Why Smart Leaders Know What to Change:

But Still Don't Do It

In this episode of Pivot Point Strategy For Change - I have a deeply honest conversation with executive coach Jen Wilson about why meaningful organizational change starts with the internal work most leaders avoid, and how trust inside teams is built through shared commitment, not strategic planningalone. We explore how trust is actually rebuilt during organizational disruption, and why so many leaders struggle to follow through even when they know exactly what needs to change. Jen breaks down the fears that derail decision-making: fear of failure, fear of visibility, and those relentless 3 a.m. thoughts that surface when the pressureof leadership feels overwhelming.

We also examine how seemingly practical structures like meeting formats either strengthen trust or quietlyerode it, and why alignment with core values is essential for sustainable growth. Jen shares her own pivot point—that moment she returned home late one night, exhausted and empty despite her professional success, realizing her lifewas completely misaligned with her true values.

This conversation digs into how to recognize the signs of misalignment before they become a crisis, how to listento your intuition (especially for women in leadership), and how to take practical steps toward realignment without needing a dramatic breakdown to justify the change. Jen emphasizes that transformation doesn't require drastic action. Instead, she advocates for small, incremental shifts that can lead tosignificant change—like her experience of simply visiting a different coffee shop, which opened her eyes to her own preferences and desires.

We talk about navigating change without burning out, scaling organizations without losing yourself, and making meaningful personal and professional shifts when you're standing at acrossroads. Jen also addresses how leadership must evolve to meet the expectations of Gen Z and the generations that follow, and why creating a common language makes honest, courageous conversations possible within teams.

This episode is for executives, entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, and anyone who feels quietly misaligned,sensing that something needs to change but unsure where to start. Jen offers a free values workbook to help you clarify what you truly stand for, and we discuss the questions that reveal whether you're living in accordance with yourcore values: "What do I know to be true right now?" and "Am Iliving according to what matters most?"

The journey of transformation begins with recognizing the need for change and being willing to embrace discomfort. This conversation reminds us that listening to our intuition andaligning our actions with our values are essential steps toward personal and professional fulfillment. By asking the right questions and taking small steps, we can navigate our own pivot points and create a more authentic, satisfyinglife.

In this conversation, I sit down with Jen Wilson to explore how trust is rebuilt inside teams and why real organizational change always starts with the internal work we’re often tempted to avoid. We talk about what actually makes teams function well—being aligned around a shared outcome, doing the deeper personal and collective work, and creating a common language that allows for honest, courageous conversations. Jen also shares how practical structures, like how meetings are truly used, can either support or undermine trust and effectiveness.We then dig into a question I see come up again and again with leaders: why so many people understand what needs to change but struggle to follow through. Jen offers a powerful perspective on the fears that quietly get in the way, including the fear of failure, the fear of being seen, and the late-night “3 a.m. thoughts” that surface when the pressure of leadership feels overwhelming. This episode is for leaders and teams who want to build trust, improve team dynamics, and lead with greater clarity, self-awareness, and courage.

In my recent conversation with Michal LeBaron, Iwas struck by how her story embodies what I call a pivot point—that moment when a person takes radical ownership of their healing. Michal shared that her journey began in an unexpected way: a quiet decision, made whilesitting in her recliner, to simply say to herself, “I am choosing toheal.” It wasn’t dramatic, but it was powerful. That inner commitment became the turning point that changed everything for her. Before that moment, she described feeling defeated and even betrayed by her body. For years, she’d been locked in a battle with symptoms that seemed to signal breakdown rather than communication. But as we spoke,Michal reflected on how learning to interpret those signals differently transformed her experience. Once she began to view her body as a messenger instead of an enemy, everything softened. Her symptoms becamefeedback—information guiding her toward balance rather than proof of failure. As she put it, her body became “a partner, a friend, a teacher.”

A central part of our discussion focused on the nervoussystem and its profound role in healing. Michal realized that her challenges weren’t just about external triggers like food or environment—they were rooted in an overworked regulatory system. The body, she explained, hadbeen doing its best to keep her safe, even when it looked like it was breakingdown. By tending to her nervous system, she discovered a more empowered way toapproach her well-being—one built on trust, not control.

We also talked about the mindset shift that made thishealing possible. Michal described moving from a place of frustration andself-blame to one of compassion and curiosity. She began to ask herself, “Howam I caring for myself through this? Do I truly support myself when things gethard?” That self-inquiry opened a door to deeper self-nurturing,turning her inner dialogue into a practice of partnership rather than punishment.

As our interview closed, Michal spoke about gratitude—anemotion she never expected to feel toward the challenges that had once caused her so much suffering. She now sees her symptoms as allies, guiding her to realign with health, awareness, and authenticity. At one point she wonderedaloud, “What happens when I no longer need my symptoms to alert me?” It was such a powerful reflection—one that stayed with me long after our conversation ended.

Michal’s story is a beautiful reminder that healing oftenbegins not with a treatment or diagnosis, but with a decision. It’s the quiet pivot from fear to trust, from resistance to listening. Her journey shows that the body, when approached with respect and curiosity, has a remarkable way ofguiding us back to ourselves.

