It was March 17, 2011. I was standing in my parents’ two- bedroom assisted living apartment. The hospice people had just left after speaking with Dad. In the room with me were Mom, Barb, my sister Rita, and my daughter Mindy, who happened to be home from university for spring break.

Dad knew what hospice meant. Shortly after they left, he slipped into unconsciousness. We called them back, and they confirmed the dying process was underway and it wouldn’t be long.

I had come to understand that people in a comatose state can still hear and comprehend. Each of us took a turn talking to Dad and I could see on his face that he heard us. After everyone said something, I came up with an idea to allow others to do the same.

I called my Aunt Gloria, brother Les, sister Kathy, and daughter Kelli. They were all living in various places around the country at the time.

I put the phone on speaker mode and up to Dad’s ear. Each person spoke their goodbyes and, again, I felt that Dad heard every word—even though he couldn’t verbally respond.

After we finished, a huge pall fell over the air. As luck would have it a young staffer named Sarah came in with chocolate chip mint ice cream and asked if we would like some. I told her that was exactly what we needed.

As I was enjoying my ice cream, a scoop fell on the floor right below my foot without me knowing it.

Suddenly, all the women in the room literally screamed at me in unison, “STOP!”

It was as if I was a helicopter in a no-fly zone over the White House! “What???” I exclaimed.

I was informed of the ice cream under my foot and the dire implications if I stepped on it.

Really?

We all broke out in much-needed laughter.

Barb was seated next to Dad holding his hand, keeping him part of the group. She said to him, ”Your son. He almost stepped on ice cream!”

Dad sat bolt upright in his recliner, stared straight at Barb and exclaimed, “Did someone say ice cream?”

We were stunned. I said, “Yeah, Dad. We’re all eating ice cream. Do you want some?”

He turned to me with a wild-eyed look and exclaimed, “Certainly!”

We all watched as Dad devoured the ice cream Barb fed him. Sarah stuck around to watch, as she was fond of Dad. As Barb shoveled his favorite food into his mouth, she asked him a question that would normally be reserved for a 3- year-old. “Dad, wasn’t that nice of Sarah to bring you ice cream? What do you say to her?”

Dad turned to Sarah with the same mad look in his eyes, gulped the ice cream and blurted out with earnestness …

“MORE!”

His last words could not be more fitting.

More.

Dad wanted more ice cream, and we wanted more time with him.

Shouldn’t we be asking for MORE right now? Finding ways to create MORE right now? Being MORE fearless, MORE forgiving, MORE present?

I surmise that at the end of our lives, we will still desire MORE— no matter what we’ve accomplished. However, it’s a reminder that we are here now and, with good fortune, we still have a whole lot MORE time now.

So, let’s do something with it.

As I write this column, I’m preparing to go on my annual buddies’ golf trip with my high school friends of now over 40 years. This annual trip we call Jumanji started in 1996 when we are all about 31 years old. This will be the 31^st edition. Crazy.

When we started, the thought of “more” wasn’t really considered. It was all about golf. Today, while we still love the golf, it’s really the vehicle that brings us together. It’s our time to celebrate over four decades of friendship.

While that period of celebration will end with everyone dispersing back home, our “normal” life relationship celebrations can be continuous if only we allow them to be.

To experience “MORE,” we need to invest in being present. That means more than being physically there. It’s become a discipline that I must practice and be intentional of daily.

We all get busy, and our brains are so complex that we can have a gazillion thoughts processing all at the same time. When I recognize that in myself, I stop what I’m doing and focus on my breathing to slow my heart and brain rate. I then whisper to myself, “One thing at a time.”

That might mean re-focusing on the grandchildren when we’re together. It might simply mean being present with my wife Barb as we are watching a movie and eating popcorn together at home.

Being present is a skill. It demands practice and discipline. It also requires patience because we all will fail at times. Yet if you master this, you will get MORE.

When we can focus on keeping our head in the game, simplifying life, putting ourselves in good positions for success, and staying present, we ultimately will achieve so much MORE in life than we imagined.

This story is adapted from my book, Back 9 Walking: A Guide to Living Life Unleashed. If it resonated, you can find the full book here.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

It was July 1976.

I was 11 years old and had just finished 5th grade at Olympic View Elementary in Oak Harbor, WA. The nation had just celebrated our bicentennial — 200 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And like most kids my age, I loved to listen to music.

Prior to 1976, I listened to my vinyl records on my record player (nobody called it a turntable). But about that time, I purchased my first cassette tape. It was Fly Like an Eagle by the Steve Miller Band. I knew at that point, vinyl was dead and cassettes were the new order.

(Little did I know that 50 years later I would be buying vinyl records again and wishing I had kept my old ones!)

That switch from vinyl to cassettes was just a foreshadowing of what was coming. By the early 1980s, cassettes were being replaced by compact discs. In 1999, Napster launched, MP3 downloads exploded, and the music industry was turned upside down. In 2003, iTunes brought legal digital downloads — individual songs for $0.99. A decade later, streaming became the dominant model and subscription replaced purchase entirely.

Today, we can listen to any song from any era on a device that would have looked like something out of a Dick Tracy comic strip.

In a world history full of industrial and cultural revolutions, that 50-year timeline may be the most compressed before AI.

It was only about three years ago that most of us even learned what ChatGPT was. It seemed remarkable then, but that version is already obsolete. Today, AI platforms are emerging constantly. What took the music distribution industry 50 years to evolve was likely compressed into less than a year with AI.

Imagine what AI will look like in three years. Or ten. Or fifty, when my grandchildren will be nearly my age. That may feel unsettling. But the opportunity it creates will exceed any revolution the world has previously experienced.

If there’s one thing we should have learned from the pandemic six years ago, it’s that human connection is vital. When we couldn’t engage with each other, we pivoted, finding new and creative ways not only to stay connected, but to expand our community to the world. And while we largely returned to what life looked like before, that expansion never fully contracted.

Now the worry is that AI will take jobs, replace people, and render us obsolete. Unlike 8-track tapes, that won’t happen — if we recognize that we now have a greater opportunity than ever to invest in what will never go out of style: human community.

As we become more entrenched globally in artificial intelligence, the need for human engagement — professionally and personally — only grows. What do I mean by community? I mean neighborhood picnics, service club meetings, business networking groups, and nonprofit charity events. Ballgames and golf rounds, mentoring kids and volunteering at soup kitchens. And yes, using technology to connect face-to-face with family, friends, and business clients all over the world.

AI helps us do that. Greater efficiency, used wisely, creates more time for each other.

Business has always been about relationships. That will never change. Meeting over coffee or lunch, getting to know people both professionally and personally — that has always led to business. Imagine what happens when we actually have more time to do it.

As I write this, I’ve been dealing with a lingering cough. As I often do, I turned to Claude for research, asking it to channel the world’s greatest doctor. I used that information and collaborated with my doctor’s office via text (not an option in 1976). After a few days without improvement, Claude suggested I talk to my pharmacist, noting that these professionals are often underutilized and deeply knowledgeable. I took that advice and talked to the human expert.

We are living through likely the greatest industrial and cultural revolution of our lifetimes. We can fear it and retreat to our cassette tapes, or we can blend and balance AI and HI — human interaction — to build community and improve our lives, our businesses, and our relationships.

AI is the new cassette tape — powerful, disruptive, and eventually replaced by something we can’t yet imagine. Human connection is the vinyl. It came back because nothing else could replace it.

Invest accordingly.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

“Stay close. Too far. Wrong choice. Good job. Good boy.”

These are phrases I say constantly to my two-year-old dog, Bandon. They get repeated often when we’re working with our trainer, Brittany.

Of importance: I said our trainer. More on that later.

Bandon and I have been working with Brittany for the better part of a year. It became clear early on that Bandon the puppy needed skills in a variety of areas like proper walking, proper listening, and appropriate behavior around others.

