Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesAs it’s book launch day, I picked one of the deep-dive chapters titled How to Amplify What’s Good to share with you, and towards the end you’ll hear from Leadership Strategist, author, and my good friend, Dan Pontefract. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  Michael reads from Chapter 21 of his newest book, ‘How to Work with (Almost) Anyone.’ [reading begins at 1:33]  Hear us discuss: Exercise 1 - Archetypes. [3:05] | Exercise 2 - The Boasting Friend: “Even if we have some inkling of what makes us great, we are unwilling to name it out loud.” [5:25] | “When you see yourself through another’s eyes, you often see things you may not have noticed before.” [7:44] | Dan Pontefract talks about his worst working relationship: “Being punctual is not poisonous; being present is actually perfect.” [8:02]

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesMy new book is on the near, near horizon. It’s called How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, and if you interact with other human beings in your life, this might be a helpful book for you. It goes live on June 27th, and I’ve got some terrific pre-order bonuses, which you can find linked below. In this episode, you’ll hear about one of the five questions of the keystone conversation; the ‘bad date’ question. Then, Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage, shares a story that builds delightfully on that very question. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  Michael reads from Chapter 5 of his newest book, ‘How to Work with (Almost) Anyone.’ [reading begins at 1:12]  Hear us discuss: “There is ‘wisdom in the wound.’” [4:33] | The contributing factors in the death of a working relationship: “It wasn’t just you and them, the time and place always influence what happens.”Jennifer McCollum on her worst possible relationship: “Regardless of whether or not I’m the leader, I learned that I need to honor and value the uniqueness that each team member brings.” [7:14]

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesMy new book is on the near, near horizon. It’s called How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, and if you interact with other human beings in your life, this might be a helpful book for you. It goes live on June 27th, and I’ve got some terrific pre-order bonuses, which you can find linked below. The audio book is ready to go, as well. So this episode isn’t just a monologue from me, I've invited some of my friends to share a short story of what they’ve learned from their best - or their worst - relationships. In this one, you’ll hear from Pamay Bassey, the Chief Learning Officer at Kraft Heinz. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Michael reads from the opening chapter of his newest book, ‘How to Work with (Almost) Anyone.’ [reading begins at 1:00]  Hear him discuss: “Every relationship becomes sub-optimal at some point … but every working relationship can be better.” [2:44] | “Best possible relationship doesn’t mean that there are never difficult moments, but rather, there’s commitment and capacity to fix the damage and carry on.” [7:46] | The role of the keystone conversation: “The keystone conversation gives you a deeper understanding of the person across the table from you.” [8:40] | Pamay Bassey tells the story of her BPR. [19:49]

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesHow do you navigate the big decisions in your life? There’s a maxim by Thomas Jefferson you might have heard: “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” It’s one of those quotes that I instinctively and immediately agree with, only for it to become slippery and elusive once I sit with it. The swimming or the standing isn’t hard, it’s knowing what’s style and what’s principle. What do you stay open to, and what do you stay firm about? Ryan Hawk is a fellow podcaster; the host of The Learning Leader Show with over 500 episodes in the can and still going strong. He’s a keynote speaker and the author of two books: Welcome to Management: How to Grow from Top Performer to Excellent Leader, and The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of The World’s Most Productive Achievers. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/Ryan reads two pages from ‘The Wright Brothers’ by David McCollough. [reading begins at 17:00]  Hear us discuss: “Leadership is about leading yourself first before you can lead anybody else.” [4:19] | Putting in the work to become more non-judgmental. [4:54] | Maintaining a healthy view of failure and success. [21:19] | “You’ve got to get through the bad ideas to get to the good ones.” [36:06] | How to find your learning edge. [36:51] | “My ultimate favorite thing is having a deep, long-form conversation with a person wiser than me.” [39:57] | What distracts you from being yourself? [43:23] | The value of consistency. [46:48]

Brandi Stanley, author of 'This Plus That', shares insights on embracing contradictions, resolving conflicts for intimacy, and reconciling paradoxes. The discussion covers sources of strength, attachment wounding, and merging aspects of identity for personal growth.

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesI’m working on building community at the moment, and I’ve noticed I have two types to focus on. The first is a wider net - I know a lot of people a little bit, and I’d like to know some of them more. Inspired by the book The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, I’ve been hosting monthly events where I pull everyone together and ask them all to answer a question, which effectively seeds the next round of introductions and conversation. The second type of community is a deeper vessel. I invite other men at about the same stage of life as me, and we discuss what it means to be an elder in our different worlds. Here, my hope is that I’m asked questions that’ll help call me forth. Two different communities, but for each, good questions right at their heart. Hal Gregersen is a man who loves questions, perhaps even more than I do. He’s dedicated his life to it as an author, speaker, and former Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center. Hal and I both believe that questioning can transform the future of learning and make the world a better place.   Hal reads an article titled, ‘Let Your Life Speak’ by Parker Palmer. [reading begins at 21:20]  Hear us discuss: The greatest gift that trust brings. [5:04] | Maintaining an open heart and a healthy relationship with trust. [6:57] | How heartbreak can sometimes be a good thing: “Life is fleeting; it comes and goes faster than we think.” [31:05] | The feeling of deep gladness: “When you have that moment where eyes light up - that’s deep gladness.” [36:59] | Alexander Papaderos, Elie Wiesel, & the meaning of life: “For a lot of my life, I was trying to get rid of this bad part of my past instead of understanding and embracing it … it’s not only okay, but it’s you.” [40:35]

