A haircut that turned into a coaching session

This morning I went to the barbers, expecting nothing more than a trim and some casual conversation. But what happened in that chair reminded me why brotherhood and honest conversations are so important for men.

At first, it was the usual small talk - weekend plans, family, work. But when I looked past the surface, I could tell something wasn’t right. So instead of nodding along, I asked him a simple question:

“How’s life treating you at the moment?”

That one question changed everything. He opened up. He told me he’d been struggling — lacking motivation, weighed down by stress, and not sure where he was headed.

For the next 20 minutes, we didn’t just chat...we went deep! I didn’t lecture him or try to fix everything. I listened. I asked him powerful questions. I reminded him of his strengths and challenged him to see his situation differently. By the time the haircut was over, his posture had changed. He was smiling. More hopeful. More clear on what he needed to do next.

And here’s what struck me:

Most men never get these conversations. They’re surrounded by people, but rarely by men who listen deeply and challenge them honestly.

Sometimes one question can change everything. The right conversation at the right time can shift a man from feeling stuck to moving forward.

Brotherhood accelerates growth. If a 20 minute chat with one man can make that much difference, imagine what happens when you’re surrounded by a whole group of men committed to their own growth...and yours!

That’s exactly why I created Engineered Thinking. It’s not just about systems or strategies. It’s about a community of men who show up for each other, push each other forward, and refuse to let each other settle for less than they’re capable of.

The truth is, you don’t have to carry the weight on your own. You just need the right men in your corner.