He’s come a long way, but we continue to work with Brittany. Even as the cadence has slowed, staying sharp matters for both of us.

This isn’t unlike developing employees and leaders in any organization. While many might call what Bandon is doing “dog training,” I prefer to think of it as development — for both of us.

Improving skills, talents, and behaviors in dogs and humans alike requires what I call the 4 Cs: Communication, Correction, Consistency, and Candor.

Communication

Perhaps the most critical of the four, because it impacts all the others.

Too often, a lack of clarity creates a lot of problems. While humans certainly have a deeper vocabulary than dogs, that doesn’t mean communication should be any less clear.

Common missteps include too many words, too much jargon, too many assumptions, and unnecessary complexity. Whether oral or written, specificity and brevity will always win.

Developing people should involve language that is genuine, encouraging, and leads to positive outcomes. One great example is explaining the why. Dogs don’t need to understand that something is dangerous — humans do. People perform better when they understand the reason behind the request. Be clear.

Correction

If you grew up when I did, you probably remember correction rooted in sternness, anger, and often yelling. That was the old command-and-control mindset.

I don’t yell at Bandon. My goal is to correct in a tone he’ll respond to and guide him toward a better decision. That approach matters even more with people.

If we want to develop employees and leaders, correction should be simple, calm, and rooted in positive feedback. Don’t confuse correction with discipline. Bad behavior in people can’t be tolerated, and those individuals often self-select out of your organization anyway. Correction is about improving skills and deepening understanding.

Consistency

One reason we continue working with Brittany is the long-term consistency she brings to our goals.

Consistency means we don’t allow slippage. I’ve seen too many cases where safety practices that were once trained get overlooked for the sake of speed or convenience. That’s how standards erode.

Consistency also means development doesn’t end. Brittany started with us weekly. That cadence shifted to every other week, then monthly. Staying fine-tuned over time builds muscle memory and engrains the right habits.

Candor

The worst thing we can do is be dishonest about progress.

Sparing feelings — or worse, moving someone through a process they aren’t ready for — devalues their growth and sets them up to fail later. That’s not kindness. It’s a disservice.

The other extreme is equally damaging. Cruelty has no place in honest feedback. Proper instruction is the blend of candor with empathy and care. Some people do this naturally. For those who don’t, it can be taught and it should be, especially for those entrusted with coaching and mentoring others.

One Final Thought

Earlier, I mentioned that Brittany trains both of us. In my experience, the best investment any development program can make is in properly training the trainer.

Dogs and humans grow fastest when the person guiding them has the right skills. If you don’t invest in the professional development of your mentors and coaches, the results downstream will suffer. Invest from the top down, and the outcomes will always be better.

Bandon still has room to grow, particularly in how he interacts with others. But that old, tired notion that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks has never been true for dogs, and it isn’t true for people either.

The growth and prosperity of any company depends on a strong base of people. That has always been the case, and it won’t change. How committed leadership is to the 4 Cs will go a long way toward ensuring that success.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed® is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

As many of you might know, I do a little “moonlighting” as a golf instructor. I coach boys high school golf and work with adults through my Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certification to help them improve their fitness and game.

Regardless of the age or level of golfer I’m working with, the very first thing I ask them is about their grip. For all the content and data available to golfers today — and some of it is better than others — the most crucial part of the golf swing happens after selecting the club and getting ready to swing.

Just this past week, world #1 women’s golfer Nelly Korda got a bit of advice on her grip that helped propel her to win the U.S. Women’s Open. Nelly played a mediocre first round, and her ball striking was the key reason. Her older sister Jessica, also a professional golfer, noticed that Nelly’s grip had become “weaker,” making it easier to miss right. Nelly took that feedback and went to work. The results were three days of brilliant golf and a major championship.

This grip concept goes well beyond the game of golf.

We’ve all heard the phrase “get a grip” when someone is trying to calm us down or get us to refocus. How many of us actually have a good grip on our businesses and careers? How many of us need to either strengthen the one we have or start fresh with a new one?

Foundationally, each of us needs a clear path to success — however that looks for our business, career, and life. While a solid golf grip leads to a consistent swing, a firm grip on your direction is just as essential to your own success.

Here are a few worth examining:

How’s your grip on your culture? Are employees happy, engaged, motivated, and eager to grow? Or is there drama, absenteeism, poor quality work, or high turnover?

How’s your grip on your reputation? Do clients and customers enjoy working with you and your company? Do they understand the value you provide? Do they frequently endorse and refer business to you? Or do they see you as transactional — a cost of doing business — and ready to bolt the moment something shinier comes along?

How’s your grip on your relationships? Have you cultivated the most important personal and professional relationships in your life? Do you regularly reach out just to stay connected, without wanting anything in return? Are you present when you’re with people? Or does life get so busy that those most important relationships quietly go stale?

How’s your grip on your health? Do you prioritize sleep, recovery, and healthy eating? Do you find time to move, even if it’s not formal exercise? Do you invest in downtime to mentally recover? Or does life get so full that all the health “stuff” gets pushed further and further away until it becomes a burden to even think about?

We live in fast and furious times. There is more pressure on us than ever before. And yet the grip we have on the things that matter most — joy, reputation, relationships, and health — is more within our control than we often realize.

Nelly Korda listened to her team. She was confident enough to make an adjustment in the middle of a major championship, and the results were spectacular. It’s never too late to listen — to the people around us and to ourselves — and make the adjustments that change our game.

Let’s all get a grip.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

You’ve been held up.

Unlike the days of Jesse James or Bonnie and Clyde, getting “held up” now happens in the shadows of cyberspace. And it’s not a kid in someone’s basement doing it. It’s a sophisticated, efficient criminal organization that kidnaps your technology and holds it for ransom.

But there’s good news! You have cyber insurance.

But wait, there’s bad news. Your cyber insurance policy has a $100,000 sublimit for ransomware payments. The demand is $800,000. Nobody explained the sublimit.

What is Ransomware

Ransomware is the colloquial name for cyber extortion. This is important because insurance carriers will use both terms when detailing the coverages and sublimits of a cyber policy.

By now, most business owners have heard of ransomware. The short version: cybercriminals lock your most critical data and systems and demand payment, often in bitcoin or cryptocurrency, before they’ll release them.

Why It Matters

IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report puts the average total cost of a ransomware breach at $5.08 million, the highest of any attack vector tracked. Ransomware payments over the past three years exceeded $2.1 billion, more than the entire prior nine-year period combined.

Small and mid-sized businesses are not exempt. In fact, they are increasingly the preferred target because attackers know they are less likely to have the defenses, the IT staff, or the insurance coverage that larger companies maintain. The 2025 threat landscape has shifted as well: attack frequency is up while ransom payments are down, meaning attackers are pivoting toward data extortion and reputational pressure rather than encryption alone.

Key Insurance Issues

Most businesses carry several insurance policies: General Liability, Commercial Property, a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), and perhaps a Crime policy. Ransomware coverage lives only in a cyber policy. It’s also worth knowing that ransomware, also called cyber extortion, is a 1st Party cyber claim. Liability is a 3rd Party claim, and the two are handled very differently.

Sublimits generally appear in the italicized fine print of insurance proposals and policies. Ransomware is one of those 1st Party coverages that routinely comes with a sublimit. In many cases, that sublimit is $100,000 regardless of the main policy limit.

A common mistake among insurance buyers in any industry is reading only the sales proposal. Sublimits are included in most proposals, but they are easy to miss. They are spelled out clearly inside the policy itself. You need to know where to look, and, let’s face it, nobody reads the policies.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is now a standard condition of coverage in most cyber policies. If it isn’t in place, a carrier can deny your claim or non-renew your policy. Don’t assume your agent has confirmed compliance. Verify it yourself.

What about your vendors and supply chain partners? If your business is hit through a third party, many cyber policies have no coverage trigger for that scenario. The attack didn’t happen on your network, so the policy doesn’t respond. Does yours?

