Tag Archives: teamwork

The Kind of Smart That Truly Matters

We’ve all heard the saying, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” And it’s true—working with smart people pushes you to think sharper, move faster, and elevate your game. But after years of working with brilliant minds, I’ve realized something even more powerful: intelligence alone doesn’t create magic. It’sContinue reading “The Kind of Smart That Truly Matters”

The Kind of Winning That Feels Right

I’ve reached a point in life where I genuinely want everyone around me to win. Not in that polite, surface-level way people say when they don’t really mean it—but in a real, deep, soul-level way. I want my friends to get the jobs they’re dreaming about. I want my family to find peace and joyContinue reading “The Kind of Winning That Feels Right”

The Real Dream Team: Where Brilliance Meets Humility

In the world of tech, consulting, design—or really any profession—there’s a familiar buzz around hiring “smart people.” The kind of individuals who crack problems before most even see them coming. Their brilliance lights up meetings, whiteboards, and Slack channels. Working with them is undeniably exhilarating. But here’s the truth no one puts on job descriptions:Continue reading “The Real Dream Team: Where Brilliance Meets Humility”

Your Boss, Your Bodyguard? Leaders Who’ve Got Your Back

Okay, so you know how sometimes work feels like dodging bullets? Bob Sutton wrote this cool piece, “Managing Yourself: The Boss as Human Shield,” that totally nails how awesome it is when your boss is like, your personal bodyguard against all that office craziness. And of course the illustration by Robert Ferraro summarises it soContinue reading “Your Boss, Your Bodyguard? Leaders Who’ve Got Your Back”

The IKEA Marriage Test: And a Toddler with an Allen Key

Before you marry someone, go to IKEA together, buy a piece of furniture, bring it home, and build it. If you can successfully navigate that process without wanting to kill each other, you’re ready to get married. I recently saw this on LinkedIn and I would have laughed if I had read that a fewContinue reading “The IKEA Marriage Test: And a Toddler with an Allen Key”

The SCARF Model

Conversations are much more than a simple exchange of words. Consciously or not, every time we interact with someone, we’re meeting some of their social needs and perhaps depriving them of others. That is, we’re using language and engaging in behavior that either uplifts and motivates people or causes them to withdraw and shut down.Continue reading “The SCARF Model”

How to make everyone feel included

Whether it be in a conversation, at the office, or at school, it is important to work towards emotionally including everybody.  While this can seem daunting and challenging, it is completely worth it. A recent study found that “almost half of our population feel alone, and younger generations feel the most isolated.” If you wantContinue reading “How to make everyone feel included”

Character vs Competence

Growing a team, whether at work or anywhere else, onboarding the right people is key. Competence is necessary, no doubt about that. But for me, character is also very important. A person of integrity who is not skilled for the role will only grow frustrated while frustrating everyone else. So competence is important, but characterContinue reading “Character vs Competence”