Rick Massel (Richard Massel) operates at the intersection of human systems and rapid change.
A former New York City High School Principal turned SaaS strategist, he has spent two decades bridging the gap
between institutional reality and high-growth technology.
He is the author of The Rear Guard and The Future is Fiction. While one explores the deeply personal crucible of career burnout alongside the grueling test of military basic training, and the other tackles the technological upheaval of artificial intelligence, both books share a core teaching method: the use of strategic parables.
By translating high-stakes challenges into accessible narratives, whether ancient stoic lessons or futuristic sci-fi scenarios, Rick equips readers with the mental frameworks they need to hold the line and find purpose in life's "in-between" moments. A regular contributor to Activated Thinker, Illumination, Data Driven Investor, and Towards AI, his writing focuses on applying practical strategy to modern challenges.
His perspective is shaped by a career that spans continents, from leading educational initiatives in
India, China, and Angola to managing Customer Success strategy in the US. Outside of his professional work,
he is an avid cyclist and endurance athlete who has trekked the Himalayas, visited over 60 countries, and enjoys reading stories to his daughter, Maddie, and son, Rafi.
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