What’s Your Limit?

When was the last time you reviewed your ransomware sublimits? Hopefully it was at the last renewal. But did you take the extra step of reading the policy itself to confirm it? The insurance sales proposal is only a summary. It is not intended to replace the policy.

Summary

Cyber threats are evolving faster than most businesses, and most insurance programs, can keep up. The concern is that cybercriminals continue to outpace the good guys in sophistication and speed.

The challenge for whoever manages your business insurance, whether that’s you, your CFO, or an office manager wearing five hats, is that insurance isn’t your only job. That’s exactly why a regular, independent, and unbiased review of your program matters.

I’m an independent insurance and risk management consultant serving businesses nationwide.

In my consulting practice, I do not sell insurance or accept commissions from agents or carriers, which means my analysis has one purpose: your interests.

If you want an unbiased second opinion on your business’s insurance program, contact me for a no obligation conversation.

Reach me at dan@danweedin.com or (360) 271-1592.

© Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved.

All words that signify and define the word, “memorial.”

I can’t imaging what it would have felt like on June 6, 1944.

To be 21 years old, standing on a Navy ship, and set to be on a landing party to the beaches in Normandy. The odds said that you’d be a casualty and you knew it.

The chill of the wind and the rain in the Atlantic just off the shore of France, and far away from wherever you hailed from.

By the time the fighting was over, there would be 4,414 confirmed dead, and over 10,000 casualties. That scene I describe can certainly be played out over centuries. Men and women facing certain death, yet risking all for country.

Dad spent 30 years in the Navy and served in World War II. He wasn’t at Normandy, but was at the North African Invasion and of course survived the war.

He was always quick to point out that Memorial Day was not the day to honor those that served, but those that died. Those that gave the greatest sacrifice.

Veterans Day is the day to honor all who served and serve. Memorial Day is the day to honor the fallen.

I’ve never forgotten that.

Memorial Day was born out of the Civil War and a desire to honor the dead. During the first national celebration on May 30, 1868, former Union General and sitting Ohio Congressman (and future President of the United States) James Garfield made a speech where 20,000 graves were “decorated” for both Union and Confederate soldiers.

Today we honor all those that have fallen in wars, conflicts, and service from the Revolutionary War to the present. Let’s all remember this as we take a holiday break from our labors to recall those that gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can.

In memorium. In memory of. Remembrance.

“Courage is faith holding on a minute longer.“

~ General George Patton

© 2026 Toro Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is the registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

This year’s edition, played every April, marked the 90th tournament in its history. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland became only the fourth golfer ever to win it in back-to-back years. The Masters is one of professional golf’s major championships. It’s a tradition unlike anything other in the game.

Don’t worry. This isn’t a column about golf!

It’s about what happens when an organization commits to tradition and standards at such a high level that it creates something unique and wildly successful.

Let’s discuss four ways that can relate directly to your business and career.

EXCLUSIVITY

Unlike most sporting events, attending the Masters isn’t about affording a ticket. It’s about access.

Tickets are relatively inexpensive, if you’re fortunate enough to get one.

Some “patrons” (not “fans”) hold lifetime badges. These are non-transferable, and no new ones have been issued since the process permanently closed in 2020. Everyone else enters a lottery nearly a year in advance.

There’s something powerful about exclusivity in business.

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) exists because perceived and actual value is high and access is limited. When demand exceeds availability, value rises.

What does your business offer that feels exclusive to your “patrons?” What do they fear missing out with you?

When access to what you provide is so valuable that missing out feels like a loss, you’ve built something that lasts.

What are you offering that creates that kind of allure? What could you be offering?

NO PHONES

Contrary to the world we live in, mobile phones aren’t allowed on property.

That’s right, no texting, selfies, video creation for TikTok or Instagram, no instant updates. The ubiquitous nature of our little hand-held computers is gone at Augusta National. Patrons are forced to focus on what’s in front of them; to enjoy the shared experience of the event and actually talk with the people around them.

And nobody complains. In fact, they embrace it.

They enjoy the simplicity of watching scoreboards updated by hand, not by some digital monstrosity. Everyone experiences the tournament in real time, together.

In business, simple still wins.

When things get too busy, too complex, or too hard to access, frustration follows. How often would you love to call a company and have a human answer instead of being told to “listen carefully, as our options have changed” (they haven’t)?

What can you do to simplify your business for the improvement of your clients?

INNOVATION

While The Masters has a timeless feel around the event, the leadership at Augusta National doesn’t sit on their success. They constantly evolve and innovate.

As technology and talent have allowed golfers to hit the ball further than ever, the golf course needed to respond to that or become obsolete. The leadership at Augusta responded by changing the legendary course setup. They have adapted by lengthening holes and adding hazards to remain relevant. They did this without sacrificing the experience and enjoyment of the players and patrons.

When was the last time you innovated in your business?

I believe in business and life that we should always be reinventing ourselves. That’s the concept discussed in an earlier column about “chasing edges.”

Examples include: Improving how we deliver. Listening to our clients. Anticipating what’s next before it forces our hand.

What’s next for you?

One final lesson comes from the players chasing that coveted green jacket bestowed to the champion.

Golf isn’t linear.

Each of the 18 holes of a course are an entity in and of themselves. They have their own vibe. Each comes with hazards both seen and unseen. They each have a path for success mixed in with uncertainty and luck.

Even the most skilled golfers will struggle. The ones that enjoy the greatest success are the most resilient; the grittiest; and the ones that embrace the uncertainty.

Business and life are also not linear.

Are you physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to play each hole, accept the result, and keep playing?

We all get to play our own “course” daily. We face opportunities and obstacles. Like the leadership at Augusta and the golf pros who compete on the course, we succeed when we embrace the challenge, accept the result, and set up to the next shot.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed® is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

Last month, we broke down three leadership lessons that helped propel the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship: Process Over Results, Alignment, and “We Did Not Care.”

In this second and final part, we’re not running out the clock. We’re diving into three more that matter just as much.

MOB Mentality

In 2013, the Seahawks defense was known as the “LOB” — the Legion of Boom — for their ferocity and style of play. In 2025, the Seahawks introduced a new team-wide creed: the MOB Mentality.

In this case, MOB stands for “Mission over BS.” (I’m fairly certain the locker room version uses the R-rated translation.)

The concept is simple, yet often difficult to execute. There’s no room for drama or selfishness. The mission, in this case a championship, is bigger than any individual goal.

As a Rotarian for over 30 years, I’ve seen this principle in action. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self.” Many service organizations share a similar ethos.

There’s only so much leadership can do to promote this mindset. For it to truly take hold, it must be owned and modeled by the team itself. With the Seahawks, it was driven by the players. In Rotary, it’s lived out at the club and member level.

Before starting my solo practice, I worked for several companies and have been involved with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. I’ve also coached student-athletes for over a decade. I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of not having a team-first mentality — and the powerful results when it’s present.

What about your business or workplace? Do you feel a true MOB Mentality?

Championships don’t tolerate ego, and neither should businesses and organizations. Confidence is great when it’s part of a team and mission.

Understanding Motivation

We’re all motivated differently.

In a podcast late in the season, one of quarterback Sam Darnold’s coaches described him as “internally motivated.” Quarterback guru and former NFL player Jordan Palmer, explained that’s Sam’s drive comes from within — a personal standard to improve — rather than from outside criticism or praise. That internal engine fuels resilience.

Jordan Palmer wasn’t making a value judgment. He also pointed out that many athletes are externally motivated, like the type who hear, “You can’t,” and respond with, “Watch me.” Think of former Seahawks legends like Richard Sherman or Doug Baldwin, who thrived with a chip on their shoulder.

Neither is right or wrong. They just are.

The leadership key is understanding how the people around you are wired so you know how to lead, coach, and communicate effectively.

