A New Direction

Hosted by Jay Izso

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300

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Jul 2026

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Interviewing Best Selling Authors from around the world for success and leadership in business, life and career.

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August 13, 202657 min

The Hidden Barriers to Authentic Leadership

You May Think You have Authentic Leadership… But Reality is You and I are Hiding Things We Don’t Want to Look At What are you hiding — and what is it actually costing you? Not just in your business, but in your marriage, your friendships, the relationship with your own kids. That’s the question at the center of my conversation tomorrow at 5pm Eastern, LIVE on A New Direction , with Tyler Dickerhoof , author of the brand-new book The Things We Hide . If you’ve ever wondered why so many high performers still feel alone at the top, this is a conversation about the hidden barriers to authentic leadership — and how to finally tear them down. Tyler isn’t theorizing about authentic leadership from the sidelines. He built businesses generating over $500 million in combined sales, and sat on John Maxwell’s Network Marketing Advisory Council. But he’ll tell you the whole time he was doing it, he was hiding — behind the results, behind the intensity, behind the belief that his worth was tied to how much he knew and how hard he could push. It took losing his younger brother Joel as a teenager, and decades of pushing people away while pushing through everything alone, before Tyler finally turned around and faced what he’d spent 25 years running from. That turn is exactly what separates performance from authentic leadership. Shorten with AI That’s the real subject of The Things We Hide : the hidden barriers that keep capable, driven people from ever leading — or living — authentically. Tyler breaks it down into what he calls the Four Walls of Insecurity: Intensity, Inactivity, Insensitivity, and Isolation. These are the defense mechanisms so many high achievers mistake for strengths. We’re going to talk about why “intensity is a bulldozer” that clears a path for success but leaves relationships in the wreckage. We’re going to talk about the lie that leadership has to be lonely. And we’re going to unpack his core message, one every leader chasing authentic leadership needs to hear: what you hide controls you, what you face transforms you. So clear your schedule, and join us for a real conversation about hidden barriers, vulnerability, and what authentic leadership actually looks like once the performance drops away. Bring your questions, bring your comments, and bring whatever wall you’ve been hiding behind — because Tyler and I are going to talk about how to tear it down without tearing yourself apart in the process. This isn’t just another leadership interview. Tyler Dickerhoof’s book, “ The Things We Hide: A Guide to Identifying Hidden Barriers and Leading with Authenticity ” is a deep, insightful view into ourselves that most of us do not want to look at. And yet, is fundamentally required if we want to achieve both true significance and success. We all have walls. We all have fears and insecurities. For most of us we will never admit them throughout our lifetime. Instead, when our insecurities are triggered, we become intense, maybe we become inactive hoping this will just go away, perhaps it we resort to becoming insensitive because the more calluses that we have we don’t have to feel others’ pain, or maybe we just isolate and disappear. Maybe it is some combination of all of these. The point is…our insecurities will show up. So what do we do about it? Well this is where this book separates itself from so many others. Tyler includes exercises and free assessments in the book that if you choose to take on the mission can start moving you onto the path of true significance, success, and real authentic leadership. This book is not going to be easy. It is going to challenge you. It is going to make you uncomfortable, but growth comes from being comfortable getting uncomfortable. This book will make you think and help you grow if you choose to follow his guidelines. I loved every page! Get your copy of The Things We Hide by clicking here! Please reach out to our sponsors and LIKE their social media pages as their financial contributions help keep A New Direction on the air and bring us great guests. Lind a Craft Team, REALTORs for more than 40 years their clients and friends have said when it comes to real estate they have “legendary customer service”. Locally owned, and independent of any national brand, they have literally helped people all over the world by finding the best real estate professional in your area. And because they are independent they are unbiased who they choose because they have relationships with the best agents regardless of company. So, if you live somewhere else, or you live in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park, before you sell or buy your home, start with the “legends” that know the local market, and stay on the bleeding edge of technology at Linda Craft Team, REALTORS…you can learn more by going to www.LindaCraft.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

