Notes From the Window Seat

By Marty PearsonSociety & Culture Business Philosophy Places & Travel Management

Notes From the Window Seat episodes

May 18The Real Cost of Indecision in Business
I bet there is a decision sitting on your desk right now. You’ve thought about it. You’ve talked about it. But you haven’t made it. Not because you can’t—but because you’re waiting to be sure.
In this episode, we break down one of the most critical leadership tradeoffs:
👉 Certainty vs. Speed
You’ll learn why waiting for the “right” decision often creates more risk than moving forward—and how to make confident decisions without having all the answers.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why certainty is often an illusion in business
The hidden cost of slow decision-making
How indecision impacts your team, momentum, and culture
The Decision Speed Spectrum (what deserves fast vs. slow decisions)
A simple 3-question filter to make better decisions faster
Why overthinking is really delayed responsibility
A practical 48-hour challenge to build momentum immediately
Most leaders don’t fail from bad decisions—they fail from no decision
Action creates clarity—not the other way around
Decision-making confidence is a leadership skill—not a personality trait
Recommended Reading: The 10X Rule – Why action beats hesitation

If you’re feeling stuck in decisions—or carrying the weight of trying to get everything “right”—you don’t have to do it alone. I work with business owners and executives to build clarity, confidence, and momentum in their leadership. Reach out to learn more about executive coaching.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
13 min
May 11The Problem Isn’t Employees Asking for More Money—It’s Why They Have To
Do you have employees who keep asking for more money?
At first, it feels like a compensation issue. Over time, it starts to feel frustrating. But what if the real problem isn’t the asking?
In this of the Podcast, we talk about what repeated compensation conversations are actually telling you about your business—and why they’re often a sign of something deeper.
Because most small businesses don’t have a true compensation system.
They have a series of decisions made over time—often in response to pressure, discomfort, or the fear of losing someone.
And that approach leads to:
Inconsistent pay
Lack of clarity
Broken trust
And ultimately… turnover
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why employees keep asking for raises (and what it really means)
The hidden cost of compensation confusion
The patterns most small businesses fall into without realizing it
Why you can pay people well and still lose them
A simple framework to bring clarity, consistency, and structure to your pay decisions
If you’ve ever felt like you’re having the same compensation conversation over and over again… this episode will challenge how you think about it—and what to do next.

If you listen to this and think…“Yeah… this is happening in my business…”
This is exactly the kind of work I do with business owners and leadership teams.
We step back, look at how your business is structured…And build systems that actually support the behavior and culture you want.
So, if you want help with that…Reach out. Let’s talk.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
14 min
May 04When Being Liked Gets in the Way of Leading Effectively
At some point in your business, you face a decision most leaders don’t even realize they’re making: Do I lead this moment… or protect how I’m perceived in it?
In this episode, we explore one of the most common—and costly—leadership tradeoffs: Being liked vs. actually leading.
This isn’t about being harsh or aggressive. It’s about understanding how the desire to be liked can quietly create:
Organizational ambiguity
Eroding standards
A business that depends too heavily on you
Because at the executive level, leadership isn’t about comfort—it’s about clarity, consistency, and building something that works without you at the center of everything.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why “being nice” often leads to unclear organizations
How avoidance quietly resets your culture and standards
The connection between likability and leadership bottlenecks
The difference between managing emotions and managing outcomes
A simple filter to make stronger leadership decisions in real time
If your business is growing—but you feel like you’re still carrying too much—this episode will challenge how you think about leadership.

This is exactly where executive coaching makes a difference. Because we don’t just fix behaviors — we redesign how you lead your business. If that’s something you’re ready for...... let’s have a conversation.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
10 min
April 27The WOW Factor Isn’t a Skill—It’s a System
Most businesses think they have a customer service problem.
They don’t. They have a service design problem.
In this episode, we break down why the WOW factor isn’t about personality, effort, or telling your team to “go above and beyond.” It’s about building a system that makes exceptional experiences consistent.
Inside this episode:
The real reason your team isn’t delivering consistent service
The difference between transactional businesses and experience-driven ones
The 3 places the WOW factor must exist (and where most businesses fail)
A simple 3-question WOW Audit you can apply immediately
How average service quietly forces you to compete on price If your business feels “good”… but not memorable… This episode will show you exactly why—and what to do about it.
Key Points:
You don’t get WOW by asking for it. You get WOW by designing for it. If WOW depends on your best employee… that's not a strategy.
Your team delivers externally what they experience internally. If people don’t feel the difference… they’ll shop the difference.