After hearing that interview, I did a bit of self-reflection. I believe I lean more toward external motivation. While I value both, I recognize that much of my drive, whether in business, golf, leadership, or life, is influenced by what others say or think.

What about you?

Does your drive come from within, largely unaffected by outside noise? Or are you more like me, where external factors help push the needle?

Understanding yourself — and others — is a powerful advantage in leadership.

Chasing Edges

This is a phrase Head Coach Mike MacDonald has used often in interviews over his first two seasons. You can bet that his coaching staff hears it even more.

So, what does “chasing edges” mean?

While I’m not inside Coach MacDonald’s head, I’ve heard him explain it enough to feel confident in this: it’s the constant pursuit of small advantages that, over time, create meaningful separation.

It’s not just about scheme or trick plays. For the Seahawks, it includes:

• Finding coaches and staff who challenge the norm and bring fresh ideas
• Prioritizing cultural fit over raw talent
• Investing in continuous development and growth
• Embracing change, even when it’s uncomfortable

Are you and your organization truly chasing edges, or just saying you are?

It’s easy to claim innovation. It’s harder to prove it.

Championship teams don’t rely on one breakthrough moment. They stack habits, mindsets, and small advantages over time. Process, alignment, focus, mission, motivation, and edges — none of these stand alone.

Together, they create something powerful. The clues are there. The only question is whether we’re willing to follow them.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Read this article on Kitsap Business magazine

Super Bowl Champs.

While we in the PNW are still basking in the aftermath of a Super Bowl win by the Seattle Seahawks, there’s a chance we might be able to take a few leadership lessons from their head coach, Mike MacDonald.

Admittedly, I’m an avid fan, bordering on compulsive. I’ve been listening to interviews with Coach MacDonald since he was hired two years ago. This season, several themes emerged that made me think about the broader ramifications of leadership at its best.

We should be thanking Mike MacDonald for bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Seattle after a 12-year absence. We’d also be wise to glean a few leadership insights from him and his team.

Process Over Results

This concept isn’t new to me. I’ve used it for years with my high school golfers. But I’ve been impressed with how Coach MacDonald elevated it with his players.

The idea is simple in theory, harder in practice.

It feels natural to chase quantifiable results. In a data-driven world, we’re encouraged to measure outcomes. While achieving great results — like winning a Super Bowl — is the goal, the focus belongs on the process of getting great.

Take increasing revenue as an example. It’s easy to set a goal of increasing annual revenue by a specific dollar amount or percentage. Measurable, right? But what’s the process that produces it?

When you reverse-engineer revenue growth, you ultimately land on daily behaviors. Depending on your industry, that might include attending networking events, joining a referral group, asking for introductions, or consistently creating content.

Those are solid daily activities. But what we learned from the Seahawks is that it’s more than simply going through the motions.

Process over results is a mindset. It requires identifying the right behaviors and then fully embracing them. Doing the work can produce good results. Embracing the work with energy and belief builds confidence and produces even better, more rewarding outcomes.

Where in your business could the mindset of process over results be strengthened?

Alignment

Coach MacDonald, General Manager John Schneider, and team owner Jodi Allen appear to be in lockstep when it comes to player acquisition and team construction. That may sound obvious, but it’s not the norm in the NFL.

The reality is that many NFL teams experience dysfunction among that all-important triumvirate of owner, general manager, and head coach. When alignment breaks down, egos surface, patience wears thin, and organizational churn follows.

Case in point: the Las Vegas Raiders have hired seven head coaches in the past 10 years. The Seahawks are on their seventh coach in 42 years.

What separates the Seahawks — and a handful of other successful franchises — is clarity of vision. Ownership defines what the team should look like. They hire a general manager who shares that vision, and then a coach to execute it. The coach is clear about the type and character of players he wants. The GM finds them. In the best scenarios, the owner pays the bills and stays out of the way.

Coach MacDonald has been transparent about how he wants his team and coaching staff built. That clarity appears supported by leadership above him. There seems to be strong communication, trust, patience, and confidence throughout the organization.

Businesses need similar alignment. Owner, executive leadership, management, and employees must share vision and direction supported by trust and consistent communication.

How aligned is your organization?

“WE DID NOT CARE…”

What might become a legendary postgame statement came from Coach MacDonald after winning the NFC Championship over the Los Angeles Rams.

When asked how it felt to overcome division rivals like the 49ers and Rams to reach the Super Bowl, his response was simple:

“WE DID NOT CARE!”

That’s leadership clarity.

It was never about the opponent. It was about their preparation, their process, their brotherhood, their systems. It didn’t matter who lined up across from them. It was about them and the next game.

What about us in our businesses and careers?

Do we overthink the competition?
Do we obsess over what others are doing?
Are we distracted by what’s said on social media?

Or do we focus on what we do well — our process and our people?

Next month, we’ll examine three more leadership lessons from the Super Bowl champions and their coach.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Standing up. Hands on my hips. Incredulous. I was fuming.

It was 2006 and I was coaching high school basketball. One of my star players had just taken the ball on a hard dribble drive to the hoop across the court from me. Jade stood 5’10 and had a rare ability to get to the hoop for her stature.

The whistle blows. Foul. I clapped thinking that Jade was headed to the free throw line. To my surprise and dismay, she had been called for an offensive charge foul.

I started barking at the referee. Andy was a veteran ref; a great guy and still a good friend. Luckily, he allowed me to vent just enough to the point where he said firmly, “Coach, sit down.”

That weekend, I sat down with the game film to review our work. The camera recording the action was always at mid court at the very top of the bleachers to get the best angle. As the play in question came up, my immediate thought was , “Here comes the play; I can show this to Andy to prove my point.”

Not so fast, Coach.

What I hadn’t been able to see from my vantage point about 60 feet away was that an opposing player standing all of about 5’4 had stepped in between Jade and the hoop. She courageously took the charge from a much taller and stronger opponent. Andy called it correctly.

(And yes, I had to come clean and eat crow, for which Andy playfully reminds me of every time I see him on the golf course.)

This weekend, I was assiduously watching the National Women’s NCAA semi-final game between Iowa and Connecticut from the comfort of my couch. With 3.9 seconds left in the game and UConn with the ball and a chance to win the game, they were called for an offensive foul while trying to set a screen. The many replays shown seemed to indicate that it was a clean screen. The announcers and analysts were certain of it. Social media erupted with indignity and bluster.

My opinion was the exact same. It wasn’t a foul; rather a bad call in the moment. It appeared that the ref might have been swayed by how the defender bounced off the screen (my implication was that she “sold it”).

Fast forward to the next morning. I watched the “film” from the opposite side at court level. One that had a much better angle of the play, and hadn’t been shown on the national telecast.

It was a foul. No question. The opposite side view clearly showed the offensive player moving illegally and the “bounce” from the defender was due to the fact that she was probably five inches and 30 pounds lighter! Just like Andy, the referee, who had the correct angle, made the correct call.

It’s all about angles.

That statement isn’t just true about basketball or sports. It’s true in business and life. We all have our “angles.” They are called decisions, opinions, personal beliefs, and business motivations. Our worldview is shaped from where and how we grew up, the people who influenced is, the events we experienced (good, bad, tragic, joyful and everything in between), and the scar tissue we earned.

It’s easy for anyone to point out how you failed or are in the wrong (and I use the collective “you” here). Coming from just one angle, people can be critical, judgmental, and unkind. Social media is famous for its level of meanness often leveled without considering all the angles.

Three thoughts for you:

First, if you took the wrong angle, admit it. It’s human and it’s the right thing to do. My mea culpa went to Andy and then on my Facebook post from the day before. We can all jump to conclusions, but let’s try to get it right in the end.

Second, before jumping to conclusions, check out all the angles to confirm or qualify your opinion.

