I attended a conference last week in Austin, TX. I had hopes for it. It didn't turn out like that. How it did turn out I wouldn't choose. But as far as a lasting effect on me and my business, it was far beyond anything I could have anticipated. In this episode, I share that story and the lessons I took from my experience. Conferences? I say go. But only with an optimized attitude.
This week's episode is a departure. Tom shares a PowerPoint presentation from his talk entitled Mentoring as a Strategic Asset. The thesis of this talk is that organizations of the future, in order to thrive, perhaps even survive, must feature a mentoring culture. This means the people in the organization effectively act as both mentor and mentee to be, in ways that matter personally to them, better tomorrow than today. Given time and constituency demands, this is easier said than done. It is also exactly the mission of Mentor Machine Incorporated - to help leaders achieve this rare and invaluable status. Tom reviews his G.R.O.W.T.H. framework that typifies masterful mentoring, and offers ideas about how organizations of all types and sizes can evolve to a place where more of their people feel a sense of deep fulfillment.
In this last installment of the Frustration to Fulfillment series, the rubber meets the road. We look at some of the ways to take action that nourishes individuals and organizational culture through systematically increasing fulfillment in the workplace. It's not just a hot term or a fad - it is a recognition of the deeper aspects of human nature, and rising to the responsibility to take actions that lead to more flourishing. Though we look at some of these actions, the primary one - true in all intentional positive change - is a commitment to make it happen. That's the takeaway from today's episode. For more, check out thementormachine.com and/or contact tom at tom@thementormachine.com. The kinds of actions you can take, aside from seeing the latest research on engagement in the workplace, are finding ways to measure fulfillment, installing effective means to not simply teach, train, or coach - but to inspire, connect, and grow. These are the ingredients that give us more meaning and purpose, which in turn gives us the kind of fulfillment we call Alvea, which in turn creates a thriving organizational culture. Start building that right now!
In this installment of our continued review of our white paper Frustration to Fulfillment, we take a look at the workplace of the 21st century through a psychological lens. Specifically, we utilize the findings of Abraham Maslow, Victor Frankl, and Martin Seligman to apply positive psychological precepts to improve our individual level of fulfillment and our organizational culture. If you would like to read the white paper, please visit thementormachine.com, or reach out to Tom directly at tom@thementormachine.com.
Engagement is a hot word - many organizations do what they can to build engagement. Yet, frustration is widespread: It shows up as fatigue, disengagement, or quiet dissatisfaction, even among competent and engaged employees. The problem is Engagement ≠ Fulfillment: Engagement keeps people interested for a while, but only fulfillment sustains them long-term. Fulfillment = Alignment: It emerges when people’s strengths, values, and contributions connect to meaningful outcomes.The Data That MattersOnly 21% of employees worldwide are engaged in their work. Nearly 80% are disengaged or frustrated (Gallup, 2025).Disengagement costs the global economy $8.9 trillion annually — about 9% of global GDP (Gallup, 2025).70% of employees don’t believe their leaders create a culture where they can thrive (Deloitte, 2023).1 in 3 workers say their workplace harms their mental health (American Psychological Association, 2024).Employees who find their work meaningful are 70% less likely to experience burnout (Gallup, 2024).Employees who feel they can use their strengths at work are 57% less likely to quit (Deloitte, 2023).What can we do about all of this? Pay attention to Fulfillment and do what you can to build it. How? That's what we talk about in today's episode - Eye of Power style.
In this second installment of a series in which we explore the contents of our white paper entitled Frustration to Fulfillment: Contemporary Challenges and Effective Strategies in Building and Sustaining an Engaged Workforce and Thriving Organizations, we contrast the ideas of engagement in our work with fulfillment at work. The research is clear - engagement follows fulfillment, and leaders of 21st century organizations are well-advised to build systems that maximize fulfillment. We introduce a distinct concept, a particular kind of fulfillment, we call Alvea. In future installments, we will further examine the research behind these claims as well as offer action items for leaders who want to build thriving human-centered cultures.
