Enagage in Honest Assessments to Avoid Regret with Urs Koenig

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In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Urs Koenig, founder of the Radical Humility Leadership Institute and author of Radical Humility: Be a Badass Leader and a Good Human. Urs shares his powerful story of “pressing pause” on his life at age 50 to rejoin the Swiss military as a United Nations and NATO peacekeeper.

Inspired by his father’s volunteer work in Somalia decades earlier, Urs felt a deep call to take on meaningful international service—despite the personal and professional sacrifices required. He explains how stepping away from his coaching business for nearly two years, and leaving his family behind during his deployments was both challenging and transformative. Upon returning, Urs shifted his career from full-time executive coaching to keynote speaking, illustrating how pressing pause can open doors to new possibilities.

Throughout the conversation, Urs and Ellen discuss the importance of honest self-assessment and reflection, recognizing self-talk and doubts, and being prepared for potential pushback when making life changes. Urs emphasizes that realigning one’s work and relationships with personal values can be profoundly rewarding, even when it’s difficult.

To learn more about Urs, visit www.urskoenig.com.
To learn more about Ellen, visit www.thesalientstrategist.com.