A New Direction

The Opposite of Leadership...Wait for it...It's Drama I’m really excited for this week’s episode of A New Direction, because I’ll be sitting down with best-selling author Charlie Sheppard, whose work jolts us out of the endless cycle of workplace drama and into — you guessed it — leadership by choice. In his book Save Your Drama for Your Mama: Drama or Leadership is a Choice, Charlie makes it clear that drama isn’t just annoying, it’s corrosive. It creates what he calls the “Drama Triangle” — where we play the roles of victim, persecutor, or rescuer — and it keeps us trapped in old patterns of blame, guilt, and avoidance. But the powerful truth is that leadership is also a triangle — one that begins when we make a conscious choice to step out of the drama and lead ourselves first. One of the topics we’ll explore is what it means to shift from external control (“It’s not my fault, someone else made me do it”) to internal ownership (“I choose how I respond”). Charlie argues that when we feel powerless, we fall into drama; when we reclaim choice, we start leading. So, I want us to ask: where in your professional or personal life are you still waiting for someone else to drive the bus? And how might you hop into the driver’s seat instead? This isn’t about becoming perfect or drama-free overnight — it’s about recognizing that you always have the power to choose differently. We’ll also dive into how we show up in the roles we play — adversary vs. catalyst, victim vs. visionary. These distinctions move leadership beyond the abstract and into behaviors we can see in our teams and ourselves. Expect us to unpack those everyday situations — the teammate who plays the victim and drags the group down, or the adversary who stirs things up in destructive ways — and contrast them with the visionary or catalyst who chooses to energize, engage, and elevate. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop drama from being “just how we do things,” this part of the conversation will be eye-opening. Finally, we’ll wrap with the big idea that leadership is a choice — full stop. Charlie doesn’t sugar-coat it: real leadership takes awareness, intention, and a willingness to look in the mirror. But he also offers a practical roadmap — not just “stop the drama,” but “what do I do instead?” Whether you’re leading a team, managing projects, coaching others, or simply trying to grow as a person, this message will challenge and inspire you. My hope is that when you tune in, you’ll ask yourself one powerful question: “Am I choosing leadership right now… or am I just participating in drama because it’s easier?” Charlie Sheppard's book, "Save Your Drama For Your Mama: Drama or Leadership. is a Choice is perhaps one of the best practical books on leadership I have ever read.  For the first time someone has clearly defined the opposite of leadership. Are you wondering what that is?  It's not followership...it's drama. And what Charlie Sheppard had developed is elegantly simplistic by comparing and contrasting the behaviors of those in leadership and those in drama.  In fact, you discover the opposites.  For Example: An internal locus of control is leadership, it's counterpart is an external locus of control.  Adversary or catalyst. Victim or visionary. Rescuer or coach?.  His detailed triangles take us through a journey that begins change our perspective. What is also phenomenal about this book is he has a tremendous amount of research to support his findings.  If you are brain and body geek you are going to love is section on the amygdala and it's connection to how it interacts with both drama and leadership. If you want real world examples, he supplies those as well. Absolutely an engaging read.   And I will add there is truth in his warning in the introduction of the book.  "Once you’ve been exposed to this way of thinking, your life will never be the same."  It's absolutely true.  I have used it with my clients and it works!

Help Others Find What They Don't Know What Their Needs Are Join me on A New Direction as I sit down with Bill Shander, author of Stakeholder Whispering: Uncover What People Need Before Doing What They Ask. Bill’s premise is bold and true: most customers, clients, and bosses don’t actually know what they need; they only know what feels familiar enough to ask for. Our job isn’t to take the order—it’s to uncover the real needs with empathy, curiosity, and skill. That’s the heart of Stakeholder Whispering, and that’s exactly where we’re going. Bill and I will dig into the mechanism behind the magic—how to slow the conversation down just enough to surface intent before you sprint into execution. We’ll explore practical moves like clarifying the decision your work will enable, mapping the real stakeholder chain (who wins, who loses, who decides), and challenging assumptions that quietly steer requests toward the wrong solution. Expect concrete tactics leaders can use in the room—silence that invites better thinking, questions that reframe the task, and small tests that prove what actually matters. If you’ve ever delivered exactly what was asked and still missed the mark, you know the emotional punch of this topic. It’s frustrating, it’s deflating, and it erodes trust. We’ll talk about the human side—how fear, constraints, and “what we’ve always done” hide beneath the ask—and how a calm, curious presence earns permission to go deeper. When people feel understood, they stop defending their request and start partnering in the outcome. That’s when influence grows and results compound. You’ll leave with five field-tested questions to put in play immediately: What decision will this help you make? If this worked perfectly, what changes? Who else is impacted, positively or negatively? What risk are we avoiding—or accepting—by doing it this way? What would we try if there were no constraints? Bring these to your next meeting and watch the conversation shift from “build the thing” to “solve the right problem.” This one is about leading with courage, listening with intention, and delivering what truly moves the needle. Needs. To contact Bill go to his website: www.billshander.com Or connect on Linkedin: Bill Shander Bill Shander's book, "Stakeholder Whispering: Uncover What People Need Before Doing What They Ask" is a fun, insightful, and powerful read.  This book is literally for everyone in any career, and in any stage of their career.  And personally so valuable that it will help every relationships and every interaction that you will have. Bill Shander explains very clearly through research that as human beings we are hopelessly flawed.  And that means all of us.  We really don't know what we want or what we need and the reality is we need someone to draw it out of us. Bill Shander's Stakeholder Whispering does just that. We get a good sense of who are as humans.  Our thinking is faulty.  And the more knowledge we get doesn't actually make us smarter, it only creates more biases that make it more difficult for us to change. So how do we deal with ourselves and others to help navigate our relationships in business.  Ahhh...that's the secret of "whispering".  Bill takes down the trail of well researched and demonstrated technique of asking different questions that draw out of the other person the very thing they really need. Is it therapy? Well, yes, it is based on Psychologist Carl Rogers methodology, but the fact is, it works.  And when done correctly, it does not put people on the defensive.  There is no convincing.  No persuading.  No manipulation.  Just simply asking the right questions that help people come to the answers they always had in themselves.  And that's the brilliance of the book! Filled with all sorts of great stories, research and some funny personal anecdotes.  I highly recommend Stakeholder Whispering. Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy!