Today's episode is the beginning of a series based upon a newly available white paper entitled Frustration to Fulfillment: Contemporary Challenges and Effective Strategies in Building and Sustaining an Engaged Workforce and Thriving Organizations, which presents the latest research regarding how organizations gain and lose productivity via the ways they foster, or degrade, engagement and fulfillment in their workplaces. In this first installment, Tom lays out current trends, the stakes involved, the causes for the decline, and the key area of focus leaders must address to guide their teams to long-term satisfaction.
Tom reviews his experience going solo on the On the Blue cruise, where he enjoyed many great conversations and made many new friends. He noticed some of the ways great conversations are born (and stifled.) In this week's show, Tom reviews seven things that you can use to improve the quality of your conversations, and by extension, the quality of your relationships, and thus, your life experience.
In this final installment of the review of the Eye of Power model, Tom walks us through the Purpose Quadrant. This is where we sharpen our efforts to find meaning in our work and in our lives. As in all the quadrants, there are four elements - two that keep us in place, two that move us forward - that we address to build our sense that what we do is important and matters in the world. This is a crucial process for us as individuals, of course. It is also important in any shared enterprise, because feelings of fulfillment open us up to building cultures of respect and trust - necessary if we want to sustain a thriving organization.
In this third installment of our overview of the Eye of Power model itself, Tom talks about the People Quadrant - defined by the attitudes we have toward others. We learn about the dynamics in each of the four layers - Corrosion, Quest, Traps, and Capacity - as it relates to the way we frame our thoughts in each and every relationship we have. We look at the two forces that limit our power - Condemnation and Comparison, as well as the two ways we expand it - Who with/for? and Consideration. By systematically paying attention to these dynamics, we build our ability to see the unique value in everyone we encounter. This puts us in a position to build strong relationships, sew the seeds of good will, and rally people to a shared mission or cause - superpowers each.
In the second installment of the review of the Eye of Power model, Tom focuses on the area of our agency that has to do with our self-perception, defined by our attitude we have about ourselves. He outlines two forces that restrict our personal power, and two that free us to become more fully expressed versions of ourselves. To grow in this way, we must reduce our confusion and systematically gain clarity, embark on a quest to determine what is real and true about ourselves, identify the role-based patterns in our brains that channel and may limit our behaviors, and become ever more congruent - internally aligned. This pays off in a greater ability to direct energy to priorities of our choosing and by extension, a greater ability to manifest desirable conditions.
This week begins a multi-part series that provides a detailed explanation of the Eye of Power model. It functions as a map, flashlight, and compass to help us identify the ways we gain and lose our personal power - our agency. In this installment, Tom walks us through the Pain Quadrant - the parts of ourselves having to do with the actions we take on our own behalf. The primary lesson in the Pain Quadrant is the importance of the relationship we have with our fears, our comfort, our habits, our willingness to sacrifice one thing for something more precious to us. Most of us could stand to mature in our relationship with Pain. Pain is not an enemy to be avoided. It is an ally that makes us pay attention. Our attention is where our power begins.
Tom welcomes his friend Nevin Beyer to the podcast. Nevin is an experienced Surety Bond expert. He shares his story when his previous company was acquired by a private investment firm who ingnobly treated the staff for a short-term payoff. Nevin shares lessons learned from this experience, enhanced by a that of a long and successful career in financial services. He stresses the importance of aligning ourselves with leaders of good character. The corollary of this observation is to strive to maximize our own character. All of this because of the importance of relationships.
Tom welcomes back Dr. Ryan Williamson to today's podcast. Tom and Ryan discuss the ways our brains function, the challenges poised to our brain's health in the modern world, and what we might do to optimize our neurological health. To find out more check out:transcendhealthgroup.comRyan's Bio:Dr. Ryan Williamson, M.D. is a board-certified neurologist, proud Navy veteran, and the owner and founder of Transcend Health. After commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Navy, he completed his medical training at the Florida State University College of Medicine, neurology residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and ultimately separated from service as a Lieutenant Commander. After this, Dr. Williamson ultimately dedicated his career to improving brain health and helping individuals expand their longevity.Driven by a passion to make a broader impact, Dr. Williamson founded Transcend Health, a platform that bridges neuroscience with entrepreneurship. He empowers leaders and individuals to optimize their cognitive performance through evidence-based strategies that address brain fog, improve memory, and help them overcome cognitive overload.Dr. Williamson's expertise has garnered significant attention, with his insights impacting communities across the globe. He is currently engaged in high-level conversations with influential figures to integrate his knowledge into their communities, curricula, and beyond.Through Transcend Health, Dr. Williamson offers a membership program featuring exclusive educational calls, wellness protocols, and a private community forum for members to connect and collaborate. He is also the author of an upcoming book (releasing this fall) that aims to further disseminate his knowledge and empower individuals to live longer, deeper, and more impactful lives.Dr. Williamson's vision is to help individuals and groups achieve their full potential by taking control of and optimizing their health so they can live more fulfilling lives and leave a lasting legacy.
