Tips For Work And Life With Andrew Lacivita

Most job seekers prepare for interviews the wrong way. They start by memorizing answers to questions like "Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss" or "Describe a challenge you overcame." But that's backwards. Those questions aren't about your disagreement skills or your ability to solve one random problem. They're about whether you can transform the company—their team, their performance, their results. The secret to winning behavioral interviews isn't about rehearsing lines. It's about building stories that sell what they actually buy: your ability to help them achieve their goals. That's what this week's lesson is all about. We're crushing how to prepare for and answer behavioral questions using the most powerful approach I've ever taught! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and

Most candidates talk about what they can do. The best ones show it. When an employer asks for a presentation, it's not a test of PowerPoint skills. It's a test of whether you understand what they actually buy: transformation, not tasks. Your goal isn't to list skills or repeat your resume. It's to prove you can help them hit their goals and do it through a well-structured story. This week's lesson shows you how to prepare a presentation that persuades and sells your value. You'll learn how to: Identify what the employer truly wants to achieve. Uncover the real problems standing in their way. Choose powerful examples that prove you can solve those problems. Structure your presentation so it flows naturally and ends with impact. Highlight your skills as evidence, not filler. Inside, I'll even show you how to use a single summary slide that ties everything together and seals the deal. Listen to How to Give a Job Interview Presentation (That Gets You Hired) now! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a

Interviewers don't wait until you finish your story to decide if they like you. They decide while you're still taking your first breath. In those first 15 seconds, they're asking, "Do I trust this person? Do they get what matters here?" Most candidates waste that window listing tasks or backstory. The best ones win it by showing they understand the real business problem and hinting at the result they delivered. That's what I'm teaching in this week's lesson. You'll learn how to open with context that earns respect, why the STAR method fails, and the exact 15-second framework that makes your answers sound confident, strategic, and memorable. Listen now! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my four books related to career developmen

Most people think success comes from constant hustle. It doesn't. It comes from patience mixed with smart action. Most people chase quick wins. I learned the real secret is patience mixed with purpose. When you think long-term, you make better short-term decisions. You stop chasing every shiny idea and start stacking small wins that lead to something big. Back in 2015, I made a decision that tested every ounce of my patience. Even though I was most qualified to teach leadership, I didn't start there. My long-term vision was to become a one-stop shop for your career. But to earn that, I needed to start by solving your most acute pain first…getting the job. That meant helping people fix their search, knowing they'd leave me once they succeeded. It was a sacrifice, but a necessary one if I wanted to serve for the long haul. This week's lesson shares (in under 4 minutes) how I created a long-term vision for my career success. And how you can build yours using the same approach. If you'd like to build a great care

Perfectionism is the great career stall. Most people don’t slow down because they’re lazy. They slow down because they want everything just right before they move. Job seekers spend months polishing résumés, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles before they ever start actually searching. Professionals over-edit reports and presentations until the opportunity passes. They all have the same problem…waiting until it’s perfect before they ship. But progress doesn’t come from polishing. It comes from acting. This week’s lesson is all about breaking free from perfectionism so you can finally make real progress. I share how I overcame a decade of “consultant conditioning” that taught me perfection was everything and how learning to act fast and iterate changed my entire career. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to make something flawless, this one’s for you. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academ

Most managers don’t actually manage people. They manage tasks. They tell. They correct. They rarely coach. That’s the difference between a boss people tolerate and a leader people trust. When you learn how to coach and mentor someone, everything changes. You build loyalty and develop people who think for themselves. This week’s lesson shares a simple four-step framework to help you manage people more effectively through better communication and growth. If you lead a team, you’ll recognize yourself in this one. If you’ve ever felt frustrated trying to motivate someone who just isn’t getting it, this will show you why. It’s not about pushing harder. It’s about coaching smarter. At first, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing these steps all along. Then, you can take action, or even manage upward, to start maximizing your team’s enjoyment and performance! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk

Last week, we spent five full days together building and fine-tuning your résumé. You now have a marketing document that’s designed to get you noticed. But here’s the #1 mistake most job seekers make right now… they slow down. They assume the holidays are dead time. They think no one’s hiring until January. They coast into the new year. That couldn’t be further from the truth. November through February is THE BEST time of year to land a new role. Companies evaluate their budgets. They make sure to spend the current year’s budget so they don’t lose it. They prepare next year’s budgets and identify the resources. Then, they hurry to start recruiting because people aren’t teleported on January 2. They panic because employees who didn’t get the promotions or raises leave. And then they have more seats to fill. All these employee mobility spikes mean opportunities for you. But only if you’re in the game!  If you step off the gas now, you’re handing those jobs to someone else. That’s what I cover i