Finally, don’t let anyone else dictate how to make decisions, take actions, or form opinions. If you make the best decision or opinion in that moment based on the information you have, that’s the best you can do. Just make sure you’ve done all you could to get the best information first.

And very often, that means checking all the angles.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

Last week, I had that opportunity at one of the most beautiful places on earth, Bandon Dunes. More on that in the coming articles…

But yesterday as I was finishing my day, I looked outside in the front yard and saw this guy.

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Wiley (what else would I name him) almost a year ago with his mother out front. If he’s the same guy (and for the sake of this article, he is), then he’s grown quite a bit.

I watched him for about 10 minutes, and then my dog Bandon spotted him. He jumped on the armrest of the chair and just yelled at Wiley.

Wiley took off running like a scalded cat back to the greenbelt. He did re-emerge again soon after and walked down the road like he owned it.

While quite bold, I don’t think he was hunting. Coyotes do tat as a pack. He did however make his presence felt.

While I’m quite sure I could find numerous themes for articles from this experience, I’m sticking just with this one…

Don’t allow the complexity and concerns of everyday life get in the way of simply enjoying the beauty of it. This coyote, while not someone I’d care to run into on a walk in the dark, is a beautiful creature. Taking a moment to marvel at the world we live in is goof for all of our spirits.

Bandon and I will keep our head on bit of a swivel this time of year. We’d prefer to observe and admire Wiley from a distance.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed® is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

And pain has a funny way of demanding your attention, especially when it shows up uninvited and refuses to leave.

As I write this column, my left knee hurts. Not a writhing-on-the-floor kind of pain, but that stupid, dull ache that comes from inflammation. You might say it’s “top of mind,” which makes it an easy topic to write about.

There’s nothing structurally wrong with my knee. It’s inflammation under the patella, and it’s a bit pissed off right now. Here’s the backstory.

I wanted to increase my cardio beyond walking the dog and the golf course. Years ago, interval running (45 seconds running, one minute walking) was my go-to until I realized it aggravated my hip. Every time I went in for my bi-monthly chiropractic appointment with Dr. Tom Lamar at Anchor Chiropractic, my hip would be barking and need adjustment.

So, I stopped running. And the hip stopped barking.

I never found a true replacement (I don’t enjoy stationary bikes), so I turned to my pal ChatGPT to see what I could do to reduce strain on my hip. Along with some exercises, one suggestion stood out: shorten my stride. A longer stride might be the real culprit.

I restarted interval running with this new plan. After two attempts, my hips stayed quiet, but my knee did not. The unintended consequence of fixing one issue was inflammation somewhere else.

Dr. Lamar adjusted my knee and gave me exercises and guidance to reduce inflammation and strengthen the area. And from this experience, I took away three lessons worth sharing for business and for life.

First: AI isn’t the problem. It’s part of the solution, if you use it properly.

The information about reducing hip issues while running was solid. Since I’d never had knee problems before, how would it know something else was brewing?

Before seeing Dr. Lamar, I used AI again, this time through the lens of an orthopedic expert, to better understand what might be happening. I sent the full transcript to him in advance of our already scheduled visit. He found it useful and said it made our time together more efficient.

Too many people in business don’t trust AI. Many are quietly fearful of it. Used correctly, AI is an exceptional tool, especially when paired with human intelligence. Experts like Dr. Lamar provide the real diagnosis and judgment. AI simply helps us ask better questions.

The Lesson: Ignoring AI doesn’t reduce risk. Using it wisely does.

Second: I was the problem—because I stopped listening.

The pain showed up after the first run. It wasn’t severe, but it was there, enough that I took two weeks off. When I tried again, the pain returned within minutes.

What should I have done? Stop. Turn around. Go home.

What did I do instead? I kept running.

How often do we do that in life? Ignore our instincts. Push through. Prove something, usually to ourselves. Experience and expertise give us those gut checks for a reason. When we stop listening, mistakes tend to follow.

Trusting ourselves—and listening—usually leads to a better path.

The Lesson: Whether in business or life, ignoring early signals almost always makes the problem more expensive later.

Third: Sometimes the “problem” is just a symptom. You must find the real one.

Running shouldn’t be an issue for my hips or knees. I’m in good shape, I wear the right shoes, and my plan is sound. Here’s what Dr. Lamar uncovered:

The patella is tied to the quad muscle. If the quad isn’t properly strengthened, the sequencing breaks down. His concern wasn’t my knee; it was my quad. The real work now is strengthening the weak link so the entire system can function properly.

In risk management, we often use the concept of the Five Whys to uncover root causes. Ask “why” enough times (five usually does it) and you’ll find the real issue.

Many problems in life are the same. What we experience as pain—physical, financial, or emotional—is often just a symptom. Only through honest self-reflection, vulnerability, and candor do we uncover what’s really going on.

The Lesson: Ask “why” one more time than feels comfortable. That’s usually where the real answer lives.

Your Bottom Line: Pain isn’t punishment. It’s feedback. The sooner we listen instead of pushing through, the sooner we stop treating symptoms and start fixing what actually matters.

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

It can also be the most costly.

If you’re like me, at one point in time you said to yourself, “Man, if I’d only started sooner…”

While I hold no regrets because I’m very happy with where my life has taken me and the people in it, there are still times that pop up where a decision to wait didn’t turn out well.

My friend and colleague, the late Coach Jerry Parrish used to say, “Excuses are like noses, everybody has one.” And we always have them when waiting on something that we believe will be “right” for us. Usually, there is a fear inside there that keeps us from moving. A fear of failure; a fear of being judged; a fear of losing money; and even a fear of being successful are all common.

I still recall one of those for me. I was working my way back into being a “good” golfer. At one time, I was very good and participated in competitions frequently. Years of not playing much had damaged my game and my confidence. I was ready to move back into at least a place where I didn’t feel embarrassed. I figured with my experience and knowledge, I could figure it out. If you know anything about golf, it doesn’t work that way. I knew I should take lessons, but I resisted. Why?

Fear of being “found out” as a fraud (aka imposter syndrome). Fear of changing habits and/or my whole swing mechanics. And of course, fear of failure.

I finally relented and got exactly what I needed from the golf professional. There was a blend of mechanics, practice plans, tough love, and encouragement. It led the way for me to not only get back to where I wanted to be, but done just in time for me to take the high school boys coaching job. I would imagine if I had waited longer - or not done so at all - I would have been too embarrassed to have even applied. Now I’m helping to teach others, with a lot of what I myself had learned in the process.

My professional mentor Alan Weiss has said that when you’re 80% ready, jump. The last 20% is dysfunctional.

Life is short and time is valuable. I’m not suggesting recklessness, rather being diligent but fast in your decision-making. Waiting to improve yourself or your situation rarely is in your best interest. All you’ve done is lost time that can’t be regained. And it may have you saying, “if I’d only started sooner.”

Don’t let that happen to you.

Keep chasing unleashed.

Quote of the Week:

“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”

~ Geddy Lee, RUSH (lyrics from Free Will)

© 2026 Toro Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is the registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

Read online at Kitsap Business Magazine

Every kid who’s ever picked up a basketball has dreamed of that moment. I must have taken that shot 10,000 times in my driveway growing up in Oak Harbor. I’m pretty sure it was how every session ended before I went inside for dinner.

That dream became reality for one young man recently. Grady DeVries is a high school basketball player at North Kitsap, and I happened to be on the microphone at courtside as the public address announcer. The game against rival Kingston had been tight all night. As North Kitsap held the ball for the final possession, trailing by one point, Grady - playing point guard - was directing traffic.

As the play unfolded, a teammate launched what he hoped would be the game-winner. It missed, caroming high off the rim. Players leapt for the rebound as the clock ticked down. The ball was tipped, and Grady, who had instinctively moved toward the play, secured it. With arms flailing around him and no time to hesitate, he put up a short shot from about six feet.

The ball dropped.
The horn sounded.
Pandemonium.

