Leadership Tips & Whiskey Sips | Investing in leaders and toasting to them along the way | Software Engineering executive and bourbon enthusiast | Cheers! π₯
Nashville, TN
Joined December 2023
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Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
My sonβs one good kidney is failing.
Please pray for Calebβs transplant surgery.
As of this last appointment we are officially in the process of scheduling Calebβs kidney transplant.
This will be Calebβs 6th surgery in his 3 years on this earth, and by far the most serious.
He has some rather complicated complications that heighten the possibility of rejection among other issues.
You can specifically be praying that his bladder (which has not been connected or functioning since his first major surgery) actually functions properly and doesnβt end up damaging his new kidney.
My wife and I are consistently tempted to
Fear and anxiety for our sonβs future, but God has remained faithful in comforting us and giving us faith in his redemptive promises.
If you want to helpβ¦
Please pray for a successful surgery with no complications.
Please pray that my wife and I increase in faith as we face these trials.
Also pray that God continues to provide for our mounting financial needs related to Calebβs ongoing medical attention.
If you want to help, please consider buying a βKidney for Caleb T-shirt.β
Our great hope is to sell 5k T-shirts.
Itβs a huge goal, but we serve a huge God who does incredible things!
My 2 Year Old Is Getting A Kidney Transplant.
(Please Pray & Consider Reposting)
My Son Calebβs one good kidney is failing, and he will be getting a Kidney Transplant in the coming months. Caleb was diagnosed in-utero with a kidney disease that left us uncertain as to whether or not he would survive the pregnancy.
And now, after 3 years, 5 surgeries, a ton of medication, & constant medical attention, we are finally gearing up for the big one!
In just a few months Caleb will be getting a kidney transplant. Thankfully, God has already provided a live donor, who matches Caleb perfectly.
We are simply waiting for his one good kidney to cross the failure threshold at which point we will schedule the surgery.
How You Can Help π
1. Pray for Caleb & our family more broadly.
This has certainly been a trying season. But God has remained faithful.
2. You can buy a T-shirt.
We picked Calβs 3 favorite things (Cowboys, trains, and books) and my sister designed this really cool shirt. All of the profits will go toward supporting our family through the ongoing medical expenses.
3. You can Donate to our gofundme.
Many people donβt know this but kidney transplants have a shelf life. Typically, if the body does not reject the transplant, it will last 12-25 years. This means Caleb will have to 3 - 6 transplants throughout his life. Not to mention constant medical attention. Thus I am attempting to raise a significant medical fund that will follow Caleb throughout his life.
My great hope is to raise enough money that Caleb never has to worry about the financial side of his medical problems.
LAST BUT NOT LEASTYou can like, share, and comment on this post. Our goal is to sell 5,000 T-shirts and get this post in front of as many people as possible.
Thank you all for all the love and support.
God bless.
The T-shirt landing page & the gofundme will be in the comments below
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
Donβt fall for case study hype when hiring freelancers/agencies and buying software products
Your initial reaction to case studies should be skepticism, not blind acceptance
Hereβs why:
Like any marketing tactic, case studies can make things sound better than reality
They donβt necessarily represent the average case (you may be seeing the 1 good outcome when there were 9 other failures)
And itβs easy to manipulate or present data in a way that exaggerates an outcome
Iβm not saying all case studies are overhyped or an unreliable form of social proof
But I am saying itβs your job to dig deeper and truly understand whether the product or service can help you and your business
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Don't Hire the Genius Jerk
βββ
When hiring, I prioritize EQ over IQ.
π No... I'm not saying only make personality hires.
π Yes... the candidate will need to have the aptitude to do the actual job. (In fact, if they don't, you'll breed insecurity in them and frustration in your team.)
The point is, your culture is worth cultivating and protecting at all costs.
Don't let someone in that can technically get the job done... but make everyone else quit in the process.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Disagree & Commit
βββ
There is a time to challenge the strategy and a time to follow the leader.
It is good and often helpful to:
β pressure test ideas,
β provide data for context,
β ask for tweaks and changes.
At some point, however, a decision needs to be made and rallied around.
Beyond that point, constant challenges become:
β adversarial,
β destructive,
β culturally cancerous.
Commit to creating a culture that commits in good faith because they trust you and the vision.
Once the ship has sailed, you shouldn't spend your energy convincing the passengers to be aboard.