Lead by 3 - Leadership with Simplicity A New Direction brings you an in-depth conversation with retired Naval Academy alum Steven Mays, author of The Power of 3: Lessons in Leadership. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the endless “leadership frameworks,” this episode is a breath of clarity. Steven cuts through noise using a foundation rooted in three—three pillars, three practices, three indispensable commitments. It’s concise, potent, and built for people who lead under pressure. In The Power of 3, Mays doesn’t shy away from the harder side of leading. He explores how despair, unmet expectations, and human frailty challenge even the best of intentions. But he also shows how effective leaders engage in three core acts: assist (serve those you lead), inspire (ignite purpose and vision), and depend (trust and rely on others). That last part may surprise you—he makes dependence not a weakness but a leadership strength. These themes are not abstractions; they’re revealed in stories, real tension points, and situations you’ll recognize. On our show, I’ll push Steven to unpack exactly how those triads work in everyday leadership life. How do you “assist” without overstepping? When your team’s morale is sliding, how do you “inspire” in a real, not canned, way? And when things go sideways, how do you lean into “dependence” without losing authority or credibility? We’ll also dig into the internal life—how love, despair, and disappointment show up in your leadership—and how to structure your guardrails to stay steady even when people around you aren’t. Make plans to join us and capture insights to lead yourself and others. Whether you lead a small team, a department, or your own personal mission, this isn’t just another leadership talk—it’s a chance to recalibrate how you lead from the inside out. Steven May's book, "The Power of 3: Lessons in Leadership" is a very quick read, but there is elegance in simplicity.  And that is what this book brings.  The idea that learning to lead does not have to be difficult.  What Steven Mays gives us is how in the power of 3 we can learn to lead and lead well. As with any great book he starts with the three fundamentals.  Honesty, Courage, and Talent.  Don't be fooled by the word "honesty" because he gives it a different definition.  And it all starts with an honest self-awareness of where are really.  Then he moves to courage, which again he breaks down into 3 ideals...Accept it, Fix it, or Leave it.  The least important of these three fundamental principles? Talent.  As Steve Mays reminds us that leaders are not born, they are made if they have the right tools. The book is filled with lessons of threes that he puts into triangles and demonstrates that The Power of 3 and the strength of 3 can be used to build successful and great leaders.  While it is only 50 pages long if you dig deep into the simplicity of The Power of 3 you will discover more depth than you can imagine! Get you copy of the Power of 3: Lessons for Leadership by Clicking Here. Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! AND Linda Craft  Team, REALTORS located at 7300 Six Forks Road in Raleigh North Carolina, they have been serving the Research Triangle Park area...

Becoming More Requires You Becoming Different Join me live on A New Direction as I sit down with best-selling author, business leader, and transformational coach Dianna Kokoszka to talk about her incredible new book Becoming More: You Can’t Get Better Until You Get Different. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your routines or wondered why progress feels just out of reach, this conversation will inspire you to break free from old patterns and step boldly into the growth you’ve been craving. Dianna has spent decades helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday people achieve extraordinary success, and in Becoming More she shows us that true change doesn’t come from doing more of the same—it comes from becoming someone different. Together, we’ll unpack how to shift your thinking, expand your vision, and transform your results by making intentional, courageous changes in your life and business. We’ll talk about why so many of us resist change, how fear often disguises itself as comfort, and the practical ways you can begin to adopt new habits and mindsets that unlock your potential. Dianna’s insights in "Becoming More"  are not just theoretical—they are grounded in proven strategies that she has lived out in her own career and taught to thousands of others around the globe. So whether you’re a business professional looking for that next breakthrough, an entrepreneur seeking fresh inspiration, or simply someone ready to grow into the best version of yourself, this episode is for you. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform. This conversation will not only encourage you—it will challenge you to Becoming more. Make sure you check Dianna's cool mindset assessment.  Got www.14mindsets.com Dianna KoKoszka's book, "Becoming More: You Can't Get to Better Until You Get to Different" is an absolute life changing business changing read.  It is more than just a reading book it truly is a workbook.  Because if you will put in the work your life, and your business will in fact change. The book starts out by making us realize that your life, your circumstances are your choice.  If you have a victim mindset, you will stay in a victim mindset.  But if you choose a different mindset your life will change.  You may be reading this say, "that's crap! Changing my mindset is not changing my circumstances!" Well in fact it does, because the research demonstrates that as we change our thoughts, we change our brain chemistry, as we change brain chemistry, we change our behavior and your health...and that starts changing everything around you. When we are open to making better choices, we also get more open to opportunities, we don't see our circumstances as a bad thing, but a growing opportunity.  And now our world becomes different. She the moves into her pyramid of being more. Where begin to understand the power and differences between beliefs and values, feelings and emotions, questions about our character, what kind of energy are you bringing every single day, finding and knowing your purpose and leaving a legacy that gives back. What a great book, it is inspiring, and will make you stop and think about your life, and the areas you need to work on.  But be cautioned, you can't work on them all!  So pick one, and start there! Get your copy of Becoming More by clicking here! Please Thank the sponsors of A New Direction.  It is their financial gifts that keep us on the air and keep us going!  And we could not be more grateful. Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection.

Leading with Hospitality is Not Going to Be Easy... But it will be Effective What does it truly mean to lead with heart? This week on A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, we welcome Taylor Scott, author of Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly. In a world where leadership often gets reduced to strategy, numbers, and bottom lines, Taylor brings us back to the core truth: people want to feel valued, cared for, and connected. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation that challenges the way you see leadership in both life and business. Leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about creating emotional connections that inspire others to give their best. Taylor has spent his career developing a framework where hospitality becomes more than customer service—it becomes a leadership philosophy. Together, we’ll explore how empathy, authenticity, and service can transform not just teams and organizations, but entire cultures. If you’ve ever wondered why some leaders inspire loyalty while others struggle to keep people engaged, this is your chance to find out. In this episode, you’ll discover practical strategies for leading with kindness without sacrificing results. From building trust to serving selflessly, Taylor reveals why putting people first always leads to stronger performance. Expect stories, insights, and actionable takeaways that will make you rethink how you lead at work, at home, and in your community. Leadership doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be human.  It must be contained within hospitality. So join us as we uncover how to Lead with Hospitality. And if you can’t make it live, don’t worry—the podcast will be available on all major platforms. Whether you’re a business owner, a team leader, or simply someone who wants to positively influence the people around you, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. Taylor Scott's book, "Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly" is a powerhouse of a book that digs deep into an area that most leadership books will delve into, and that is leading with hospitality.  Whatever business you think you are in, the fact is we are all in the hospitality business. If you are like me you may be thinking, well I have to deal with customers so, maybe my business is in the hospitality business.  But what you may not be thinking is that hospitality starts with your people.  Are your people being treated with hospitality? Taylor sees for areas and they are in order in order to lead with hospitality, Connect, Serve, Engage, and Inspire.  Let's think about this for a minute.  How can we truly have the most productive employees and people if we do not see the importance of connection.  And if we are connected to them in a welcoming way, are we serving them?  And if we are truly going to serve them then we need to engage with them more regularly.  And that means we as leaders have a responsibility to inspire them. This book will make you think and rethink your leadership.  Not only is it filled with great research, but it also has a work book after each section so that you can put your new leadership skills to work.  Truly an inspiring new way to look at leadership. Get your copy of "Lead with Hospitality" HERE! Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production.