I was especially happy for Grady. He’s also one of my high school golfers and a family friend. He now owns a memory that will last a lifetime. Better yet, it’s on video, ready to be shown to future children and grandchildren!

Grady will rightly be celebrated for the made basket. But that moment was built on something less visible: process.

Everything he did leading up to that shot mattered. Had he missed, the emotion would have been disappointment instead of jubilation, but the process would have been exactly the same. And it would still have been right.

We’ve become prisoners of results.

Wins over losses.
Makes over misses.
Success or failure—right now.

Results matter, no question. But results don’t show up consistently unless the process is sound.

Here’s why that matters.

When the initial shot went up, Grady wasn’t positioned where the rebound ended up. Instead of watching, he stayed active. He moved his feet. He read the play. He remained calm in chaos. He put himself in position for something unexpected. That’s not luck, that’s preparation meeting opportunity.

If he had stood still and spectated, there’s no game-winner. The habit of movement, awareness, and engagement comes from practice. From reps. From trust in the process. Even if the shot doesn’t fall, winning the process over time produces more wins than losses.

So, what does this have to do with you?

Plenty.

In business, we trap ourselves with result-based thinking:

· Did we make the sale?

· Did we get the job?

· Did we earn the promotion?

· Did we secure the line of credit?

· Did we hire the right person?

Each one of those outcomes has a process behind it. When we fixate solely on the result, progress stalls, even when we’re doing the right things.

One of the most important lessons I learned in golf was to stop obsessing over immediate outcomes. When working on a new technique, the early results are often ugly. If I tied my emotions to those shots, frustration followed: then stress, loss of confidence, and sometimes quitting the new technique altogether.

But by committing to the process, the results eventually improved.

So, what’s your process?

How do you acquire new clients?
Improve your résumé?
Strengthen your financials?
Hire and develop the right people?

And what about life?

If you want to be healthier, there’s a process involving nutrition, hydration, sleep, and movement.
If you want to be more present with loved ones, there’s a process that includes putting devices away and clearing mental clutter.
If you want to improve a hobby like gardening, learning a language, or playing a sport, there’s a process of learning, practicing, and applying.

The winning shot always starts with the process.

Grady has talent, no doubt. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee results. Talent without discipline eventually goes to waste. What showed up in that moment was coaching, work ethic, patience, and process that was so ingrained it became instinct.

That same commitment is available to all of us.

When your game is on the line—professionally or personally—how will your process show up?

Are you ready to take the shot?

© 2026 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed® is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

Thank you to publisher and editor David Nelson for providing me a platform to share my thoughts an Jerry after his passing last week.

Jerry Parrish's "business"was kids. He spent over half a century coaching and teaching young people about football, health, and life. he was a colleague, client, friend, and mentor to me.

His example of commitment and dedication to his "business" serves as an inspiration and model for all of us in ours.

While Jerry's loss hurts deeply, the community and people he invested in an impacted is incalculable.

For my friend...

Read article on Kitsap Sun

“I’m lucky. I’ve never gone to work.”

Jerry Parrish uttered these words as we were sitting in a coffee shop in Poulsbo. As Executive Director of the Washington State Coaches Association, Jerry was my client for 17 years and we often met over coffee.

“I’ve always gone to school. When you love something, it’s not work.”

During his 32 years coaching the North Kitsap High School football program, Jerry may have come across as, well, let’s just say gruff. JP was the epitome of “old school.” He was tough, no nonsense, demanding, and acerbic.

Current North Kitsap coach and former player, Jeff Weible says, “Playing for Coach Parrish was an honor. Growing up and playing Pee Wee football, I’d always wanted to play for him. Once I got into high school, he demanded excellence from us and would let us fall short. Game days were very intense as he was hyper focused and demanded that we were as well. He always had great energy and passion which made it easy for his players to do the same.”

I first met Jerry when I was a sideline reporter for the local radio station doing high school football games in Kitsap County. One of my jobs during the week before the featured game was to interview the head coaches. I still remember nervously meeting Jerry at North Kitsap Stadium to interview him. Jerry was cordial, but I think he regarded me as “media,” so didn’t elaborate much.

Our relationship changed dramatically when I became head girls’ basketball coach at North Kitsap in October 2000. He immediately made me feel welcome; a coach with zero high school coaching experience, a non-teacher, but an equal as far as he was concerned. He became one of my mentors, even though we coached different sports. He always had a smile and a funny quip waiting for me.

Three years later, after the untimely death of the NK Football stadium announcer weeks before the first game of the season, he pulled me aside at nearly the very same spot in the stadium where we first met. “We need an announcer for the football games. I think you’d be great. Would you do it?”

I couldn’t spit out “YES” fast enough and 22 seasons and 125 games later, I’m still in the press box. All thanks to my friend Jerry Parrish.

While these stories might seem unremarkable on the surface, what’s the constant for Jerry Parrish is the love and care for people he held. He was always serving others, giving confidence, showing support, and being a friend.

Jerry was always kid centric. That included their safety and wellbeing. Julie Leslie is the certified athletic trainer at North Kitsap and teaches athletic medicine. She shared her thoughts on Jerry:

“It’s hard to put into words the impact one coach can have on players, coaches, support staff, a school, and a community.

I was blessed to have Coach Parrish in my athletic training interview and remember him asking how I would handle a coach who goes against my recommendation in a game. His response to my answer was priceless and memorable. His reaction meant a lot to me as a young teacher.

He always followed my recommendations and supported my expectations. He was always a champion for our sports medicine program. He always had my back.”

We can’t forget the impact JP had on all students, not just his football players. It’s hard to fathom how many kids went through his PE classes in 38 years.

Brent Stenman is a lifelong Poulsbo resident. He attended North Kitsap High School and has coached and volunteered at the school for over 30 years. He remembers Jerry in this way: “Jerry Parrish as a teacher, coach, friend and mentor had all the best qualities of what I would consider “tough love.” You always knew where you stood with Jerry; he told it like it was. He combined high expectations and accountability with genuine care, trust and honest feedback, without coddling. He was as “old school” as it gets, and he combined that with empathy, integrity and great leadership, and he brought out the best in everyone. He was a good man, and his positive impact on the North Kitsap community will last for many years to come.”

It was after Jerry’s retirement following the 2004 season that he and I became better friends. In 2005, after starting my consulting practice, Jerry hired me to help the WA State Coaches Association with their insurance and risk management. That relationship continued for the next 17 years.

Jerry’s passion wasn’t just football; it was helping coaches in all sports become better at their craft to better impact the young athletes they coached.

Coach Weible recalls that “He was instrumental in me getting each job I’ve had whether he made a phone call to give me a recommendation or help me prepare for interviews or the lessons he taught me while playing for him. I would not be where I am at today as a person, coach or a man without his guidance and advice.”

Some of my fondest memories of Jerry involve chatting about life over a cup of coffee. He’d always tease me about drinking lattes and mochas. Jerry was strictly a black coffee connoisseur.

While those meetings involved a lot of “war stories,” they always started with him asking about my family. He was genuinely interested in my kids (whom he knew from coaching and teaching) and my grandchildren. I never had to remind him of any past conversations; he remembered. We always talked about his family, too, especially his grandchildren. Julie Leslie remembers…

“Coach Parrish was so proud of his children and their careers. He kept us updated on everything they did. He was equally invested in us and our families and in every person he met.”

And this brings me to my closing thoughts on a man who was so much more than a football coach. Julie is right, he invested in people. When having a conversation with him, you were the only person in the room to him. No distractions, no mobile devices, just you and him. He listened, he told stories, he was wickedly witty, and above all, he was a friend you could count on.

He was a loving father and grandfather. Yet at the top of the list was his beloved wife, Gladys. To say he was devoted would be an understatement. I don’t know if we ever had a conversation that didn’t include “Glady.”

