Business leader David Rocker has issued a direct response to what he describes as a "confidence crisis" affecting professionals across industries. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, commercial real estate, and strategic consulting, Rocker emphasizes that many individuals feel isolated while navigating business challenges. He notes that systems people depend on—financial, social, and operational—often feel rigid or unresponsive, leaving individuals to solve problems alone.
Rocker points to specific data illustrating this crisis. According to a 2023 Gallup report, employee engagement has declined for two consecutive years, with fewer than 33% of U.S. workers feeling connected at their workplaces. For entrepreneurs, more than 40% report lacking access to mentors, advisors, or necessary resources. "The problem is, most people don't get the blueprint," Rocker states. "They don't get the coaching. They get tossed into the deep end and told to swim."
The solution, according to Rocker, lies not in overnight systemic overhaul but in building practical support through structure and incremental actions. He advocates for returning to fundamentals: in-person interaction, one-on-one coaching, and shared problem-solving. "You can hand someone a check," Rocker explains. "But if no one walks them through the hard calls—hiring, systems, strategy—it won't last." He emphasizes that effective guidance often comes from honest feedback and lived experience rather than formal documents or webinars.
To address immediate needs, Rocker provides 10 actionable steps professionals can implement within a week. These include identifying and fixing one clunky process, blocking 30 minutes for reflection, seeking 15 minutes of advice from experienced individuals, offering help to newcomers, and reviewing cash flow or schedules as systems to identify bottlenecks. Other actions involve documenting recurring mistakes, scheduling in-person meetings, eliminating low-value tasks, dedicating time to mental reset, and expressing gratitude to past mentors. Rocker encourages selecting one action and committing to it for seven days, then sharing his message with others who might benefit.
The implications of this approach extend across business, nonprofit, and government sectors. For small business owners, implementing structured reflection and mentorship could improve decision-making and sustainability. Team leaders might see enhanced engagement by fostering genuine connections and feedback loops. Organizations could benefit from Rocker's process thinking methodology, which he developed through his systems engineering background at Georgia Tech and applies through his firms, NYSA Capital LLC and The Rocker Group, LLC. His work with minority-owned businesses and disabled veterans demonstrates how targeted support can address resource gaps.
Rocker's message arrives during a period of documented disengagement and resource scarcity. By advocating for mentorship, intentionality, and incremental progress, he provides a framework that could help professionals navigate uncertainty. "You don't need to fix everything," Rocker concludes. "You just need to begin." This perspective offers a manageable pathway for individuals and organizations seeking to rebuild confidence and create more resilient operational environments through practical, human-centered actions.
