way street. In addition, they falsely believe that their best interview questions will suss out the character flaws and strengths of the applicant. Unwittingly, most employers hire based on guesswork and gut feelings versus data-driven decision-making.
What’s one popular HR practice you believe is harming team cohesion?
Forced ranking employees is one of the most harmful HR practices that destroys team cohesion.
You emphasize values alignment. How can a team leader practically assess that during the hiring process?
Build a method to capture what candidates actually value without judgment. During interviews, candidates are programmed to play “say the right thing” to get the job and therefore have a near-impossible time expressing what they value. Alternatively, try the OpenElevator platform my team and I have built to help understand values alignment with our bias-free approach.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
In The Goldilocks Team: Master Retention and Hiring, you’ll take an illuminating and entertaining deep dive into the core drivers of employee engagement, the evolution of workplace culture, values alignment, and interpersonal alignment, and learn how to:
• Address the root causes of turnover and improve retention
• Implement practical, immediately actionable tactics to engage your team
• Align your organization’s retention strategies with employee values for lasting success
• Build high-performing teams that deliver for the long-term, without guesswork
Whether you’re a seasoned business leader or a new manager, this provides a clear roadmap to keep your existing team members engaged for the long-term and to successfully hire top talent that is positioned to thrive within your organization.
Ready to build a team that’s high-performing, fully engaged and loyal? This book will show you how.
17 RUNS: The Unbeaten Path to Unlock Life’s True Potential
17 Runs is part memoir, part self-help, and completely heartfelt. It follows the story of Olivia Chadwick and her evolving friendship with Garnet Morris, a former client turned mentor, as they literally and metaphorically run through the challenges and transformations that shaped their lives. Each “run” serves as a launchpad for a deeper exploration into topics like self-worth, resilience, and breaking cycles of trauma. Structured around their weekly training sessions, the book combines vulnerable storytelling with reflection exercises, making it both deeply personal and broadly applicable.
What really struck me was how raw and real the writing is. There’s nothing polished for the sake of image here. Olivia opens up about the belief systems she inherited, ideas like not deserving success or needing to earn love through self-sacrifice. Garnet shares how he reframed these inherited limitations as “bricks” to be removed one by one. It made me think about my own mental roadblocks, the things I assumed were just “how it is.” Their honesty made me trust them, and in a genre full of empty platitudes, that’s rare.
Another thing I really appreciated: the way this book blends life stories with actionable advice without feeling preachy. When Garnet talks about breaking his smoking habit and reshaping his life after a wake-up call in a Toronto airport, it’s not just inspiring, it’s practical. He doesn’t just say “change your life,” he walks you through how he did it, and the steps are small, human, doable. The idea of celebrating tiny wins and not waiting for some big moment to make changes? That stayed with me.
The emotional depth of this book is profound. Both Olivia and Garnet recount experiences of trauma, ranging from childhood abuse and eating disorders to the devastating loss of siblings, with a level of care and intention that avoids sensationalism entirely. Their storytelling is grounded in reflection, not dramatization, making it both powerful and respectful. The chapter on “Chosen Family” is particularly affecting. It offers a poignant meditation on the idea that family is not solely defined by biology, but by the people who support our growth and stand by us during life’s most difficult moments. It’s a deeply moving section that lingers long after reading.
By the end of 17 Runs, I felt like I’d gone through something with them. This isn’t just a read, it’s an experience. And I’d recommend it to anyone who feels stuck, tired of the same internal monologue, or like they’ve been living someone else’s version of their life. This is the perfect read for those who enjoy memoirs; it’s real, it’s gentle, and it’s hopeful.
Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0F6WYNND5
A Fresh Lens for Leaders
Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation explores how survival instincts shape workplace behavior and presents readers with practical leadership strategies that will build trust, inspire teams, and drive innovation. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because I’ve seen firsthand—both at the CIA and in the private sector—how often leaders unintentionally trigger fear, uncertainty, and resistance in their teams. I tossed out everything I learned about leadership and management from West Point and Harvard Business School and started with human nature. I wrote Certainty to give leaders a fresh lens: to understand that the workplace is not just logical, it’s deeply emotional, instinctual, and biological. We’re wired to survive, and that wiring still shapes how we respond to change, authority, and feedback. I wanted to offer practical, brain-based strategies to help leaders build trust, lower fear, and lead in ways that align with human nature—not fight against it.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One key idea is that uncertainty is the enemy of innovation. When people don’t feel psychologically safe—socially, emotionally, or professionally—they shut down, they play it safe by clinging to the status quo, and creativity suffers. Another essential idea is that leadership is less about control and more about creating conditions where people feel seen, heard, and valued. A leader’s job is to unleash the best of human nature. I also wanted to show how simple brain-friendly tools, like open-ended questions, regular check-ins, and praise with purpose, can become part of a leader’s habitual behavior and make a real, lasting difference.
