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Explore insights on leadership, excellence, mastery, and personal development. These articles represent the ongoing journey of pursuing arete and eudaimonia in modern leadership and life.

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Stop Chasing Balance. Start Chasing the Edge.

Stop Chasing Balance. Start Chasing the Edge.

Everyone wants greatness until they realize what it demands. The edge isn't found in comfort, it's in the obsession, discipline, and relentless focus that transforms potential into reality.

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The Authority of Example: Leading Without Position

The most influential people don't have the biggest titles. They have something more powerful, the authority of example. Here's how to lead through character, not position.

Leadership Excellence
The Authority of Example: Leading Without Position

The FSD Paradox: Why We Resist the Future We Actually Want

I'm a motorsports enthusiast who loves manual transmissions. So why do I hate driving rental cars now? The rental car experience taught me something uncomfortable about human nature, and why we resist the very technologies that would improve our lives.

The Forge Excellence
The FSD Paradox: Why We Resist the Future We Actually Want

Andreia: Courage in the Age of Fear

The Greeks had a word for the kind of courage we desperately need today: andreia. It's not about being fearless, it's about being fear-full and acting anyway.

The Forge Leadership
Andreia: Courage in the Age of Fear

Between Trapezes: Navigating AI Uncertainty with Ancient Wisdom

In the moment between letting go of one trapeze and grasping the next, there's a space where everything depends on trust, timing, and practical wisdom. For leaders navigating AI transformation, this moment isn't a crisis, it's where excellence is forged.

Excellence Leadership
Between Trapezes: Navigating AI Uncertainty with Ancient Wisdom

The Long Way Back

The mountain had other plans. What started as a simple run became a journey back to who I've always been—buried under survival, responsibility, and the slow drift of adulthood.

Excellence The Forge
The Long Way Back

Why Clean Test Output Matters: A Developer's Guide to Noise-Free Testing

Clean test output isn't just about aesthetics, it's about developer productivity, debugging efficiency, and maintaining code quality. When your test suite runs quietly and only speaks up when something's wrong, you can focus on what matters: building great software.

Mastery Excellence
Why Clean Test Output Matters: A Developer's Guide to Noise-Free Testing

Stop Chasing Balance. Start Chasing the Edge.

Everyone wants greatness until they realize what it demands. The edge isn't found in comfort, it's in the obsession, discipline, and relentless focus that transforms potential into reality.

Excellence The Forge
Stop Chasing Balance. Start Chasing the Edge.

The Return Is the Resistance

It's not about the run or the miles. It's about returning to the place where your resolve gets sharpened, your personal forge where growth happens through resistance.

The Forge Excellence
The Return Is the Resistance

The Fire That Forges Me

Pain is not punishment. It's preparation. Whether you're a fighter or a leader, how you respond to resistance defines your growth and impact on others.

The Forge Leadership
The Fire That Forges Me

The Silent Burden: Fueling Leadership's Lonely Flame

In the quiet hours when decisions weigh heaviest, leadership can feel like a solitary journey. But it's in these moments that both leaders and their teams can transform pressure into power. Here's how to keep the flame alive.

Leadership Excellence
The Silent Burden: Fueling Leadership's Lonely Flame

Protect Your Spark: Beat the Idea Assassins

Your best ideas are vulnerable to creativity hit jobs. Learn to guard your spark, select the right team, and keep innovation flowing despite the critics.

Leadership Excellence
Protect Your Spark: Beat the Idea Assassins

Micromanaging AI Is a Terrible Strategy

AI isn't a code monkey. Treat it like a thinking partner, not a servant. Here's how to navigate AI-assisted development without micromanaging.

Leadership Excellence
Micromanaging AI Is a Terrible Strategy

Speed Without Direction is Wasted Energy

Speed isn't the goal—winning is. Learn how the fastest teams avoid wasted motion by solving the right problem before they execute.

Leadership Excellence
Speed Without Direction is Wasted Energy

AI-Native Development: The Next Evolution is Here

AI isn't coming. It's here. The teams that master AI-native development now will define the future of product delivery. Learn how to navigate this shift and accelerate your team.