Some of the most memorable included his stories of how after his “retirement” in 2004. He spent the next full football season away from the game. Apparently, the withdrawals from it made him unbearable at home, so Glady told him he needed to get out of the house and go volunteer for the team. That volunteer role lasted 18 years.

My favorite Christmas move is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. There’s a powerful scene where a closeup of Stewart’s character George Bailey is reacting in stunned disbelief when he realizes what life without him would have been like.

You can hear his guardian angel Clarence saying, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Jerry Parrish touched countless lives – those of his family, friends, players, students, co-workers, and more. And while his loss does leave an awful hole, we are blessed to be counted as family and friends and to have been players in his wonderful life.

© Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is a registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

Bandon keeps looking backwards.

My nearly two-year old dog Bandon has this habit of checking behind us when we are on our walk. If a car drives past us, or a “scary looking” mother with a baby stroller walks by, or a menacing black cat with an arched back hisses at us, Bandon always takes time to suspiciously peak behind us to see what’s going on.

His dog trainer Brittany informs me that it’s his way of making sure that the person isn’t coming back to kill him…or maybe as bad, steal him from me. After making sure that the threat can be dismissed, he focuses his attention on moving forward again.

If you think my message is about not wasting time on “looking back,” and focusing on the future, well you’re wrong. Bandon is fully focused on what lies ahead of him, yet he’s smart enough to ascertain the data he needs for confidence.

Data is ubiquitous in our world today and only becoming more advanced through generative artificial intelligence. Data is knowledge. And we all need knowledge to advance in our careers and lives.

From Bandon’s perspective, his data points are simple. Is the perceived threat still there? If so, is it moving to us or away from us? Once he’s convinced it’s moving away, he can confidently move on.

For us humans, we can tend to complicate things more than dogs.

I’ve witnessed people use various ways of using AI and data:

On one extreme, there are folks who scoff at it. My inference is that it scares them. Too intrusive; losing our humanity; stealing jobs, or the often-present mistrust.

On the other extreme are the people who use it without thinking. The people who copy and paste AI-driven correspondence; who don’t push back on data that doesn’t make sense; or who make decisions solely on what AI says.

There’s a happy – and highly important – medium. It’s the one where generative AI creates key data that we can then use to make the best decisions possible. And that includes doing what Bandon does, looking back and using our own eyes and experience.

One of the ways I use AI is with my WHOOP band. It’s a wearable device that generates data on my sleep, recovery, and strain (as indicated by how my body responds to stress). When used solely by itself, I get “good” data. When I feed it information from “behind me,” I get “better” data that I can use to make changes moving forward.

For example, the device has a daily journal that I need to complete each evening. I track a plethora of things including nutrient intake, caffeine, alcohol consumption, hydration, and social media usage, to name a few. I look back on the day and add data points to be blended with what the device gets.

The results have changed many of my habits like alcohol consumption, sleep timing, and the amount of protein consumed daily. The actions of the past inform my future actions to improve my health and longevity.

So how does this matter in our lives?

Research often suggests adults make tens of thousands of decisions every single day — commonly quoted in the 30,000-plus range — though the exact number depends on how you count tiny, subconscious choices. These decisions are informed greatly by our experiences and innate desire for survival. As a canine, Bandon is a survivalist. For most of us, the conscious decisions we make are for our own personal betterment or that of others, including employees, co-workers, clients, and friends.

AI is providing data that can be used to make decisions. While it can become overwhelming, we are getting pretty good in culling out the parts that aren’t needed and focusing on what we do need. How can we accomplish this better with the growing “noise?”

Here’s my quick 4-step process:

• First, identify your cause. My example here was to enhance longevity by improving overall health and maximizing quality of life. That’s the path looking forward.

• Second, understand and analyze the data. I had both experiential and technological data at my disposal. I can use what was behind me to understand what I was doing well, what could be improved, and what the “threats” for survival are.

• Third, make informed action decisions and implement. This might be the hardest part. You’ve identified and analyzed; and you’ve probably come up with some great ideas to improve! Now you’ve got to put them into action. For me, I’ve cut my weekly alcohol consumption in half. I love having a libation while making dinner or a glass of wine with it. I still will, but I’m no longer “stacking” days. I go “dry” every other day to assure that my sleep and recovery are on point. Alcohol - even in the one glass or serving that I do - causes a negative 12 points in my next day’s recovery. By not stacking days, I’m improving my overall sleep and recovery, leading to better health and energy.

  • Here’s the key issue with that, I needed two things to accomplish this…motivation and accountability. The motivation is my health. I had no idea the actual impact until AI. Now I do and it’s motivating factor for me. Accountability now isn’t with a human. I’ve told my AI my goal, and it keeps me honest! Yes, it’s not a human, but the accountability effect for me is the same.

• Fourth, use data to monitor and make improvements. The past will inform the future. Make shifts when things aren’t properly working. Lean into those things that are. Changes always need to be made because results are fluid. What got us here, may not get us there, right?

Bandon is keenly aware of what’s behind and in front of him. We have always had the same ability, but now technology can help us better identify, analyze, and make educated decisions. In the end, we still hold that “human” key to actionable steps and monitoring.

You’ve got all the data at your fingertips. What will you do with it?

Keep chasing unleashed.

Quote of the Week:

“From a small seed, a mighty trunk may grow.”

~ Aeschylus

© 2025 Toro Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Unleashed is the registered trademark of Toro Consulting, Inc.

If you read my latest column, you already know the punchline:
Great ideas don’t fail… follow-through does.
(If you missed it, here’s the column → LINK

That’s why I created UNLEASHED® 84 for 32 — a coaching experience built around the same philosophy I used when coaching high school basketball:

This is for you if:
• You’re successful but restless
• You start strong and fade out
• You’re tired of collecting ideas instead of executing them
• You know you’re capable of more, with the right structure and accountability

What you’ll gain:
• Clarity
• Momentum
• Personal + professional performance
• A system that turns intention into action
• And a reset that carries you into 2026 stronger than you started

Only 9 spots, and they will go fast.

Learn more + schedule a call here
If the column hit home… this will hit even harder. And you’ll be better for it both professionally and personally.

Read column online at Kitsap Business

Last month, I attended the Firebrand UNconference hosted by Matchstick Labs at Vibe Coworks. Nearly 80 entrepreneurs from all kinds of industries showed up for the second annual event.

An “unconference” flips the normal model on its head. Instead of a predetermined schedule, attendees answer a few questions from the organizers. Those sticky-note responses shape the four breakout sessions, and off we go. You choose what you want, follow your curiosity, meet new people, and pick up ideas to fuel the year ahead. I left with plenty of notes and plenty of people to follow up with.

But like New Year’s resolutions, those ideas will die a slow, silent death unless we hold ourselves accountable… or worse, let apathy creep in.

It’s easy to get fired up in a room full of motivated people. The energy is real. The spark is real. And then we all go home to our already full lives and immediately start paddling just to stay above water.

If you’re like me, you’ve got closets filled with half-filled notebooks from conferences over the years. Great ideas but barely touched.

What happened?

The same thing that happens to most resolutions. No matter how well-intended the goal - exercise more, eat better, declutter the house (my sworn enemy) - nothing sticks without two things: a compelling emotional “why” and a system of accountability.

So, let’s fix that with a simple three-part plan of attack.

Part 1: Identify Your “Why”

I go to conferences for two reasons: to meet people and to learn new things.

The chance to reconnect with friends and clients in an energized space is fun and productive. Meeting new people is how business gets built. And I expect to leave each event with at least three good ideas. Fewer than that means the investment wasn’t worth it; more than that becomes overwhelming.

Right after the event, remind yourself why you went. Doing this immediately keeps you aligned as you take the next step.

Part 2: Take Action

This is where most great ideas go to die.

Implementation is where the rubber meets the road, and most of us never get the car out of the driveway.

