My approach
See what's possible. Build what gets you there.
I believe people and organizations are capable of more than they sometimes realize.
Often, the potential is already there. People just need the opportunity, confidence, or right tools to bring it out. Organizations are much the same. Sometimes the answer isn't working harder within an existing process. It's stepping back, questioning how things are done, and imagining what could be better.
That's where I enjoy working: recognizing potential, finding opportunities, and building the things that help bring them to life.
Understand the problem before solving it.
When something isn't working, my first instinct isn't to jump straight to a solution. I want to understand what's happening and why.
I start by looking at the existing processes, the systems people rely on, and the limitations they're working within. I want to hear from the people closest to the problem because they often understand things that aren't visible from the outside.
One tool I use is the Five Whys. I start with a question and keep asking why until we get beyond the obvious symptoms and closer to the real cause.
- StartThe obvious symptom
- Why? ×1What's causing it on the surface
- Why? ×2–4Peeling back assumptions, one layer at a time
- Why? ×5Getting past the symptoms
- FoundCloser to the real cause
Sometimes the answer is a simple improvement to an existing process. Other times, it means building something entirely new.
I'm not attached to a particular method. I'm interested in understanding the problem well enough to build the right solution.
Creativity means seeing possibilities.
I've always enjoyed imagining what something could become. Exploring ideas, looking at things from a different angle, and then seeing those ideas take shape is one of the most rewarding parts of building something.
I also believe creativity thrives within constraints.
One of my favorite talks is Embrace the Shake. It explores how limitations can push us to discover possibilities we might otherwise overlook. I think about that often when approaching a challenge.
When resources are limited or the obvious solution isn't available, it forces us to think differently. Instead of focusing on what we can't do, I like asking what we can do with what we have.
Sometimes the best ideas come from working around the limitations.
Build people who can build.
I believe people need someone who believes in them before they fully believe in themselves.
Developing people means giving them opportunities to grow, allowing them to work through challenges, and giving them room to make mistakes. It also means knowing when to step in, offer guidance, and help them get unstuck.
I especially value people who are scrappy.
scrappyadj.
To me, a scrappy person:
- Is hardworking and takes initiative.
- Makes an effort to figure things out before looking for someone else to solve the problem.
- Doesn't just bring me problems. They bring ideas and possible solutions.
I want to develop people who recognize opportunities, think for themselves, and have the confidence to make decisions. My goal isn't to become the person everyone depends on for answers. It's to help people become capable of finding those answers themselves.
Make technology work for people.
I'm naturally curious about technology. I enjoy exploring new tools, testing ideas, and finding ways to make work more efficient.
I'm particularly interested in technology that removes unnecessary friction, simplifies complicated processes, and helps people accomplish more.
That includes AI and automation, which open up opportunities that weren't nearly as accessible just a few years ago.
But I don't believe technology should replace the human element. The real opportunity is using better tools to make people more capable, not less important.
Technology should give us more room to think, create, solve problems, and do meaningful work.
Build things that last.
I measure success by the growth of the people I've worked with and by how well the systems we've built continue to work.
Ultimately, I believe there's tremendous potential in people, ideas, and organizations. Sometimes it takes someone willing to see that potential, challenge the way things are done, and put in the work to make something better.
Build things. Build people.
Help them become more than they thought possible.