If you’re listen to this and think: “We’re good… but we’re not memorable…”
That’s a design problem. And that’s exactly the kind of work I do with clients.
Because this isn’t about telling your team to try harder. It’s about building a business that delivers—consistently.
Reach out if you want help designing that.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
14 min
April 20Your Benefits Package Is Outdated (And It’s Costing You Talent)
Most business owners don’t design their benefits package—they inherit it.
Health insurance.
401k.
Two weeks of vacation.
It’s the standard formula… but it’s built for an employee that doesn’t actually exist.
In this episode, I challenge the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to benefits and introduce a smarter, more flexible way to think about compensation—one that aligns with what employees actually value.
If you’re trying to attract and retain great people without simply increasing payroll, this conversation will shift how you think about benefits.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why traditional benefits packages quietly create disengagement
The hidden inequity in “equal” compensation
Why most companies have a benefits habit—not a strategy
A flexible, budget-based approach to benefits design
How customization can improve retention without increasing cost
Reflection Questions:
❓If your team could redesign your benefits package, what would change?
❓Are you offering what people actually value—or what you’ve always offered?
❓Where might you be overspending without creating real impact?

If you’re ready to rethink how your business supports and retains your people, we offer executive coaching and strategic consulting to help you build a better business—one decision at a time. Let's chat!

Leadership training isn't only for the C Suite. All members of your team can benefit from training. My Mindful Leader Experience can be tailored to any group. Everyone benefits from learning self-awareness, how to communicate better, time management skills, and goal setting skills. Learn more about the program:
https://www.lftconsult.com/themindfulleader

What Training My Dog Taught Me About Leadership – Practical leadership lessons, reflection prompts, and real-world insights—delivered in a relatable and engaging format. Get your copy of my book here:
https://www.lftconsult.com/leadership-book