July 30, 202653 min

3 Hard Truths Every Promoted Leader Must Face

3 Hard Truths for a Leadership Mindset Shift Are you struggling to transition from a high-performing technical expert to an effective people manager? On the next live episode of A New Direction , best-selling author Steven Riddle joins us for Part 2 of our deep dive into his book, Falling into Leadership . Join us as we tackle the critical leadership mindset shift required when stepping into executive roles. Many new managers fall into the trap of leading through the exact technical skills that got them promoted, failing to realize that team management and executive growth require an entirely different playbook. One of the biggest hurdles in leadership development is mastering difficult conversations in leadership . Why do founders and executives endlessly rehearse tough performance reviews or confrontational talks in their head, only to avoid having them altogether? Steven exposes how surface-level communication erodes trust and why moving toward active listening and practical empathy is essential for creating psychological safety . By understanding the nuance between empathy, sympathy, and apathy, leaders can stop micromanaging and start asking powerful questions that build real engagement and clarity . As you climb the organizational ladder, executive loneliness becomes an unmistakable reality. The higher you advance, the more isolated decision-making feels, making emotional intelligence and self-awareness non-negotiable tools for survival . We discuss how resilient leadership helps senior executives navigate uncertainty, adapt to constant workplace change, and lead with steady character rather than relying on sheer force of personality . True adaptability isn’t about avoiding stress; it’s about maintaining presence under pressure so you can guide your team through disruption without getting knocked off center . Ultimately, the leadership mindset shift is from task-based management to sustainable leadership requires mastering effective delegation and structuring high-impact 1-on-1 meetings that foster team accountability . Strong organizational culture isn’t built top-down through rigid policy; it is forged daily through authentic connection, shared values, and mutual respect . Tune in to New Direction , to learn how to focus on the human inputs that drive high performance and leave behind a lasting leadership legacy . Steve Riddle’s book, “ Falling Into Leadership: How Leaders Emerge, Grow and Lead With Purpose ” is a play by play guide into coaching a new leader. In Steve Riddle’s approach we are introduced to a new emerging leader in Sally who is open and willing to change as a leader, but is uncertain of the steps. In 8 sessions Steve Riddle walks us through his process of coaching that helps you have a Leadership Mindset Shift to help you go from promoted to great. Steve Riddle has a very organized approach that starts with focusing on the leader’s own self-awareness. His big push is if that self-awareness is only the beginning, but without it, you will never get to the next steps of growth. His methodology of using questions to push the client are both refreshing and eye opening for all of us. And that leadership mindset shift is fundamentally necessary for growth. Behind the curtain he takes through the importance of emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, resilience, and what true accountability looks like. He emphasizes the importance of the leaders role of empowering, inspiring, and influencing those the leader leads, and helps us recognize that as a leader our responsibility is to leave a legacy of leaders in our employees. Packed with tons of insights and thought provoking questions, and leadership mindset shifts, the book, in my opinion is using the case of Sally to take a closer look at ourself. Some of our dysfunctional mindsets, becoming more self-aware and becoming the leader we had always hoped we would become. Please reach out and thank the awesome sponsors of A New Direction: Every real estate agent is asking the same question right now: is AI going to help me, or leave me behind? Here’s the honest answer — the agents who’ve learned to use it are already pulling ahead. They’re writing listings in minutes, answering every lead the second it comes in, and following up until customers become clients, all without adding hours to their week. And if you’re not using AI yet — because you’re not sure how, or it honestly feels a little intimidating — you’re not behind. You’re exactly who this was built for. You don’t need to be technical or “good with computers.” You just need a clear, plain‑English path to putting these tools to work in your business. That’s what AIREpro Certification is: a step‑by‑step course, built by real estate coaches for real estate agents, that teaches you to use AI to grow your business and make more money. Convert and close more of the leads you already have. Improve your marketing while saving marketing dollars. Get the work of a marketing assistant and a personal assistant for about the price of one lunch a month — not a salary. It’s twelve self‑paced modules, zero jargon, and a certificate that shows clients you’re AI‑ready. Best of all, you can try Module One completely free — no signup, no credit card — and decide for yourself. If it’s a fit, the full certification is just $99 Linda Craft Team, Realtors when you are looking to sell your home or buy a new home start with what their clients refer to as “the legends of customer service”. Whether you are in the Greater Raleigh Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina or any where in the world they can help you with your home dreams. Contact our friends Linda Craft Team at www.LindaCraft.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

July 9, 202656 min

Game On! Sportify Your Business

Sportify Your Business What separates a championship-winning franchise from a team that can’t even make the playoffs? It’s a locker room culture rooted in a higher standard of fair play, integrity, and a relentless drive to win the right way. In this episode of A New Direction with Coach Jay , we are huddling up to completely redraw your corporate playbook. Join me as I sit down with performance strategist and author Jake Shannon to discuss his groundbreaking book, Sportify: Beyond Business Ethics . We are tossing out the dusty, uninspired compliance manuals and mapping out a radical new game plan where high-level moral codes meet elite athletic execution. In this hard-hitting episode, we are diving deep into the powerful, unexpected intersection of elite sportsmanship and bioethical principlism. Shannon argues that traditional business ethics are fundamentally broken, relying on lazy, defensive legal box-checking that inspires absolutely no one. Instead, he borrows the rigorous, high-stakes ethical frameworks typically used in modern medicine—Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, and Justice—and fuses them with the unyielding spirit of athletic fair play. We’ll discuss how this unique ethical ecosystem creates a transparent, high-trust workplace where your team doesn’t just follow rules out of fear, but actively plays hard for the brand because they respect the game. Sportify isn’t just philosophical theory; it’s about the practical ethics of daily leadership. As coaches and managers, we’ve all dealt with the frustrating drain of “Zombie Labor”—that exhausting scenario where a company pays for full-time salaries but only gets a fraction of the actual effort due to poor morale and toxic corporate governance. Shannon’s Sportify framework tackles this head-on, proving that running an ethical organization is actually the ultimate productivity hack. We will break down how transitioning from an obsolete supervisor model to a dynamic “Head Coach” framework changes everything, allowing you to stop running an “adult daycare” and start engineering a self-governing competitive dynasty. Whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to protect your bottom line or a manager ready to revitalize a disengaged locker room, this episode is your ultimate pre-game brief on how doing the right thing drives winning results. It’s time to stop settling for mediocrity and take your leadership in a bold, new direction. Get ready to upgrade your corporate code of conduct for good. See you on the field and Sportify your business! Jake Shannon’s book, “ Sportify: Beyond Business Ethics ” is a quick read filled with no nonsense guidance to run your business like a sports team. Let’s be honest, sports require competition and sportsmanship. Your business should really run on the same principles. In Sportify, Jake Shannon makes a strong case that you can run a successful and profitable business by applying the same sports and ethical principles that we find in sports. In today’s business world it can feel very difficult to have a winning edge and still play ethically, but Jake Shannon uses examples throughout Sportify to demonstrate that when you play the ethical game, you reduce problems, build trust with customers, obtain the best talent and create a legacy that goes beyond you. The problem for most companies is the question of leadership. If leadership demonstrates ethical behavior and you make it part of your core values and mission your business will be holding up the championship trophy at the end of the day. Is it a one time fix? No, it will require practice. Practice in your daily routines. Practice with each other. Practice with your clients and customers and practice in the business and outside of it. Sportify while a quick read is the new way to do business, and do it successfully! Loved this book. I highly recommend it. You can get your copy of Sportify by clicking here ! We are so grateful for the financial support of the sponsors of A New Directio n. They really do help us secure great authors, books, and distribute the show. Please go to their websites and thank them. Even going to their social media pages and giving them a LIKE would be awesome! L inda Craft Team, Realtors , their clients say that their customer service is “legendary” and the reason for that is because for more than 39 years they build and maintain personal relationships with their clients. Why? Because buying and selling of a house is a great deal more than a business transaction, it is a life altering experience. That’s because we don’t just live in a home, some of our most significant memories will be made in that home. Linda and her team are dedicated to taking care of your memory maker as if it were their own. Whether you are about to purchase a new home, or sell your current home, start with the relationship legends. Start with Linda Craft Team, Realtors – www.LindaCraft.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

