Daniel H. Pink is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When and A Whole New Mind — as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 46 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. He lives in Washington, DC, with his family.

Daniel Pink

Here are 5 things I wish I knew at 21 (now that I’m 61):

1. Don’t work with jerks.
Even if they’re smart or well-connected—jerks will drain you. They’ll ruin your energy, your progress, your joy.

2. Shortcuts are scams.
If it’s meaningful, it’ll take time. The “quick route” usually leads nowhere—or backwards.

3. Nobody’s watching you.
You think people are judging you. They’re not. They’re too busy thinking about themselves.

4. You’ll regret inaction more than action.
It’s the jobs you didn’t go for… the risks you didn’t take… that will haunt you.

5. Build a body of work—not just a résumé.
In the long run, people don’t hire credentials. They hire evidence. Proof. Work that speaks for itself.

If you’re in your 20s, steal this list.
I’ve had 40 years to earn it.

#1 New York Times bestselling author of 7 books.

A ceramics teacher once split her students into two groups. One had to make a perfect pot, the other as many pots as possible quality didn't matter. By the end, the best pots came from the quantity group.

Why?

They stopped overthinking and learned by doing. Most people fail to master skills because they chase perfection instead of just getting the reps.

So whatever you're learning, writing, filming, anything, don't aim for perfection. Just make more because quality comes from quantity.

This is the Pottery Class Paradox, a simple experiment that will change how you approach mastery forever.

What do people think about at the end of their life?

Despite what you may think, the research shows that it’s not money, accomplishments or fame.

Death doula Diane Button has sat with hundreds of people at the very end.

Here’s what she’s learned about living well, from those who’ve reached the finish line.

1. The ordinary is everything.
    It’s not the vacations or awards people miss most, it’s pasta with family.
    Messy photos. Pajama nights.
    The small stuff is the big stuff.
    
2. Count your joy.
    One client kept a “joy counter” above his bed, tallying small moments of delight.
    The more he clicked, the more he found.
    Joy multiplies when you look for it.
    
3. Live with a clean slate.
    Say the thing. Fix the thing. Do the thing.
    Every moment you wait is one you won’t get back.
    Leave nothing important unsaid.
    
4. Kindness builds community.
    The end of life isn’t judged by résumés but by casseroles, tangerines, and hugs.
    The smallest acts often echo the loudest.
    
5. Don’t miss the moments.
    One client spent his life building a fortune, only to die alone in a mansion
    He missed what mattered most:
    The people inside it.
    
The takeaway:
Live now.
Say what needs to be said.
And don’t wait for the end to live a life worth remembering.

90% of your productivity comes down to just 3 things:

1. Energy.
You can’t manage time if you don’t manage energy.
Sleep, movement, and breaks. That’s your real fuel.
Run out of energy, and no system or app can save you.

2. Focus.
Distraction is the enemy.
Every notification is a tax on your brain.
The best performers protect their attention like it’s gold… because it is.

3. Priorities.
Most of what we do doesn’t matter.
The key is knowing the few things that do and doing those first.
Everything else is noise.

Master these 3 and the rest takes care of itself.

Neuroscience has taught us more about how we think and act in the last few decades than ever before.

Here are 3 discoveries everyone should know:

1. Your brain has two modes of thinking.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman called them:

System 1: fast, emotional, automatic
System 2: slow, rational, deliberate
Most of your decisions? System 1.

The skill is knowing when to slow down — and let System 2 take over.

2. Neuroplasticity is real.
For years, scientists believed the brain stopped changing after childhood.
They were wrong.
Experience reshapes your neural connections at any age.
Learn a language. Pick up a skill. Change your habits.
Your brain literally rewires itself.

3. Dopamine isn’t about pleasure — it’s about anticipation.
The “reward chemical” spikes before you get the reward.

That’s why countdowns, cliffhangers, and goals hook us.
It’s not the reward itself — it’s the chase that keeps dopamine flowing.

The lesson?
Your brain isn’t a machine to control.
It’s a partner to understand.

This tiny toilet might be one of the best mental health hacks.

Here are 3 discoveries everyone should know.

“If I can do it, so can you”, sounds supportive.

But for leaders, this mindset can quietly hold your team back.

New research from Muriel Wilkins introduces a hidden blocker, the belief that your capabilities should be your team’s baseline.

