From Consulting to Content: Turning 40 Years of Wisdom Into a Book | Jeff Fierstein and Ric Shriver | 659

What if the game of Whac-A-Mole perfectly described your leadership challenges?

Ric Shriver and Jeff Fierstein think it does. These two veteran consultants have spent over four decades tackling recurring, high-stakes issues inside organizations—and they’ve captured those lessons in their book "Leadership Whack-A-Mole: Actionable Strategies to Leadership Challenges".

Today's episode, Ric and Jeff join Peter to explore how they've turned decades of shared experience into a practical, real-world guide for leaders. They break down the leadership issues that keep popping up across industries—and how to stop reacting and start leading with intent.

You’ll hear how they co-authored the book using a creative “client and consultant” back-and-forth format, bringing both the problem and the solution to life. They explain why holistic thinking and real-world examples matter more than trendy buzzwords, and how their book is designed as a field manual—not theory—for leaders at all levels.

Ric and Jeff also speak candidly about what it’s like to move from writing to marketing—especially when you’re more comfortable solving problems than promoting your own work. Their insights are honest, valuable, and relevant for any thought leader looking to get their ideas into the hands of decision-makers.

If you’ve ever felt like you're playing Whack-A-Mole in your business, this episode offers the clarity—and calm—you need.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Leadership Challenges Are Recurring—But Solvable
Many leaders face the same issues over and over, much like a game of Whack-A-Mole. Ric and Jeff highlight that these aren’t random events—they're symptoms of deeper systemic issues. Their book offers a practical, experience-based approach to diagnosing and solving those patterns.

• Thought Leadership Can Be Built from Shared Experience
Rather than theory or research alone, their content comes from decades of real-world consulting work. By using a client-consultant format, they deliver insight from both sides of the leadership equation, making their ideas accessible and actionable for readers.

• Marketing a Book Requires a Mindset Shift
Writing the book was only half the battle. Ric and Jeff learned that promoting thought leadership requires stepping into new roles—connecting with networks, refining their message, and overcoming the reluctance to "sell." Believing deeply in their content helped them get comfortable with promotion.

If you enjoyed our conversation with Ric Shriver and Jeff Fierstein on turning decades of consulting experience into practical thought leadership, you won’t want to miss this episode: Advice for Marketing, Messaging, and Publishing Books with Aurora Winter.

Just like Ric and Jeff, the Aurora dove into the real-world challenges authors and thought leaders face—not just in writing the book, but in getting it into the right hands.

You’ll hear candid advice on crafting compelling messaging, navigating the business side of publishing, and building visibility through smart marketing. Both episodes highlight a critical truth: writing a great book is just the beginning.

Whether you're an author, consultant, or executive with ideas to share, this conversation will help you move from manuscript to market with clarity and confidence.