Helpful tips to make this easier:
β Invite your team to open discussions and brainstorming,
β Time-box decision-making,
β Define measures of success,
β Schedule time to retrospectively evaluate against those metrics.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
I surround myself with people who think like me and it makes me happier:
1) strong marriages
2) raising good kids
3) ambition & growth
4) business
Highly recommend.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Serious Humor
βββ
Loosen up a little at work. Strategically.
β Humor as a Strategic Tool: Humor can reset a charged atmosphere, making space for new perspectives and deeper connections. It can humanize leaders, making them more relatable and approachable.
β The Risks of Overuse: Rely too heavily on humor, and you may undermine your own credibility. Balance is critical; know when to inject levity and when to uphold seriousness to maintain respect and authority.
Don't be the office clown. But also, don't be the office hall monitor.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
Proper detachment in work and life makes things so much clearer.
See issues from a bird'seye view.
But live in first person.
It's that balance between perspective and presence that makes people successful in doing the right things, on repeat.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Tuck in your shirt.
When casual attire and relaxed work environments are increasingly prevalent, a provocative question emerges: Are these Lululemon pants accentuating my best qualities?
Trivial? Might seem so in our world where 'comfort' and 'individuality' are highly prized. However, there's a deeper layer to this β the psychology of perception in professional settings.
The younger generation is challenging traditional norms, questioning why a tie symbolizes professionalism more than a pair of sweatpants. This defiance is not without merit, but it overlooks a crucial aspect: the power of first impressions and the inherent messages our attire sends.
Clothing isn't just fabric; it's a non-verbal communicator. What you wear speaks volumes before you even utter a word. It's not about conforming to archaic standards but about understanding the language of attire in a professional context. Dressing sharply isn't merely about pleasing others; it's a reflection of your respect for the situation and the people involved.
The argument isn't about suppressing your identity or adhering blindly to traditional standards. It's about understanding and respecting the context you're operating in.
CTAs:
Evaluate Your Professional Wardrobe: Take a moment to assess your attire. Does it align with the professional image you wish to project? Remember, you don't have to sacrifice comfort for professionalism, but finding a middle ground is essential.
Understand Contextual Dressing: Different situations call for different attire. Be adaptable and dress appropriately for the occasion, whether it's a casual team meeting or a high-stakes client presentation.
Be a Trendsetter, Not a Rule Breaker: Lead by example. Show that professionalism and personal style can coexist harmoniously.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Money Isn't The Problem- Your Love For It Is
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I see it all over π: πΈπΈπΈ
A recent, very short exchange with @JamesCPeters (a CEO Therapist) has me reflecting and articulating a proper relationship with money.
James, who says that money loves freedom, is suggesting we need to love money to attract it.
I respect a lot of what James says. Although his post is rightfully intended to destigmatize financial success, framing money as the epitome of freedom is a foolish blunder that is repeated throughout history.
In truth, an unchecked pursuit of wealth often leads to a different kind of confinementβenslavement to insatiable wants and desires.
Following James' unchecked advice here will leave you unfulfilled.
π¬A few quotes
βββββββββββββββ
Socrates-
"He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature."
Henry David Thoreau-
"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life."
πA few thoughts
βββββββββββββββ
β Wealth's promise of freedom is illusory; it often binds us to endless desires.
β Money should be respected as a tool, not idolized or feared.
β True liberation comes from using money in service of goals that transcend mere accumulation.
β Financial success often comes from a respectful understanding of money's utility and power, not from blind love.
πA few CTAs
ββββββββββββββ
Assess Your Relationship with Money: Reflect critically on how your pursuit of wealth may be shaping your desires and freedoms. Who serves who?
Embrace Money as a Tool: Money facilitates meaningful goals; It is not an end goal in itself. This reorientation can free you from the cycle of constant desire.
Pursue Purpose Beyond Wealth: Focus on what truly brings contentment and freedom in your life.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Happy Sunday
βββ
Sing loudly.
Rest intentionally.
Spend time with your family.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Embrace the Irrational Founder
βββ
They make uncomfortable decisions. They change directions often. They seem to ignore reality altogether.
But... That's kind of the point...
My experience in startups has shown me that rationality and logic, while important, are not always the keys to building monumental companies.
Often, it's the companies that dare to be irrational, those that defy conventional wisdom, that achieve remarkable success.
This isn't to say that unit economics and data are irrelevant, but rather, they are part of the dance. π
The market and investors tend to favor...