Can Empathy Drive Productivity and Profit? Yes! What if the greatest leadership superpower wasn’t authority or strategy—but empathy? On the this episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, my guest Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller unpacks her book The Empathic Leader and explains how empathy, when connected to Emotional Intelligence (EQ), is transforming leadership in ways that boost profit, productivity, and innovation. Too often, leaders feel pressured to prioritize numbers and outcomes over people. But Dr. Robinson-Winemiller makes the case that empathy isn’t a “soft skill” at all—it’s a strategic advantage rooted in EQ. We’ll dive into how empathic leadership helps uncover hidden strengths, fosters trust, and fuels creativity in teams. If you’ve ever wondered why some leaders inspire while others burn people out, the missing ingredient may be empathy. This conversation isn’t about being “nice” or “agreeable.” It’s about results. Companies that embed empathy into their leadership culture—anchored in Emotional Intelligence—consistently outperform their competitors. Dr. Robinson-Winemiller will share why empathy is the leader’s most underutilized tool, and how developing this EQ muscle can transform organizations from the inside out. Join Dr. Melissa and me for a powerful discussion that will challenge everything you thought you knew about leadership. Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or even your own personal growth, The Empathic Leader will open your eyes to why empathy changes everything. Watch live, interact in real time, or catch the replay on the A New Direction podcast—because the future of leadership starts with empathy. Dr. Melissa Robison-Winemiller's book, "The Empathic Leader: How EQ via Empathy Transforms Leadership for Better Profit, Productivity, and Innovation" is a read for anyone who is in leadership, wants to be in leadership, or just needs to connect with greater ability with another person. This book is not as Dr. Melissa says, "woo-woo".  This is a book filled with research that makes a clear case that leading with empathy may be the one emotional intelligence factor that may be missing from your business moving upward to the next level. The fact is we probably have some idea of what empathy is, but more than likely we don't know what empathy is not.  She makes this very clear.  Then she shows us the most important factor and that is empathy is a skill that must be practiced on a daily basis and how we truly put it into action.  And that is the key.  It's not a feel good thing, it is an action that we all can take. I found the book to be incredibly inspiring, and really challenged my mindset on what I thought I knew about empathy.  This book is now a took in my tool box of emotional intelligence of how I can use it and distinguish between simply building rapport and actually connecting with other on a level that changes the outcomes. Get your copy of "The Empathic Leader" by clicking here! Please thank the sponsors of A New Direction for their financial support by LIKING their business pages and or send them a note of appreciation.  Of course the best way thank them is to use their services and tell them you heard them on A New Direction. Linda Craft Team, Realtors, fully locally owned and operated, and unaffiliated with any national brand. For more than 40 years Linda Craft Team has developed relationships with the world’s best real estate professionals to help people like you have an amazing experience when it comes to selling their home or buying a new one. If you are looking to connect with the best person in your area…why not start with Linda Craft & Team, Realtors drive on over to www.LindaCraft.com Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation,

7 Strategies to Build a Better Now in Life and Business In this episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso I have a powerful conversation that could change the way you experience every moment of your life and your business. My guest, Greg Bennick, speaker, humanitarian, and author of the inspiring new book Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now, joins me to share how to stop letting life and your business slip by and instead start living it with intention. Greg has spent years speaking around the world about resilience, meaning, and transformation. In Reclaim the Moment, he offers seven practical strategies that help you take back control of your time, your focus, build your business team, and ultimately your joy. Whether you feel stuck in the past, overwhelmed in the present, or anxious about the future, Greg’s insights will guide you toward living and doing your business more fully and with greater purpose. This is not just another interview about self-help or business theory. Greg brings raw stories, proven strategies, and a deeply human perspective that will challenge you to shift from being passive in your own life to becoming active, intentional, and engaged. These are tools you can start applying immediately—in your relationships, your business, your career, your personal goals, and your mindset. Tune in for practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and a fresh outlook on how to reclaim the moment and build a better now. And if you can’t catch us live, make sure to listen later to the replay—you won’t want to miss this conversation that could spark the change you’ve been waiting for. You and your business will be grateful you did! Greg Bennick's book, "Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now", is a fun and insightful read.  Greg, takes stories from his life that are both filled with humor and meaning.  He also uses research to support his ideas, taking them from theory to reality. The fact about this book is really going to build a better you and a better business.  Greg's 7 Strategies may be some things you have heard before, but he expands on them in a unique and insightful way.  These 7 strategies, if you follow his prescription will take you and your business from ordinary to extraordinary. I found two of them especially important when dealing in my own business that I could use work to develop.  The first is "Laughter".  In the world of business where everything is so serious, we don't take the time to laugh in our places of employment. And yes there is room for it! The benefits of laughter are both physiological and psychological, and desperately needed in a way too serious world. The second was the Reverberation Effect™.  The whole idea that we can start with an idea, and then connect with others, and rather than it losing steam we actually can amplify it. This book is a real winner.  It is clever, insightful, and fun. Get your copy of Reclaim the Moment by Clicking Here. Please thank the sponsors of A New Direction: Linda Craft Team, Realtors, for more than 40 years they have created relationships that last a lifetime. That is why when it comes to real estate, they are known as the “legends of customer service”. They know that your home is personal.  It is part of your legacy of life.  And they want to get to know you so that they can sell your home in the way it should be sold, and help you buy the home to start your next chapter of life.  Why not click on over to www.LindaCraft.com Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration,

