Blog

157: Learn to Say More with Less Words | Executive Communication

157: Learn to Say More with Less Words | Executive Communication

In this episode, I reflect on a recent coaching session with an engineering leader named David, who struggled to articulate his career challenges concisely.

I share how, despite his impressive background, David’s long-winded communication hindered his progress. From experiences like this, I’ve learned the critical importance of clear and concise communication in career advancement.

I delve into how engineers, like myself, often fall into the trap of verbosity, but mastering concise communication is essential for success. Whether it’s in emails or conversations, brevity saves time and fosters clarity. By adopting this habit, engineers can project authority, autonomy, and decisiveness, crucial qualities for effective leadership.

Join me as I discuss the power of concise communication and its transformative impact on career growth.

So press play and let’s chat about leveling up your communication game!

read more
152: Biggest Lie Blocking Happiness is Everywhere with Eric Nehrlich | Chief of Staff @ Google

152: Biggest Lie Blocking Happiness is Everywhere with Eric Nehrlich | Chief of Staff @ Google

In this episode, you’ll meet Eric Nehrlich. He used to be miserable.

An achiever who always exceeded expectations, he landed a dream job at Google. But a couple years later he was working 8am to midnight every day, including most weekends, drowning in emails and meetings.

Eric felt completely stuck, with no idea how his life was ever going to change.

Today, his work is meaningful and inspiring, and he is happy. Eric spends quality time with his family, while still having time for his own pursuits.

What changed?

He realized he had a choice.

Now an Executive Coach to top technology leaders at companies like X (Twitter), Amazon, and of course Google, Eric authored the book, “You Have a Choice: Beyond Hard Work to Meaningful Impact”, to help you realize the same thing.

So press play and let’s chat… if you want to be happy and successful in your career, the choice is yours.

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

read more