What is a common misconception people have about effective leadership?
That being a great leader means having all the answers or being the smartest person in the room. In reality, effective leadership is about asking better questions, listening deeply, and making people feel safe enough to contribute their best ideas. Too many leaders rely on authority and metrics, when what really drives performance is clarity, belonging, and trust.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Certainty?
That you don’t have to be perfect to be a great leader, but you do have to be intentional, and that means setting aside a small amount of time to reflect in order to devise a mental plan for the week. If leaders make small, consistent changes—like replacing feedback with praise and advice or being more transparent in times of uncertainty—they can dramatically increase trust, engagement, and innovation. The book shows that leadership isn’t about charisma—it’s about understanding what makes people tick and creating the conditions for them to thrive.
Author Links: Amazon | Other retailers | Certainty book website | Mike Mears website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | Goodreads | BookBub
The dilemma. Our Stone Age brains are hardwired for survival and programmed to fear the unknown, yet the work world demands constant innovation. The enemy of better leadership is uncertainty deeply buried in the minds of your workforce.
The solution. In Certainty, Mears offers the answer: understand human nature. Work with it rather than pushing against it. Mears draws on neuroscience and psychology-plus compelling stories from his career-to offer practical leadership advice, including:
• Entertaining, science-backed explanations of how our brains think and how our primitive brains are colliding with the demands of the modern workplace
• New feedback, change management, and delegation tools to build an environment of certainty rather than of fear
• Fresh insights to overcome innate change resistance in yourself and others
• Time-saving ideas to empower yourself while empowering your employees
The results. You want loyalty, trust, and great performance from your team. We all do. With Mears’s guidance, you can identify the limitations and strengths of the human mind and create a dynamic and innovative workplace.
Connected: A Guide for Leading in a More Human Way
Jami Varela’s Connected: A Guide for Leading in a More Human Way is a refreshingly candid and insightful guide to leadership that challenges the outdated, robotic style of management and replaces it with something far more meaningful, human connection. The book is built around a simple but powerful idea: great leadership isn’t about control, it’s about empathy, trust, and real relationships. Drawing from personal experiences, Varela takes readers through the highs and lows of her own leadership journey, making this book feel less like a manual and more like a conversation with a mentor who’s been in the trenches.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its honesty. From the book’s introduction, Varela lays it all out: being a top performer in your field doesn’t automatically make you a good leader. Her story of transitioning from a superstar sales rep to a struggling manager is both relatable and eye-opening. She describes the frustration of suddenly feeling incompetent in a new role, a feeling many professionals experience but rarely talk about. I appreciated how she didn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of leadership but instead offered real, actionable ways to navigate them. The chapter The Path to Compassionate Leadership was especially compelling, showing how vulnerability and self-awareness can turn a struggling manager into a true leader.
The book is also packed with humor and real-world wisdom. Chapter titles like Don’t Bring Fear to the Village People and 1980 Called. They Want Their Leadership Style Back makes it clear that Varela isn’t here to lecture, she’s here to shake things up. One of my favorite sections, Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor, emphasizes how leadership often requires showing up as your best self, even on days when you don’t feel like it. Her ability to blend humor with hard truths makes Connected an engaging read, and I found myself nodding (and sometimes laughing) as she called out common leadership mistakes in a way that felt constructive rather than judgmental.
What sets Connected apart from other leadership books is its focus on emotional intelligence. Varela doesn’t just tell you to “be a better leader;” she breaks down exactly how to do it, how to build trust, how to give and receive feedback without fear, and how to lead with both confidence and compassion. The chapter Unlicensed Therapist stood out to me because it tackles something few leadership books address: the emotional baggage that employees bring to work. Instead of dismissing personal struggles as “not my problem,” Varela encourages leaders to create a supportive environment while maintaining healthy boundaries. This approach is not only refreshing but necessary in today’s workplace.
