Going Further: The Coaching Newsletter

First…Happy Thanksgiving!

I know we’ve been on a bit of a hiatus last month, and for good reason. I’ve been taking some time to focus on the relationships that truly matter: family, friends, each of you, and truthfully, the one I’ve neglected most…the one with myself. This has been a life-changing year, and this past Thanksgiving, I reflected on how grateful I am for all those in my corner who support me, trust me, and I’m fortunate enough to call friends, clients, and more.

This is perhaps the most heartfelt and honest newsletter we’ve released. I really hope this resonates with you, as it has meant a lot for me to share. And here we go…

Laurence-isms 🗣️:

3 Lessons from My Grandfather 👴🏾

My grandfather just turned 92 years old on Sunday.

And if you’ve ever heard me talk about “The Lion King” (yes, I know you have) you know exactly who he is in my story.
He’s not just the hero. He’s not a footnote.
He’s my Mufasa.

The man I’ve looked up to my whole life is the one who didn’t just talk about values, he lived and lives them.
Here are three lessons he taught me that continue to shape the way I show up. These lessons light the fire for who I strive, stumble, and strive again to be as a man, a coach, and a human being.

1. Apologize When You're Wrong 🤝.

I was five years old. I’d gone into my grandparents’ room unannounced, and he let me know I’d crossed the line. Now, this normally was not a problem. However, as I've gotten older, my mind and imagination have probably let me put the pieces together that perhaps my grandmother or either having a serious conversation or getting some of their own alone time 🤦🏾‍♂️! Regardless, it was unlike my grandpa to rush me away and to do so curtly.
However, that evening, after I got back home, we had our usual nighttime call, and he said something I’ll never forget:

“Laurence, I want to apologize.”

That was the first time I ever heard my grandfather, or any man, say those words.
And it stuck with me.

In a world where we’re taught to defend ourselves, spin our stories, and save face (I’ve fallen victim to this at times as well), my grandfather modeled something different.
Accountability. Ownership. Vulnerability.

Apologizing doesn’t make you weak. Instead, it shows that you can be trusted. That you’re open to growth. That you’re not infallible and are willing to embrace your imperfections and acknowledge where you’ve caused pain or hurt. Where you’ve let others down. And where you can work toward repair.

I won’t always get it right. None of us does.
Yet, I’ve never forgotten that phone call.
I believe accountability is contagious. When you go first, you permit others to be honest and vulnerable too.

It’s not about perfection.
It’s about progress. One foot in front of the other. One day at a time.

2. Present Yourself The Way You Want To Be Treated 🧥.

Anyone who knows me knows I care about my presentation—blazers, lapel pins, pocket squares.
That’s all from my grandfather. He’s the blueprint.

Back when my brother and I were in daycare, he’d sometimes pick us up. The staff would always ask:
“Is that your dad? He looks so sharp.”

And they weren’t wrong. He always showed up looking ready. Dress shirt, slacks, sometimes a blazer.
Not because he was showing off.
But because he was showing respect. Respect for himself and for whoever he was meeting.

One of my oldest and closest friends, Sean, has met my grandfather a couple of times and most recently said something that hit me:

“When your grandfather looks at you, it’s like he sees through you. He’s real. He’s serious. He listens, and you’re not going to pull a fast one over him. He’s seen it all. He takes you seriously. And you know you need to do the same for him.”

That stayed with me.

People say I can come off serious too…and they’re right. I’ve heard this as a young boy. Being the eldest raised by a single mom will do that.
But I also laugh hard, play hard, and talk a Department of Sanitation level of trash!
Because, like my grandfather, I believe in balancing joy with purpose.

The deeper lesson he taught me wasn’t about dressing to impress. It was about signaling that you care. I care about those who came before me and those around me now. And those I’m responsible for. In a world that suggests “don’t take things so seriously." I want to be the one who gives a you-know-what.
If you want others to take you seriously, it starts with taking yourself seriously.

3. Lead With Your Heart ❤️.

Every morning growing up, I’d watch my grandfather walk down the stairs in his blue robe, wrap his arms around my grandmother, and say:
“Good morning, Mrs. H.”

Every day. Same gesture. Same tone.

That rhythm, that kind of quiet consistency, taught me more about love and partnership than any book or movie ever could.

He’s taught me that real leadership starts in the heart.

I’ve said it before: my father taught me what not to be. But my grandfather? He taught me what a man could be.

He tells me he loves me. He shows it.
He makes sure I know it.

That’s not just affection. It’s something more potent. More lasting. It’s reliability.

And maybe the most powerful thing he ever said to me hasn’t been “I love you” (which is amazing).
It was: “You’re reliable.”

There’s no greater compliment he could’ve given me.

Because trust is hoping someone will show up.
Reliability is knowing they will.

That’s the kind of man I want to be. I’m trying and hope to be on this journey. The kind of leader. The kind of friend, coach, and God-willing, father he was and is.

I don’t want anyone in my life. My clients, family, and loved ones never have to guess how I feel about them.

You’ll know.
I’ll say it. I’ll show it.
I’ll leave nothing on the table.

If I can carry even a fraction of his legacy forward—I’ll consider that a life well lived.

I’m grateful for the clients who trust me and have taken a chance: the Lilis and Uniteds; the Amandas and Anitas; the Bretts and the Bellas; the Jonathans and the Ashleys; and so many others (if I didn’t name you, trust me, I’m trying to not be obnoxious and list everyone here! Yet, you are thanked)!
I hope to be a rock for those who look to me the way I look to my grandfather.

That’s what 92 years of heart-led leadership looks like.
And if I’m lucky enough to get there one day, I pray I’ll carry his lessons with me until my own 92nd year. With his help…I’ll go further.

~LA

Tools to Go Further: The 3-2-1 Method for Goal Setting

With all of the overlapping goals and checkpoints I set for myself, I often ask myself what I need to or should prioritize so that I can make the most of any efforts I make. The 3-2-1 method is a structure I often use to determine what I need to focus on in the short and long term.

• What are my three priorities during this next week/month?

• For every priority, what are two milestones I can reach to make progress along that goal?

• For every milestone, what is one action I can take today to reach that milestone?

This framework provides me with more structure to make real progress towards my goals by breaking ambitious, more intangible ideas into clear, actionable steps. Breaking my biggest ideas down into a process also makes approaching them feel less daunting, and at the same time helps me hold myself accountable.

As a thank you…

I’m hosting a free webinar on a topic of your choosing in 2026!

60 minutes of interactive fun while discussing anything from navigating high-ticket sales to leading teams through changing environments.

Let us know what you want to hear about, so that we can build this workshop for you!

Go Further 🚀