The Power of Agency: How Writing a Book Can Build Trust and Elevate Your Brand
Release Date: 03/24/2025
Trump Derangement Syndrome And The 10 Commandments
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic by reading the definition and symptoms As much as the guys believe it to be real, it’s also funny Jim asks Mark what “Psychic pathology” means and he takes a shot Jim shares his opinion about friends and family that seem to struggle with this Jim talks about his mom. She exhibits physical manifestations Mark thinks this physical reaction indicates a pretty severe condition Jim calls it impulsive Mark calls Trump insensitive and crass. He’s a fighter and not a politician Mark talks about one friend who is very smart, but can’t remain objective when Trump’s...
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90% Of Life Is Just Showing Up
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic and frames it in the context of his recent experience with having a plumber show up at his home to do some work He shares how gratitude plays a part in the discussion. He expresses a concern that the topic is so rich that staying on topic might be tough Jim reflects on the story Mark has already told him Jim expands on the “Showing up” concept Jim shares his perspective having been a tradesman and having gone into many homes and being treated poorly, more often than not. He applauds Marks treatment of the plumber Jim expands on the notion of appreciation and gives...
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The Disingenuous Epidemic - Cowards, Clowns, and Characters
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of disingenuous people. Both guys have had recent experiences with people who were being disingenuous. Mark asks whether he thinks people are born this way or do become this way based on environment or circumstance. Jim says he’s been using that word more often lately Mark reads the legal definition of the word Jim shares his definition. He clarifies the nuance of this activity being intentional Mark says there are different levels of it, but that some people are just stupid Jim shares his recent encounter with a disingenuous neighbor Deception from the get go. Jim...
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How A Simple Framework Can Help Us Communicate With Candor And Clarity
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark brings up the topic of communication in the context of self talk and self reflection Then he shares a framework Jim brought that he uses for communication. The triple A method Assumptions/Agreement/Action Mark is a fan Jim brings up a favorite quote of his - “The most important conversation you’ll ever have is the conversation you have with yourself”…and that’s a crazy person Mark shares his self talk routine Jim - simply…you have to turn the channel He shares how his mind works. He finds or creates tools to help him. That’s where this AAA framework came from. He uses it to...
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Personal Stories Of Neurodivergence - The Ability To Think Different
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the guys and topic. He cites how aligned both guys are. As they enter the call they’re thinking of the same topics and thoughts Neurodivergence (See definition at the bottom of the show notes) Mark shares a call about his grandson and his current struggles which may well involve him being on the spectrum Jim shared his perspective about labels and crutches and his own story about being neurodivergent himself growing up Jim’s perspective is to reframe this label as an opportunity to think of things differently Neither guy likes meds, but do agree that in some cases they can...
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Beware The "Vortex". Aging Gracefully In Relationships
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of male and female relationships. Jim had brought up the recent Bill Belichick interview with his new 24 year old girlfriend Jim covers our framework and the wheel of life. Relationships is one of the five and women is a subset of that Jim likes looking at life in increments of 10 years. Now we’re both in our 60’s and things have changed Jim brings up the Belichick interview in the context of self awareness and how he was not self aware at all Both guys lost respect for him Mark goes back to his relationship with his girlfriend and brings up how recently he...
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Confidence Isn’t a Trait, It’s a Practice
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of confidence. Self-confidence The topic originated with Jim’s interest in elitism - entitlement - self-accountability - confidence In order to be self accountable, one must be confident Jim ties in the current news events and his recent book as he frames his view of confidence. Particularly sports and business He distinguishes between confidence and the competence required to be confident Jim brings up academia. See civically Harvard…and entitlements/elitism He shares the academic idea that perfection is attainable. We both support the reality of...
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Frameworks: The Invisible Structures Behind A Well Lived Life
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark shares the value of the “pregame” the guys use to prepare for the podcast He introduces the topic of frameworks How they can be good or harmful Jim shares how frameworks evolve and how ours did. Our tagline “The Imperfection Is The Perfection” Jim used this with his kids when they got frustrated with him He thinks imperfections and failures make us who we are Jim shares how when we started the podcast, we were thinking of “Civill Discourse” as a theme. Then we came upon our Wheel Of Life Jim takes us around the wheel and digs into all 5 areas of life and then some deeper...