Connected: A Guide for Leading in a More Human Way is a must-read for anyone who wants to lead in a way that actually works, whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned executive looking to revamp your leadership style. Varela makes it clear that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about building real connections, earning trust, and fostering an environment where people can thrive. If you’re tired of old-school, fear-based management tactics and want to lead in a way that feels natural and fulfilling, this book is for you.
Pages: 112 | ISBN : 978-1544546223
Bots & Brilliance: 101 Things You Should Know About Artificial Intelligence
John Binks’ Bots & Brilliance is a crash course in artificial intelligence that reads like a lively conversation rather than a textbook. The book walks readers through 101 essential things to know about AI, from its history and daily applications to its ethical dilemmas and future possibilities. Whether you’re an AI newbie or someone with tech chops, Binks keeps things engaging with humor, real-world examples, and just enough technical depth to make you feel smarter without overwhelming you. It’s part explanation, part think-piece, and an enjoyable ride through the ever-evolving world of AI.
One of the standout features of this book is its knack for making AI accessible. The early chapters, like “AI, A Love Story” and “AI for the Complete Beginner,” strip away the intimidating layers of AI and present it as something we already interact with daily, such as smartphones, streaming services, and even online shopping. Binks compares AI to a “super-smart parrot” that mimics, learns, and sometimes surprises us, a metaphor that sticks. He also dispels common AI myths grounding the discussion in reality without killing the excitement. This approach makes the book perfect for readers who might be curious about AI but don’t want to wade through pages of technical jargon.
The book shines brightest when it explores how AI is already shaping our lives. The chapters “AI in Your Daily Life” and “AI at Work” are packed with examples of how AI is seamlessly integrated into everything from social media feeds to financial markets. Binks’ take on AI-powered streaming recommendations had me chuckling, he describes Spotify’s algorithm as a “magical music cauldron” that somehow knows you better than your best friend. The way he blends humor with insight keeps things engaging, and his examples make you realize just how deeply AI is embedded in everyday experiences.
Binks also doesn’t shy away from the darker side of AI. In The Dark Side of AI, he delves into bias, job displacement, privacy concerns, and the looming question of AI ethics. These are serious issues, but Binks presents them in a way that feels like a necessary reality check rather than fear-mongering. His discussion of AI bias, where AI can inherit and amplify human prejudices was especially eye-opening. He makes a strong case for why ethical oversight is crucial and why we can’t afford to let AI develop unchecked. This section adds depth to the book, making it more than just an AI enthusiast’s handbook, it’s also a call for responsible innovation.
In the end, Bots & Brilliance is a fantastic read for anyone curious about AI, whether you’re a beginner or someone who wants to connect the dots between tech and real life. It’s especially great for professionals trying to grasp AI’s impact on their industries without getting lost in tech-heavy explanations. If you want a book that makes AI feel less like a sci-fi concept and more like an everyday reality, while keeping you entertained, this one’s a solid pick.
Pages: 168 | ASIN : B0CVGP852J
CERTAINTY: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation
Mike Mears’ Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation takes a deep dive into the human mind and how our survival instincts shape workplace behavior. The book is built around the idea that humans crave certainty, and uncertainty often triggers fear, resistance, and poor decision-making. Mears explores concepts like the “auto-brain,” which governs instincts and emotions, and the “focused-brain,” which helps us control those impulses. Through engaging anecdotes—some from his time in intelligence—he presents practical leadership strategies to build trust, inspire teams, and drive innovation. At its core, the book argues that great leaders don’t just manage—they create a sense of psychological safety that allows people to thrive.
One of the things I really appreciated about Certainty is how it strips leadership down to the basics of human nature. It’s not just about motivational speeches or company mission statements; it’s about how our brains are wired. Mears breaks down how we spend most of our day running on instinct, often without realizing it. His discussion on how humans resist change not out of stubbornness but because our brains are wired to see it as a threat felt like a lightbulb moment. He explains that the key to leading people through change isn’t brute force but creating a sense of security. The simplicity of that insight hit hard.