How Peer-to-Peer Networks Will Surpass the Best CEO Driven Companies What if your smartest move as a leader is to stop trying to be the smartest person in the room? Join me on A New Direction with Coach Jay, as I sit down with Rod Collins, author of Nobody Is Smarter than Everybody: Why Self-Managed Teams Make Better Decisions and Deliver Extraordinary Results. We’re diving into the playbook that replaces top-down control with collective intelligence through peer-to-peer teams—and shows why the crowd, when organized well, consistently outperforms the lone hero. In this conversation, you’ll discover the seven power shifts of peer-to-peer networking teams: from hierarchy to networks, meetings to real-time cycles, opinions to evidence, secrecy to radical transparency, bottlenecks to distributed decision-making, rigid plans to rapid iteration, and compliance to shared ownership. If you lead a business, a sales team, or a creative squad, you’ll walk away with practical ways to unlock faster decisions, higher accountability, and outcomes your competition can’t match. We’ll get tactical. How do you set clear decision rights without a bossy org chart? What metrics matter when peer-to-peer teams manage themselves? How do you replace status meetings with continuous, visible workflows? Rod will break down through real life examples that you can deploy this week—think peer commitments, short feedback loops, and “the few rules that create a lot of freedom.” Expect examples, frameworks, and step-by-step moves you can test immediately. Bring your team, your questions, and your curiosity. Tune in and listen in to a conversation that could change how you lead—and how your people thrive. Miss it live? No worries: catch the replay and share it with your whole organization. LISTEN IN RIGHT HERE and let’s prove, together, that nobody is smarter than everybody. To Learn more about Rod and get more of his outstanding insights, head on over to www.rodcollins.net Rod Collin's Book "Nobody Is Smarter Than Everybody: Why Self-Managed Teams Make Better Decisions and Deliver Extraordinary Results" is a mind bender of a book.  As open of a mindset that I believe I had, and as much of a growth mindset that I believe I operate in...Nobody is Smarter Than Everybody challenged me. Honestly, I have lived in a hierarchical world.  Where I am used to someone being in charge and being the leader that makes the decisions.  In fact, I am that person.  The thought of peer-to-peer groups actually being faster and more efficient seemed so counterintuitive to me.  To embrace it was a mindset challenge I needed to change. However, as I read the book and reading example after example of how peer-to-peer teams embraced this change of structure, I found myself realizing it is the correct model. Can we be honest with each other?  Technology is moving faster than one human can adapt to.  In the technological and AI world we find ourselves, we cannot individually handle the amount of information and utilize it effectively.  Let's also state a fact that here we are in the 21st Century, operating business with early 20th Century Industrial Revolution model.  It simply cannot work. We need peer-to-peer solutions with all the combined brain power. This is where Nobody is Smarter than Everybody comes in.  Rod Collins makes the strong case with examples of how if we are going to compete with networks we need to become a network utilizing all the brain power we have available to us in our companies by shedding the egos and titles and finding solutions to our business problems. You may be thinking to yourself, well, that will never work for my business.  Someone has to make the decisions, it will be too slow, nothing will get done.  Well, I asked the same questions, but think again, because it does work, and work consistently.  Our problem is that we don't like change, and rather than embrace it, we resist it. This isn't some fuzzy,

26 Jerks in the Work Place...Are You 27? Your workplace should be a place of growth, teamwork, and purpose—but what happens when one person throws it all off track? In his new book The One-Minute Jerk at Work, Rich Salon—better known as “Rich the HR Guy”—shines a bright light on the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways toxic behaviors can creep into your office and derail your career. On this episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, we’ll unpack these behaviors, why they matter, and what you can do about them. Have you ever had a coworker like Wesley the Weasel who constantly takes credit for your ideas, or Micromanaging Maria who micromanages every move, or Rumor Mill Roger who thrives on stirring up drama with Rumors? Rich calls them “one-minute jerks”—people who may only need sixty seconds to poison a conversation, a meeting, or even an entire workplace culture. Together, we’ll explore the practical tools from his book that help you identify these jerks early and stop their behavior from taking root. But this conversation isn’t just about spotting the jerks around you—it’s also about a little self-reflection. Could you be number 27...the one-minute jerk without realizing it? Rich’s insights go beyond finger-pointing and invite us to hold up a mirror, recognize blind spots in our own behavior, and make changes that foster trust, respect, and productivity. Whether you’re a leader trying to build a stronger team, an employee navigating difficult dynamics, or simply someone who wants to work in a healthier environment, this episode will give you the strategies to create a more positive and effective workplace. Join me, Coach Jay, for this powerful and eye-opening discussion with Rich Salon—because the jerk at work doesn’t have to win. Rich Salon's book, "The One-Minute Jerk at Work" is a fun, fast, educational read that you will take with you to work immediately.  You will be diagnosing your co-workers and wondering why they became a "Micromanaging Maria" or a "Pessimist Pete" and how they are disrupting the workplace. The next question is "what can I do about it?" Rich offers suggestions there too. The book also comes with self-reflecting questions that you need to ask yourself.  The fact is we all lack self-awareness and Rich Salon wants to make sure that you are also taking a close look at yourself because while there are 26 mentioned in the book you may be number 27. Insightful, enjoyable and well written, The One-minute Jerk at Work will be a fun read to explore and do some critical self-analysis so you avoid being a "Jerk at Work" yourself. Get Your Copy by Clicking Here! Please reach out to the sponsors of A New Direction and tell them thank you! Linda Craft Team, REALTORS for more than 40 years they have helped people worldwide sell their home or buy their home. They are completely unaffiliated with any nationally branded real estate company and can refer you to the best expert in your area for real estate regardless of that agents affiliation. What is more because they are located in the Greater Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Research Triangle Park area they help major companies with their move, because they know the area. Stop in 7300 Six Forks Road in Raleigh, North Carolina and find out why people talk about their culture of “legendary customer service”.   Or just drive on over to www.LindaCraft.com Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.

Business Start Your Engines with 5 Flags to Enhance your Sales and Strategy Why do so many companies struggle to grow—even when they have talented sales teams and visionary executives? On the next episode of A New Direction, I, Coach Jay Izso, sit down with Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author Scott Edinger to discuss his latest book, The Growth Leader. Scott’s research uncovers a costly disconnect between the C-Suite and the sales force—driven by the fact that business strategy and sales strategy often live in separate worlds. The result? Leaders obsess over quotas and transactions instead of delivering a powerful, customer-driven experience. In The Growth Leader, Scott shows that bridging this gap is not just possible—it’s essential. And it starts with what he calls The 5 Flags Start: Define Success, Embrace Your Power Play, Identify Your Customer, Create Value, and Execute. Each of these steps is a practical move any leader can take to transform how their organization thinks about growth, sales alignment, and customer engagement. During this episode, Scott will break down each of these 5 Flags, revealing how they help leaders align their vision with real-world sales execution. You’ll hear why defining success goes far beyond revenue targets, how to identify your “power play” that differentiates you in the market, why knowing your customer is non-negotiable, and how creating true value leads to stronger, longer-lasting business relationships. And finally—how to stop talking about growth and start executing it. If you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or sales leader who’s tired of missed targets, siloed thinking, and wasted potential, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. Join us live Wednesday, August 13th at 5:30 pm Eastern, and discover how to align your strategy, empower your sales team, and lead your organization into sustainable, customer-focused growth. Scott Edinger's book, "The Growth Leader: Strategies to Drive the Top and Bottom lines" is fundamentally and practically fantastic! The bottom line is this, you as a CEO want your team to sell more, you get frustrated because they are not selling.  So what do you do?  You send them to more training.  You give them more books to read.  And what do they come back with? More scripts, more words and phrases, how to convert, etc. And that's your problem!  Because do you know what is missing from all of this?  Zero focus on the customer experience...ZERO! Scott Edinger uncovers all of this through research and his success in the consulting field working fortune 50 clients, and finds the same problems occur in every business.  The business strategy is not connected to the sales team, which is the front line of your business, and closest to the customer, and rather than focus on the customer experience, they focus on quotas.  It doesn't work! This book is the straight talk about why your sales team is failing and, why you are not achieving the revenues that you desire.  It comes down to this one statement:  "You don't have a sales problem...you have a leadership problem".  And if you think clever sales techniques are the answer to your sales issues, or that by adding more pressure to your sales team will increase sales...think again... Because you're really not acting as a Growth Leader. Great book! Get your copy here! Please reach out to out great sponsors of A New Direction. Linda Craft Team, REALTORS, for more than 40 years they have helped thousands of people all or the world make a life transition.  Let's be honest, every place you have ever moved has been a life transition.  And when it comes to buying and selling real estate, they take the stress out of that transition. Completely locally owned and unaffiliated, Linda and her expert team can help you find the best expert in real estate, regardless of what company they work for.  Give them a call!  Click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

