Lassoing Leadership

Garth and Jason's Top 3 Time Hacks - S3R42 - Wrapping Up The Happiest Hour with Cassie Holmes

Summary Time is the one resource we cannot make more of. That is the uncomfortable truth sitting at the centre of Cassie Holmes' remarkable book, and it is the thread Garth and I pull on throughout this conversation. Cassie is a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management, and her research does something rare. It takes happiness seriously as a subject of rigorous study. Not as a feel-good concept, but as something worth measuring, protecting, and designing your life around. What landed for us in this conversation was how directly her work applies to leadership. We spend a lot of time in schools talking about culture and well-being, but we do not always turn that lens on ourselves. This episode is an invitation to do exactly that. If you have ever felt busy but not fulfilled, productive but not present, this one is for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Happier Hour08:40 The importance of time in leadership11:41 Strategies for effective time management14:56 Building happiness into your leadership practice17:50 The concept of time empathy20:52 Looking ahead30:10 Beard's Book Club outro Key Takeaways The time audit is where it starts. Cassie's research asks a simple but unsettling question: do you actually know how you are spending your time? Mapping it honestly, without judgment, is the first step toward changing it. Happiness stacking is not a luxury. Layering small moments of genuine enjoyment into your existing schedule is a practice, not an indulgence. Leaders who do this consistently are more present and more effective. Presence is the point. Being physically somewhere and actually being there are two different things. Cassie's work reinforces what we see in schools every day: the leaders who show up fully are the ones people remember. Time empathy matters. Understanding that the people we lead experience time differently than we do changes how we schedule, how we communicate, and how we build culture. It is worth sitting with. The 5AM club is not for everyone, but the principle is. Protecting some portion of your day for what matters most to you is non-negotiable if you want to lead sustainably. Quotes "Get out there and do a little bit of me-search on time."Cassie Holmes "Lead with your heart and be authentic."Jason Rogers "Leverage the power of the 5AM club."Garth Nichols Resources The Happier Hour by Cassie HolmesAtomic Habits by James ClearThe 5AM Club by Robin Sharma Connect with CassieLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cassieholmesTwitter: @cassieholmesUCLA Anderson profile: anderson.ucla.edu

Cassie Holmes on Time + Happiness - S3E41 - Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of "Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most."

Summary In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason and Garth sit down with Cassie Holmes—professor at UCLA and author of Happier Hour—to explore a powerful and often overlooked leadership truth: how we spend our time is how we shape our lives. Cassie shares her personal journey into the science of happiness, unpacking the concept of time poverty and how the feeling of “never having enough time” is one of the greatest barriers to well-being. But instead of offering productivity hacks, she flips the script—suggesting that time isn’t the problem… it’s the solution. Through practical tools like the Five Whys exercise, Cassie challenges us to align our calendars with our purpose, prioritize meaningful connection, and rethink what it truly means to live—and lead—well. This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about how we lead others… it’s about how intentionally we lead our own lives. Keywords Happiness, Time Management, Intentional Living, Purpose, Well-Being, Leadership, Personal Development Themes * The hidden cost of time poverty and why busyness is not a badge of honour * How our perception of time shapes happiness more than the amount of it * Why purpose—not productivity—should guide our schedules * The Five Whys as a tool for uncovering what truly matters * Shifting from quantity of time → quality of moments * Leadership through intentional living and modeling balance Quotes: * “Time is the solution, not the challenge.” * “Purpose guides how we spend our time.” * “If you say you don’t have time, what you’re really saying is it’s not a priority.” * “It’s not about having more time—it’s about using it with intention.” * “Weekly coffee dates can create a lifetime of connection.” Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Cassie Holmes and the Science of Happiness 01:25 – Cassie’s Journey into Happiness Research 04:33 – Understanding Time Poverty and Its Impact 07:15 – Time as the Solution, Not the Challenge 09:17 – Rethinking Balance Through Purpose and Connection 11:12 – The Power of the Five Whys Exercise 15:49 – Time Audits and Appreciating Life’s Moments 20:51 – Quality Over Quantity in Time and Happiness 23:03 – “I Don’t Have Time” Reframed 26:28 – Making Time for What Matters Most 28:35 – Ted Lasso, Leadership, and Living with Intention What we learned: * Busyness is not effectiveness—it’s often misalignment. * Time poverty is a mindset as much as a reality. * Leaders who model intentional time use create healthier cultures. * Purpose should drive your calendar—not the other way around. * Small, consistent moments (like a weekly coffee) create outsized impact. * Asking “why” repeatedly can reconnect you to what truly matters.spot Where to find more.... * 📘 Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes * 🎓 UCLA Anderson Faculty Profile (Cassie Holmes) * 🧠 Five Whys Exercise – Harvard Business Review * 📺 Ted Lasso

The Science of Happiness: How Time Shapes Our Joy - S3E40 - Introducing Cassie Holmes