“It's hard to find good people.” You've heard it. Maybe you've said it. But what if the real issue isn’t a talent shortage—it’s a development failure?In this episode of The Eye of Power, we challenge the prevailing narrative around hiring and retention. Using the four quadrants of the Eye of Power model—Pain, Perception, People, and Purpose—we examine how leaders may unknowingly contribute to the very problem they lament.We explore how:Leaders avoid the discomfort of coaching and accountability (Pain)Biases distort hiring decisions and potential goes unseen (Perception)Culture and systems either elevate or erode talent (People)True growth is rooted in purpose and contribution, not just performance (Purpose)This episode sets the stage for a forthcoming series of interviews with HR professionals on the front lines. But first, we must ask the hard question:Are we searching for ready-made excellence… or building the kind of places where it can grow?
We’re swimming in self-improvement—books, podcasts, journaling prompts, coaching programs. But what if the very tools meant to help us grow are becoming obstacles? In this episode of The Eye of Power, we confront the subtle and widespread illusion of growth: when we mistake consumption for transformation, and image for integrity.Through the lens of the Eye of Power model, we explore the Four Quadrants—Perception, Pain, People, and Purpose—and the Four Capacities: Courage, Congruence, Consideration, and Contribution. You’ll discover how real growth often begins with seeing what you can’t see—your own blind spots—and how it only becomes sustainable with the help of others, honest reflection, and disciplined action.If you're ready to stop performing growth and start embodying it, this episode is for you.
Do you ever feel invisible? It's not a good feeling, is it? How about the flip side? How does it feel in those special moments when you feel like another human being sees you for who you are - not what you can do for them, but as an end to yourself? Pretty terrific, right? Now, imagine the culture in your organization. How much do the people there feel truly seen? What might it be like if everyone felt seen and appreciated every day? Do you think that might make a difference in attitude? Level of engagement? Amount of energy given to the shared cause? Absolutely - it makes all the difference in the world. For people, and the organizations that provide the structure within which we serve one another, it's the difference between thriving and just surviving, or worse. That's why the Mentor Machine is designed the way it is - to put an evergreen system in place that provides a continuous gravitational pull in this healthy direction.
Have you ever been amazed by how smart people do dumb things? Maybe you're a smart person who has done a silly thing once or twice! In this week's episode, we take a look at seven traps that can turn our very intelligence against us. If you'd like to harness more of that intellect to make wiser decisions and manifest a higher quality life experience, it's a good idea to apply the solutions for these seven traps - just to be sure you're not falling into them now! We draw from the wisdom of Friedrich Nietzsche, Carl Jung, and other important psychological thinkers to light the path to greater wisdom - whether you consider yourself smart or not!
I happened upon the Netflix series Sirens knowing nothing about it. Well, I was drawn in by the sophistication of the story, along with the acting and production. The story is a modern myth, complete with the lessons that mythology offers. To get a good look at some of those lessons, we use the Eye of Power model to analyze the story's elements and distill some wisdom nuggets. When we keep these in mind, we can avoid some of the big traps that can shipwreck us on the rocks of life.
The shortest, and hardest path to a better life - meaning better relationships, better associations, better work conditions, and more peace of mind and fulfillment - is to be impeccable with our word. Don Miguel Ruiz teaches this in his seminal book The Four Agreements. In this episode, we look at what this means both psychologically and in practice. We identify ways to be more impeccable with our word. A more valuable investment in energy there is not.