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The Freedom of Solitude: Evolving Beyond Our Old Personas
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topics of solitude and one’s persona Jim jumps in to help contextualize this discussion Mark reads the definitions of “Persona” and “Solitude” Mark asks Jim about his trip Jim separates being alone for a few minutes from the very different version of a 7 day solo trip Jim has chosen solo trips in the last few years He reflects on how his roles and personas have changed as he’s aged He talks about not caring what others think and how freeing that is Mark reflects on the solitude that can from his divorce. He didn’t choose that but did choose how to...
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The Science of Self-Talk: How Thoughts Shape Our Reality
Imperfect Mens Club
Mark introduces the topic of the power of the mind and self-talk The idea that we now have science and data to support the value of positive talk, visualization and vibration in influencing our happiness and peace of mind Jim got the idea from Billy Carson’s appearance on Lewis Howe’s Greatness podcast Jim shares the story of how we met. He was struggling mentally and emotionally and had some evidence that concussions might be part of his challenge. In his research, he found me. He flew out to Orlando and we met. Jim tells his concussion story and the details of his journey toward a...
info_outlineMark introduces the topic of agency. Jim thinks Mark is a great example of what an agent is
He reads a definition and adds some context to what an agent is and how he may, in fact, be one
The value of having an objective third party negotiating on your behalf
Jim thinks AI will make being an agent much more valuable
He discusses the agents he uses. His patent agent, for example. Agents are not as close as we are to our capabilities and competencies
Agents can be particularly helpful negotiating your price. What you’re worth
He talks about his most recent projects to operate as an agent
Jim shares his story about a meeting he had recently and how he’s being told he should write a book
The value of having your own book
He shares his “Greenbuild” story. What it’s like in the San Francisco Bay Area regarding diversity, women’s groups and other woke topics
Jim thinks it would be great if we just got back to building things. Diversity on it’s own is a silly topic
Jim shares his conversation with a grant writer…the importance of human interaction and how we are disconnecting from it
She brought up the book writing topic
Mark says he has also been told to write a book. He reflects on a couple of recent conversations. Both became about human interaction and the value of having an agent to move the professional ball forward. Objectivity alone can be very helpful. How powerful it is to have a 3rd party voice
Mark talks about the value of authority/credibility that a book brings
Jim asks Mark about how he works. He pokes at the details of how Mark chooses and helps people. He thinks we all underestimate our capability and willingness to help
Our value goes well beyond our direct skill. Trust opens up those doors
Mark shares how he has access to market data that might be worth even more than his coaching
Jim cautions Mark that this knowledge is NOT FREE
Second, he talks about IP and how valuable it is
Jim puts on his agent cap and shares with Mark how he might be his agent
Jim then goes into his opinion on AI and the creation content…podcasts, books, articles…everything
Jim thinks AI create content “equality”
Mark loves the contrarian approach to rules and ways of doing things
Mark asks, “what am I worth?”
Mark is convinced that Jim would ask for more than Mark would for himself
Jim gives examples of agents we all work with
Real estate agents, sports agents, career agents…
He shares his pro baseball story about his friend the pro coach
The $40 million dollar negotiation and the value of an agent in that negotiation
Mark shares his perspective on the value of agency. He shares how helpful he can be to IT people who are mostly introverted
Mark shares how candid and authentic approaches are so much more influential
He shares his perspective on salespeople too
Mark brings up helping friends and family and Jim cautions that they might be a little too close to help objectively
Jim talks about being “unemployable”
Mark shares the importance of messaging and how your “brand” fits in
Jim gives us a bit more detail about his 3 recent requests for speaking/advice gigs
Jim is wary of “big consulting firms” and Mark shares his perspective on this
He talks about competing against big brands/logos/t-shits/reputations by being authentic and practical and trustworthy. Different ulterior motives
Jim brings in the political agents who got it all wrong and are now wondering what to do next
Mark shares his confusion about how these people/agents keep getting hired
He also clarifies how powerful brand is and how clients without confidence hire brand simply to protect themselves. Momma duck and her ducklings
Jim says the big ad agencies do the same thing
Are the industries going away?
If you can’t measure it, you can’t determine efficacy. Jim says AI will change this
Mark - why do they hire the big known brand?
It’s all changing