Yoav Gonen on Turning 40 and Planning for the Future

In Chapter 18 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City reporter Yoav Gonen answers "What is on Your Mind as You Turn 40 This Year?" As he hits the age 40 milestone, Gonen notes that like it or not, you are forced to reflect. After a tough 39th year full of challenges including a physical injury and recovery, Gonen looks ahead to fully embracing 40 and making the most out of the year ahead. Yoav Gonen is a reporter and City Hall Bureau Chief for the New York Post daily newspaper. Previously he spent nearly six years covering the education beat for the New York Post. Gonen earned a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Journalism from New York University.

Michael Margolis on Finding Positive Moments During Life Setbacks

In Chapter 3 of 17 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and entrepreneur Michael Margolis answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Margolis finds the greatest reflection in his life has occurred during times of setbacks, in particular a prolonged illness of chronic fatigue he has battled for multiple years. He turns a potential time of despair, guilt and shame into a time of rest and renewal, taking time to reflect on what is and is not working in his life. Michael Margolis is founder and president of Get Storied, an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. He earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University. 

Richard Moross on Why to Get Out of the Office and Travel the World

In Chapter 4 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "What Travel Adventures Have You Had This Past Year and What Did You Learn From Them?" Moross learns how taking holidays - in this case traveling to Israel, Namibia, and Japan - gives him space not only to appreciate culture but also to reflect, to refresh and to put his work in a more global context. He talks about traveling to Israel with business partner Hewlett Packard (HP) and going to Namibia to take a 1000-mile road trip. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Richard Moross on Managing Growth as Company Nears 200 Employees

In Chapter 9 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "In Growing Moo, What Have Been the Headcount Milestones Where Things Changed the Most?" Moross reflects on how staff level milestones evolved the look and feel of his company. He notes important early milestones - 10, 20, 50, 100 - and what nearing 200 employees means for his company. At a technical level, it means more hierarchy and structure. At a personal level, it means Moross recognizes the reality that a progressively large global business will lose some of the intimacy you have in a small local business. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Ken Biberaj on How Reflecting on His Past Shapes Future Decisions

In Chapter 6 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Biberaj reflects back on his past - going through notes, watching videos, etc. - because he sees his past as what has laid a foundation for his future. As a politician, he also is reminded that reflecting back on past voter conversations by following up with phone calls helps him stay current and engaged with his community.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Clara Soh on Learning by Reflecting as a Peace Corps Volunteer

In Chapter 4 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Your Personal Growth?" Soh shares what she learned about herself as a Peace Corps volunteer working in West Africa. Living in a Muslim country learning the language and slowly breaking into the community, Soh learns to embrace time alone and use the downtime for reflection on her life. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

James McCormick on Making Better Decisions By Slowing Yourself Down

In Chapter 4 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" A self-confessed Type A personality, McCormick finds it hard to stop moving nonstop. Over time, he learns to regularly set aside quiet time. This helps him slow down and be more measured in the decisions he makes and actions he takes. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan. 

How Courtney Spence Adapts When Things Do Not Work as Planned

In Chapter 8 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Courtney Spence answers "How Have You Learned to Adapt When Things Have Not Worked Out as Planned?" Spence finds being present in the moment and not dwelling too much on the past helps her stay adaptive and flexible to the twists and turns life presents. Social entrepreneur and storyteller Courtney Spence founded 501c3 nonprofit Students of the World (SOW) to shine a light on progress and celebrate the world's problem solvers. She is building a movement of next-generation storytellers and creative activists through the SOW program The Creative Activist Network. Spence is a graduate of Duke University.

Audrey French on How Parents Divorce Brings Family Closer Together

In Chapter 2 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?" While in high school, Parker and her brother see their traditional family structure collapse as her parents go through a divorce. She shares how she manages the stress of having to build separate relationships with her mother and father and, ultimately, the positivity, support, encouragement and direction that come with the new family dynamic.

Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Audrey French on How to Find the Right Mentor at the Right Time

In Chapter 6 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "How Have Mentors Helped to Motivate You to Do Your Best Work?" French shares how different mentors have been valuable at different stages of her career. Out of college, French works for a female small business owner who inspires her own entrepreneurial leap. Later, after leaving the business world, French finds a female mentor that helps her come to terms with her new life after the company and her motherhood aspirations. Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Audrey French on How to Handle Emotional Life Pressures

In Chapter 16 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" French shares how the pressure she needs to manage in her life is more emotional and interpersonal pressure. She finds managing emotional pressure very different than managing the pressure of working a full-time job and learns new ways to address it. Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Learning to Reflect More and Get to Know Yourself Better

In Chapter 5 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, real estate developer Brett Goldman answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Goldman shares how he reflects more as he gets older. Reflecting helps him better understand why and how he makes decisions and improves how he learns from decisions and even mistakes. Reflecting helps him be more comfortable with who he is, what he chooses to do and when he chooses to do things.

Brett Goldman is a Real Estate Acquisitions Director at Triangle Equities in New York City.  He holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

How Turning 40 Boosts Career Confidence

In Chapter 17 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, real estate developer Brett Goldman answers "What is on Your Mind as You Turn 40 This Year?" Turning 40 gives Goldman time to reflect on his career development and realize how much he has learned and what he can offer younger real estate professionals. Appreciating his nearly 20 years of real estate development experience gives him confidence and self-esteem to further develop his career.

Brett Goldman is a Real Estate Acquisitions Director at Triangle Equities in New York City.  He holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

Jason Anello on Writing a Life Goals List to Guide Career

In Chapter 1 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and Manifold ad agency co-founder Jason Anello answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?"  Anello always tries to slow down and reflect at different points in his life.  He shares an example from college, when he wrote a list of seven life goals and how he has worked toward achieving them in his life. 

Jason Anello is a founding partner and creative director at Manifold Partners, an award-winning creative advertising agency.  Previously, Anello worked in creative leadership roles at Yahoo!, Ogilvy & Mather, and Digitas.  A passionate foodie and traveler, he runs the Forking Tasty food blog and supper club series.  He earned a BFA from University at Albany.

Mike Germano on Motivating by Reflecting on Company Milestones

In Chapter 4 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Germano does not use reflection to think on bad decisions. Instead, he reflects to think about where he has been and the story that has developed since.  He uses an example of how he can relate the story of his company to where he was and who he was with when celebrating success.

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Mike Germano on Performing Under Pressure in a CEO Job

In Chapter 16 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?"  Germano shares the pressure-filled moments that come with busy travel schedules and high stakes client pitch meetings.  He notes the greatest pressure and stress come from managing 60+ employees and being responsible for their livelihood.  He The more he can see his employees making a difference by the work they create, the more he feels capable of shouldering greater levels of pressure and stress. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Phil McKenzie on Using Positive Thinking to Reflect and Grow

In Chapter 4 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?"  McKenzie finds reflecting on a weekly basis helps him understand what is going right and where he can improve.  He finds taking a positive approach to looking for what went well each week helps him celebrate success and build momentum for his next week. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on How to Better Manage Your Meeting Commitments

In Chapter 5 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage Your Time and Commitments?"  McKenzie learns to make meeting plans with a more restrictive start and stop times.  This helps him better focus on the conversation and allows him to have more meetings. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.