Quotables
Rams’ 10 Principles for Good Design
First articulated by iconic industrial designer Dieter Rams in the 1980s, these principles are timeless and universal.
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Self-Management
On Misanthropy
There is nothing noble about not caring.
Quotables
R. Buckminster Fuller on Making Change
You never change anything by fighting it; you change things by making them obsolete through superior technology. Telstar replaced five hundred tons of transoceanic cable. It used...
Self-Management
Facing Uncertainty
With change of any significance comes uncertainty. Uncertainty is never fun, but it doesn't have to be crippling.
Leadership
Inclusion Alone Won’t Lead to Diversity
Modern politics tells us to forget diversity and focus exclusively on inclusion, but fixating on inclusion without first addressing underrepresentation actually leads to less inclusive workplaces.
Making Great Products
Innovating in Public
When we needed to demonstrate that our century-old company was still innovating, I quipped that we could just show people by building a product in real time at our customer conference like some technological zoo exhibit. Nobody seemed to realize I was joking.
Self-Management
Protect Your Margins
In the chaos of early adulthood, a friend's wise word—protect your margins—became my secret to finding peace amidst the overwhelm.
Productivity
“Be quick, but don’t hurry.” —John Wooden
In the pursuit of speed, many organizations stumble—not from a lack of effort, but from the pressure to rush.
Creativity
Dare to Begin
Returning to my writing roots revealed a truth: the journey of creation starts with a single, imperfect step—daring to make a mark on the blank page.
Justice
Recommitting to Humane Leadership
After decades in tech, exhaustion and escapist fantasies set in—but despite the challenges, my career has always been about one thing: people. As diversity, equity and inclusion come under assault, I continue to fight for people.
Leadership
Tough Love for Leaders
Leaders, it’s time for some tough love: accountability, communication, and respect are not just expectations for others, but for you, too.
Managing People
On Hiring Well
Effective hiring goes beyond filling positions; it's about building relationships and ensuring a positive experience for every candidate.
Leadership
Mistaking Charismatic Laborers for True Leaders
Charismatic laborers may save the day, but true leaders build a future. Sustainable progress thrives not on heroics, but on empowering teams and creating lasting systems.
Managing People
What Does it Mean to be a Manager in Agile?
A framework I created to explain how managers still have a huge role to play in coaching Agile teams' performance
Leadership
Leadership and Manure
Just as a successful garden requires preparation and the right conditions to thrive, true leadership is about cultivating an environment where innovation and growth can flourish.
Communication
The Problem with the Telephone Game
Cascading communication is like a flawed game of telephone: everybody hears a message, but did they hear the right message?
Self-Management
Putting Down the Whack-A-Mole Mallet
Great leaders don’t just react to exceptions—they redesign systems to prevent them. Progress comes from refining workflows, not just playing whack-a-mole with disruptions.
Leadership
Acknowledging Power Distance
Authentic leadership isn’t just about being genuine—it’s about being humane. Leaders must balance their authority with empathy, bridging the gap between their humanity and the power they hold.
Self-Management
In Case of Bad Days
Save those encouraging notes and emails in a 'For Bad Days' folder. When imposter syndrome hits, pull it out and let those kind words remind you that you are great at what you do.
Productivity
Nobody Will Protect Your Focus For You
How I've learned to protect time for deep thinking and doing
Managing People
If You Want to Build a Ship…
Many leaders view their job as creating thrust behind the organization (read: "sense of urgency"). I don't see it that way.
Managing People
Nine Phrases Every Leader Should Use More Often
Every leader should prioritize the power of language in their interactions. Using phrases that convey vulnerability, openness, and empathy can transform a team's culture.
Leadership
Building Legacies that Endure
Even in the face of disheartening transformations, the connections forged and the values instilled continue to ripple through time, reminding us that our legacies are built in the space between human beings.
Leadership
Get Comfortable with Ambiguity
Great leaders know when to embrace uncertainty outside their teams but prioritize creating clear paths and shared goals within, ensuring everyone moves forward together.
Leadership
This I Believe
Leadership is built on beliefs, lessons, and experiences—big and small—that shape how we guide others. Here’s a collection of truths I hold about leading people.