June 24, 202656 min

It’s Alone at the Top and 3 Ways to Change It

Being Alone Isn’t Helping Your Business or You We live in the most connected era in human history, and somehow, we have never been more alone. That paradox is the beating heart of Unknown: Finding Connection in a Disconnected World, the USA Today bestseller from leadership coach and New Hope Church founder Keith Spurgin . After years of advising leaders across North America, Europe, and Africa, Spurgin kept hearing the same quiet confession over and over: “I’m surrounded by people, but I feel completely alone.” Today on A New Direction , he joins us live to talk about why that ache of aloneness shows up everywhere — in marriages, in friendships, and especially in the lives of the leaders we assume have it all figured out. We can have great success and still be totally alone. And What makes this conversation different is that Spurgin isn’t speaking from a podium. He’s speaking from the night his wife told him it felt like he had “a mistress” — not another person, but his work, his calling, and his reputation, all of which had quietly crowded her out. It rocked his world, and it took years to rebuild. Thirty-eight years of marriage later, he’s living proof that disconnection doesn’t have to be the end of the story. That honesty is exactly why readers keep saying this book “reflects my own life” and “is going to change my life” — and it’s why this episode is going to hit closer to home than you expect. For leaders, the stakes are even higher. You can build a brilliant strategy, hit every number, and still be running a team of people who don’t actually know each other — or you. You feel everything falls on you…and you are alone at the top. Spurgin argues that healthy culture isn’t built on performance; it’s built on genuine connection, and most of us were never taught how to create it. In this conversation he lays out the practical road map at the core of Unknown: how to move relationships from lifeless and transactional to vibrant and real, and how the leaders who master this end up building teams people never want to leave. If you’ve ever wondered why your organization feels busy but hollow, this is the missing piece. Keith Spurgin ‘s book, “ U nknown: Finding Connection in a Disconnected World ” is an honest, insightful look into the epidemic that is growing around the world. Being alone and being “unknown”. The fact of the matter is that being alone and loneliness is growing and no one is talking about it. Yes are we more technologically connected…sure. But what we are truly build and designed for is 3-dimensional human connection, and without it according to research comes a number of physical problems with a shorter life span. Keith Spurgin, doesn’t pull any punches in Unknown. He is vulnerable with his own shortcomings. He is honest with where he has missed the mark and how in some cases he recovered and others, he did not. He helps us to understand that having these truly connected deep relationships enhances our lives as not only leaders, but as people. The problem that most of us face is that we are all broken people and relationships are not easy. Many people believe that they don’t need people. They have convinced themselves of the lie that they are independent, and life is safer without the complications. However, what we learn is that even the most independent of us still will try to have relationships, but we bounce from one to another, so we don’t get hurt. We ultimately fall into the relationship pain cycle. For leaders it is more difficult. Many have made the choice that being alone is the price to pay for being on top. Spurgin explains that it’s not the best we to lead. We are only mediocre at best when we go it alone. And you can’t go from good to great when you are satisfied with mediocrity. The book takes through some practical steps we all need to consider, because it is not just having great relationships we must choose wisely. Because you should know that the deeper relationships you have, have your back. They are the ones who can listen without judgement and yet can call you out when you have gone off the rails. Does it take time? Of course it does. You may say you don’t have the time. But who’s choice is that? At the end of the day, we come to learn a couple of important factors from Unknown: First, we need relationships to make us better. Second, love (not in the movie version) of your closest friends changes the landscape of being alone. And three, we are all broken people, and so relationships require work, vulnerability, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It’s not easy, but as with anything else, it is the hard things that are worth it. I highly recommend “ Unknown “ Get your copy of Unknown by clicking here. Make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast so this one lands in your feed. Whether you lead a company, a team, an organization, a church, or a household, you’ll walk away with language for something you’ve felt for years but couldn’t name, and a real path toward changing it. Some episodes inform you. This one might just reconnect you. Don’t watch it alone — share it with the person who needs to hear it most. We really would like to ask you to thank our sponsors. Their financial support of A New Direction is so critical to helping us provide quality guests, books, and great sounding show. “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can’t move forward if you’re worried about what’s lurking in your inbox. That’s where Data443 Cyren comes in. It’s the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don’t let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future . “ 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? They have created relationships with the best real estate experts in the world to help you regardless of where you live get the best person possible. And because they are independent of any national brand, they have relationships with other professionals from all the companies, not just the ones that are part of a national branded network. For more than 39 years they continue to build relationships because that is how Linda started the business and continues to do so today. Head on over to www.LindaCraft.com Hey…do me a favor and please tell your friends to subscribe to A New Direction on their favorite podcast platform and give us a 5 star rating we are so grateful when you do! ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

