Pay me now or pay me later. A billion years of evolution in a single afternoon. Why smart leaders make poor teams.
One “must” for this week: pay me now or pay me later
A $4 oil filter can save you from a $200 engine repair.
Addressing conflict early works the same way.
I used to think conflict resolution was about fixing things quickly and moving on.
Or even better, avoiding the conflict altogether.
Once I let my frustration build over something trivial with my wife:
Dishes left in the sink (yes, I know it's a classic).
Instead of saying something the first time it bothered me, I kept quiet.
Week after week. Until one evening it all came pouring out.
Not just about the dishes.
I later learned there's a name for this: emotional residue.
Unresolved feelings don't just disappear, they get stored somewhere in you.
It reminded me of that old Fram oil filter commercial: 'You can pay me now, or pay me later.'
The mechanic holds up a $4 filter next to a $200 engine repair.
Conflict works the same way.
You can invest in the uncomfortable conversation today.
Or pay the much higher price when those emotions compound.
Are you paying the $4 now, or setting yourself up for the $200 repair later?
Inspired by Carole Robin’s book “Connect”.
Personal development
Pay me now or pay me later
My 4-stage system for learning anything new
Human in an AI age: roots & wings
Sorry, Marvel. The greatest superhero is Superman
The trap of success (& how to escape it)
To break a bad habit and create a new one, neuroscience says just make one simple change
YAMA: you’re always missing out (and that’s a-okay)
Innovation
A billion years of evolution in a single afternoon
Introducing ChatGPT agent
Effects of automation and AI on jobs
Two years into a new era for big tech
The #1 reason 90% of customer research fails
Create AI-Powered apps with claude artifacts
0-$5M: how to go from random wins to repeatable revenue
Leadership and management
Navigating the jump from manager to executive
Leading through continuous change
One book
“Couples That Work: How To Thrive in Love and at Work” by Jennifer Louise Petriglieri.
See you next Saturday,
Roberto
I’m hosting a virtual communication workshop!
Spending hours in virtual meetings can be exhausting 😩
You know the feeling: wondering if people are paying attention, struggling to sound confident through the screen, or just wishing you could connect better in those tiny Zoom boxes.
I’ve been there too.
Since 2020, I’ve spent over 5,000 hours in virtual meetings. Along the way, I’ve learned that being effective online is about so much more than just having a great microphone or camera (and you know how I LOVE a good tech setup 🤖).
That’s why I’ve spent countless hours researching, practicing, and learning how to communicate in virtual settings: how to engage, connect, and leave a lasting impression.
My guiding question has always been, “how do I want the people in this meeting to remember me?”
Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you, and in the process, continue learning myself.
I’m hosting a workshop to help you become a better communicator in virtual settings.
Whether you’re leading meetings, pitching ideas, or just trying to avoid “Zoom fatigue,” this 90-minute session is designed to give you practical tools you can use right away.
🎯 What’s in it for you?
Learn how to make a stronger, more memorable impression from the moment you join a call.
Discover how to use your voice, gestures, and presence to keep people engaged.
Avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the best-prepared sessions.
And yes, we’ll talk about the all-important technical setup, too!
It’s going to be interactive, fun, and useful, and I’d love for you to join! 🤩
What people say
In each session, the spots are limited for better interaction, so don’t wait!
🗓️ September 2nd 16:00 to 17:30 CET
This resonates with me this week. But what if people don't listen? I had been telling a group of male weightlifters (aged 26-43) to change their behaviours for months. They didn't listen/change and I finally had enough and cancelled the sessions.
The anxiety and frustration had been building up inside of me like a boiling kettle. I feel much better since. It might have been an over-reaction.
James Clear said something similar in his newsletter yesterday:
"Strangely, life gets harder when you try to make it easy.
Exercising might be hard, but never moving makes life harder.
Mastering your craft is hard, but having no skills is harder.
Uncomfortable conversations are hard, but avoiding every conflict is harder.
Easy has a cost."