Don't confuse Human Hacking with Manipulation...Like Everything there can be a Dark Side, but Now When It Is Used for Good What if you could ethically influence others, build instant rapport, and create lasting positive impressions—just by understanding human behavior more deeply? On the next episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, we welcome Christopher Hadnagy, world-renowned social engineer, cybersecurity expert, and bestselling author of Human Hacking: Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You. This is not your average conversation about relationships or persuasion—this is a masterclass in human connection rooted in psychology, empathy, and real-world application. Chris has spent his career studying how people think, communicate, and make decisions. In this episode, he reveals how the same principles used in cybersecurity and social engineering can be powerfully applied to everyday life through social engineering or "human hacking"—whether you’re leading a team, building a business, networking, or simply trying to be a better version of yourself. From decoding body language to navigating tough conversations, Chris breaks down the tools to ethically influence outcomes while making others feel seen, heard, and valued. We’ll dive into practical techniques of human hacking that go beyond manipulation and into the realm of authentic connection—where the goal isn’t just to get what you want, but to genuinely elevate the lives of those around you. Chris calls it “leaving people better off for having met you,” and he’ll show us how to make that mindset the foundation of everything we do. If you’re a leader, coach, entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to have more meaningful and effective interactions, this episode is for you. Join Coach Jay Izso and Chris Hadnagy as we explore the hidden power of human behavior—and how mastering human hacking can change your relationships, your business, and your life. If you are looking to hire a great speaker and master of practical influence, please go to Chris' website Social Engineer | The Experts in Social Engineering Chris Hadnagy book, "Human Hacking: Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You" is absolutely phenomenal!  He starts by taking in to one of his jobs trying to break into a high security facility and then moves us into how he is able to get past security to find sensitive information.  Hold on...it's his job!  He is paid to do this. But what is even better, Chris pulls back the curtain and literally shows us how to use social-engineering or "human hacking" for the good in our everyday conversations and relationships.  Wait!  Before you go down the road of thinking this is some form of "manipulation"...it's not.  Chris acknowledges there is a "dark side" to human hacking, but what if we could use these skills for good?  What if we used them to enhance our relationships, communicate more effectively, be better sales people, be more authentic sales  people and yes, even increase our bottom lines by doing things the right way. The book is filled with detail after detail of how we can use "human hacking" for good, and not for evil.  He also gives us the secrets behind the darker side of manipulation by showing us what exactly a "con artist" is trying to do to you and how they use their skills to phish out information. Powerful and fun.  Practical and authentic.  This book is an eye-opener for anyone who really wants to understand the psychology of ourselves and others and how we can use these powerful tools to truly make the world a better place. Get your copy by clicking here! I would really appreciate if, if you would thank the sponsors of A New Direction: Linda Craft Team, Realtors for more than 40 years they have been known for having “Legendary Customer Service”. Unaffiliated with any national brand, they are independently owned and operated.

Never Give Up on Your Dream... How Baseball and More can Teach us Lessons That Can Encourage Us to Keep Pursuing our Dreams in both Life and Business. What if the path to your biggest dreams wasn’t found in swinging for the fences, but in mastering the little things? On the next episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, we welcome Joel Goldberg, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, television host, and veteran reporter who travels with the Kansas City Royals. Known for his front-row seat to Major League Baseball’s highs and lows, Joel has spent decades learning not just about the game — but about the people who play it, and the everyday habits that create lasting success. Joel’s latest book, Small Ball Big Dreams, takes readers inside the clubhouse and behind the curtain, sharing stories from professional athletes, business leaders, and high performers who’ve built elite cultures by focusing on what he calls “the small ball” — the consistent, intentional, behind-the-scenes efforts that don’t always make the highlight reel, but win championships on and off the field. In this episode, we’ll explore how values like trust, preparation, resilience, and human connection can radically transform organizations, teams, and lives. As Joel shares, greatness isn’t built on grand gestures — it’s found in the morning routines, the hard conversations, the extra reps, and the way leaders show up every single day. From World Series-winning clubhouses to Fortune 500 boardrooms, Small Ball Big Dreams reminds us that culture isn’t something you declare — it’s something you live, one small action at a time. ⚾ Join us  for a conversation that blends baseball wisdom, leadership insight, and practical takeaways for anyone chasing big dreams. Whether you’re a fan of the game or just ready for a new direction in your life, this is one episode you won’t want to miss! Joel Goldberg's book, "Small Ball Big Dreams", is an absolute gem.  Because of his career as an announcer and all his radio and TV travels, Joel interviews many of the stars that you know, and many that you don't know. But in every interview there are valuable lessons for staying with your dream, becoming a better leader, and living a better life. The book really emphasizes that your life is not a straight path.  It will have obstacles, challenges, and at time discouragement.  In fact, what you initial thought you were set out to do, may in fact change and that change with the right attitude, effort, and resiliency will prove to be more fulfilling and serve a great purpose than what you could have ever imagined. When I finished reading the book, I was challenged, but more so, I was inspired!  What will be the next challenge that will push me to my new direction?  What do I need to let go of, that I will become the person with a life that impacts others.  Perhaps former Major League umpire Te Bennett summed it up best, "You have got to look at yourself in the mirror, and ask, 'what can I do better?'." Great book!  Get your copy here! Thank you to our sponsors of A New Direction! Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! and Linda Craft Team, REALTORS…for more than 40 years they have given thousands of clients from all over the world lege...

