Author: Rachel Hanson

When times are hard (or boring) where you work, there's an easy temptation to look around at competitors and think that X company is running things better, would be more enjoyable, would pay you better, etc. You can see all the flaws of your own company and you've grown somewhat immune by that point to … Continue reading Look before you leap

There are no permanent advantages. It's baked in to the process. The moment you rise to the top, you're facing new headwinds. Opportunity for hubris, increased focus from competition, a skill set that becomes outdated, a desire to "relax" after what you've earned, etc. When you think your competitive advantage is so great it can't … Continue reading No permanent advantages

"You gotta challenge all assumptions. If you don't, what is doctrine on day one becomes dogma." - John Boyd This is a big part of the role of builders. Get each client to challenge their own assumptions, especially those that by virtue of being unquestioned (and often a reluctance to have them questioned), have become … Continue reading Doctrine and dogma

Innovation is driven by incentives. There's a reason why many big leaps in innovation are connected to the military (radar, penicillin, GPS, duct tape, microwaves, etc). Nothing provides an incentive quite like a looming existential threat. What are you incentivizing in your system? Innovation, remember, comes in fits and starts. Lots of fails before a … Continue reading Incentives

Hyman Minsky, an economist, had a seminal theory - stability is destabilizing. The basic concept is that when something is stable, people get optimistic and even careless. They believe things are good and likely to remain good, so they begin to behave as if things will never go south. By virtue of that behavior, things … Continue reading Agent of destabilization

I believe the best things are often found somewhere in the pull between two opposing concepts. Not by watering both down, but by holding the tension between the two and finding the truth that makes it work. Find peace with the situation AND fight to improve. Lead the way AND challenge the team to take … Continue reading Always ands

How do we get more discipline? Stop trying to summon more willpower...find more love instead. I'm pretty damn disciplined with the things that matter most in my life. The catch is it doesn't really feel like it. With the vast majority of my "disciplines" I'm incredibly drawn to them. I love to get up early … Continue reading Discipline

What are those cornerstone habits that drive other positive behaviors and habits? For me it's a few - writing, good sleep, working out. If I'm consistently nailing those three I tend to eat well, show up the way I want to for my family, friends, and clients, etc. Everything else flows from those three. Doesn't … Continue reading Cornerstone habits