Over the course of a career, we encounter people, places, challenges, and opportunities that shape how we think and work. Some lessons come from success, others from mistakes, and many from experiences whose significance becomes clearer with time.
Leadership, teamwork, technology, and working across different cultures all offer opportunities to learn. While circumstances may vary, many of the underlying lessons apply across industries, organizations, and stages of a career.
In this series, I’ll share observations and lessons drawn from my professional experiences, including working with people from different backgrounds and navigating changing technologies and business environments.
My goal isn’t to present a collection of universal answers, but to share perspectives that may encourage reflection, conversation, and perhaps a different way of approaching familiar challenges.
Articles in the Series
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When Replacement Was Not the Right Solution
During an assignment in Oslo, Norway, I learned that replacing a customer’s existing technology was not necessarily the best solution. Sometimes good architecture means preserving what works while creating opportunities for growth.
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When the Lesson Plan Was Not the Real Need
A database design assignment at a hospital in Vietnam taught me that the best solutions begin with understanding the people doing the work, not simply following the original lesson plan.
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When Loyalty and Integrity Collide
Three times in my career, I lost my job rather than compromise my integrity. From honesty with customers to standing up for an employee, these experiences taught me that loyalty to an employer should never require dishonesty.
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The Advice That Changed My Career
Sometimes others recognize our abilities before we do. A chance conversation in 1987 led me to leave a job I disliked and pursue a career in technology, teaching me the value of recognizing opportunity and having the courage to change direction.
