Russ Nelson believes growth isn’t something that happens by accident... it’s something you choose every day.
After years of leading teams, training leaders and executives, and helping others discover their potential, Russ realized that many young adults were entering “the real world” without the tools to actually navigate it. They knew how to pass exams, but not how to handle failure, comparison, or change. This became even more obvious when watching his own adult children struggle with the transition. That realization sparked This Wasn’t on the Final Exam.
A professional facilitator, lifelong learner, and Army veteran, Russ has spent his career guiding people through transformation... from boardrooms to training rooms to one-on-one conversations that shift mindsets and rewrite stories. He has spent years developing leaders for a Fortune 40 company, and now as Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer for NorthPointe Leadership, he focuses on practical growth that lasts beyond the training room.
He wrote this book for the young adults who feel stuck in the space between potential and reality... for the ones who want to do more than just get through it.
When he’s not teaching or writing, you’ll likely find him outdoors, running or hiking trails, exploring new places, reading, or refueling with family and good conversation.
Because growth doesn’t stop when the workday ends.