June 10, 202658 min

What Got You Here, Isn’t What’s Going to Get You There

A 4-Step Process to Stop Stressing and Your Team Start Leading What if the exact habits that built your success are now the very thing quietly holding your business back? You hustled, you solved every problem, you held the standard — and it worked, so it became automatic. But somewhere along the way the company stopped being able to run without you, your talented team stopped stepping up, and you started wondering why working harder only makes the wheel spin faster. If any of that lands a little too close to home, this week’s conversation is for you. In this episode of A New Direction , we dig into The High-Altitude Entrepreneur with Chris Clearfield — and this episode is about you, not just the book. You’ll discover why what got you here won’t get you there, why all your systems still leave you trapped at the center, and the uncomfortable truth that your team won’t take ownership until you stop jumping in. We even go into the brain science of it: how “predictive processing” keeps you reacting on autopilot to problems you haven’t even really looked at yet — and why that’s the real reason willpower never broke the cycle. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a way out. We’ll unpack the shift from low-altitude founder — reactive, indispensable, exhausted — to high-altitude leader who rises above the chaos, sees the whole system, and finally lets the business grow beyond them. You’ll learn how to spot the conditioned instinct that’s capping your growth, how to hand your team real ownership, and why personal freedom isn’t the reward you earn after success — it’s the precondition that makes success possible in the first place. Join us and come ready to see your own patterns clearly, bring the questions you’ve been afraid to ask out loud, and bring a fellow founder who needs to hear it too. This is the conversation that helps you stop running your business from the ground — and start leading it from altitude. Chris Clearfield ‘s book, “ The High-Altitude Entrepreneur: A Framework for Scaling Smarter, Leading Better, and Living Freer , is a book for entrepreneurs and leaders. And quite honestly you are going to need put aside your defensiveness, which will immediately happen when you start reading this book. Why do I say that so confidently? Because no one wants to hear that the real problem why you as a leader are always stressed, feel like you team won’t take leadership, feel like everything falls on you, is because you are the bottleneck to your business. But you really can’t do your out of this. Your problem is not your people the problem is the monster you created because of the way you are wired that causes your people to not want to take action and lead. The fact is when you started your business, you pushed your way through. You had to. Every decision fell on you. So you put in the work, and you went into grind mode. You lost sleep. You pushed hard! So now when things are not going well, or things start to go south, what do you do? You employ your old operating system of work hard, push, and grind. The problem. Now you have people, and they aren’t responding. Now you are under even more stress. Your frustrated. You feel more burned out than ever. You may even slump into depression. You think your people are lazy. They’re not the problem. You see what got you there at the beginning was great! But now that your business is grown, what once got you there, isn’t going to get you there now. You don’t need to do different you need to “be” different. That is the beauty of Chris Clearfield’s book “ The High-Altitude Entrepreneu r”. He has to together the High-Altitude framework that takes you step by step through a process where you can start removing yourself, so you can truly rely on others. Is it easy? Nope. Is it a quick fix? Nope. Will change your business for the better? Yep. Will it change your life for the better? You bet! This is one of those books that if you have the guts to do it, will fundamentally change your business and you. The book is worth every penny. Get your copy of The High-Altitude Entrepreneur by clicking here! Special Offer from Chris Clearfield If you would like to experience first hand how the process works. Chris offers a group for free that you can watch and learn how the High-Altitude Framework works. Just go to: Clearfieldleadership.com/elevate and sign up! Please say thank you to our sponsors! It is their financial support that allows A New Direction to continue growing and getting great authors. “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can’t move forward if you’re worried about what’s lurking in your inbox. That’s where Data443 Cyren comes in. It’s the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don’t let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future . “ Li nda Craft Team, Realtors for more than 40 years the choice of people all over the world. They are not only experts in buying and selling real estate, they are expert negotiators that will fight for you! But perhaps their greatest expertise is that they understand that your home is more is a place where you created some of your fondest memories. When you want a real estate professional who not only will get you the best price, but will care about your home like you would care about your home start with the Legends of Customer Service start with Linda Craft & Team. www.LindaCraft.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

June 3, 202659 min

3 Steps to the Deep Transformation of Your Success

You Don’t Need a Business Transformation…you need a YOU Transformation Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things—reading the self-help books, checking off your goals, grinding every day—but inside, you’re still wrestling with the exact same anxieties? You aren’t broken; you’ve just hit the ceiling of what your current self can handle. Real, lasting change requires more than just adding new habits to your daily routine; it demands a total identity transformation . If you are ready to stop merely managing your symptoms and start evolving who you are at your core, it is time for a radical internal upgrade. Today on A New Direction , Coach Jay dives deep into this psychological frontier with cutting-edge mindset expert and best-selling author, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson . We are breaking open his latest, game-changing book, Becoming Better: The Ground Breaking Science of Persona Transformation . Dr. Gottfredson bypasses the usual self-help clichés to deliver the actual, hard science behind vertical development. He will show us how to achieve a deep mental transformation that rewires our internal operating systems for unprecedented success and peace. In this powerful conversation, you will discover why traditional willpower consistently fails and how your hidden mindsets are secretly sabotaging your growth. Dr. Gottfredson will reveal the neurological and psychological blueprints necessary to shed your defensive armor, heal old wounds, and accelerate your personal transformation . This isn’t a superficial conversation about doing more; it is an exploration of how to fundamentally alter how you see yourself and the world from the inside out. Do not miss this chance to experience a life-altering transformation in real-time. Join us right here on A New Direction with Coach Jay to catch every insight, absorb the science, and discover the keys to unlocking your next level. Your old self has taken you as far as it can—it is time to step into the ultimate transformation and meet the person you were actually meant to become. A FREE Transformational Offer! If you go to RyanGottfredson.com and you click on any of the assessments and tell Ryan you heard him on my show A New Direction with Coach Jay he will give you a FREE 30 minutes call to go over your assessment ! Just click here for the assessments. Ryan Gottfredson’s Book, “ Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation ” is a life changing book that will be transformational for your business. You may be asking how can that be? Because the fact is your business success is limited by your personal success in life. And when you are broken (which we all are) we are never going to be as successful in life and business until we start our journey of healing from the inside out. Dr Gottfredson likes to use the analogy of our brain and reactions, and mindsets and thinking as an operating system. That operating system has coding from birth to now. So, anything that we react to our coding kicks in and we respond in a way that can damage our success. So, the fact is our operating system really needs to be recoded, the problem is we don’t want to do the hard work to do it. But here is the irony. When we have problems in life and business what do we typically do? We try to find ways we can “do” our way out of something. We may go to a conference to go new ways of “doing” things. That all sounds great but let’s take the analogy one step further. Think of it this way. If you download another app on your phone to help you “do” something, but your operating system coding (IOS) is screwed up, and is a mess, how effective is that app… it’s not. And no transformation. That’s the point of Becoming Better . Until you change the coding from the bad coding in your past all the “do this” and “do that” are nothing more than great apps on a horribly written operating system. And your business and life transformation is at a stand still. The brilliance of the book is that not only does Dr. Gottfredson address these issues he gives you the science behind them and offers the small building blocks and steps to start erasing the bad code in your operating system and writing new code. But it is not easy. And I am speaking from my own experience here. When you realize just how much trauma in your past (that you will deny, like I did) and how it has affected your coding, you will see how much success you can achieve. Please get a copy of this book Becoming Better and do the work! We really would like to ask you to thank our sponsors. Their financial support of A New Direction is so critical to helping us provide quality guests, books, and great sounding show. “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can’t move forward if you’re worried about what’s lurking in your inbox. That’s where Data443 Cyren comes in. It’s the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don’t let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future . “ 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? They have created relationships with the best real estate experts in the world to help you regardless of where you live get the best person possible. And because they are independent of any national brand, they have relationships with other professionals from all the companies, not just the ones that are part of a national branded network. For more than 39 years they continue to build relationships because that is how Linda started the business and continues to do so today. Head on over to www.LindaCraft.com Hey…do me a favor and please tell your friends to subscribe to A New Direction on their favorite podcast platform and give us a 5 star rating we are so grateful when you do! ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

