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Don't Fight. Sail On. with Dr. John Reaves | Ship's Log #29

Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories

Chapters
0:00
– Introduction
0:31
– Meet Dr. John Reaves and The Real Promotion
2:43
– When success no longer feels successful
10:59
– Redefining progress and charting your own course
15:47
– The promotion no one else can give you
18:52
– Why investing in yourself is the best career move
24:18
– Separating your identity from your job title
28:05
– Integrity when no one is watching
36:47
– The first step toward meaningful change
40:32
– Two Truths and a Lie: shocking workplace stories and unexpected kindness
48:53
– The real promotion begins within
51:54
– Closing thoughts and smooth sailing
Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories
Don't Fight. Sail On. with Dr. John Reaves | Ship's Log #29
Jul 16, 2026 Season 1 Episode 29
Jeanne Andersen

"The most important promotion you will ever earn is the one no one can give you. It begins the moment you stop waiting to be chosen and start choosing your own growth." 

— John Reaves 

Episode Summary 

John Reaves spent decades doing everything the corporate world told him to do — building the resume, earning the credentials, staying late, and checking every box. And still, something was missing. In this episode of Project Candor, John shares the moment he realized he had outsourced his own definition of progress — and what happened when he took it back. 

From three layoffs across a 30-year career to refusing to shred documents that could have cost him his job, John brings honesty and hard-won perspective to questions most professionals are afraid to ask themselves. He and Jeanne dig into what it means to separate identity from position, why health has to come before hustle, and what really changes when you stop waiting to be chosen. 

And in Two Truths & A Lie — John accidentally reveals the answer before Jeanne even has a chance to guess. The real story he hid behind the lie is worth the whole episode. 

Guest Bio 

John A. Reaves, PhD, is a corporate executive and the author of The Real Promotion — a book for professionals who are ready to stop waiting for permission and start defining success for themselves. After years chasing credentials and titles, he made a pivotal discovery: the most important promotion you'll ever earn is the one no one can give you. 

 Guest Links 

Website: https://www.johnareaves.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-reaves/

YouTube:  

 Guest CTA 

Visit https://johnareaves.com to learn more about The Real Promotion, access career development resources, watch short leadership videos, and connect with John directly. 

Who do you know who'd make a great guest for the show? Please let us know.
Email: info@projectcandor.com

Website:   https://www.projectcandor.com

Social Media

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