Get Your Aging Career Car Back in Shape to Take On the New Roads Is your career running out of gas? Maybe it’s time for a tune-up—and this week on A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, we’re pulling into the garage with author, career expert, and former pastor Chris Fontanella. His latest book, Overhaul Your Career: Seven Tips for Restoring Your Classic Model for New Roads, offers a powerful roadmap to get your professional life humming again—whether you’re changing lanes, stuck in neutral, or looking to turbocharge your purpose. Coach Jay dives deep with Chris to explore why so many people feel stalled in their careers and what it really takes to restore your inner drive. More than just a motivational boost, this conversation taps into timeless principles, spiritual insight, and practical tools for reshaping your mindset and direction. It's not just about finding a job—it’s about discovering your vocation, reigniting passion, and rolling forward with confidence. Whether you're a recent graduate wondering what’s next, a mid-career professional questioning the road you're on, or a seasoned executive looking to realign your life’s purpose, this is the episode that will speak directly to your soul. Chris Fontanella doesn’t promise shortcuts—but he does promise a deeper, richer path to meaning and fulfillment in your work life. Chris Fontanella's book, "Overhaul Your Career: Seven Tips for Restoring Your Classic Model for New Roads" is such a great read for anyone entering in the later stages of their career and considering retirement. The fact of the matter is, we as humans are really never ready to "retire".  Inactivity is the real killer of us all.  And Chris Fontanella explains to us that the reality is that we need work to fulfill us.  It is so important to our lives to continue to be productive even in the last half, third or quarter of our working career. Overhaul Your Career, is a complete guide on how to go into your next career after  your main career is over, or you no longer align with it.  As Chris explains, "YOU ARE IN CONTROL"!  You make the choices.  But changing a career, later in life, will take guts and a rebel spirit.  And you need to be a "rebel with a cause" and that cause is your next career. He also, makes it plain to his reader that you must maintain your individuality and at the same time rediscover who you really are.  You may be thinking, "but I know who I am", but the question is who is the real you?  It is so easy for us to be in a career and lose ourselves and no longer remember the person we truly are. Whether you need to "reprise" yourself, "reinvent" yourself or do something completely different and become the next Colonel Harland Sanders, everything for your next career and how to get there is right here in this book, Overhaul Your Career: Seven Tips for Restoring Your Classic Model for New Roads.  Get your copy by clicking right here! Special Thanks to our sponsors of A New Direction…Please reach out to them and say thank you! Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! and Linda Craft Team, Realtors they literally are a locally owned independent real estate company,  that serves the world.   How can a small company serve the world?

Leadership Lessons from the Legends: Pat Summitt and John Wooden This week on A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, get ready for a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and lasting impact as we welcome back breakthrough coach and best-selling author Brian Biro. His latest book, Lessons from the Legends, dives deep into the coaching brilliance of two of the greatest leaders in sports history—Pat Summitt and John Wooden. Join us for an inspiring, practical conversation rooted in the values that build champions—not just on the court, but in life. In this episode, Brian reveals the core principles that defined Summitt’s and Wooden’s legendary success: character over talent, discipline with compassion, preparation as a lifestyle, and leading with integrity. These aren’t abstract ideas—they're daily practices you can apply whether you're coaching a team, in leadership in a company, parenting, or pursuing personal excellence. Brian unpacks how these values created not just wins, but legacies. You’ll hear powerful stories of how Pat Summitt demanded accountability with fierce love, and how John Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success” was more than a philosophy—it was a way of living and leadership that turned ordinary athletes into extraordinary people. Brian will help you see how these timeless lessons can help you build trust, grow influence, and lead with clarity and purpose in every area of your life. If you’re tired of shortcuts and surface-level solutions, and you're ready for leadership wisdom that endures, this is the episode for you. Don’t miss A New Direction—where success isn’t just defined by what you achieve, but by who you become. Brian Biro's Book, Lessons from the Legends: New Applications from the Timeless Wisdom of John Wooden & Pat Summitt is powerful, impactful, practical, timeless, and desperately needed by all of us in today's world. Brian Biro, has examined the lives of these two successful and powerful coaches and has written a easy-to-read and thought-provoking book to stimulate your mind to living a better life and becoming a better leader. When you think about Pat Summitt's time as the University of Tennessee head coach, you think of championships.  And you might believe that for her, it was about winning championships.  However, that was only the result, what she was really doing was growing young women into champions  and leaders in life. John Wooden was famed for his precise detail in all that he did.  He developed his Pyramid that emphasized the cornerstones of industriousness and enthusiasm that the Pyramid would be built on.  He not only taught it to his players, he lived it every day of his life.  And as he developed the pyramid in his last 12 years of coaching he would win 10 National Championships.  But his focus was not on the wins, it was making sure that the young men who played for him, would demonstrate great leadership. I have to be honest, this book is so full of wisdom, that I cannot possibly remember it all.  I want to desperately because every lesson in the book is something I want to live by too.  It took them years, even decades, to master their coaching.  In the end, it requires work.  And by the end of the book I found myself truly understanding I have a lot more work to do. Great book!  Get your copy by clicking "Lessons from the Legends". Please reach out and thank the sponsors of A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal!

In Business or in Life, How YOU handle Crisis will make the Difference In this powerful episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay Izso, we sit down with global legal and compliance expert Fabiana Lacerca-Allen to explore the mindset and tools needed to lead through the most challenging moments. As the author of the thought-provoking book Crisis Capable – Building Your Capacity to Survive and Succeed in Every Environment, Fabiana draws from decades of experience navigating legal and corporate crises for Fortune 100 companies, as well as her remarkable personal journey—from growing up during political unrest in Argentina to becoming a trailblazing executive in the U.S. “Crisis Capable” isn’t just a book about corporate strategy—it’s a guide to personal resilience, ethical leadership, and staying calm under fire. Fabiana emphasizes the importance of preparation, agility, and emotional intelligence, offering practical frameworks that apply whether you're leading a business, a team, or yourself through uncertain times. We talk about what it means to build “muscle memory” for crisis situations, how to create a culture of accountability, and why integrity must remain non-negotiable—even when the stakes are high. Throughout our conversation, Fabiana shares compelling stories that illustrate how to transform pressure into purpose. From boardrooms to global stages, she has advised some of the most influential leaders in the world, and her insights are not only timely—they’re timeless. You'll hear how adversity shaped her leadership philosophy, and how we can all develop the internal grit and external tools to lead when everything is on the line. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking to strengthen your ability to thrive under pressure, this episode is a must-listen. Join Coach Jay and Fabiana as we chart a new direction—one that equips you to face crisis not with fear, but with confidence, clarity, and capability. Fabiana Lecerca-Allen's book, "Crisis Capable: Building Your Capacity to Survive and Succeed in Every Environment" is such a great read.  Filled with true stories of Fabiana's life as she grew up in Argentina during a time of crisis and uncertainty as the country was transitioning from military dictatorship to a democracy. And how her family lived, survived and thrived. From her experiences, Fabiana walks us through timeless and needed strategies to handle both the crisis in life and in the business environment.  These practical lessons are so good that no matter what age you are, or what your station in life you may be in, they absolutely apply. It all starts with becoming more situationally aware.  Sadly in today's society as we mostly look down at our phones, or cannot leave our phones alone, we have lost the capability and art of being able to look at our surroundings, understanding the situation, and remain calm and level-headed to have a plan of how we will proceed and move so that we can maintain an advantage in whatever situation we find ourselves in. As an attorney who has dealt with complicated conflict, she applies what she has learned from her lifetime of trials and tribulations and is able to take the crisis out of the crisis. Encouraging us to choose our reactions, staying calm, having a plan, be less impulsive, grow our self-esteem, become more confident and set our boundaries. She further does an incredible job of encouraging the need for greater emotional intelligence and foremost knowing your values so that you know exactly what you will and won't do. Such a great read, well written and full of fantastic practical insights for everyone. Get your copy by clicking Crisis Capable.   Please say thank you to the sponsors of A New Direction! Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need.