May 27, 202656 min

5 Reasons Non-Food Franchising is Your Best Path to Wealth

Forget McDonald’s and Chick-Fi-A Non-Food Franchising May be a Better Bet When most people think of starting a business, their minds immediately go to fast food. We’ve been conditioned to associate “franchising” with burgers, fries, and massive overhead. But in his game-changing book, “Non-food franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership,” Jon Ostenson explains why you might want to leave the grease traps behind. This isn’t just about picking a different industry; it’s about a fundamental shift in how you build wealth. Non-food franchising offers a gateway to high-margin, essential-service businesses that provide the stability the food industry often lacks. There is a profound emotional cost to staying in a corporate job that no longer serves you. We all crave a sense of agency over our own lives, and non-food franchising is designed to provide exactly that. Jon explores how these businesses—ranging from home services to specialized health care—allow “corporate refugees” to stop trading hours for dollars. It’s about building a legacy that supports your family and your freedom, using a proven system that doesn’t require you to be the one performing the labor. If you’ve ever felt like your potential is being capped by a ceiling someone else built, this conversation will be your sledgehammer. During our live deep dive, we’ll look at why the most successful investors are flocking to non-food franchising. These businesses are often “recession-resistant” because they provide services people need rather than just things they want . We will break down the semi-absentee model, showing you how to scale a portfolio of businesses while keeping your day job or enjoying your retirement. By focusing on non-food franchising, you minimize the complexity of high-turnover staff and perishable inventory, focusing instead on the “boring” businesses that produce exciting, consistent cash flow. You cannot afford to miss this high-impact session on A New Direction with Coach Jay. Join us live this Wednesday, May 27th at 5pm Eastern as we interview Jon Ostenson and pull back the curtain on the lucrative world of non-food franchising. Whether you’re looking to diversify your investments or completely pivot your career, this episode will give you the roadmap to move forward with confidence. Tune in and discover why your next big move doesn’t have to involve a drive-thru window. Jon Ostenson ‘s book, “ Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership ” is one of those powerful books in a short read. The fact is I learned more about non-food franchising in this 75-page book than I had learned in my lifetime. In fact, the book was so good, it has got me thinking about investing in to a non-food franchising opportunity. What I found so great about the book is that it is an honest, simple look at why non-food franchising is such a great opportunity. He looks at the pros and cons of comparing to food franchises. He also compares to the challenges of starting your own business or perhaps purchasing someone else’s business. Now don’t think that what Jon Ostenson is saying is all butterflies and roses when it comes to franchising. Because he is not. He points out there is a risk. And he also points out something else. It is not for everyone. The fact is you could be “TOO entrepreneurial” for a non-food franchise, because you like to tweak and do things your own way. That’s where you need to put your ego aside, accepting some humility comes in. The book talks about the subject of how to get money, different avenues to get started, and a step-by-step process he uses. He also discusses the documents that are reviewed and specific areas to pay very close attention to. Glad I read it twice! To get your copy of “Non-Food Franchising” click here. Please thank our sponsors of A New Direction by going to their social media pages liking them and following them. “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can’t move forward if you’re worried about what’s lurking in your inbox. That’s where Data443 Cyren comes in. It’s the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don’t let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future. “ Linda Craft Team, Realtor s for more than 40 years they have been helping people all over the world take the stress out of real estate. And they would love to help you! When Linda started the business she built it by reputation and one relationship at a time and that is a foundation that continues to be built today. They truly understand that when you think about your home it is more than bricks and mortar, you made memories there and you want someone who cares about those as much as possible as you do. When you are ready to sell or buy your home, start with the relationship builders and home transition experts. Start with Linda Craft Team, Realtors… www.LindaCraft.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach | Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction , I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here’s what most people don’t know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I’m an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can’t explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won’t move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That’s it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I’d spent a decade learning that you can’t cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis —in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what’s really driving someone’s decisions, and see what they can’t see in themselves.