β bold irrational visions
β unconventional methods
... provided they're underpinned by a solid strategy.
Again, I'll preach data-backed decisions all day. Companies cannot thrive on mere distortion of reality...
... But... founders who can navigate just beyond the edge of conventional reality often find the greatest success in launching their ventures and securing an exit.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Embrace a Day of Rest
Even the best of the best need to build in a rhythm of rest.
β It's not a weakness
β It's a strength.
Take a day of rest.
β Recharge with your family.
β Pray and commune.
β Read and write.
Enjoy your downtime and come back at it with fresh eyes on Monday.
Cheers, y'all!
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ The idea that bosses are indifferent is a myth.
How do I know this? I am a boss. I have a boss. I've had bosses. While they can't fulfill every personal wish, many genuinely care about their teams. It's important to understand that most leaders also have to juggle numerous responsibilities including the company's well-being and stakeholder interests. It's a balance of caring for individuals while steering the company towards long-term success.
And yes, it is sadly true that there are some rotten tomatoes who need professional coaching and a good swift kick in the π«. Try working with them and get a trusted 3rd party involved if that's falling short.
CTA: Align your personal goals with the companyβs objectives. Initiate conversations about how your growth aligns with company success.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ "I feel like" is not good enough.
In leadership, it's essential to root your decisions in objective reality rather than merely relying on relative thinking. As executives and leaders, we are tasked with making decisions that not only affect us but also have far-reaching impacts on our teams, companies, and stakeholders. This responsibility demands a departure from decision-making based solely on personal feelings or untested hypotheses. "I feel like" is an intuitive start, but it's not the endpoint for a leader.
Objective reality in leadership means doing the due-diligence and making data-backed decisions. This involves gathering, analyzing, and understanding data and trends relevant to the problem at hand. Encourage your leaders to engage deeply with data, to understand the story it tells, and to use it as a foundation for their strategic choices. Data-driven decision-making minimizes risks and maximizes the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.
In addition to data, wisdom from peers and predecessors is invaluable. Encourage leaders to seek mentorship and guidance, to learn from the experiences of those who have navigated similar paths. There's a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the successes and failures of others. This approach helps in avoiding repeated mistakes and in leveraging proven strategies.
Simply put, effective leadership is in part about aligning the subjective 'I feel like' with the objective 'This is what we know.'
CTA: As leaders training future leaders, emphasize the importance of balancing internal convictions with external evidence and advice. Teach them that leadership is not just about guiding based on what feels right but about leading with strategies and decisions that are grounded in reality and enriched by the collective wisdom of those around them.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Good Strategy; Bad Strategy: An Introduction to Richard Rumelt
βββ
The Lie:
Strategy is about setting ambitious goals and using complex jargon to articulate vision and direction.
The Truth:
Strategy is about diagnosing the challenge, setting a guiding policy to address it, and taking coherent action.
It's the simplicity and clarity in approach, not the complexity or verbosity, that defines its effectiveness.
βββ
If you don't know @RichardRumelt, and you're serious about leadership, I'd highly recommend picking up copy of his book "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy".
βοΈ This is by far the most influential book I've read on cutting through the noise and creating paths to actual, meaningful goals.
And it's not just for business. It's certainly not less than that, but it can be applied in all areas where you have a goal or vision set.
Here's a quick summary of what a "good" strategy is:
β Diagnose the real challenge.
β Set a clear, guiding policy.
β Implement coherent, actionable steps.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯ Replace yourself.
I've always maintained that a key success metric for a leader is to make their job obsolete. This doesn't mean leaders should work themselves out of a job. Instead, they should develop their team to the extent that team members can confidently assume leadership roles. BONUS: This frees up the leader to create additional streams of value.
Ditch the insecurity; become a multiplier.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯Don't be a chronological snob.
Just because it's old doesn't mean it's bad. C.S. Lewis calls this "chronological snobbery".
Want to be a successful leader? Don't try to reinvent the wisdom of old.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯Tenure Isnβt a Trophy: Longevity in a company doesnβt automatically equate to value.
Itβs a myth that time equals impact. True value comes from the tangible contributions you make, not the amount of holiday parties you've attended.
Are your contributions growing with your tenure?
CTA: Regularly assess the impact of your work. Use clear metrics to measure how your actions affect key business outcomes.
Executive Leadersip π₯ retweeted
π₯Leadership starts with your family.
And it has generational impact.