Knowing Your Identity Coupled with Strategy Will Leave a Lasting Legacy A New Direction welcomes Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author Alex Brueckmann for a live, game-changing conversation about his latest book, The Legacy Strategy. In a world desperate for direction and authenticity, Brueckmann delivers a powerful message: true leadership isn’t about chasing the next goal—it’s about defining who you are and what you stand for. Get ready to explore the deep architecture of lasting impact. At the heart of The Legacy Strategy lies Brueckmann’s powerful framework: The Nine Elements of Organizational Identity. From Purpose and Values to Brand Promise and Culture, these elements aren’t just buzzwords—they're the DNA of enduring organizations. In this interview, we’ll break down how these components work together to shape everything from strategic decisions to everyday behavior. If you lead a team, a business, or even your own personal mission, this is the blueprint you've been waiting for. Alex’s approach isn’t theory—it’s battle-tested. He’s worked with global leaders to align identity with action, turning abstract ideals into tangible outcomes. This episode will take you beyond surface-level strategy and into the soul of leadership. Learn how to leverage your organization’s identity to navigate complexity, inspire trust, and build a legacy that outlives you. Join us live and bring your questions—this is your chance to engage directly with one of today’s most thoughtful voices in leadership strategy. Discover how the Nine Elements can redefine your impact, your clarity, and your legacy. The Legacy Blueprint isn’t just a conversation. It’s a turning point. Alex Brueckmann's Wall Street Journal Best-Selling book, "The Strategy Legacy: How to Future-Proof a Business and Leave Your Mark" is an absolute must read!  This book will make you rethink how like most businesses have neglected your business identity for strategy. And it's not going to work like you think. Alex gets us to think in terms of how we need to start with our people, figure out our moral compass, we believe, what we stand for, get to know your people deeper, and create a business that leaves a lasting legacy. Alex's 9 Elements of Organizational Identity are well-thought-out, well organized, and make so much sense.  Putting things in the right order, so that you and I can get our businesses and organizations in order.  Once we start with the people part, then strategy comes in to play...but only after our shared identity is clear. I found that having a strategy of further foresight was also intriguing.  So often we stop after one, two or five years.  But Alex encourages going further, what about 15 years from now?  What is the impact of your business, then?  What will it look like?  Are you preparing for it now. The Strategy Legacy is not only a lesson in "future-proofing" your business, but Alex takes us step by step through the process, describing "why" and how long each step will take.  Honestly, after reading this section, I have to be honest it will be quite the challenge, but the results are worth it.  Nothing that has value is ever easy, and you will have to put in the work. Really a great book!  I understand why it was a Wall Street Journal best seller. Get your copy of The Strategy Legacy by clicking here. I would really appreciate if, if you would thank the sponsors of A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction,

8 Keys to Becoming a Learn It All Leader In this episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay talks with Damon Lembi — two-time best-selling author and CEO of LearnIt — for a powerful conversation that will reshape the way you think about leadership, growth, and learning. Damon joins us to dive deep into his newest book, The Learn It All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools, a must-read for anyone serious about leading in today’s fast-changing world. In a time when many leaders are stuck in a "know-it-all" mindset, Damon is making the case that the key to long-term success is becoming a “learn it all.” This episode isn’t just for CEOs or managers — it’s for anyone who wants to cultivate adaptability, resilience, and a thirst for lifelong learning. Damon shares personal stories, cutting-edge strategies, and actionable tools that will help you unlock your potential and that of the people around you. Coach Jay will guide this no-fluff, high-energy discussion straight into the heart of what makes great leaders great. From building coachable teams to staying humble in success, and learning through failure, you’ll gain insights that go far beyond the boardroom. If you’re leading people — or aspire to — this episode is your blueprint for doing it better. Mark your calendar, tell a friend, and join us live! You’ll laugh, learn, and leave with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Because when you stop trying to know it all and start learning it all, you don’t just lead—you transform. Damon Lembi's book, "The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits and Tools" is a brilliantly written, easy to read, and full of practical tools you can use right now to enhance your business. In Learn It All Leader, he starts with you as a person and help you and I understand ourselves, change our mindset, and give us the steps to help us think in the right direction. Then, Damon, moves us into Part 2: Doing.  This is when once we have the right mindset and thinking about ourselves and our business, we get actionable steps to become a Learn It All Leader. From having a vision, to leadership principles, to building a team and playing to win. Damon Lembi transforms so many of us from "Know It All" Leaders to "Learn It All" Leaders. Great book I highly recommend.  Get your copy by clicking Here. Special Offer from Author Damon Lembi Hey listeners, author Damon Lembi is making an offer to anyone who listens to the show to have 1 FREE Class from the LearnIt Center.  Yes, I said FREE! No strings attached, it is a $2500 value free to any listener! Here's how you do it.  Just reach out to Damon Lembi's LinkedIn profile... Damon Lembi | LinkedIn And tell him that you listened to A New Direction show with Damon and he will give you the catalog and you can pick your class.  It really is that easy, and no further obligation. Let's go!  Get your FREE Class! Please support our sponsors who support A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! And Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS for more than 40 years they have helped people transition in life worldwide.  How? Whenever you sell your home or buy your home, you make a life transition.  They take the stress out of that transition because of their e...