May 20, 202656 min

5 Ways Boundaries Ignite Breakthrough Innovation

Innovation Comes from “Inside” the box, NOT “outside” of the box This week on A New Direction with Coach Jay, we are stepping into a conversation that may challenge almost everything we have been told about innovation. We have heard the phrase “think outside the box” so many times it has almost become business wallpaper. But Sheri Jacobs , author of The Unexpected Power of Boundaries: Rethinking the Rules, Risks, and Real Drivers of Innovation , asks a much deeper question: what if the real secret to breakthrough thinking is not escaping the box, but finally understanding where the box ends? Here is what makes this conversation so powerful: most leaders say they want innovation, but many teams are quietly paralyzed by unclear expectations, fear of failure, mixed messages, and the pressure to “be creative” without knowing what is safe to try. Sheri flips that idea on its head. Boundaries are not walls that keep people small. When used wisely, they become guardrails that give people courage, clarity, innovation and permission to take smarter risks. And let’s be honest, in business, leadership, and life, confusion rarely creates confidence. Sheri brings a fascinating mix of research, leadership experience, storytelling, and real-world strategy to the table. From the way teams’ experiment, to how leaders define risk, to why some of the best ideas come from unexpected people and unexpected places, this conversation is about creating the conditions where bold ideas can actually survive long enough to become meaningful innovation. It is not theory for the sake of theory. It is practical, human, and immediately relevant for anyone trying to lead through change without burning out their people or losing their purpose. So, whether you are a business owner, executive, coach, entrepreneur, team leader, or someone who knows your organization needs a fresh spark, this episode is for you. Sheri Jacobs will help us rethink what boundaries really are, why they matter, and how the right constraints can move us from hesitation to experimentation, from chaos to clarity, and from stuck to something truly new. Join me, Coach Jay and Sheri Jacobs for A New Direction as we discover why the limits we resist may be the very thing that helps us grow and create innovation. Sheri Jacobs ‘ book, “T he Unexpected Power of Boundaries: Rethinking the Rules, Risks, and Real Drivers of Innovation ” is an absolute mind twister that will change the way you think about boundaries and innovation. We all know have been told or have worked on projects where we were encouraging to “think outside of the box”. Sounds good in theory, but the irony is our innovation, and creative ideas don’t happen outside the box, they happen from the inside. I know, mind blowing right? But think about it. When we don’t know where the boundaries are, we start to wallow in so many choices and ideas that we end up doing nothing. It’s what we psychologists refer to as “the paradox of choice”. And studies have shown when we do not have clear boundaries…we more often than not fail. Sheri Jacob not only explains this very clearly by using real world examples and her own research and experience, but then she gives us practical actionable steps as leaders to create a culture where people become more innovative. And what she presents is powerful. It starts with a switch of mindset. Then she reminds us that we can do anything, but we can’t do everything, we do need some boundaries. We have rethink our “risk capacity”, not our “risk tolerance” which is emotional, but we have to have a logical structural handle on our capacity for risk. We need to have a culture of curiosity and Sheri helps us develop that. And ultimately, we have to just keep swinging. The book is a winner! I get why it is so popular. I strongly recommend this book. You can get your copy by clicking here! Please thank our sponsors of A New Direction by going to their social media pages liking them and following them. Talk about innovation! “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can’t move forward if you’re worried about what’s lurking in your inbox. That’s where Data443 Cyren comes in. It’s the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don’t let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future. “ Linda Craft Team, REAL TORS for more than 40 years they have been helping people all over the world make a life transition and take the stress out of real estate. They built their business one relationship at a time and continue and that is still the way they work with you. They recognize your home is more than bricks and mortar, but that is truly built on your memories. If you are tired of AI bots who try to pose as real estate professionals, and want to talk to real human being, then you want to call Linda Craft Team, REALTORS. When you are ready to sell or buy your home, start with the relationship builders and home transition experts. Start with Linda Craft Team, REALTORS… www.LindaCraft.com Stop Performing. Start Dominating You Were Built to BE a Champion! You already know what average looks like. You’ve watched it sit in meetings, nod along, and clock out at five. You’ve seen it settle for “good enough” and call it a career. And something inside you — maybe it’s quiet, maybe it’s screaming — refuses to accept that as your ceiling. That’s not ambition. That’s your signal. The distance between where you are and where you know you’re capable of being isn’t talent. It isn’t luck. It’s the space between knowing what to do and actually executing at the level your potential demands. And that gap? It doesn’t close on its own. The Truth Nobody Tells High Performers Here’s what the leadership books leave out: the strategies that got you here won’t get you there. The habits, the mindset, the way you manage your energy and your influence — all of it needs to evolve. Not because you’re broken. Because you’re ready for more. Every elite athlete has a coach. Every world-class CEO has an advisor in their corner. Not because they’re weak — because they understand that the highest performers on the planet don’t go it alone. What Changes When You Stop Going It Alone Working with an executive performance coach isn’t about fixing problems. It’s about unlocking the version of you that operates with total clarity, relentless focus, and the kind of presence that shifts the energy in every room you walk into. Imagine making decisions faster — and with more confidence. Leading teams that don’t just follow you, but run through walls for you. Waking up on Monday with the same fire you feel on Friday night when you’re planning your next move. That’s not fantasy. That’s what happens when you get serious about your performance. Your Move You’ve read this far for a reason. That reason matters. Don’t let this be another article you agree with and forget by tomorrow. Take the first step right now: Book a free discovery call — Let’s talk about where you are, where you want to be, and what’s standing in the way. Visit www.jayizso.com to schedule your session. Send me a direct message — Not ready for a call? No problem. Reach out at jay@thecoachjay.com and tell me what’s on your mind. Every conversation starts somewhere. The only thing standing between you and your next level is the decision to stop waiting. Make it today. Jay Izso is an Executive Performance Coach who works with driven professionals ready to break through to their next level of leadership, influence, and impact. Learn more at www.jayizso.com .