One of the book’s strengths is its clear and consistent message about how uncertainty triggers fear, reinforcing the importance of creating psychological safety. Mears emphasizes this idea throughout, ensuring it sticks with the reader. His anecdotes from intelligence and corporate leadership are captivating, offering unique insights from high-stakes environments. I appreciated the inclusion of case studies from everyday workplaces to showcase how these concepts apply across a broader range of industries.
One of my favorite sections was the one on “Mental Prompts,” which provides easy, actionable ways to create a culture of certainty. The “Vision Prompts” help clarify expectations, the “Inclusion Prompts” tap into our social bonding instincts, and the “Insight Prompts” encourage creative problem-solving. Mears makes a compelling case that small, consistent behaviors like genuine recognition or making sure everyone feels included can have a massive impact on a team. The example of CIA officer Renee, who created a high-performing unit in a war zone by focusing on trust and inclusion, was powerful.
Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation is an insightful, engaging read that makes leadership feel less like a skill you have to master and more like a mindset you can adopt. If you’re a leader (or aspiring to be one) and want to understand what truly motivates people, this book is worth your time. It’s particularly great for managers in high-pressure environments, but honestly, anyone who works with people will find something useful here. If you’ve ever been frustrated by resistance to change or struggled to inspire a team, this book will give you practical ways to flip that script. Highly recommended.
Pages: 288 | ISBN : 1639081372
Higher Levels of Performance
The Intentional Leader is a comprehensive guide that explores the differences between leadership and management and how to effectively foster a thriving work culture. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have been working with small business owners for over 10 years and I find that many of them spend their time every day putting out fires rather than growing their business. There is a saying that sophisticated business owners work ON their business, not IN it. The most fundamental first step in growing your business is building a team and a culture that performs at the highest level and exceeds expectations. You build that team and culture through effective and intentional leadership.
Can you share with us a little about the research required to put your book together?
I have a diverse background with experiences in the military, law enforcement, and the public sector. Additionally, I have been training and coaching people since 1989. Through those years I achieved a level of knowledge about effective leadership through experience and academic study. I have guided business owners and their teams to higher levels of performance by helping them understand and implement simple leadership principles.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My primary goal was to finally compile all the information I have accumulated through the years in one manuscript. Through the process, I realized I had too much information! I debated on a longer book or maybe splitting it into two parts but in the end, I decided to adjust the approach to get the most fundamental information into a textbook-like resource. I envisioned a book that leaders could use as a resource. I hope that readers come back to the book over and over to review and better understand the information.
What is one misconception you believe many people have about effective business leadership?
That it is difficult. It isn’t. It just takes effort. A basic understanding of leadership principles will set any leader on their way to becoming more effective. Ultimately, a business thrives on relationships. A business has customers that support their business. Leaders have customers too, their team members. If leaders treat their team members like customers, their culture will improve, employees will stay engaged longer and perform at higher levels, and the business will grow organically.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Do you want to inspire and lead your team to greater success? Discover the traits and practices of exceptional leaders and transform your leadership style. The Intentional Leader: A Guide to Elevate Your Business will show you how to achieve exceptional business leadership and see results like never before.
Effective leadership is a lifestyle marked by humility and consistency that reaps many rewards, including:
Enhanced decision making
Increased employee engagement
Better team performance
Effective communication
Increased innovation and creativity
Stronger company culture
Exceptional leaders possess certain qualities that set them apart and make others naturally want to follow them. Though these traits may seem instinctive, they can be taught, learned, and refined.
Inside The Intentional Leader: A Guide to Elevate Your Residential Service Business, you will:
Understand the basic principles that denote an effective leader
Discover your leadership style
Assess the leadership traits you possess and identify the ones you need to develop
Grasp the distinction between leadership—the ability to get people to work with you to achieve team goals—and management—the administration of day-to-day operations
Further explore the importance of building trust in your employees
Become a pro at workplace motivation and inspiration
And much, much more!
Don’t miss out on the power of intentional leadership. Put forth conscious thought and effort to adapt and grow as a leader. Devote yourself to make the changes and develop the skills outlined in this book, and you will be able to shepherd yourself and your team toward greatness.
Pick up your copy of The Intentional Leader: A Guide to Elevate Your Residential Service Business today and start your journey to effective business leadership!
LITERARY TITAN 