Wisdom from the Most Unexpected Place: A Lesson from Resident Alien

In a recent episode of Resident Alien, we witnessed something completely unexpected: a flash of profound insight from Harry Vanderspeigle, the usually self-centered, socially awkward, and clueless alien who rarely contributes anything truly helpful.

Yet in a moment that stunned even Asta Twelvetrees, he said something that stopped us in our tracks:

🌱 “You are both a failure and a success. The difference is which voice you listen to.”

Simple. Deep. And entirely true.

We often think insight must come from polished mentors or proven leaders. But sometimes, it arrives in the unlikeliest of places. The truth is, we all have that duality within us, especially those navigating high-stakes environments such as law, business, or leadership.

The inner critic is always ready to point out the failures. But there’s another voice—the one that remembers what you’ve survived, adapted to, and overcome.

As an executive coach, I see this truth play out with clients across the US and UK every day: your past doesn’t define your potential. The version of you who has already navigated a challenge? Let that version lead now.

Explore coaching that meets you exactly where you are—at www.petergourri.com.

And if Harry Vanderspeigle’s moment made you pause, too, share this post. Someone else may need to hear it today.

#ResidentAlien #Resilience #ExecutiveCoaching #SelfLeadership #GrowthMindset #SuccessStartsInside #pgcc #petergourri

When Leadership Scandals Go Viral—The Human Cost Is Greater Than We Admit

When Leadership Scandals Go Viral—The Human Cost Is Greater Than We Admit

By Peter Gourri | Executive Coach | www.petergourri.com

You won’t see the photo here.

It has been broadcast, meme-ified, and replayed over 62 million times. It doesn’t need my help spreading further.

This isn’t commentary—it’s a boundary.

Recirculating the image now feels like a perverse form of voyeurism, not insight. And we must be better than that.

What happened: Astronomer’s CEO, Andy Byron, was caught on a kiss-cam at a Coldplay concert with his Chief People Officer. Both are married to others. The clip went viral. He’s since resigned.

What’s really happening:

Spouses were blindsided.

Children became involuntary witnesses to adult humiliation.

An HR department, meant to safeguard culture, is now at the epicentre of a breach of trust.

Employees are left reeling.

The entire organisation is asking: What do we stand for now?

This is a crisis—but it’s also a mirror.

It reveals the truth that leadership is public, whether you like it or not. Human mess and executive responsibility cannot be separated in a values-based culture.

As an executive coach working with lawyers, founders, and senior leaders across the UK and the US, here’s what I guide clients through in these moments:

🔹 Protect those in the shadows. The families. The silent colleagues. The people who didn’t choose the spotlight but are suffering in it.

🔹 Stop recycling trauma. Don’t repost. Don’t perform empathy for clicks. Lead with dignity.

🔹 Respond with candour and compassion. Clarity is powerful when delivered with care.

🔹 Repair trust from the inside out. A policy change won’t undo betrayal. Culture repair must start with human connection.

🔹 Anchor leadership in values. What you tolerate today becomes your reputation tomorrow.

This scandal isn’t just a headline—it’s a cautionary tale. If your firm, board, or leadership team is grappling with crisis or cultural trust issues, I can help you lead through it—quietly, professionally, and with integrity.

If this perspective might help someone else, please share it.

#pgcc #executivecoaching #valuesbasedleadership #reputationmanagement #humanleadership #lawyersofgoogle #attorneysatlaw #petergourri #coldplay