May 13, 202657 min

7 Unwritten Rules of Leadership to Get Promoted Fast

Want to Get Promoted? You Probably Don’t Know What You Don’t Know… We just wrapped up an incredible episode of A New Direction with Craig A. Fleming , author of The Unwritten Rules of Leadership , and the insights were a major wake-up call for anyone looking to get promoted . If you missed the live conversation, we dived deep into the “hidden curriculum” of the corporate world—those unspoken do’s and don’ts that determine who stays in middle management and who gets promoted to the C-suite. The consensus was clear: hitting your KPIs is just the entry fee; understanding the social and political mechanics of your organization is what actually gets you promoted . A standout moment in the interview was Craig’s breakdown of why high-performers often fail to get promoted because they fall into the “Technical Trap.” Many high-achievers believe that becoming the ultimate expert in their current role is the fastest way to move up, but the opposite is often true. Craig explained that if you make yourself too indispensable as a “doer,” you become “un-promotable” because leadership can’t afford to lose your technical output. To be promoted , you have to transition your identity from a specialist to a strategist, demonstrating that you have the Executive Presence to lead others rather than just doing the work yourself. We also discussed why Political Savvy is a non-negotiable skill if you want to get promoted . It isn’t about “playing games”; it’s about building relational equity and finding a sponsor. While a mentor talks to you, a sponsor is someone who talks about you in rooms you haven’t entered yet. Craig shared that many talented individuals fail to get promoted simply because they lack an advocate at the decision-making table. By mapping out the power dynamics of your company and building a network of supporters, you ensure that your name is at the top of the list when it is time for someone to be promoted . If you are tired of watching others move up while you feel stuck, this recap is your roadmap to finally being promoted . We covered 7 specific shifts, from mastering “The Brief” to managing your “Leadership Shadow.” Don’t let another year go by wondering why you haven’t been promoted to the level your hard work deserves. Watch the full replay of A New Direction with Coach Jay and Craig A. Fleming to master these unwritten rules and take the final step to get promoted into the leadership role you’ve been aiming for. Craig Flemings book, “ Unwritten Rules Of Leadership: How Executives Decide Who To Trust, Mentor, Promote, and Remember ” is a no nonsense, gets right to the point book. There is no fluff. No stories. Just a practical guide to, “if you want to get promoted here is what to do, and here is what not to do.” Quite honestly I found it refreshing. No wading through some here is the principle of the story. Not some fairy tale that is suppose to make me feel better about my life, just the direct approach of, “if you want this, here is what you must do.” There are 25 chapters, each chapter has the same outline. Here is the title, here is why it is important. What are the costs and benefits to you on the topic. Here is what you need to do. Here are the distortions that will stall your career. Here is the Application that you need to do on a daily basis in your personal life, your execution, communication etc. I found this book to be so appealing. Find the area. Why is it important. Have the discipline to do what it says…and execute it daily. Simple. Straight forward. Practical. We need more books like this with less stories and more application. Get you copy of Unwritten Rules of Leadership by clicking here. Our sponsors are so important to the success of A New Direction. Please use their services, or recommend their services to others. Their dedication to the show helps us help more people around the world! Data443: Cyren Cyren Threat Intelligence: Your Business’s Cyber Early-Warning System What is it? Think of Cyren as a global neighborhood watch for the internet. Every single day, it scans billions of emails, websites, and files looking for the newest scams, viruses, and hackers. How does it help your business? Cyren automatically creates a constantly updated “most wanted” list of bad links, spam, and hackers. It feeds this list directly into the security tools your company already uses (like your firewall or antivirus software). This empowers your existing security systems to instantly recognize and block new dangers without you or your IT team having to lift a finger. Why it matters: Stops threats at the door: It blocks malicious emails, scam links, and viruses before they even reach your employees’ inboxes or computers. Always up-to-date: The internet moves fast, but Cyren updates in real-time so you are protected against attacks that were just invented today. Trusted by the experts: Massive internet service providers and global tech companies rely on Cyren to protect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. You get the exact same enterprise-grade protection they use. The Bottom Line: Cyren acts as the brain behind your business’s cybersecurity, automatically finding and blocking threats so you can stop worrying about hackers and focus on running your business. Linda Craft Team, REALTORS® , for more than 40 years they have been helping people all over the world protect their dreams and make new ones. Let’s be honest, most of us soon forget how much we paid for our home, or how much we sold our home for…but we all hold on to the memories that were made in that home. The powerful emotions that were in that home. The gatherings, the people, the joys and even some sorrows, because at the end of the day all our memories are what makes the home…a home. The memories and the emotions of those memories. The Linda Craft Team continue the tradition of being the “memory makers” by giving the home you are ready to sell the marketing and attention it deserves, and the start to the new memories you will create when you purchase your next home. When you are ready for your memory head on over to www.LindaCraft.com Stop Performing. Start Dominating You weren’t built to play it safe. You already know what average looks like. You’ve watched it sit in meetings, nod along, and clock out at five. You’ve seen it settle for “good enough” and call it a career. And something inside you — maybe it’s quiet, maybe it’s screaming — refuses to accept that as your ceiling. That’s not ambition. That’s your signal. The distance between where you are and where you know you’re capable of being isn’t talent. It isn’t luck. It’s the space between knowing what to do and actually executing at the level your potential demands. And that gap? It doesn’t close on its own. The Truth Nobody Tells High Performers Here’s what the leadership books leave out: the strategies that got you here won’t get you there. The habits, the mindset, the way you manage your energy and your influence — all of it needs to evolve. Not because you’re broken. Because you’re ready for more. Every elite athlete has a coach. Every world-class CEO has an advisor in their corner. Not because they’re weak — because they understand that the highest performers on the planet don’t go it alone. What Changes When You Stop Going It Alone Working with an executive performance coach isn’t about fixing problems. It’s about unlocking the version of you that operates with total clarity, relentless focus, and the kind of presence that shifts the energy in every room you walk into. Imagine making decisions faster — and with more confidence. Leading teams that don’t just follow you, but run through walls for you. Waking up on Monday with the same fire you feel on Friday night when you’re planning your next move. That’s not fantasy. That’s what happens when you get serious about your performance. Your Move You’ve read this far for a reason. That reason matters. Don’t let this be another article you agree with and forget by tomorrow. Take the first step right now: Book a free discovery call — Let’s talk about where you are, where you want to be, and what’s standing in the way. Visit www.jayizso.com to schedule your session. Send me a direct message — Not ready for a call? No problem. Reach out at jay@thecoachjay.com and tell me what’s on your mind. Every conversation starts somewhere. The only thing standing between you and your next level is the decision to stop waiting. Make it today. Jay Izso is an Executive Performance Coach who works with driven professionals ready to break through to their next level of leadership, influence, and impact. Learn more at www.jayizso.com .