If you met people you want to see again, schedule the next call or meeting within a week. Better yet, schedule it on the spot with your phone out. Business cards don’t drive action anymore; attention spans are too short and distractions too plentiful.

And this goes well beyond conferences. Anytime you meet someone you want to follow up with, schedule the next touchpoint in that moment. If you don’t, odds are you never will.

The same principle applies to new ideas for your business. If you wait more than a few days, your chances of implementing them drop fast. Not because you don’t like the idea, but because perfection sneaks in. We want more time. Better timing. The right moment.

When you’re 80% ready, go. The remaining 20% is dysfunctional. Success, not perfection, is the target. Even if the idea fails, you’ve gained insight. But you can’t succeed or learn if you don’t move.

Part 3: Build Accountability

This is the hardest part.

We’re terrible at holding ourselves accountable, and the people closest to us rarely do much better. Spouses, family, co-workers, and friends may start strong, but eventually they get tired of reminding us… or tired of hearing us talk about what we’re “going to do.”

Real accountability requires vulnerability. It’s uncomfortable, and that’s why it works.

I’ve always needed coaches in business because I know myself. When you pay someone to hold you accountable, fatigue is never an excuse on their end.

Nobody becomes brilliant alone. Even the most driven and capable leaders need someone who will help them stay on track, push through discomfort, and finish what they start. The most successful people aren’t the ones who know everything, they’re the ones willing to ask for help.

Looking Ahead

As you plan for the new year, look back at the biggest areas of growth and opportunity you had over the past twelve months. What ideas did you abandon too early? Who did you mean to follow up with but didn’t?

Now’s the time to act.

Invest a little time today to knock out the first step. Then use this simple three-part system—identify why, act, and get accountability to make sure you’re getting value from the events, people, and ideas you engage with in the coming year.

The ideas are there. The opportunities are there. The people are there. The spark is there.

All you need now is the follow-through.

© 2025 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Note: From my “watch party;” Bubba showed up for the festivities. It was a celebration regardless of the outcome to be thankful and grateful to my team of friends and supporters.

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1,731.

That’s a special number for me.

Why?

It’s the number of people inside the city limits of Poulsbo who voted for me for mayor in the General Election.

Yeah, I was the runner-up. Runner-ups don’t usually come with fanfare or glory. Still, I consider myself a “winner.” As I expected, the experience came with new friends, lessons learned, and fresh stories to tell.

And that’s what this month is all about, right? Being thankful and grateful.

So, let’s start with that number — 1,731.

For me, that number is mind-blowing. I don’t know 1,731 people inside the city limits of Poulsbo. (Yes, my wife, daughter, and son-in-law made up three of those votes, and mine makes four, but we aren’t here to quibble.) That figure represents 40% of the vote. Out of every five people who voted, two of them chose me. While 4,000 total votes create a big delta, breaking it down like that was amazing.

I’m thankful to those 1,731 people for consciously darkening the little box next to my name. Most of them didn’t know me but chose to trust me. That’s humbling.

Think about your own life. Who’s placing their trust in you?

Professionally, it might be business partners, employees, co-workers, or clients. Personally, it’s family, friends, and the associations where you devote your time, talent, and treasure.

It struck me how easy it is to forget the trust others place in us, and how critical it is to never take that for granted.

Next, I’m thankful for the countless people who showed support and encouragement throughout the process. I was moved by the generosity of so many who reached out with a kind word, an email, a text, or a message on social media. That’s happened often in my life, but this experience reminded me to never overlook it, and to remember someone else might need that same gesture from me.

We live in a fast-paced, frenetic world where the human touch can easily be forgotten. Ironically, the ability to invest just a few seconds in a text or message is easier than ever—and still incredibly impactful.

And yet, the human voice prevails.

In the weeks leading up to Election Day, a friend approached me at the coffee pot during an event. He put his hand on my shoulder and quietly said, “I don’t live in the city limits, but if I did, I’d vote for you.” Those few words and that sincere gesture meant the world to me. At that moment, the weight and stress of the previous ten months were hitting hard, and it was a brief reminder of genuine friendship without asking for anything in return.

How important is your voice to others? You might not even realize it, but in a single moment, you could make someone’s whole day.

The last moment of thankfulness in this column is for acceptance.

One of the biggest improvements I’ve made in my golf game (even though it’s taken decades) didn’t come from learning or improving a physical skill. I finally embraced acceptance. Letting go of how the ball ended up where it did, accepting the situation, and moving on.

I needed that same mindset during the campaign. Early on, I committed to accepting whatever happened. That went far beyond the final vote count. It meant accepting every kind and unkind comment; accepting bad moments; accepting that I didn’t have every answer; accepting judgment from others; accepting unsolicited advice, both well-intentioned and self-serving; and accepting the parade of emotions that came with the journey.

That’s not easy.

It’s one thing to say we accept things, especially what we can’t control. It’s another to actually do it. I wasn’t perfect, but I’m proud that over the course of the campaign, acceptance always arrived, even if it took longer than I’d have liked.

“Accepting” is a non-stop opportunity for all of us.

On any given day, we’re dealt dozens—sometimes hundreds—of chances to accept an outcome. We must accept both wins and disappointments in business. We must accept losing long-time clients. We must accept our own mistakes and those of others.

There’s a lot we can’t control. What we can always control is acceptance.

When was the last time you struggled to accept the result or outcome of something?

For me, the toughest one during the campaign was realizing some friends didn’t vote for me. Logically, it was perfectly reasonable. My opponent and I run in the same circles, are in the same Rotary Club, and are friends. It makes sense. But emotion always trumps logic. I’m sure my opponent felt the same way.

Still, acceptance eventually comes when we make it a priority. Avoiding acceptance leads to bitterness, envy, and withdrawal, none of which help us personally or professionally.

The quicker we learn to accept, the better we become. Acceptance is like muscle memory; you can’t flip it on and off. You must practice it constantly.

One final thought as we edge toward a new year, and maybe new resolutions: Try new things, step outside your comfort zone, invest time in your relationships, and accept whatever comes your way.

© 2025 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Not a surprising revelation for those that know me. But allow me to continue…

I played golf by myself. No playing partners. Nobody else really even around the course. Not even birds chirping (as I gather they are all heading south by now).

The sound of silence was deafening for me.

After a busy - and sometime frenetic - 10 months of campaigning for mayor of Poulsbo, being alone in my own world was wonderful.

I love being around people. It gives me energy. And yet we all need a break to get away and be in silence.

The cool thing about playing golf by myself is that it not only do I not need to be present and engaged with any other person, it requires that I stay engaged on something. Each shot played required my full attention - a commitment to a plan of attack that would take about seven seconds to complete.

After each play, I then got to walk silently and enjoy the beauty and simplicity of the scene around me.

I needed that 90 minutes of solitude blended with purpose.

So do you, We all do.

No matter what role you play in life, my guess is that it’s demanding of you and your attention. You might be a business owner, executive, or community leader (or multiples of). You likely are also a spouse, significant other, parent, grandparent, or other family member. You might be a volunteer for a worthy organization or spend time coaching youth.

Wherever you fall into these categories, you also get “noise.” “Noise” isn’t bad; it just is. Often, it’s a good “noise” of activity, engagement, and jocularity. It may lead to enjoyment and reward. Other times, it may be stressful and filled with anxiety and uncertainty. And when many of these reach a crescendo, there will ultimately be times of feeling overwhelmed and tired. Even when the majority of the works is a positive in your life.

My solo round of golf provided that great reminder that silence is a gift that we can, and should, give ourselves occasionally. It’s a time to refresh and re-energize. When that silence comes with purpose, there is even a stronger gain.

As we approach that time of year when we express thanks for what we have, take a moment and be thankful that you have within your control the ability to shut out the “noise” and re-engage purposely with yourself. The results will be rewarding and powerful.

Now, go be quiet for awhile….

Keep chasing unleashed.

© 2025 Toro Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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