Curious about what How-to IQ is all about? Here’s your chance to get a sneak peek of the introduction before deciding if it’s the right read for you!
In a world where complexity is the norm and change is constant, How-to IQ offers a fresh approach to leadership. It’s not about rigid rules but about leading with principles, making sound decisions when the path isn’t clear, and building trust in uncertain times.
Take a look at the introduction below, and if it resonates with you, I’d love for you to grab a copy and dive deeper into the tools, insights, and real-world guidance that will help you lead with clarity and confidence.
By all accounts, I have every reason to be a “rules guy.” I’ve built my career making sure companies don’t just meet the rules but master them. From the FDA and EPA to OSHA and CBP, plus all their state and global cousins, I know just how high the stakes are when it comes to compliance.
I know the codes, the protocols, and the proper way to fill out every form. But here’s the thing: real success doesn’t come from obsessing over every detail of the rulebook. It comes from understanding when rules help, when they hinder, and how to lead beyond them.
My first role after graduating from college was as a quality manager for an injection molding company. During this time I took classes in statistical process control and learned a concept that’s stuck with me ever since: hypercontrol. The core idea is this: trying to adjust for every tiny variation in a system often creates more chaos than clarity. In fact, normal control, when guided by sound principles, typically outperforms overcontrol every time. That isn’t just a manufacturing
principle. It’s a life lesson.
Still, if anyone should be drawn to hypercontrol, it’s me. As a lifelong Type 1 diabetic, I live with a condition that demands constant monitoring and decision-making. Studies show that diabetics make up to 180 more decisions each day than the average person. All of it matters: what I eat, when I eat, how I move, how I rest. For years, the only way to manage it was through rigid, regimented control. But even that wasn’t enough.
The truth is, you can do the same thing two days in a row and get completely different results. Like a business, your body is a dynamic system. No rulebook can account for every variable. Thanks to advances in medical technology I’ve learned to manage my health without being controlled by it. Similarly, I’ve come to realize that over-relying on rules limits flexibility and often backfires entirely. This understanding has shaped my philosophy ever since.
That same mindset applies in business. When a COO at a $25 billion company once asked if I was more of a “quality guy” or a “regulatory guy,” my response was “Neither. I’m a business guy who happens to be responsible for quality and regulatory.”
In many ways, navigating leadership and compliance is like working on a puzzle without the picture on the box. You have some of the pieces but the full image doesn’t come into focus until you understand how those pieces connect. This book is about helping you find and fit those missing pieces, so you can see the bigger picture clearly. Too often, we fall for the stereotype that people in regulatory or compliance roles “just don’t get it.”
But I’ve seen firsthand what’s possible when organizations bring together rule-savvy experts and people-centered leaders. Degrees and credentials matter less than the ability to think critically, collaborate, and stay focused on what actually creates value. That’s what this book is about.
Who This Book Is For
This book is for business leaders, managers, and professionals who are navigating complexity, change, and competing priorities. Whether you’re a CEO leading a large organization,
a compliance officer looking to move beyond box-checking, or an entrepreneur trying to scale without getting buried in red tape, the ideas and exercises in this book will help you think and act differently. It’s also for students and early-career professionals seeking to understand how things really work in organizations. These are the lessons I wish someone had shared with me when I was coming out of college.
Whatever your role or experience level, this book is meant to challenge you. To help you see the systems you’re part of more clearly and navigate them more intentionally. It can help you do your job better, lead your team more effectively, improve how your department functions, and even make more thoughtful decisions in your personal life.
How-to IQ: The Guiding Framework for Smart Leadership
At the heart of all this is a concept I call How-to IQ, a guiding framework that helps leaders navigate the balance between compliance, strategy, and innovation. Think of it as the difference
between simply memorizing a recipe and truly knowing how to cook.
In today’s rapidly changing landscape, agility is everything. Markets evolve, regulations shift, and unforeseen challenges emerge. Leaders with high How-to IQ don’t react with fear or rigidity; they pivot, adjust, and find creative solutions. They see compliance not as a bureaucratic roadblock but as a tool that can transform constraints into competitive advantages.
But How-to IQ isn’t just about the leader. It’s about empowering teams. A strong leader helps create a culture where employees understand the intent behind the regulations, equipping them to make independent, confident decisions.When people grasp not just what to do but why it matters, they start thinking strategically.
Throughout this book, you’ll find reflection questions and exercises to help you apply these ideas and skills in real time. Whether you’re navigating regulations, managing a fast-moving team, or trying to get people to stop saying, “That’s just how we’ve always done it,” consider How-to IQ your playbook for smarter leadership.
What You’ll Get from This Book
This book is about a deceptively simple idea: when leaders and organizations operate from a set of core principles instead of rigid rules, they become more adaptive, resilient, and effective.
Here’s what you can expect to gain from this book:
- Learn when rules help and when they hurt, and how to shift to a values and principle-driven mindset.
- Understand how leaders can shape organizational culture, influence decision-making, and create an environment where employees feel empowered.
- Discover ways to navigate change, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and make compliance a strategic advantage.
- Recognize common leadership pitfalls and blind spots that hinder decision-making and growth.
What This Book is NOT
Before we dive in, let’s clear up a few things. This is not a book about breaking the law or ignoring compliance requirements. If you’re looking for a way to cut corners and sidestep
regulations, you’re in the wrong place (and also, please don’t do that).
It’s also not a step-by-step compliance manual. There are plenty of resources out there for that. This book is about something bigger: how to build a thriving business.
A Final Thought Before We Begin
Leadership is about making the right decisions in uncertain situations. It is about knowing when to follow the handbook and when to throw it out. At the end of the day, successful organizations are those that create a culture where people think critically, act decisively, and innovate boldly.
If that sounds like the kind of leadership you want to cultivate, let’s get started.
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