Imagine a state where you can get from big cities to big nature in less than half an hour, with some of the best quality of life in the nation.

Welcome to Minnesota, America's least stressed state.

Learn more at exploreminnesota.com slash live. I'm Muriel Wilkins, and this is Coaching Real Leaders, part of the HBR podcast network.

I'm a longtime executive coach who works with highly successful leaders who've hit a bump in the road.

My job is to help them

get over that bump by clarifying their goals and figuring out a way to reach them so that hopefully

they can lead with a little more ease. I typically work with clients over the course of several months,

but on this show, we have a one-time coaching meeting focusing on a specific leadership challenge

they're facing.

Today's guest is someone will call John to protect his confidentiality.

He works in the marine industry as a boat captain, and it's something he's been passionate about for as long as he can remember.

Started in boats when I was eight years old. I had my own boat well before I even knew how to drive a car,

and it just kind of happened. It was funny because my father was very corporate, and I always said

that I would never want an office job. You know, he don't work on boats, you'll never have a good living.

Some of it was rebellion, I guess, at first, saying I'm going to go into this industry and make it happen.

But at this point it's all I know. I love it.

I mean, it's really hard to have a bad day when your job is running around in the water all day.

I like it that it's different every day. I like it that it's different every day.

I like it that it's a challenge every day. Doesn't matter how capable you are. There's elements

of it that are completely out of anyone's control. Mother Nature, for one, even if it's the same

every day is different. John has moved through different parts of the industry and has proven

himself as a leader on the water. But as his professional

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