The Third Side of the Coin: Unlocking “Bempathy” Communication is the foundation of every relationship—personal, professional, and everything in between. But what if the way we’ve been taught to communicate is only giving us part of the picture? In this episode of A New Direction, I interview the dynamic Jill Robin Payne, as we dive deep into the revolutionary ideas in her new book, "Bempathy: Simplify Communication by Looking at the Third Side of the Coin." In a world that often divides us into black-or-white perspectives, Jill introduces a powerful concept that reshapes how we connect: Bempathy—a blend of banter and empathy that helps people communicate with clarity, compassion, and strength. You’ll learn how to stop getting lost in emotional overload, avoid communication traps, and start creating conversations that actually go somewhere. Jill and I explore the roots of conflict, how to navigate tough conversations, and why the “third side of the coin” using Bempathy might just be the missing link in our divided culture. Whether you're a leader, a parent, a partner, or just trying to be a better human—this episode will give you tools you can use right now. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the freshest voices in communication today. Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and get ready for a new perspective that could change how you talk—and listen—with Bempathy. Jill Robin Payne's book: "Bempathy: Simplify Communication by Looking at the Third Side of the Coin" may be a short fun read, but it is full of wisdom and practical tools to help you and I work through conflict. Bempathy, which is made from the combination of "banter" and "empathy" takes a unique approach by introducing us to 3 cartoon like characters who have a dilemma to work through. During the process, Jill takes through the 6 Key Elements to have Bempathy. She calls them the6C's: communication, commonality, connectedness, comfortability, control, and commitment. As she takes us through the short story, she then does a recap of the book to help us see how the 6 C's play themselves out and how we might use them in future conflict. Fun and enjoyable and part of a two book series, this book breaks down the conflict and how to overcome it, in a friendly non-threatening manner. Quick read...but a great one! Please, please, please, thank our sponsors for their financial support of A New Direction! Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! And Linda Craft Team, REALTORS  over 40 years and still going strong.  Find out how they have been helping people transition in life… which in reality is what we do every time we move The know how to take the stress out of selling and buying your first home or your next home. Known as the "legends of customer service."  It's one of the many reasons why 1000s of people from all over the world rely on the Linda Craft & Team.  They are the locally owned company that is world renown.  Learn more by going to www.LindaCraft.com Unlock Your Full Potential with Coach Jay Are you ready to break through barriers, build unstoppable resilience, and create the success you’ve always envisioned? I’m Here to Help YOu do exactly that.

Overcome Fear and Live Courageously What if fear wasn't something to conquer—but something to work with? In this episode of A New Direction we go deep into the science of fear, courage, and personal transformation with Dr. Mary Poffenroth, author of the groundbreaking book "Brave New You: Strategies, Tools, and Neurohacks to Live More Courageously Every Day." Whether you're stuck in a rut, chasing a dream, or just trying to move forward in uncertain times, this conversation is for YOU. Dr. Poffenroth isn’t just an expert in fear science—she’s a fearless guide helping people navigate the chaos of life with tools rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and practical action. In this episode, she’ll share powerful insights into why we freeze, procrastinate, or self-sabotage—and how to hack those patterns for lasting courage. Expect real talk, eye-opening research, and stories that will make you rethink what it means to be brave. Join me, Coach Jay, as I bring energy, curiosity, and sharp questions that drive the kind of conversations that stick with you long after the show ends. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, student, or simply human, this live episode will leave you feeling energized and equipped to take bolder steps in your own life. So get ready to challenge your limits, rewire your mindset, and discover a braver version of yourself. This is more than a podcast—it’s a push toward the life you’ve been waiting to claim. Dr. Poffenroth's book, "Brave New You: Strategies, Tools, and Neurohacks to Live More Courageously Every Day" is one of the most insightful books on fear and living courageously I have read. The book looks at both the biological view of fear and courage as well as the psychological aspects as well. Dr. Poffenroth gives us a friendly overview of our brain and some of the structures that contribute to our fear. She deals with the social influences, and the individual and historical influences that contribute to living with and dealing with fear. The best part of Brave New You is how she helps live more bravely and courageously.  Will it take effort on our part...absolutely.  Is it going to be a journey...of course. But as Dr. Poffenroth describes, we all have the capability of living a life of courage. Rather than running from fear, we can live with it, we can move through life courageously.  We can become more adept at the skills necessary to live a life without fearing fear. Her RAIN method is brilliant!  It is elegantly simple, and if you will practice it, the results will show. Great book, get yourself a copy Brave New You by clicking here. Please support our sponsors of A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! and Linda Craft Team, Realtors, fully locally owned and operated, and unaffiliated with any national brand for more than 40 years have developed relationships with the worlds best real estate professionals to help people like you have an amazing experience when it come to selling their home or buying a new one. So if you are looking to connect with the best person in your area…why not start with Linda Craft & Team, Realtors drive on over to www.LindaCraft.com

Be an Inspired Leader through the Science of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership What if your greatest leadership tool isn’t strategy, but spirit? This week on A New Direction, we sit down with Dr. Yosi Amram, a pioneering psychologist, executive coach, and author of the groundbreaking new book Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired. Dr. Amram invites us to rethink what it means to lead—not just with intelligence or emotional insight, but with spiritual depth and purpose. Whether you're in the boardroom or on the front lines, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about influence, connection, and inspiration. Based on decades of research and real-world coaching, Dr. Amram’s book outlines the Seven Pillars of Spiritual Intelligence, including Purpose, Presence, Compassion, Integrity, and more—core qualities that empower leaders to connect more deeply with themselves and others. Far from being religious or abstract, Dr. Amram defines spirituality in an accessible and universal way, making this a must-listen for anyone craving more meaning and authenticity in their leadership journey. In this episode of A New Direction, Dr. Amram shares stories of transformation from top CEOs, as well as practical tools to awaken your own spiritual intelligence. He'll reveal how true inspiration comes not from charisma or command, but from alignment with a greater sense of purpose and service. If you're feeling burnt out or uninspired in your leadership role, this conversation is your invitation to find renewal and clarity. Don't miss this rare opportunity to explore the intersection of leadership and spirit with one of the leading thinkers in the field. Tune in and discover how to lead from within—and inspire others to do the same. Dr. Amram's book: "Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired", is a tremendously insightful book on a subject matter that until his research lacked scientific rigor. Spiritually Intelligent Leadership is not a religious book.  It's not a doctrine.  It is a book that emphasizes through science that there is a spiritual element to our leadership.  In fact, accounts for more facets of leadership than emotional intelligence. I know the idea of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership feels odd to many if not most people. But Dr. Amram had broken it down into 7 dimensions and 25 behavior characteristics that get to the heart of how to apply Spiritually Intelligent Leadership to not just your life, but your business. The book will make you think and rethink your view on leadership.  And if you have an open mindset, it will allow you to realize that there is more to leadership than simply the physical, mental, and emotional aspects. It will help you see we all need a dose of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership. To learn more about Dr. Yosi Amram and his work goto www.yosiamram.net Please support our sponsors of A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you’re an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you’re recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here’s the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don’t settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! and Linda Craft Team, REALTORS they can help you sell your home or buy your next home.  For more than 40 years they have been known for helping people make their life transition with their “Legendary Custome...