Evan Hickok

Evan Hickok has over twenty years of experience designing and managing high-complexity systems in high-consequence environments. As a Systems Engineer and Program Manager, he has guided projects through every phase of the product life cycle—from concept, detailed design, transition to production, production, installation & activation, and operational support. A dedicated researcher of team dynamics, Evan focuses on building high-performing teams capable of delivering exceptional results in the most challenging environments. He shares his insights and frameworks in the Lighthouse Leadership newsletter, published almost weekly at evanhickok.com.

Building Professional Resilience

Pain + Reflection = Progress, from Ray Dalio's book Principles

Discover how to build professional resilience using frameworks like Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution, and Negotiation through real-life examples and strategies.

Building Resilience: Strategies for Personal and Professional Success

A blacksmith working a sword actually strengthens the metal when they beat it. Like metal, humans become stronger in stress, but only when they have time to reflect on it.

Explore resilience by understanding its importance, building it personally, and integrating it into teams through rest, reflection, and practical frameworks.

How to prep your business to scale

In the first picture, the proximity of the balloons is created by the confines of the box. This is a group who’s closeness is defined by the seating. They share neither direction nor connection. In the second picture, the balloons are connected. They are soaring together in the same direction. For me, this ribbon symbolizes 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. I also imagine “Process” in that connection as a collective “𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰.”

I fired 2 property managers who personally knew how to manage a property, but did not know how to manage a business. Here’s what they were missing.

Video: Mitigating Conflict with Negotation

Yellow lemons growing tree

Integrate Conflict 101 and Negotiation 101 to resolve disputes. Learn key steps and outcomes for effective conflict resolution and negotiation strategies.

How to structure your team: Like a pizza shop

That escalated quickly. A GIF from the movie Anchor Man

Overwhelmed managers? Learn to divide and conquer with effective team structures, inspired by examples from pizza shops to the James Webb Space Telescope.

How to overcome that overwhelming feeling

The wheel of life: Draw a circle, divide it into 6 pieces of pie. Label them: spiritual, health, family/friends, career/purpose, finances/freedom, community. Color them in quickly based on how you feel in the moment. Then reflect.

Balancing life means not sacrificing one area for too long. Here’s a tool to help you manage time and maintain harmony across all aspects of your life.

Understanding Cohesion, Psychological Safety, and Alignment

Evan on his bike at the top of Mt Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts

A parable of walking up a hill to illustrate the four pillars of building a high-performing team: Cohesion, Alignment, Psychological Safety, and Transparent Processes.

Tip: Start build connection before it gets awkward

Take every opportunity to build cohesion within your team, including over a latte

Learn how to build cohesion, alignment, and psychological safety to create high-performing teams right from the first day.

Why do 60% of managers fail?

According to Forbes, 60% of new managers fail in the first 24 months

Discover why 60% of managers fail and how to succeed by learning to build team scale and scope, shift in skills, values, and time management. Achieve team success!

Video: High-EQ individuals earn $29k more than Low-EQ individuals.

Emotions are reality distorting filters. This image shows someone waking up in fear, and everything he hears makes him more scared. These sounds would not be scary at all if he were not already scared.

Respond with logic, not emotion. Learn to name, query, and consciously choose your response to make better business decisions using Emotional Intelligence.