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesA little over 6 weeks are left until my new book, How To Work With Almost Anyone, comes out, and I’m already selling it persistently online. I’ll tell you why; preordering is a powerful thing. It helps get the flight wheel spinning before release, but it can also remove risk in the creation process. Inviting others to express their support for a project in the making can give you the cash, the resources, or the confidence you need to take the leap. In other words - and this applies to all of us - invite people in early and ask for their support. Ash Ambirge is one of the original pioneers of the creator economy. Having been on the road herself since 2009, Ash writes newsletters and books about the modern digital nomad experience, remote work, and using creativity and technology to do what you love from wherever you are. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Ash reads two pages from ‘Tell Them Who I Am’ by Elliot Liebow. [reading begins at 18:20]  Hear us discuss: Managing your freedom: “I like to take as many opportunities as I can because I’m in a position to do so.” [26:58] | “All of us are obligated to do what we can with the ideas that we have.” [28:38] | The prison of imposter syndrome: “It’s okay if you don’t think that I’m qualified because I’m going to prove to you that I am.” [29:43] | Recognising when to move on. [31:09] | What does ‘home’ mean? [33:57] | How to not become a parody of yourself. [37:10]

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesI’m the most amateur of magicians. I have about ten tricks, all of which I learned in ten minutes or less because I need instant magic and instant gratification. However, I’ve come to realize that there are two types of tricks: one that requires a gimmick to work and one you can perform with whatever’s in front of you. Almost all of my tricks are gimmick-based, but the latter is most extraordinary to me - you’re able to seize the moment and change the audience’s perception of the possible. That’s magic.Vinh Giang is a teacher, a keynote speaker, and a magician. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, his life began with a prophecy, a mold he had to break out of in order to pursue his desire; the art of prestidigitation. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Vinh reads two pages from ‘The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant’ by Eric Jorgenson. [reading begins at 16:05]  Hear us discuss: “As long as I kept blaming other people, I kept being invisible.” [4:18] | How to deal with not meeting the expectations of others. [9:21] | “Security was shoved down my throat all my life, I became nauseated by it.” [13:15] | What does authenticity truly mean? [21:04] | “Don’t be so attached to who you are in the present that you don’t give the future version of yourself a chance.” [25:43] | What’s your relationship with ambition? [25:54] | The art of precision. [28:14] | How to become resilient to failure. [30:23]

Today, we're pulling one of our best episodes from the vaults, featuring the brilliant Thibault Manekin.Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesIf you had the chance to listen to my recent interview with Zach First, you heard us talk about how in a time of turbulence, organizations - whether big or small - can be candles in the darkness, and how being a manager means being a barrier against tyranny. That’s all good in theory … but how do you start a movement in practice? Thibault Manekin is a commercial real estate entrepreneur. He might not seem like my usual guest at first, but Thibault is a real estate guy, with a twist. Thibault reads two pages from ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. [reading begins at 16:05] Hear us discuss: “In order to grow an idea we have to understand that it doesn’t belong to us.” [8:01] | “Telling people how to be is a quick fix, but solves nothing long-term. It sticks in your head, but isn’t in your heart.” [13:08] | Chasing your dreams while also going beyond your own desires. [21:48] | Learning to surrender to your heart: “Outside of your comfort zone is the only place where true growth happens.” [26:34] | Using both your head and your heart in the work you do in an organisation. [28:37] | Staying on the path, even in dispiriting times. [35:25]

Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2PagesFor one of Marcella’s significant birthdays, we went to the Fogo Island Inn, an extraordinary building on an island off the East Coast of Canada. More than just an extraordinary building, being there is an extraordinary experience - a hotel built into the rock of the island, and into the roots of the community. I’ve stayed at more than my fair share of hotels in my time, but the Fogo Island Inn is the first and only one that comes with a mission to save the world. Zita Cobb is the founder and CEO of Shorefast, a charity organization that, through business, preserves culture, sustainability, and economic well-being of local communities. These aims are evident in her additional role as the innkeeper of the aforementioned Fogo Island Inn. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Zita reads two pages from ‘The Third Pillar’ by Raghuram Rajan. [reading begins at 14:40]  Hear us discuss: How to start a movement: “Communities aren’t problems; they’re assets.” [20:33] | Risk and resilience in community building. [25:30] | The balance between playing the long game and the urgency for progress: “We have to survive the present to get to the future.” [28:46] | The importance of dignity. [30:49] | How to maintain your optimism. [33:00] | Finding the right people to make change happen. [35:28] | Embodied communities: “We only know who we are in relation to each other.” [37:50] | Being the one to reach out and say hello. [40:20]