Dr. Oliver Degnan

The Two Words That Expose an Insecure Leader Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR I’ve seen too many execs puff up by calling people “my VP” or “my project manager.” It’s not ownership, it’s insecurity dressed as power. This red flag screams they won’t develop you because they fear you’ll replace them. Flip the script: Spot it early, and build teams where growth means everyone levels up. Here’s how to spot and fix immature leadership without the drama. Spotting Immature Leadership I was in a meeting...

Your Executive Job Search Is Failing Because You're Not Leading It Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR: Stop blasting your resume everywhere and attending random networking events. The executive job search is a leadership activity that requires a strategic approach. Use the 911 Method: identify your top 10 target companies, map paths to decision-makers, deliver 9 pieces of value, 1 pitch about yourself, and 1 clear ask. Those who commit to this system land roles in weeks. Those who revert to the...

If You Cannot Learn From Mistakes, You Are Out Read time: 8 minutes TL;DR: After three mistakes in the same area, you either learn a new skill, delegate it, outsource it, or leave. Repeating the same mistakes proves you're either wrong for the job or fundamentally can't improve in that area. It's not the company's job to fix you. Self-improvement is your responsibility. If You Cannot Learn From Mistakes, You Are Out I screwed up three presentations in a row during my first year as CIO. Same...

Start Owning Something. Or Vanish. Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR: Jobs without real ownership drain your soul. But most people avoid taking full ownership because they can't blame others when things fail. Here's how to own your work without burning out from fear of failure: start with small ownership zones, treat failure as data collection, and build a "failure budget" mindset. A Job Without Ownership Sucks I spent 20 years in executive leadership. Led teams of 1,600+ people. Built systems that...

You might be drinking too much. Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR: That constant coffee, water bottle, or energy drink by your desk isn't just a hydration habit. It's often a stress signal. Research shows frequent beverage consumption correlates with burnout, low workplace trust, and can trigger serious GERD issues. Herman, a 45-year-old CIO, proved you can reverse all of it with the right approach. Here's his story and what you can do. Sipping on a drink all day while working might not be a good...

Protect Your Availability for Success Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR: Your availability isn't infinite, but everyone treats it like it is. I learned this the hard way after burning through three executive roles before realizing that saying yes to everything meant saying no to my best work. Here's the systematic approach I developed to protect my time while still being seen as collaborative and effective. Your Calendar Is Not a Suggestion Box Last Tuesday, I watched a VP friend of mine have a...

Why We Attract Micromanagers in Our Lives Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR: We don't just end up with micromanagers by accident. We seek them out because they give us the perfect excuse for our failures. When you're terrified of success and expecting to fail anyway, finding someone to blame becomes your safety net. Here's how to stop this self-sabotage pattern. Why We Attract Micromanagers in Our Lives I was sitting across from this VP at a Fortune 500. Third company. Third micromanaging boss. Same...

I thought I had more time (to make it). Read time: 5 minutes TL;DR: You're not running out of time—you already did. That job-hopping pattern you call "learning experiences"? It's your brain lying to you about having infinite tomorrows. Research shows we're wired to think we have more time than we do, but here's the framework that fixes it before you hit 50 and corporate America ghosts you. I Thought I Had More Time I meet many people who seem to think they have all the time in the world to...

How to find your purpose. Read time: 4 minutes TL;DR: Most people drift through their careers reacting to opportunities instead of creating them, which is like playing the lottery until corporate America spits you out. Research shows that finding your purpose isn't about what you "like" doing—it's about what you find deeply important. Here's how to stop waiting for life to happen to you and start designing it instead. Stop Playing Career Lottery: The Science of Finding Your Purpose Most...