Outsourcing Skills
Every new technological advancement creates a new opportunity for us to outsource a skill or thought-process. And if we take it up on the offer, we risk losing connection to some important foundational structures.
Andy Busam
After the Rain
After the rain, I took a walk in the woods for mental health. The air seemed cleaner, more pure. I felt like I could absorb more of it. It brought clarity to all my senses.
After the rain, the birds chirped more. The sound of the rain drowned them out
How Product Teams Succeed
This post started as an email to a client who I started working with in mid 2022. As the product manager of a growing software team inside a large enterprise, he has many demands on his plate. But above all, he needs his young and forming team to execute on
In Memory of Grandpa
My grandpa died on August 17, 2022, at the age of 95. Last week was his memorial service and funeral. The weeks leading up to his death and the ones that have followed were marked by reflection, sadness, and appreciation – for his life, our relationship, and the decades of memories.
Why ESG Isn't Working for Investors
What is ESG investing?
Investors have more options and decisions to make around capital allocation than
ever before. Increasing geopolitical, social, and cultural factors – as well as
pressure to keep up with historical performance and stay ahead of technology
trends – create a complex investing environment that is difficult to navigate.
You Are What You Eat
Nearly every year, I go through a process of reevaluating my vegetarianism. For
some, that’s problematic to say or write publicly. But the truth is, we all
should reserve the right to be critical of the choices we make and continue to
make. Socrates said it best: “The unexamined
Staying on Track with the Change Canvas
Implementing new technology
Adopting a new organizational model
Becoming physically (or mentally) healthier
These are all instances of change. Each comes with its complexities. Yet, the
process of any kind of successful change requires answering the same or similar
questions.
My experiences with change—with myself and others—informs the
Perfection is an Illusion
When I started this blog, I had no real objective. The motivation was simple: to
get thoughts from my head to screen. As Derek Sivers put it, it’s better to
create more than consume. I wanted to say something valuable to myself. And if
others got something out of
Figure It Out vs I Don’t Know
As someone who prides himself on figuring out hard problems, saying “I don’t
know” hasn’t come easy or without hard lessons. There’s no shame in setting down
your pride and asking for help.
Go look again.
When I was a kid, my parents were always busy with
The Selective Irrationality of Getting Breakfast in Boone
We all do selectively irrational things for emotional reasons. We make decisions
with our hearts. We go to great lengths to keep our stories alive. We brave
nasal swabs and sub-freezing weather to stay connected to each other.
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Flurries swirled in the 5 degree wind chills on a February