May 7, 202658 min

8 Session Process to Lead with Greatness

Nobody Taught You to Lead — Steve Riddle Knows Why That Matters What happens when a high-performing employee gets promoted into leadership with no playbook, no mentor, and no preparation? According to leadership coach Steve Riddle, this is not the exception — it is the rule. On this week’s episode of A New Direction Live, I sat down with Steve to discuss his book Falling Into Leadership: How Leaders Emerge, Grow and Lead With Purpose , a coaching-driven narrative that pulls back the curtain on the messy, uncertain, deeply human experience of becoming a leader for the first time. Steve Rid dle brings over 30 years of leadership experience and more than 16 years of professional coaching through his firm CoachStation in Australia. His corporate career included senior roles at GE Capital and Toyota Finance Australia before he dedicated himself full-time to developing leaders. Co-written with his mother Kath Riddle, the book follows a fictional leader named Sally through eight coaching sessions that mirror real conversations Steve has had with hundreds of professionals navigating the gap between technical skill and people leadership. What makes this book different from the typical leadership manual is its honesty. Steve doesn’t pretend that confidence comes with the title or that authority earns trust. Instead, he addresses the self-doubt, the emotional weight of decisions that affect other people’s lives, and the loneliness that new leaders rarely talk about. Each chapter ends with practical “Reflect & Act” exercises, making it a book you work through rather than simply read. During our conversation, Steve shared that the leaders who grow fastest are the ones willing to admit they don’t have all the answers — and that vulnerability is not weakness, it’s the starting point of real influence. f you have ever been promoted into a role you didn’t feel ready for, or if you lead a team today and still wonder whether you’re doing it right, this interview will resonate. Steve Riddle ‘s message is both simple and profound: leadership is not a destination you arrive at, it is something you fall into — and what matters most is what you do after the fall. Catch the full conversation on A New Direction, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen. Steve Riddle’ s book, “ Falling Into Leadership: How Leaders Emerge, Grow and Lead With Purpose ” is a play by play guide into coaching a new leader. In his and Kath Riddle’s approach we are introduced to a new emerging leader in Sally who is open and willing to change as a leader, but is uncertain of the steps. In 8 session Steve Riddle walks us through his process of coaching. Steve Riddle has a very organized approach that starts with focusing on the leader’s own self-awareness. His big push is if that self-awareness is only the beginning, but without it, you will never get to the next steps of growth. His methodology of using questions to push the client are both refreshing and eye opening for all of us. Behind the curtain he takes through the importance of emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, resilience, and what true accountability looks like. He emphasizes the importance of the leaders role of empowering, inspiring, and influencing those the leader leads, and helps us recognize that as a leader our responsibility is to leave a legacy of leaders in our employees. Packed with tons of insights and thought provoking questions, the book, in my opinion is using the case of Sally to take a closer look at ourself. Some of our dysfunctional mindsets, becoming more self-aware and becoming the leader we had always hoped we would become. Get your copy by clicking “ Falling Into Leadership “. Please thank our sponsors of A New Direction by going to their social media pages liking them and following them. “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can’t move forward if you’re worried about what’s lurking in your inbox. That’s where Data443 Cyren comes in. It’s the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don’t let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future. “ Linda Craft Team, Realtors they are the memory makers and they have the knowledge how to help you in any market your home in any market. Linda started her business in 1985 when interest rates were as high as 16-18%. So, there is not a climate where can any buyer or seller find or sell their home. Sure there other realtors may have experience. But Linda Craft Team have the experience of great success for their clients. When you’re ready to sell or by, head on over to Linda Craft Team… www.LindaCraft.com Stop Performing. Start Dominating You weren’t built to play it safe. You already know what average looks like. You’ve watched it sit in meetings, nod along, and clock out at five. You’ve seen it settle for “good enough” and call it a career. And something inside you — maybe it’s quiet, maybe it’s screaming — refuses to accept that as your ceiling. That’s not ambition. That’s your signal. The distance between where you are and where you know you’re capable of being isn’t talent. It isn’t luck. It’s the space between knowing what to do and actually executing at the level your potential demands. And that gap? It doesn’t close on its own. The Truth Nobody Tells High Performers Here’s what the leadership books leave out: the strategies that got you here won’t get you there. The habits, the mindset, the way you manage your energy and your influence — all of it needs to evolve. Not because you’re broken. Because you’re ready for more. Every elite athlete has a coach. Every world-class CEO has an advisor in their corner. Not because they’re weak — because they understand that the highest performers on the planet don’t go it alone. What Changes When You Stop Going It Alone Working with an executive performance coach isn’t about fixing problems. It’s about unlocking the version of you that operates with total clarity, relentless focus, and the kind of presence that shifts the energy in every room you walk into. Imagine making decisions faster — and with more confidence. Leading teams that don’t just follow you, but run through walls for you. Waking up on Monday with the same fire you feel on Friday night when you’re planning your next move. That’s not fantasy. That’s what happens when you get serious about your performance. Your Move You’ve read this far for a reason. That reason matters. Don’t let this be another article you agree with and forget by tomorrow. Take the first step right now: Book a free discovery call — Let’s talk about where you are, where you want to be, and what’s standing in the way. Visit www.jayizso.com to schedule your session. Send me a direct message — Not ready for a call? No problem. Reach out at jay@thecoachjay.com and tell me what’s on your mind. Every conversation starts somewhere. The only thing standing between you and your next level is the decision to stop waiting. Make it today. Jay Izso is an Executive Performance Coach who works with driven professionals ready to break through to their next level of leadership, influence, and impact. Learn more at www.jayizso.com .