• "It is playoff hockey time—the best time of year."

• "If you're not a hockey fan, become one during the playoffs; the intensity is absolutely amazing."

• "Find a player, find a team, find a story—and enjoy your playoff hockey journey."

Mike and Jacqueline break down the opening round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. They compare their brackets, share hockey fandom stories, and highlight key players to watch. It's a mix of friendly banter, expert insights, and encouragement for new fans to fall in love with playoff hockey’s unmatched excitement.

• Playoff hockey demands unmatched intensity—players dig deep to win.

• Fans' passion creates lasting loyalty, driving deep team connections.

• Find your personal "playoff moment" to ignite passion in your work or life.

• Playoff upsets and overtime games show that anything can happen.

• Embracing uncertainty builds resilience and reveals hidden strengths.

• Catalysts often emerge from surprising, pressure-filled moments.

• Heart picks (like cheering for the Senators) bring joy even if risky.

• Emotional decisions, when thoughtful, can lead to meaningful experiences.

• Don't be afraid to follow your heart when finding your catalyst.

• Hockey communities create bonds that last beyond the season.

• Shared experiences and team spirit are vital for long-term motivation.

• Building a community around your catalyst can speed up your growth.

• Win or lose, playoff hockey is about the journey, not just the Cup.

• Progress, learning, and enjoyment are key parts of finding fulfillment.

• Focus on the small wins and personal growth along your catalyst journey.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday.
Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in

Mike Simmons is a leadership and operations expert who helps organizations drive growth through clarity and execution. He leads initiatives through Find My Catalyst, offering services in leadership, revenue, and operations.
Tim Dyck brings deep experience in recruitment and people strategies. He is the founder of Best Culture Solutions, helping companies build great teams with purpose.

Together, Mike and Tim dive into the nuances of fractional leadership, sharing hard-won lessons, memorable metaphors, and actionable insights.

"Don’t mistake knowledge for experience. And don’t mistake experience for expertise."

"If you’re hiring a fractional leader, make sure they’ve run out of gas before—because they’ll know how to get you back on the road."

"Learning is great. But presenting yourself as an expert without experience can do more harm than good."

Mike Simmons and Tim Dyck unpack the world of fractional work, using real-life analogies to explain the value of experience and the risk of surface-level knowledge. They share the difference between knowing, doing, and mastering—and how true expertise accelerates impact. A must-listen for leaders hiring with intention.

• Experience is knowing how far your vehicle can go on empty.

• True experts have broken down before—and know how to recover fast.

• Awareness, experience, and expertise are not the same—and each plays a different role.

• Surface-level learners can use the right words but may not deliver results.

• Using tools like ChatGPT doesn't replace real-world experience.

• Misrepresented expertise can harm organizations and delay progress.

• Fractional leaders must already know how to solve the problem you have.

• They're not there to “figure it out”; they’re there to execute.

• Expecting quick results means you need someone who’s already done the work.

• Complexity slows progress; simplify by removing what’s unnecessary.

• Clear next steps fuel momentum in leadership and operations.

• Fractional experts help reduce overwhelm and focus on what matters.

• Use readiness assessments before hiring fractional talent.

• Match the right expert to the right job—based on proven track record.

• Fractional success is rooted in fit, not just availability.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday.
Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in

Shira Abel is a marketing and sales expert with over 25 years of experience, having built a seven-figure agency specializing in account-based marketing (ABM). She is the creator of the Perception Formula, a framework that helps people understand trust, communication, and decision-making in business and relationships. Shira’s expertise spans startups, team dynamics, and behavioral economics, making her a powerful speaker and consultant.

1. "Trust isn’t just about intent—it’s about understanding how someone thinks."
2. "If your business relies on manipulation, it won’t last—trust builds long-term success."
3. "The golden rule isn’t enough; you need to adapt to how others think and perceive the world."

Shira Abel shares the Perception Formula, a framework built on heuristics, hormones, history, and heritage, to improve trust, sales, and team dynamics. She discusses cultural communication differences, feedback, and how perception shapes success. Whether in startups, leadership, or personal growth, understanding how people think can be your greatest catalyst.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiraabel/

• Perception is shaped by heuristics (mental shortcuts), hormones, history, and heritage.
• Without emotional connection, people won’t remember or trust you.
• Aligning with someone's background improves communication and decision-making.

• Trust isn’t about manipulation—it’s about delivering real value.
• High-value sales rely on relationships, not tricks.
• Cultural differences impact trust (e.g., "ask" vs. "hint" communication styles).

• Feedback helps you iterate and improve faster.
• "Nice" people avoid tough conversations; "kind" people tell the truth to help others grow.
• The best teams and leaders actively seek and apply feedback.

• Dopamine drives excitement and engagement (e.g., notifications, rewards).
• Cortisol (stress hormone) blocks clear thinking—positive reinforcement is key.
• Oxytocin and serotonin create trust and belonging in teams and customer relationships.

• Coachability is not about instant agreement—it’s about long-term adaptation.
• The most successful people take feedback, reflect, and adjust.
• Leaders should observe who listens, applies feedback, and improves over time.

Want to level up your thinking and leadership?

💡 Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email delivers insights to help leaders accelerate their impact at work, in life, and in their families.

📩 Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in