Max Ahumada, Author at OACO

146: Practical Optimism Leads to A+ Careers with Ken Schmitt | CEO at TurningPoint Executive Search | Author

by Max Ahumada | Dec 15, 2023 | Podcast

In this episode, Founder and CEO at Turning Point Executive Search and “The Practical Optimist” author, Ken Schmitt, is here to help you land your next level of success at work.

For 26 years Ken has been searching for the best talent on the planet, and realized the importance of balance between practical realism and joyful optimism. He knows how A-players land A+ opportunities.

If you want to play at the top of your game, you’ll want to know how Ken uses an external ecosystem to maintain balance, and the one question to never ask when networking.

Ken also shares where 80% of the best opportunities are found today.

Now he supports professionals in channeling both the logical and the visionary pieces of successful leadership. In addition to moderating domestic and global leadership panels, he is the Founder of the Sales & Marketing Leadership Alliance where he spent 11 years interviewing CEOs, business leaders and entrepreneurs about the best way to make an impact in the modern business world.

So press play and let’s chat… I’m optimistic about this episode changing your career!

145: Secret Guide to Communicating with Business Teams with Chris Fenning | Award-Winning Author of The First Minute

by Max Ahumada | Dec 7, 2023 | Podcast

In this episode, former aerospace engineering leader Chris Fenning makes it easier for us to communicate at work.

His simple methods help experts like you talk to non-experts on cross functional teams like marketing and sales. We also discuss how engineering teams can improve communication to executives, and much more.

If you want to grow your career, this episode is mandatory learning. Your impact and promotability will be limited by your ability to influence outside engineering department walls. Communication is the key.

Chris’s consulting and practical approach is used in organizations ranging from Google to NATO, and because of their broad appeal for technical leadership, have appeared in the Harvard Business Review.

He is also the author of multiple award-winning books that have been translated into 15 languages, including my personal favorite, “The First Minute: How to start conversations that get results.”

So press play and let’s chat… about how to chat with anybody and get results!

144: Why Not All Readers are Leaders | 3 Big Mistakes Engineers Make in the Habit of Reading Books

by Max Ahumada | Dec 4, 2023 | Podcast

In this episode, I explore three mistakes in my reading journey, from juggling too many books to setting arbitrary yearly reading goals.

I advocate for a shift towards intentional reading, focusing on quality over quantity and emphasizing the importance of applying knowledge. I discuss the pitfall of passive action and encourage listeners to prioritize real-life implementation.

As a bonus, I share a curated list of nearly 100 influential books from my personal library.

So, press play and let’s chat about transforming your reading habits for meaningful personal and professional growth.

143: How to Quickly Operate and Succeed at Work with Dr. Robert Santer | Navigating an Engineering Organization

by Max Ahumada | Nov 30, 2023 | Podcast

In this episode, skip ahead 40 years of experience and learn from someone else’s mistakes what it takes to succeed at work with Dr. Robert “Bob” Santer.

Bob knows that transitioning new engineers into professionals who can blend in and contribute to the technical organization is, at best, doubtful.

Worse still, you and I both know that even a decade later as engineering managers, we still have huge gaps in what it takes to succeed outside our technical acumen!

Bob has his PhD in Engineering from the University of Michigan, GO BLUE! He has over 40 years of domestic and international industry experience in the aerospace and automotive fields as an engineering management professional, including Boeing and the Ford Motor Company.

If you love to learn, and you want to succeed as an engineering leader, then you’ll love Bob’s rigorous organizational framework to operate from.

He delivers guidance using a dual approach of academic insight and decades of hands-on professional experience.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s amazing how fast you can go when you navigate with the right compass!

142: Special Thanks and Special Announcement You Don’t Want to Miss

by Max Ahumada | Nov 23, 2023 | Podcast

In this episode, meet the VP of Engineering at Freeosk, Megan Ford.

Now a female engineering executive, her career path was a winding road and ups, downs and lots of challenges. But she held on to a core belief that you must keep an open mind, ask lots of questions, and be willing to make decisions.

Megan shares how self doubt can be really loud when facing a big transition, and you suddenly feel like you have to learn everything all over again. You might also be surprised to hear that Megan, a top performer, was let go.

That was something she never expected to face in her career. But it happens and it is 1000% ok.

We dig into the reality of career building: Not every job, role, boss, is going to be a good fit. Reflect and move on.

And if you’re a woman in engineering, this conversation will be doubly encouraging.

Megan loves the outdoors as everything is better outside, and coffee, because everything is better with coffee also.

So press play and let’s chat… the path for your career growth begins now!

141: Gratitude Engineering | Scientific and Practical Guide to Growth through Gratitude

by Max Ahumada | Nov 20, 2023 | Podcast

In this special episode of The Happy Engineer Podcast, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving by expressing our gratitude.

From the incredible guests who have shared their wisdom to the over 100,000 downloads of this podcast, we are truly grateful. But most importantly, we want to thank you, our amazing listeners, for investing your precious time with us.

As we continue to bring you valuable content to accelerate your career growth, we invite you to join us on this journey towards creating the career and life of your dreams.

And if you’re ready to take the next step, we have an exciting bonus for you. Check the show notes for details. Thank you, and we’ll see you next week on The Happy Engineer Podcast.

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