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
12 min
April 13When You’ve Outgrown the Business You Built
You built the business. You grew it. You made it work.
So why does it feel… off?
Not broken. Not failing. Just… Boring. Repetitive. Predictable.
In this episode, we’re talking about the moment many business owners hit—but rarely talk about: When the business is working… but it no longer fits you.
This isn’t burnout in the traditional sense. It’s not a motivation problem. It’s what happens when you evolve—but your business doesn’t evolve with you.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why successful businesses can still feel like a rut
The real reason many owners feel stuck (even when things are “good”)
How doing the wrong work drains your energy as a leader
The hidden cost to your business when you disengage
How to realign your role without starting over
Key Takeaway: You don’t need a new business. You need a business that fits who you are now.
Reflection Question: What would need to change—for this business to feel like something you want to run again?
If this episode hit a little too close to home, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. This is exactly the kind of work I do with business owners and executives—helping you realign your business with where you are now, without blowing everything up.
Reach out to learn more about executive coaching.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
11 min
April 06Are You Rewarding Distraction in Your Business?
You have that employee everyone loves.
They’re friendly. They’re engaging. They know everything about everyone.
And they might be quietly costing you hours of productivity every week.
In this episode, we’re talking about the “super friendly” employee—the one who builds connection but also creates distraction—and what that means for your business.
This isn’t about shutting people down. It’s about learning how to direct strengths, so they actually serve your business.
Because the same behavior that builds culture… can also undermine performance if it’s not led well.
In this episode, we cover:
The hidden cost of constant interruptions
How “harmless conversations” turn into lost productivity
Why culture builders can unintentionally create drama
The leadership mistake most owners make
3 practical ways to redirect this employee’s strengths
How to lead energy—not just people
Key Takeaway: Not every strength is productive by default. Some strengths need direction.
If you’re seeing this dynamic in your business, it’s not about fixing the employee—it’s about leading them more intentionally.
Let’s talk about how to design your team for both culture and performance.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
11 min
March 30Not a Team Player… or Just Not Social?
They don’t go to the company picnic.
They skip happy hour.
They keep to themselves.
So, you label them: not a team player. But what if that label is wrong?
In this episode, we challenge the way leaders define “team player” and explore how personality, social behavior, and actual performance often get mixed together.
You’ll learn how to better understand—and lead—employees who don’t fit the typical mold. And we take it one step further… What if that person isn’t an employee—but a leader?
In this episode, we cover:
Why “team player” is often mis-defined The difference between social behavior and actual contribution
How leaders unintentionally push out strong performers
Ways to include and engage non-social employees without forcing discomfort
How to lead introverted or socially uncomfortable leaders effectively
The balance between honoring personality and meeting role expectations
Key Takeaway: Inclusion isn’t making everyone act the same—it’s creating space for people to show up differently and still be valued. Reflection Question: Are you measuring contribution… or personality?
If you’re navigating different personalities on your team and want help building a culture that actually works, let’s talk.
Together, we can build a better business.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
12 min
March 23The Most Frustrating Employee on Your Team Might Be Right
Do you have an employee who challenges how things are done?
They’re not rude. They’re not underperforming. In fact—they might be one of your best people.
But they don’t follow the script. They question processes. They push back. They sometimes bend the rules—especially when they believe it’s in the best interest of the customer.
In this episode, we unpack a powerful leadership question: Are they the problem… or are your rules?
You’ll learn how to distinguish between problematic behavior and valuable disruption—and how great leaders use these moments to improve their business instead of shutting people down.
What You’ll Learn:
The difference between a problem employee and a nonconforming high performer Why rule-breaking sometimes signals broken systems
How outdated or “comfort” rules hold businesses back
The connection between process, efficiency, and customer experience
A simple framework to evaluate when to enforce rules—and when to rethink them
Key Takeaways:
Not all rule-breaking is bad—sometimes it’s innovation
High performers often prioritize outcomes over rigid processes
If your systems don’t serve the customer, your best employees will challenge them
Leaders must learn to get curious before correcting behavior
Reflection Questions:
Do I have someone on my team who challenges how things are done?
Have I labeled them as difficult instead of valuable?
Are my processes designed for outcomes—or just for control?
If my team followed every rule perfectly… would we actually be better?

If this episode hit close to home, it might be time to take a deeper look at your systems and leadership approach. I offer a 90-minute Leadership & Operations Audit where we: Evaluate what’s working (and what’s not) Identify blind spots Build a clear path forward. Because sometimes the problem isn’t your people—it’s the way the business is built.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
14 min
March 16The Hidden Leadership Habits That Shape Your Company Culture
Why Founders Create the Culture Problems They Complain About
Founders often say:
“No one takes ownership.”
“Everything falls back on me.”
“People are too sensitive.”
“Why can’t we just hire good people?”
But what if the culture problems, you’re frustrated with… are patterns you unintentionally reinforced?
In this episode, we examine four common leadership behaviors that shape culture.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about power. If you helped create it, you can change it.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why culture is defined by what you tolerate
How rescuing employees creates dependency
The role emotional regulation plays in team trust
Why unclear standards lead to frustration
How founders unintentionally reinforce the very behaviors they dislike
The Four Culture Creators:
Tolerating what you say you don’t stand for
Rescuing instead of requiring ownership
Being emotionally unpredictable
Failing to define the standard
Reflection Questions:
Where are you most frustrated with your team? How might you be reinforcing that behavior?
What standard have you assumed instead of defined? What would shift if you modeled instead of demanded?
If you're ready to intentionally design your culture instead of reacting to it, explore executive coaching with me at: https://www.lftconsult.com/coaching

Together, we can build a better business.

Learn more about the window seat here: TRAVEL | Visual Escape
Follow us on Instagram @windowseat2a
13 min

About Notes From the Window Seat

From the publisher's feed

Life is full of extraordinary moments hiding inside ordinary days—if we're willing to slow down and notice them.

Join photographer, traveler, author, and storyteller Marty Pearson for…

Share Notes From the Window Seat

Sign up to save your podcasts

Notes From the Window Seat

Notes From the Window Seat episodes

About Notes From the Window Seat