Episode Summary What if the biggest barrier to happiness isn’t a lack of success—but how we spend our time? In this energizing and deeply practical conversation, Jason and Garth sit down with UCLA professor and The Happier Hour author Cassie Holmes to unpack the powerful connection between time, intention, and happiness. Cassie blends cutting-edge research with real-life application, challenging the idea that we’re simply “too busy” to be happy. Instead, she offers a compelling reframe: time is not the problem—it’s the solution. From the concept of time poverty to the role of presence in leadership, this episode is full of insights that will help you rethink your calendar, your priorities, and ultimately, your life. Key Topics * The science behind time and happiness * Why feeling “busy” can actually decrease well-being * The idea of time poverty and how leaders fall into it * How presence and mindfulness elevate both joy and performance * Aligning your time with your purpose and values * Practical strategies to reclaim your time (and your energy) * Leadership implications: modeling well-being in high-performance environments * Time is a leadership tool. How you spend it signals what matters most. * Presence > productivity. Being fully engaged in the moment amplifies both joy and impact. * You don’t need more time—you need more intention. * Small rituals matter. Regular, meaningful moments (like weekly coffee dates) create lasting happiness. * Purpose should guide your calendar, not just your to-do list. Quotes: * “Time is the solution, not the challenge.” * “Purpose guides how we spend our time.” * “Presence enhances our joy.” * “Reflecting on how we spend our time is really reflecting on how we live our lives.” Chapters * 00:00 – Introduction to Lassoing Leadership * 07:23 – Why Time and Happiness Are Deeply Connected * 10:35 – Cassie Holmes: Research Meets Real Life * 13:39 – Designing a Life with More Joy and Intention * 16:42 – Leadership, Busyness, and Control of Time * 19:26 – Reframing Time as a Strategic Advantage * 24:15 – Beards Book Club Outro Key Words time management, happiness, leadership, personal development, Cassie Holmes, The Happier Hour, presence, joy, purpose, UCLA, time poverty, mindfulness, intentional living This episode is a bit of a wake-up call—in the best way. Closing Thoughts... Not about doing more… but about doing what matters, on purpose. Because in the end, how we spend our time is how we spend our lives.

Mattering Matters: The Leadership Shift We Can’t Ignore - S3E39 - Wrapping Up Our Time with Jennifer Wallace

Episode Summary This is more than a recap—it’s a reckoning. After a powerful conversation with Jennifer Wallace, Jason and Garth come back together to unpack what might be one of the most important leadership ideas of our time: mattering. In a world that relentlessly pushes achievement, performance, and external validation, this episode asks a deeper question: Do the people around us feel like they truly matter—no matter what? Through the lens of attunement, the SAID framework, and the idea of being a “corner person,” this conversation brings leadership back to its human core. It’s about shifting from managing performance… to affirming worth. This episode is the emotional and intellectual closer to a powerful triad—and it lands with clarity, urgency, and heart. Key Topics * Why mattering is emerging as a defining issue in leadership and society * The hidden cost of achievement culture on well-being * The SAID Framework (See, Acknowledge, Include, Depend) as a daily leadership practice * Attunement as the leadership superpower we don’t talk about enough * The “corner person” concept and why everyone needs one * How gratitude and acknowledgment build cultures of belonging * Practical ways to embed mattering into organizational life * Mattering is not a soft skill—it’s a survival skill. * People thrive when they know their worth is unconditional, not tied to performance. * Attunement is presence in action—it’s noticing, listening, and responding with care. * Great leaders don’t just drive outcomes—they become corner people for others. * Cultures don’t drift toward mattering—they are built through intentional daily acts. Quotes * “People feel that their worth is not conditional.” * “The joy train is a leadership life skill.” * “Let someone know they matter to you today.” * “Attunement is how we show people they’re seen—without needing them to perform.” Chapters * 00:00 – Introduction to Mattering and Leadership * 07:07 – Why Mattering Matters (Now More Than Ever) * 10:10 – The SAID Framework in Action * 12:51 – Attunement: The Missing Leadership Skill * 16:02 – The Power of Being a “Corner Person” * 19:04 – Gratitude, Acknowledgment, and Daily Practice * 22:03 – What This Means for Leaders Going Forward Keywords leadership, mattering, attunement, well-being, coaching, gratitude, organizational culture, leadership development, emotional intelligence, belonging, SAID framework, Jennifer Wallace, Never Enough Closing Thoughts If the first conversation opened our eyes…and the second gave us language… This one gives us responsibility. Because once you understand mattering, you can’t unknow it. And from that point forward, leadership becomes a daily choice: Will people feel seen, valued, and needed because of you?

Jennifer Wallace on Mattering and the Lasso Way - S3E38 - NYT Best Selling Author of "Never Enough" and "Mattering"

Episode Summary In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason Rogers and co-host Garth Nichols sit down with bestselling author Jennifer Wallace to explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—ideas in leadership and education today: mattering. Together, they unpack what happens when achievement becomes the only currency in schools, and how leaders can intentionally build cultures where students, staff, and communities feel seen, valued, and deeply connected. This is a conversation about shifting from pressure to purpose—and from performance to people. * Why mattering is a fundamental human need—and how it shapes motivation, well-being, and performance * The hidden costs of toxic achievement culture on students and educators * How small, intentional micro-moments of significance can transform school culture * The role of gratitude and attunement in building authentic connection * The power of a “corner person” and the idea of ego extension in supporting others * Mattering isn’t a bonus—it’s foundational to healthy, thriving communities * Culture shifts don’t require massive overhauls—small moments, done well, matter most * Recognizing the person behind the performance builds trust and connection * Moving from a zero-sum mindset to one of shared success strengthens resilience * When schools prioritize mattering, the impact extends far beyond the classroom * “Mattering is a fundamental human need.” * “A corner person supports your ego extension.” * “Attunement is feeling felt—truly understood.” Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to Leadership and Mattering 04:39 — Understanding Toxic Achievement Culture 06:55 — Why Mattering Matters in Schools 09:05 — Balancing Mattering and Achievement 11:46 — Clean Fuel vs. Dirty Fuel 12:59 — The Role of a Corner Person 17:15 — The Power of Gratitude 19:01 — Attunement: Feeling Felt 22:05 — Advice for New School Leaders 25:40 — Outro Links * Jennifer Wallace — Website: https://jenniferbwallace.com [https://jenniferbwallace.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrahennywallace [https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrahennywallace] * M&M’s (as a simple symbol of appreciation): https://www.mms.com [https://www.mms.com] * Dan Siegel’s work on attunement: https://www.dansiegel.com [https://www.dansiegel.com]