Last month I celebrated my 59th. It had me reflecting on the biggest influences that rerouted my path, especially the books that shaped my mindset, my career, my health, and even my view of the universe. These aren’t just books I enjoyed. They are turning points that literally changed how I live. Some helped me become a better teacher, others taught me discipline and financial independence, and a few opened up my sense of purpose. Here’s the list in the same order I cover them, with a personal note on why each mattered to me. Mindset, Self-Discovery Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson I stumbled into this book in 1997 after literally knocking over a stack of them in Barnes & Noble. It sparked my lifelong love of self-help. Its short chapters and practical reminders taught me to let go of stress and focus on what actually matters, which helped me lead my teams (and my life) with a clearer head. You’ll See It When You Believe It, Wayne Dyer This is the book I’ve re-read more than any other, somet

It was 3:08 in the morning. May of last year. I was in my office already a lofty 8 minutes into my day. Headphones on, speaking (uh, reading) into a microphone… and yelling at ducks. Yes, ducks. As I tried to record a passage for The Zebra Code audiobook, those feathered freeloaders on my backyard lake quacked like it was their job. I must’ve sounded like a lunatic, hollering “Come on! I need 75 quiet minutes!” But here’s the truth… I wasn’t just recording an audiobook. I was chasing a big goal that was important to me. Writing a book is one thing. Giving voice to it, putting myself on record, was something else entirely. Big goals aren’t really about the thing you achieve. They’re about who you become in the pursuit. (In this case, hopefully, not a total lunatic.

When you walk into an interview, you know the tough ones are coming.

You’ve got the skills. You’ve done the prep. But the moment you walk into the room (or log into Zoom), it’s like you’re playing a different game. Everything seemed fine when you were doing the work and sailing through the projects. But to articulate that to someone who doesn’t know you…ugh. In these cases, your words matter. Your tone matters. And don’t even get me started on your posture, your facial expressions, and even how you listen. If you’ve ever walked away from an interview thinking, I wish they’d seen the real me, this week’s lesson is for you. I’m breaking down the exact verbal and nonverbal moves that top candidates use to win over interviewers both in-person and on-screen. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to project confidence and warmth the second the conversation starts. The posture, gestures, and micro-expressions that build trust. How to use your voice to emphasize your value (without sounding rehearsed). Why “active listening” is your secret weapon in any interview format. Whether you’re acro

We’ve all been there. You say something. You think it makes sense. But the reaction you get? Confused. Unmoved. Maybe even tuned out. Ugh. Communication isn’t about what you say. It’s about what the other person hears and, more importantly, how they feel and act because of it. If you’re not getting the results you want from your conversations, whether in meetings, emails, presentations, or even casual exchanges, there’s a reason. This week, I’m sharing 2 simple ways to instantly improve your communication skills. These aren’t gimmicks or tricks. They’re straightforward changes you can make right away to: ✅ Be clearer. ✅ Get buy-in faster. ✅ Avoid misinterpretations. ✅ Sound more thoughtful, credible, and composed. Communication is THE SKILL that connects your value to the world. If you want to influence, lead, or be remembered, this is where you start. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewal

If you’ve ever thought I want to build wealth, but I’m not sure where to start. You’re not alone. Good news! You don’t need to read 100 finance books. You just need the right ones. In this week’s lesson, I’m sharing 5 powerful books that’ll help you build wealth and maximize your earning power. These aren’t just theory-packed reads. They are the exact books I’d recommend if you asked me, “What should I read to take control of my finances and income?” I run over a great book I think anyone and everyone should read to understand general investment strategy. I hit a (very) surprisingly entertaining (and hugely helpful) guide that breaks down investing in its simplest form. Of course, you know me. I love mindset and psychology, so I tossed in a couple that separate spenders from wealth builders. And, now list regarding wealth-building would be complete if I didn’t toss in the #1 book, IMHO, that’ll help you improve your professional skills. Your skills directly affect your salary and income and overall earning po

