Written By JR Robinson

So, look. I’ve been sitting here thinking about how we operate. You know?

We spend all this time building. We build our businesses, we build our teams, we build our families. We have these massive goals—these KPIs we are desperate to hit. But then, what happens? We get stressed. We get reactive. And suddenly... pop.

We destroy the very things we are trying to protect.

That is why I am so fired up to talk about Todd Lochner’s new book, Porcupine in a Balloon Factory.

Okay, so the title? It’s funny. But if you really dumb it down, it is the most accurate picture of leadership I have seen in a long time. We are the porcupines. Our opportunities? Those are the balloons. And if we don't have our heads right, we are just walking around poking holes in our own success.

And, um, I don't want that. I want us to win.

Why You Need This Book (The Strategy)

Todd breaks down this concept called Positive Compartmentalization. It sounds technical, but it’s really just a sexy way of saying: "How do I organize my brain so I stop freaking out and start executing?"

It’s about resilience. It’s about taking action without the fear.

But here is the thing that I think makes this special. It’s not just a business book. Todd is coming at this with faith-fueled leadership. He isn't just talking about making more money (though that happens when you get this right); he is talking about thriving in every aspect of life.

We want to win at the office, yes. But we also want to win at home. We want to be present for our families. We want clarity.

The Man Behind the Method

So, I also want to talk about Todd for a second. Because he isn't just writing this stuff; he is out there teaching it.

If you are leading a team right now, and you feel like the morale is low, or the productivity is slipping... what I am thinking is, you need to get Todd in the room.

He is available for speaking engagements, and let me tell you, this is the kind of actionable wisdom that shifts culture. He helps teams:

• Build Resilience: So they stop crumbling when things get hard.

• Improve Productivity: Because they aren't wasting energy on drama.

• Get Results: Real, tangible wins.

He empowers people to lead with purpose. And, um, that is exactly what we need more of right now.

The Holiday Play

So, we are coming up on the holidays. Todd wanted me to pass this along—he wants to wish everyone a huge, Happy Holidays. But we also know this time of year can be a total pressure cooker.

So here is the plan. Here is the play:

I want you to think about the people in your life—your managers, your spouse, your friends—who are struggling to keep their balloons afloat. They need this message.

I’d like you to do two things:

1. Grab a copy of the book. Buy one for yourself, and buy a few as gifts. It’s a low-cost investment that changes the whole mindset.

2. Look at your team. If you need a spark for Q1, reach out to Todd. Let’s get him in front of your people.

Let’s make this happen. Let’s help Todd get this message out there, and let’s stop popping balloons.