Pivot Point: Strategy for Change with Nik Michael explores the exact moment when everything shifts—not the polished success story, but the raw, internal turning point when change becomes inevitable. Through unhurried, deeply reflective conversations, host Nik Michael guides guests back to that decisive instant: I'm not going to live this way anymore. Drawing on over thirty years as a psychotherapist, Nik helps people articulate the emotional triggers, cognitive realizations, and quiet decisions that sparked their transformation—whether walking away from a career, navigating profound loss, redefining identity after disruption, or choosing to rebuild when the path forward disappeared. These aren't conversations about how to change; they're about understanding what happens inside us when we finally stop running from the moment that asks us to become someone new. If you're standing at a crossroads—or have already made your turn—these stories will remind you that transformation begins long before the world can see it.

Why Smart Leaders Know What to Change:

But Still Don't Do It

In this episode of Pivot Point Strategy For Change - I have a deeply honest conversation with executive coach Jen Wilson about why meaningful organizational change starts with the internal work most leaders avoid, and how trust inside teams is built through shared commitment, not strategic planningalone. We explore how trust is actually rebuilt during organizational disruption, and why so many leaders struggle to follow through even when they know exactly what needs to change. Jen breaks down the fears that derail decision-making: fear of failure, fear of visibility, and those relentless 3 a.m. thoughts that surface when the pressureof leadership feels overwhelming.

We also examine how seemingly practical structures like meeting formats either strengthen trust or quietlyerode it, and why alignment with core values is essential for sustainable growth. Jen shares her own pivot point—that moment she returned home late one night, exhausted and empty despite her professional success, realizing her lifewas completely misaligned with her true values.

This conversation digs into how to recognize the signs of misalignment before they become a crisis, how to listento your intuition (especially for women in leadership), and how to take practical steps toward realignment without needing a dramatic breakdown to justify the change. Jen emphasizes that transformation doesn't require drastic action. Instead, she advocates for small, incremental shifts that can lead tosignificant change—like her experience of simply visiting a different coffee shop, which opened her eyes to her own preferences and desires.

We talk about navigating change without burning out, scaling organizations without losing yourself, and making meaningful personal and professional shifts when you're standing at acrossroads. Jen also addresses how leadership must evolve to meet the expectations of Gen Z and the generations that follow, and why creating a common language makes honest, courageous conversations possible within teams.

This episode is for executives, entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, and anyone who feels quietly misaligned,sensing that something needs to change but unsure where to start. Jen offers a free values workbook to help you clarify what you truly stand for, and we discuss the questions that reveal whether you're living in accordance with yourcore values: "What do I know to be true right now?" and "Am Iliving according to what matters most?"

The journey of transformation begins with recognizing the need for change and being willing to embrace discomfort. This conversation reminds us that listening to our intuition andaligning our actions with our values are essential steps toward personal and professional fulfillment. By asking the right questions and taking small steps, we can navigate our own pivot points and create a more authentic, satisfyinglife.

In this conversation, I sit down with Jen Wilson to explore how trust is rebuilt inside teams and why real organizational change always starts with the internal work we’re often tempted to avoid. We talk about what actually makes teams function well—being aligned around a shared outcome, doing the deeper personal and collective work, and creating a common language that allows for honest, courageous conversations. Jen also shares how practical structures, like how meetings are truly used, can either support or undermine trust and effectiveness.We then dig into a question I see come up again and again with leaders: why so many people understand what needs to change but struggle to follow through. Jen offers a powerful perspective on the fears that quietly get in the way, including the fear of failure, the fear of being seen, and the late-night “3 a.m. thoughts” that surface when the pressure of leadership feels overwhelming. This episode is for leaders and teams who want to build trust, improve team dynamics, and lead with greater clarity, self-awareness, and courage.