What do you do when a job becomes all talk — and no execution?

In this episode of Art of Reading the Room, Gerard and Sarah pull back the curtain on what really happens inside the “brains of the operation.” Gerard shares raw stories from his two decades in warehouse leadership — where shift meetings turned into buzzword bingo, and success got buried under piggybacking, soliloquies, and empty strategy speak.

But at the core? It was always about one thing: putting the shirts in the boxes.

This conversation isn’t just about warehouses — it’s about life, business, and the power of simplifying what truly matters. Whether you're overcomplicating your goals, stuck in a cycle of busywork, or constantly performing instead of executing — this episode will help you reset.

📦 How to strip things back to what actually drives progress 🛠 Why leaders often complicate what doesn’t need fixing 💬 What Gerard learned about ego, clarity, and communication — one shift at a time

Key Topics:

• The truth about warehouse leadership and over-complication
• Why team meetings often become performance pieces
• How ego and jargon can stall actual progress
• The difference between doing the work vs. talking about it
• What it means to "handoff" properly in any business
• Finding your own version of “put the shirts in the boxes”

Quote of the Episode: “Stop overcomplicating the freaking job — and put the shirts in the boxes, man.”

🎙 Subscribe for more real talk on work, leadership, and keeping it simple. 👕 Drop a comment: What’s your version of putting the shirts in the boxes?

What do you do when you realize you were never really a partner — just treated like one?

In this episode of Art of Reading the Room, Gerard and Sarah talk through a defining moment in Gerard’s career — the day he walked into a meeting and realized it was time to walk away. From leadership breakdowns to ignored red flags, they unpack how to know when it’s time to leave, and how to leave with clarity, confidence, and no regrets.

Whether you're in a misaligned partnership, a job that no longer fits, or a situation that’s starting to drain your self-worth — this episode is a roadmap for reclaiming your values.

🧠 Learn how to spot subtle signs of disrespect 🧭 Know when compromise is over 💬 Why staying quiet can make you the victim

Key Topics:

1. Core values vs. compromise in professional relationships
2. The difference between being a “partner” and actually having decision-making power
3. How to confront exclusion and miscommunication in leadership teams
4. Practical lessons from Gerard’s business experience
5. Why staying silent makes you a participant in dysfunction
6. The importance of taking decisive action when alignment breaks down

Quote of the Episode:

"If you keep clocking in every Sunday after they told you you’d be working every Sunday — that’s not on them anymore. That’s on you." — Gerard

🎙 Subscribe for more conversations on business, leadership, identity, and self-respect.

Drop a comment below: Have you ever stayed too long in the wrong situation?

In this episode of Art of Reading the Room, Gerard and Sarah dive deep into a struggle every leader faces — balancing hands-on involvement with strategic oversight. From Carl the fast food manager to lessons from UPS and real estate, this conversation explores how knowing when to step in and when to step back can define the success of your business.

You’ll learn:

• Why your team might respect you more when you “get in the fire”
• What a “crow’s nest” approach looks like in real businesses
• How to improve your operations without micromanaging
• The subtle signals employees give when a system isn’t working
• And why leadership is really about training, motivation, and accountability

If you’ve ever struggled with being too involved — or not involved enough — this episode is your blueprint for better management.

Topics Covered:

1. The myth of passive ownership — and when to get your hands dirty
2. Why smart bosses stay invisible until absolutely necessary
3. How to find your “perch” and run operations without micromanaging
4. Stories from fast food, logistics, daycare, and real estate
5. How to train, motivate, and hold people accountable — without burning out
6. The hidden value of doing every job yourself (at least once)

Quote of the Episode:

“If I have to come out and do your job better than you — why do I need you?”

🎧 Art of Reading the Room is where business meets emotional intelligence. Subscribe for more stories and hard-won wisdom from the front lines.