Traction Heroes

Traction Heroes

Digging in to get results with Harry Max and Jorge Arango

Episodes

October 19, 2025 26 mins

Harry offers a taxonomy of five "social traps" that can keep us from gaining traction.

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Mark as Played

A reading from a famous director's memoir sparks a discussion about a key trait for gaining traction: boldness coupled with the ability to get things done.

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Mark as Played
September 21, 2025 28 mins

Harry offers a short reading from a surprising source about an important question: How do you decide when it's time to let go? 

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September 7, 2025 29 mins

Jorge and Harry discuss how to proactively shift your mental models to get unstuck.

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August 24, 2025 27 mins

Jorge and Harry discuss a classic book about how to avoid getting in your own way through overthinking.

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August 10, 2025 29 mins

Harry and Jorge discuss the implications of John Boyd's work beyond its original military context.

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July 27, 2025 24 mins

Jorge and Harry discuss a book focused on using AI to lead better — and has underpinnings that align with the show's themes.

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July 14, 2025 25 mins

Harry reads a passage from a book by Robert Pirsig that raises questions about what authentic effort looks like — and the traps inherent in its trappings.

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June 29, 2025 20 mins

Harry gives Jorge advice on how to focus on strategically important things.

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June 15, 2025 25 mins

Harry explains a framework for learning and change that originated in the field of NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) — just in time for the launch of Jorge's new consultancy.

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June 1, 2025 26 mins

On the folly of designing complex systems in one go, from the top down.

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May 18, 2025 25 mins

It's important to plan ahead when working on large, complex projects. Alas, some people's bias for action keeps them from undertaking what they perceive as wasteful exercise. In this episode, Harry shares an exercise that can help.

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Mark as Played
May 4, 2025 29 mins

What keeps you from doing the things you know you need to do, when you need to do them? The answers go deeper than you think.

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April 20, 2025 26 mins

A discussion about the deep underlying causes of the turbulence we're experiencing, and how to think about our agency in the situation.

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April 6, 2025 20 mins

How do you act effectively in times of uncertainty? One way is by asking yourself better questions. In this conversation, Harry shares a framework to do just that.

Show notes:

- Masters of Uncertainty by Rich Diviney
- 8 1/2
- Cascading Choices Framework by Roger Martin

Mark as Played
March 23, 2025 23 mins

Implementing changes – especially irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes – requires humility and understanding. In this conversation, we discuss Chesterton's fence and the art of mindful change-making.

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March 9, 2025 21 mins

Acting skillfully entails choosing the right thing to do at any given moment. But these actions must also serve higher-level goals. In this conversation, we explore the relationship between both levels of priorities.

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February 23, 2025 28 mins

Mental models are key to thinking and acting skillfully. But the phrase "mental models" itself has several meanings. In this conversation, we explore models of mental models – and land on one with practical implications for your life.

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February 9, 2025 35 mins

Relying solely on data for decisions is limiting; integrating intuition and diverse insights enhances judgment and outcomes.

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January 26, 2025 35 mins

Harry shares an extreme personal experience in service to exploring the question: How can we act skillfully in unfamiliar circumstances? 

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Mark as Played

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