"Your dad completely changed my life" (a tru origins story)
In the fall of 2021, I attended my 40th high school reunion. Halfway through the event, a gentleman approached me—a face I hadn’t seen in decades but instantly recognized. It was Bill, a childhood acquaintance.
“Do you remember me?” he asked.
“Of course! You still look the same,” I replied, and I meant it.
He smiled and said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“Here’s what you didn’t know. After I graduated, I had absolutely no clue what to do with my life, so I met with your dad for career guidance. And your dad completely changed my life.”
I hadn’t known.
Bill went on to explain how my father’s guidance gave him the clarity and direction he desperately needed at the time. That clarity not only led to a personally satisfying and meaningful career but also gave him the foundation to launch his own business years later.
Though my father passed away in 2000, this wasn’t the first time I’d heard stories of lives profoundly impacted by his work. Time and time again, people shared with me how his program transformed their careers and lives.
Hearing Bill’s story made me realize something powerful: the same challenges Bill faced decades ago—finding purpose and meaning in work—remain just as prevalent today. And it’s not just an individual struggle; it’s a challenge that deeply affects every organization as well.
Despite the strides society has made in countless areas, we still haven’t cracked the code on helping people align who they are with what they do. Consider this: individuals born during the baby boomer era held an average of 12.4 jobs throughout their careers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And based on the sheer volume of Google searches for terms like “finding career purpose,” it’s clear most people are still searching for work that feels fulfilling and aligned with their strengths.
This disconnect isn’t just a personal issue—it comes at a staggering cost to businesses and organizations. Disengaged employees, high turnover, poor collaboration, and lost productivity are just some of the ripple effects, with profound consequences on the bottom line.
It made me wonder: What if companies could tap into the whole person—not just the skills someone currently possesses but what truly drives them to their best and most satisfied potential? What if employees could deeply understand what energizes their peak performance and personal satisfaction? And what if organizations could harness this insight to align their people’s unique strengths and passions with the work itself?
That’s why we founded tru®.
tru® carries forward my father’s life work with individuals into the modern organization. Simply stated, the tru platform combines deep self-discovery with actionable insights to help individuals and organizations thrive.
For individuals, tru® helps uncover their Achievement DNA, gain clarity on their personal growth, and create a roadmap to energizing, high-impact work.
For organizations, tru® provides a unique and actionable way to create alignment between employees’ strengths and aspirations with the goals of the business. It empowers front-line managers with a shared framework and vocabulary to be more effective coaches, creating opportunities and encouraging employees to be their best. It enables leaders to transform disengaged teams into inspired, high-performing ecosystems by unlocking the full potential of each person.
Imagine an organization where every individual operates at their peak—energized by meaningful work that aligns with their strengths and passions. tru® doesn’t just help individuals find fulfillment; it empowers teams to collaborate more effectively and organizations to build thriving, adaptable cultures that outperform the competition.
tru® represents more than just a tool. It’s a mission to drive performance from the inside out - a mission inspired by my father’s legacy of helping people realize their potential and one that I believe he would be proud to see carried forward today.
tru® could be the “how” your organization needs to create a high-impact culture that wins hearts and minds—and transforms lives along the way. Let’s start a conversation today.
Interested in learning more about tru® Strength Realization for your organization? Sign up for a demo today.
