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Ask Nathan- by How to be Second
Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being and growing as a second in command + a Second by identity, and tear apart myths around those ideas and other concepts. I’m practicing communicating the value of Seconds so you can do so for yourself and others, with even more clarity.
Ask Nathan- by How to be Second
Latest Episodes
What is The 9 Box?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan unpacks the concept of the 9 Box, a framework for understanding the nuance of complexity and quality. Tony Ticknor and Nathan devised the 9 Box of Quality and Complexity at a time when they were both using the same words to describ...
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What is The Guide System?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan and Samantha unpack the launch of The Guide System, a one-to-one, human-first way for Seconds to stay connected, supported, and anchored as they navigate life, work and community. They explore why “going together” has become a core value...
FCMD/SCMD Trust Building- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan and Samantha dig into what actually creates trust between a First and a Second, arguing it’s less about systems and more about consistent, unstructured time together like random phone calls, walks, and conversations without an agenda. Fr...
Where do you actually sit on the distribution curve?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan challenges the way Seconds see competence, unpacking why a 6 out of 10 might secretly put you in the top 10%, and how knowing what “10” looks like can become a line of shame instead of a strength. Nathan and Samantha talk about how deep ...
How do you communicate the value of being a generalist?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan digs into the tension many Seconds feel about being a generalist in a world that claims to value specialists. He shares the phrase he’s been using, “I am an expert generalist with a few developed specialties.” and explains why the real k...