You’ve probably heard the phrase “don’t sweat the small stuff.” Well, I’m here to tell you to do the exact opposite. If you want to perform at the highest level, if you want to grow in your role, get promoted, or become a standout in your field, you better sweat the small stuff.  Because that’s where mastery lives.  This week, I’m sharing one of the most important performance lessons I can give you.  Whether I’m talking about writing emails, managing a team, speaking with clients, or building a long-term financial future, the people who succeed are the ones who obsess (productively) over the right things.  In this talk, I’ll walk you through: Why greatness lives in the details (with stories to prove it). How top performers think differently about their craft. A powerful health and wealth analogy that might just change how you approach your career. You’ll come away with a better approach for how to improve your day-to-day work and make long-term progress in your profession and finances.  Just 8:46 and one of

Do you ever feel like you don’t have much to offer?  Like your experience is ordinary? Obvious? Nothing special? If so, you’re not alone. But you are wrong. Today, I’m sharing one of the most important messages I can give you… Your story has value. It matters. It can help someone. The problem is, most people undervalue their experiences because they’re consider their experiences in terms of what it means to them…as opposed to what those experiences can mean to someone else! They think, Everyone already knows this. But they don’t.  There’s a huge difference between living a story and sharing it in a way that educates, inspires, and connects.  Join me today and you’ll learn:  ✅ Why your personal story is your greatest asset.✅ How to reshape experiences into meaningful, teachable moments.✅ The 7-step structure to turn any experience into a story that resonates.✅ A pivotal story from my own early career.  Let’s do this! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these oth

There’s a career skill no one taught you in school. It’s not on your resume. It’s rarely on a job description. But it’s the difference between being heard and being trusted. Between managing and truly leading.  Empathy.  And here’s the kicker…  Most people think they have it. But very few understand what it actually is or how to build it.  Today’s lesson is one of my most personal. I’ll walk you through the three types of empathy (yes, there are three), show you how to practice them, and share a story that changed how I live and love (this WILL bring a smile to your face).  If you want to deepen your relationships, earn trust faster, and elevate your career, this one’s for you. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books

This week’s a special one. I’m going back to one of the most important lessons I’ve ever taught.  Self-awareness. Not the generic, “journal your feelings” kind. I’m talking about a powerful, real-world framework that shows you where your life is out of alignment.  Most people define self-awareness as “knowing yourself.”But there are actually two types: Internal self-awareness: How well do you know who you are? External self-awareness: Do you understand how others perceive you?  Both matter. A lot.  And most people aren’t nearly as accurate as they think. That misalignment causes stress. Bad decisions. Unfulfilling jobs. Relationships that drain instead of energize. In today’s lesson, I walk you through the six pillars of self-awareness.  It’s THE practical way to measure whether your life, work, thoughts, goals, and habits are aligned with the person you say you want to be.  This isn’t theory. It’s a diagnostic.And it’s going to help you course-correct in a powerful way.  If your inner and outer life feel

Have you ever tried to start your day with the best intentions only to have your attention hijacked by email pings, barking dogs, or that mysterious ice maker noise in the kitchen? Yeah. Same.  In today’s lesson, I’m teaching one of the most underrated (yet powerful) skills for career and life success: how to train your focus like a muscle.  And I’m not talking about downloading some shiny productivity app.  I’m talking about something deeper and more effective…

Want to think like a high achiever? I’ve coached thousands of professionals and one pattern is unmistakable. High achievers think differently. It’s not about having more time, money, or luck. It’s about how they frame challenges, filter distractions, and focus their energy. That’s what today’s podcast is all about.

Question for ya… When the interviewer asks you to “tell me about a time when…,” do you: A) Launch into a timeline of tasks you completed? B) Rattle off a list of responsibilities? C) Sound like your own resume? (Oy to the vey.) If so, don’t worry. You’re not alone. But you are probably leaving value on the table. Here is a capital “T” truth… Most people report work history. Few, if any, tell real stories. Almost no one uses those stories to sell who they truly are. But that’s exactly what interview storytelling should be. This week’s podcast is one of the most important lessons I can give you on how to elevate your interview game and position yourself as THE standout candidate. Excitement alert: You will squeal with glee if you’ve ever wondered I’m just a cog in the wheel and my background feels narrow. I’m not sure how to sound valuable or impactful. What you’ll learn alert:The real purpose of storytelling in interviews (big hint: it’s not just to explain what you did). Why sounding “too junior” is a storyt