Taking on your first role as a manager is always daunting — and especially challenging in a startup environment. So many people have asked me for my recommendations for this situation, so I finally put together some thoughts! Fortunately, there are many great books that offer practical advice and guidance for those who are lookingContinue reading “My Book Recommendations for First-Time (Startup) Managers”
Author Archives: Patrick
Tips on How to Get the Most from Your Coaching Experience
If you’re new to executive coaching, business coaching, or high performance coaching, I would highly recommend starting with the following steps even before you begin your first session: Learning about coaching The coaching you’re seeking is probably not going to look exactly like what you may see on TV… …but it can still be lifeContinue reading “Tips on How to Get the Most from Your Coaching Experience”
How Entrepreneurs Can Escape Idea Volcano Deaths
Generating ideas can be your greatest strength. It can also be your Achilles Heel. Have you created many business ideas, bought web domains, maybe sketched logos, only to give up on those ideas and try something else? Do ideas seem to erupt in your mind, especially when there’s real work to be done? I callContinue reading “How Entrepreneurs Can Escape Idea Volcano Deaths”
A Handy Template for Memos Recommending Change
If you’ve identified a problem in your organization and want to propose a new course of action, a persuasive memo can help drive change. A mentor walked me through this convenient template for a logical memo format that can get stuff done. Enjoy! Problem Work from symptoms to root cause by asking ‘why’ Why areContinue reading “A Handy Template for Memos Recommending Change”
How Three Research-Backed Coaching Techniques Beat Feedback for Developing Your Team
I know you’ve heard it. The never-ending emphasis on feedback. Do it right. Do it often. Have the tough conversations. Give feedback with empathy. Improve relationships, improve performance with feedback. Feedback is almost everything you’re missing. Feedback is widely presented as a near-panacea for improving team performance through smarter interpersonal communication. But it leaves soContinue reading “How Three Research-Backed Coaching Techniques Beat Feedback for Developing Your Team”
How StoryBrand Strategy Can Help You Win…By Making Your Customer the Hero
So you want something… …to reach more customers and improve your marketing! Whether you’re looking to grow your business or improve your own career prospects, I think “Building a StoryBrand” by acclaimed author Donald Miller will give you a powerful approach to improving your communication. Because actually you have a problem: your messaging is confusingContinue reading “How StoryBrand Strategy Can Help You Win…By Making Your Customer the Hero”
Lessons from Hypergrowth
Why is it that successful practitioners are so rarely great teachers as well?
The myriad of business books today seem to either fall into the camp of unqualified writers providing advice they haven’t lived, or successful leaders penning memoirs without much in the way of practical, actionable advice.
“Hypergrowth” is an exemplary book of succinct, actionable leadership advice from some extremely successful marketing product leaders who have scaled multiple tech companies–namely Hubspot and Drift.
My Top Leadership Lessons from Simon Sinek’s Favorite Book on Parenting
When asked “what book should I read for leadership?”, acclaimed speaker and author Simon Sinek often recommends the parenting book “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk”. He compares parenting to organizational leadership: “Leadership is like parenting. We have to encourage our kids’ natural capacity and create space for theirContinue reading “My Top Leadership Lessons from Simon Sinek’s Favorite Book on Parenting”
Reviews
Paddy has demonstrated his leadership and expertise on countless occasions while serving on DonorSee’s Board of Advisors. While thoroughly understanding our organizational realities, he provided precise advice that took us from pre to post-PMF. We are now experiencing substantial growth as Paddy continues to support us by encouraging focus, suggesting practical strategies and tools, andContinue reading “Reviews”
My Favorite 8 Nuggets from “Crucial Conversations,” the Life-Changing Book on Difficult Dialogue
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. -Ambrose Bierce Few books literally change your life as soon as you read them. Crucial Conversations is a famous book among many circles — for good reason. I finally read it in its entirety recently and was blown away by theContinue reading “My Favorite 8 Nuggets from “Crucial Conversations,” the Life-Changing Book on Difficult Dialogue”
Patrick Weeks 