It often leads to:
— Unfair expectations
— Harsh feedback
— Missed growth opportunities

Not because leaders lack good intentions, but because they project their own standards onto others.

This is rooted in something called naïve realism, the assumption that your view of the world is objective and everyone else should see it the same way.

Here’s the problem:
Your way isn’t the way.

Exceptional leaders don’t measure others by their own pace, preferences, or past.

They meet people where they are.

They ask:
What support would help you most?
How do you define success?
Where do you want to grow next?

The best leaders don’t raise the bar by replicating themselves.
They raise the bar by helping others realize their own potential.

Readers of the Pack: For Leaders Who Are Readers

Coaching leaders to success, with heart and accountability to results.

Host of Authors Speak Interviews

Accountability by Design Inc.

Mentor Coach for other Executive Coaches

Executive Coach

Fueling growth through conversations that matter with leaders who are hungry to grow.  
Executive Coaching, Mentor-Coaching and Host of Leadership Book Clubs through Readers of the Pack.
Linda brings compassion, accountability and grace to everything she does.   If you are a leader hungry to grow, one-on-one coaching may be the answer for you.     If you are a leader who loves to read and passionate about growth, one of our book clubs is definitely for you.    Reach out at any time for more conversation with Linda.

Executive Coach and Host of Readers of the Pack Book Club for Leaders 

Pathfind

Proud to work as a trusted coach and advisor with Pathfind, your talent management partner.  Love my community of like-minded people.

Collaborative Partner and Executive Coach

United Way Capital Region, Edmonton

Love working as a Volunteer Coach for this leadership team!  They are my tribe - great people doing amazing work in our community.❤️

Resident Executive Coach

Accountability by Design Inc. , Linda Maul, Executive Coach    CEC, PCC

Are you struggling to balance ever-changing priorities in what feels like chaos? Are you disappointed in yourself for not honouring commitments to yourself or others?  
	   
Linda's gift as an executive coach is to gently disrupt your perceptions and thinking to ensure you reach your maximum potential.   With over forty years experience in sales, administration and leadership in manufacturing,  distribution,  staffing services and non profit, Linda knows the frustrations and joy of leadership.   Existing coaching clients say Linda brings a pragmatic, thoughtful and inspiring approach to every conversation. 

Linda’s coaching practice includes a diverse group of senior leaders in government (provincial and municipal), manufacturing, utilities, construction and banking. Major contracts include the Office of the Auditor General of Alberta, ATB Financial, Durabuilt Windows, Kitchen Partners, Enbridge and Covenant Health plus.   With experience in sales and leadership, Linda is passionate about coaching and mentoring leaders who are hungry to grow and stretch. 

The co-author of two books, Linda finds joy in mentoring and coaching other entrepreneurs and coaches.  She volunteers as the ‘Resident Coach’ for leaders at United Way Capital Region.  

Nothing changes unless you intentionally change your own perception and ultimately your behaviour and action.  If you are ready to stretch and grow as a leader,, Linda will be your ‘accountability partner’ on that journey.  Call Linda today at 780.668.9481 or email her at linda@accountabilitybydesign.com.

Creating People Power Inc.

CPP's focus under Linda's leadership transitioned from just training of front line supervisors/managers to include customized mentoring and coaching programs that include coaching one-on-one, group coaching, dialogue circles (peer coaching) as well as training and development.   Clients are medium sized organizations with approx. 100 employees or more, focused on growing their people over the 'long term'.  

In Michel Neray's words - what are we really, really good at?    Coaching, mentoring and training leaders!

Founding Partner

ICF - Edmonton Coaching Association

President

Edmonton Chapter - Canadian Association of Professional Speakers

Past President

The Adult Development Center

Board Chair

Staff Bureau

Corporate Recruiter

I am addicted to coaching, passionate about reading, and committed to supporting growth for myself and others.  With an extensive background in executive coaching and employee training, my mission at Accountability by Design Inc. has been to empower leaders to excel and organizations to transform. Recognized as a top emerging company, our efforts are rooted in fostering growth and driving results through compassionate accountability.

At Readers of the Pack, the leadership book clubs serve as a conduit for innovation, new perspectives, and shared wisdom. Partnering with award-winning authors, we harness narrative conversation to navigate leadership challenges as we facilitate positive change, ensuring leaders thrive in complex environments.

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