Alan Weiss's The Uncomfortable Truth®

Nancy emerged from academia with the intent of finding “game-changers” in her life so that she could become one herself for others.

She has built a global network of CEOs, business owners, and executives who learn from each other, facilitated by chairpeople, both in person and remotely.

Her company provides education and leadership insights to people who can, in turn, share them with others. She has interviewed stars such as Wayne Gretzky about their approaches to top performance.

In helping the leaders of the world she has travelled the world, visiting over 30 countries to understand and confirm that great, inspirational leadership is not bound or changed by various cultures.

Are we in merely another pothole of history or are we actually turning a corner into the unknown?

Does western liberalism stand a chance of continuing, or have personal grievances and greed turned us away from a melting pot or a mosaic and into hundreds of millions of separate fortresses?

We’ve moved from a post-World War II period of working hard and advancing, saving some money, buying a house, and retiring at 65 to live about three more years, to a society where people change jobs and houses as often as they change socks and “quietly quitting.”

There is a confusing oleo of media and reporting so that viewers and listeners don’t know whom to believe, and the lines among editorial, reporting, and advertising are blurred to indistinction.

When I grew up teachers and police were respected and slightly feared. If you had a run-in, your parents always took their side. There was a family dinner table, religion was in vogue, and schools had strict rules and values. Today, even the Boy Scouts are under fire, religious institutions are less attended than ever and not trusted, the family dinner table has disappeared as have, to an alarming extent, intact families.

This isn’t about millennials or Gen X or Gen Z. It’s about a sea change apparent in society which doesn’t seem to be producing new, attractive values but, rather, advocating everyone for themselves.

If this is the end of an era, then we’d better prepare to repair it or accept what’s coming if we don’t.

How many people do you know who coach entrepreneurs making seven- and eight-figures? Ali coaches scores of them and assists with the turbulent times that show no sign of ending. She points out that something can supplant the internet tomorrow. And she’s probably going to “close down” her Facebook presence.

Learn about the biggest problem for women attempting to network with current business communities. There are significant changes that have to be made as people move to seven- and eight-figure entrepreneurial businesses.

You need to be a “category of one” more than ever, because we’re being submerged in noise and everyone is a “coach.” But now it’s time for the real coaches to exert themselves. The “seven step process” doesn’t cut it any more.

I’ve long talked about the “success trap” and Ali matches her “excellent burnout” against it. How to anticipate it, or realize you’re in it, and how to escape it. No one can “coast uphill.”

I’ve long thought that women make better natural consultants because they are more empathic, allow themselves to be vulnerable, and have less ego investment than men, less to “unlearn.” But men are the more assertive marketers. Does Ali agree?

We are two contrarians talking. What’s coming in the next year or so, and how do we all have to adapt? It may be more radical than you’re thinking. No one should want to “return to normal.”

Mistakes are unavoidable, whether from habit, being ill-advised, or changes in our understanding. They are inevitable and can’t be completely avoided. But we can learn from them.

Pluto is a planet. No, it isn’t. Red meat is bad for you. No, it isn’t. Smoking low tar cigarettes is not as bad a health risk. Yes, it is. “New Math” improves kids’ learning. No, not even close.

We need to learn to apologize, atone, show remorse, fix what we can, and move on. We can’t dwell on errors or we’d never be able to move. (Errors are a close cousin to sin.)

The culprit here is fear. If we’re afraid we will tend to remain silent instead of saying what’s needed, and say something instead of remaining silent which is what’s needed.

If we are “vulnerable” and open to hearing trusted feedback about our errors, we will not only be able to better correct them now and avoid them in the future, but also to grow consistently.

Learn why Alan prohibits “drive-by bragging.”

Learn about the customer journey.

Appreciate the “language of the customer”

What do luxury brands really try to create?

Join the “optimistic treasure hunt.”

Is service better or worse in the US than abroad?

Predictions about customer service.

We explore the need to help those who need help, as opposed to those who simply make irresponsible decisions.

Nido has raised over $400 million this year for Highpoint University with no formal development effort.

In 2022, in US News and World Report, Highpoint was named “best regional college in the South” for the tenth consecutive year, and most innovative college in the South for the eighth consecutive year. It was recognized for “best undergraduate teaching in the South,” best value, and in the top 50 in the nation for first-year experiences.

Nido discusses the pros and cons of student debt forgiveness and implications for both public and private schools.

Learn how a business approach in academia, and an attitude of “Why can’t we be the best?” along with a solid grounding in values created dynamic growth. None of this was immediately accepted, but when you lead by example, others eventually become supporters.

The importance of providing free bus transportation to and from airports for the holidays IF the students wear clothing with the university’s name on it!

In this episode, Alan Weiss reveals The Uncomfortable Truth behind Greed. What is it and why do we have so much of it?

Greed is a longing to have things for the sake of having them. Not because you really need them, but because you want to get ahead of others. Are we a people of high standards who occasionally lapse, or are we all sinners and shouldn’t be so surprised about selfishness?

In the animal kingdom, identical animals of the same species compete for the same food source. The one that is more successful will perpetuate the species. So, are all organisms in constant conflict for limited resources?

Hitler popularized “lebensraum,” a German word for “breathing space.” Nazis then used this term to justify their appropriation of other people’s territory. The relationship of power to greed includes outright aggression and even warfare. Is “what the American (or whatever nationality) people really need….” really about what the politician personally needs to gain and wield power?

Stealing a parking spot, cheating no matter the circumstance, taking things from others – big or small, and being unwilling to share, are all forms of greed.

Are we ever satisfied, or are we simply hoarders of material and benefits that we deem important even after we have enough? And are we a people of high standards who occasionally lapse, or are we all sinners and shouldn’t be so surprised about selfishness?

I don't mind waiting, I do mind being irritated.

"An examination of when pretending to help others hurts them and only helps yourself."