Pivot Point Strategy For Change. Why do so many men wait until they’re at a breaking point before seeking help—or never seek help at all? In this powerful episode, we uncover the deep emotional, cultural, and psychological forces that keep men silent, suffering, and isolated, even when they’re surrounded by people who care.We explore the “Man Box”—the invisible prison of expectations that tells boys and men to stay tough, hide emotion, and never ask for help. You’ll learn how these early messages shape lifelong patterns: emotional shutdown, anger, withdrawal, substance use, workaholism, and even physical symptoms like headaches, chest tightness, and chronic fatigue.This episode dives into what male depression really looks like, why men often minimize their pain, and how untreated emotional struggles can escalate into serious health risks, broken relationships, and—in too many cases—suicide. We break down the biggest barriers men face when trying to access support, including shame, stigma, fear of judgment, fear of being labeled, and discomfort with vulnerability.But we don’t stop at the problem. We offer the roadmap.Listeners will learn strategies that actually help men engage in therapy and emotional support: using performance-focused language, starting with concrete questions, offering practical entry points, leveraging role models, and removing friction around scheduling or finding help. We discuss how to keep men engaged beyond crisis management and how to support them with compassion, boundaries, and respect throughout their healing journey.Whether you’re a partner, family member, therapist, or a man struggling silently yourself, this episode is a deeply human, research-supported guide to understanding male mental health in a way that finally makes sense.This conversation is raw, honest, and full of practical insight. It sheds light on the masks men wear, the reasons they stay silent, and the path forward—toward connection, vulnerability, emotional safety, and real healing.If you love a man who’s hurting…If you are a man who’s hurting…Or if you simply want to understand the inner battles so many men face—This episode is essential listening.

Male Code: The Hidden Emotional Rules of Men. In this episode of Pivot Point Strategy for Change, Nik Michael explores the themes presented in Dr. Robert Garfield's book, 'Breaking the Male Code.' The conversation delves into the hidden emotional rules that shape men's lives, the impact of emotional isolation, the importance of male friendships, and the urgent need to rethink masculinity. Garfield argues that the traditional male code restricts emotional expression and connection, leading to loneliness and mental health issues. The episode emphasizes the need for men to develop emotionally intimate friendships and to embrace vulnerability as a strength.

Pivot Point: Strategy for Change with Nik Michael

In this follow-up episode of Pivot Point: Strategy for Change, I welcome back Vic for a powerful and deeply honest continuation of his story.

When Vic first joined the podcast, he shared his pivot point with remarkable courage—opening up about his experience with alcoholism, the internal conflicts he faced, the emotional triggers that fueled denial, and the moment when he could no longer avoid the truth of where his life was headed. That conversation resonated with so many listeners because it wasn’t polished or performative—it was real.

In this episode, we explore what happens after the initial pivot point.

Vic reflects on how recovery evolves over time, how perspective shifts once the crisis moment has passed, and what it truly means to continue choosing growth, accountability, and self-awareness day after day. We talk about identity before change, how “success” can be misunderstood, and what people on the outside often assume is going well—while deeper struggles remain hidden.

This conversation also examines the psychological and emotional experience of disruption: the fear of letting go, what feels most at risk when change becomes unavoidable, and how support systems play a critical role in sustaining long-term recovery. Vic reminds us that recovery is not a single decision or a final destination—it is an ongoing process shaped by new challenges, new insights, and new pivot points along the way.

As we close, one message is clear: pivot points don’t end with one moment. Life continues to unfold, and growth requires continued reflection, honesty, and willingness to evolve.

I’m grateful to Vic for returning to this space and trusting it once again with his story—not just of where he’s been, but of where he is now.

Hosted by Nik Michael, In this episode, we talk about what it really means to stand in the wreckage and chooseresilience—how grief can coexist with growth, and how discomfort, when embracedfully, can become one of life's most powerful teachers.

Stephenshares the five rules he lives by today—principles forged in hardship that havebecome the blueprint for helping others rise beyond their own setbacks.

If you'veever found yourself at that edge—tired, uncertain, wondering if there's enoughleft in you to keep going—this conversation is for you.

Becausepivot points don't wait for the right timing. They arrive when we're tested.And how we respond defines everything that follows.

In this powerful episode of Pivot Point: Strategy For Change, host Nik Michael sits down with Stephen Rodriguez, founder of Elevate Business, to explore what happens when life dismantles everything you thought was secure—and forces a defining choice. After enduring profound personal loss, the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, a collapsing business, and the theft of his entire body of work, Stephen found himself at a true pivot point: break, or rebuild.

This conversation goes beyond entrepreneurship into resilience, grief, identity, and the psychology of choosing forward motion under extreme pressure. Stephen shares the raw emotional reality of standing in the wreckage, the moment that crystallized his resolve, and the five life rules forged through hardship that now guide his work helping others rise after setbacks.

Listeners will gain insight into navigating uncertainty, embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and recognizing pivot points before momentum is lost. If you are facing burnout, loss, transition, or a season where nothing feels stable, this episode offers a grounded, human framework for rebuilding—one decision at a time.

Pivot Point: Strategy for Change examines the moments when staying the same is no longer possible—and how the choices we make under pressure define everything that follows.

Explore the journey of personal growth and transformation as we delve into the challenges of facing one's dark side. This episode uncovers the pivotal decisions and internal struggles that shape who we become, highlighting the power of choice and responsibility in overcoming adversity. Join us for an introspective discussion that resonates with anyone seeking to navigate their own path to enlightenment.