Drinon & Associates

Drinon & Associates Executive Coaching Focused on Communication, Relationships & Decision Making for Leadership & Management Teams

Rich Drinon provides executive coaching focused on communication, relationships, problem solving and decision. Coaching is offered by phone or videoconference nationally. About Rich Drinon, M.A., PCC

Rich is President of Drinon & Associates, and was previously owner of ExecutivEdge. He has conducted thousands of coaching sessions for teams and individuals throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has b

een a featured keynote speaker at hundreds of conferences, conventions and annual meetings across the nation. He has a journalism degree from the University of New Mexico, a master’s degree in Leadership Communication from Gonzaga University and a graduate level certificate in Leadership Coaching from Avila University. Rich is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF).

02/18/2026

Thoughts On Goal Setting Part 4: Once upon a time I planned to buy a new car. Knew exactly what I wanted before going to the dealership. When I arrived I asked the sales person to direct me to that particular car. As we walked, I saw something I liked better, test drove it and left having purchased that vehicle a short time later. It was used, but barely. The original buyer didn’t like it so had just brought it back. So, I also got a good deal. Sometimes you plan for exactly what you DO want. Other times you might have to plan by starting with what you DON’T want. And, either way, you have to factor in the intuitive unexpected if your gut makes a different call along the way.

02/16/2026

Thoughts On Goal Setting Part 3: My observation, after 50 plus years in the workplace, is that goal setting has become more complex and difficult in some ways. For a younger generation, the possibilities of doing what one wants seem unlimited. But having so many choices can cause analysis paralysis or many false starts. Some members of younger generations have been over-praised for less than stellar achievement giving them the idea they are better at something than they actually are. This over estimation of self is also part of what’s referred to as the “Narcissism Epidemic.” Some believe they have mastered things when they really haven’t. Others, moving along a steady career path, discover things have changed and now they want something new or different. But finding time during a “successful” career to return to school or build a clientele for a side hustle can be taxing. But people do it every day. Those later in their careers can have difficulty getting a “vision” for how to use the skills, talents and abilities they’ve gained over the year. How to put that wisdom to work in a meaningful way vs. just playing golf every day in retirement. Today’s possibilities don’t change the reality that using your target seeking mind to identify a goal and then finding the way, means and support to get there is still essential.

02/10/2026

Thoughts On Goal Setting Part 2: I’ve met many achievers over the years – including some high and some super achievers. Some layout their goals in detail using the S.M.A.R.T. approach. You can easily ask Google for a definition of SMART Goals or find several excellent teaching videos on YouTube. This approach can provide “training wheels” for those wanting to learn and improve goal setting skills. Others I’ve worked with simply SEE or KNOW what they want and go after it. They don’t bother with all the planning, steps and details. They just lock on to what they want and make it happen. I’ve done both, but over the past 5 years I’ve found Mental Contrasting works incredibly well for me. Again, you can ask Google or AI to define this approach for you. Mental Contrasting is a subtle shift in how one pursues goals, and I now use it for everything, business, personal, spiritual, physical, etc.

02/09/2026

Thoughts On Goal Setting Part 1: I feel that over 69 years I’ve, to some degree, mastered the art and science of goals setting. Some have achieved more and some less. Just sharing my experience. The art and science can be summed up in just three words – See, Feel and Say. Or, Visualize, Emotionalize and Verbalize. When these three are in agreement we are more likely to flip the switch that moves us in the direction of our dream. One key difference, however, some goals are contrived and others are inspired. Either is ok, depending on the purpose. But to prove the point, think about a time when you saw something and said “YES!” in a very enthusiastic way. Your Seeing, Saying and Feeling all lined up to motivate you towards that goal. YOU WANTED IT! You can achieve this with contrived or made up goals, but I’ve always found it more difficult. Yet, every day, people and organizations set and achieve goals that make sense, but perhaps don’t greatly excite them and are nothing to write home about. All in a days business. I will continue to share some of my thoughts and experiences on goal setting going forward. Perhaps some will benefit from my thoughts.

Say what needs to be said today. Worry about what needs to be said tomorrow tomorrow. Figure out how to address what sho...
02/04/2026

Say what needs to be said today. Worry about what needs to be said tomorrow tomorrow. Figure out how to address what should've been said long ago asap.

01/07/2026

Observations on working with (D) Dominant, Direct, Demanding types from my 38 years of coaching executives:

1. Most Direct types do not intend to hurt other's feelings. Their communication style is straightforward, focused on answering questions directly. As one D coaching client shared, "I didn't mean to make the person cry, I was just answering their question."

Understanding this can help foster better interactions and reduce misunderstandings.

12/14/2025

Who among us is wise enough to know what the other person needs in the difficult moment. Something Rational or Emotional? Logic or Empathy? Explaining, Direction, Perspective? Sympathy, Reassurance, Encouragement?

11/21/2025

Honesty pays. Honesty costs.

11/13/2025

Because Because Because Because Because: Many of my faster paced clients (D/I or I/D in the DISC model) have found it necessary to slow down and explain things to employees who are struggling to understand or keep up. These clients have made a habit of using "Because" each time they make a short, directive statement as a "Bridge" into more complete reasoning or details. The "Because Bridge" also addressed the key question "Why?" - Rich's Rules for Leadership Communication

11/13/2025

Ask More, Listen More, Talk Less. But ask good questions, one's that draw others out and challenge them to think for themselves. As a leader you want to get followers thinking critically, making decisions and taking initiative. Your ability to ask good questions can bring out the best in others. - Rich's Rules for Leadership Communication

10/29/2025

In my years of coaching executives, I've noticed a common fear many individuals have regarding the Dominant aspect of their personality, particularly when it involves speaking Directly. Cultivating your Direct voice can enhance how others perceive you – as confident, assertive, and straightforward. It's not about being aggressive or hostile; rather, it's about being candid and succinct. This assertive voice is crucial for holding people accountable, signaling the need for action, or ensuring your message is heard clearly when other approaches fall short. Surprisingly, some have mastered the art of riveting communication by adopting a direct approach in a subtle, almost whisper-like manner.

10/06/2025

Things than can, but shouldn't impact a decision: 1. A person's need to always win or be right. 2. Someone's need to look good or avoid looking bad. 3. One who is worried about how someone will be hurt by a decision even though it's the right call to make and benefits everyone else. 4. A person who gets analysis paralysis or constantly second guesses his or her own decisions. hashtag

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