Mastery Leadership
AI-Native Development: The Next Evolution is Here

Private Class Methods in Ruby

Dive into the world of private class methods in Ruby. Understand their purpose, implementation, and when they're the right choice for your code.

Mastery Excellence
Private Class Methods in Ruby

Arete & Eudaimonia: The Cornerstone Philosophy of Excellence

The path to true excellence isn't found in quick fixes or surface, level achievements. It's discovered through the ancient wisdom of arete and eudaimonia, principles that have guided the greatest minds for over 2,000 years.

The Forge Mastery Leadership
Arete & Eudaimonia: The Cornerstone Philosophy of Excellence

When to Use Concerns vs Service Objects in Rails

Struggling to decide between concerns and service objects in Rails? This guide dives into the pros and cons of each approach, helping you choose the right tool for clean, scalable, and testable code.

Mastery Excellence
When to Use Concerns vs Service Objects in Rails

ChatGPT vs Human Tutors: The Future of Learning

Discover how ChatGPT is changing the landscape of education and tutoring, while understanding the unique value that human tutors bring to the learning experience.

Excellence Mastery
ChatGPT vs Human Tutors: The Future of Learning

Boost Your Productivity with Three Daily Habits

Discover three game-changing daily habits that can significantly boost your productivity and help you achieve more in both your professional and personal life.

Excellence Leadership
Boost Your Productivity with Three Daily Habits

Three Aspects of Product Management You Need to Master

Product managers need to be proficient in three key areas: technical skills, data analysis, and empathy for customers. Neglecting any one of these areas can lead to difficulties in successfully managing a product. However, a well-rounded product manager who excels in all three areas can drive success by delivering innovative products that meet customer needs, are technically sound, and supported by data-driven decision-making.

Mastery Leadership
Three Aspects of Product Management You Need to Master

Balance is a Great Way to Be Mediocre

Explore why the pursuit of perfect balance might be holding you back, and learn how embracing strategic imbalance can lead to extraordinary results.

Mastery The Forge
Balance is a Great Way to Be Mediocre

Greatness Only Competes with Itself

Learn why the path to greatness lies in competing with yourself rather than others, and how this mindset can transform your personal and professional growth.

Greatness Only Competes with Itself

Finding Time for Innovation

Discover practical approaches to balance daily responsibilities with innovation initiatives, ensuring your organization stays competitive and forward-thinking.

Excellence Mastery
Finding Time for Innovation

Syncing Work and Personal Calendars

Discover practical solutions for maintaining a balanced schedule by effectively syncing your work and personal calendars.

Excellence
Syncing Work and Personal Calendars

Ten Biographies Worth Reading

Explore a curated selection of biographies that provide powerful lessons in leadership, resilience, and success through the lives of remarkable individuals.

Excellence The Forge
Ten Biographies Worth Reading

Push Mind Past Body Reality

Discover how to train your mind to overcome physical barriers and unlock your true potential through mental conditioning.

The Forge Excellence
Push Mind Past Body Reality

Visualizing Accountability

Discover practical approaches to make accountability visible and actionable within your team and organization.

Leadership Excellence
Visualizing Accountability

Live versus Recorded Demos

Explore the advantages and challenges of both live and recorded product demos, and learn when to use each approach effectively.

Excellence Leadership
Live versus Recorded Demos

Pushing Too Hard Too Early

Understand the risks of pushing too hard too early, and discover how to pace yourself for long-term success.

The Forge Excellence
Pushing Too Hard Too Early

Mind Stops Before the Body Does

Discover why your mind often gives up before your body does, and how to overcome these mental barriers to achieve more.

The Forge Mastery
Mind Stops Before the Body Does

Autonomy vs Performance

Learn how to strike the right balance between giving teams autonomy while maintaining high performance standards.

Mastery Leadership
Autonomy vs Performance

Embracing the Suck

Discover how accepting and working through challenging situations can lead to significant personal and professional growth.

The Forge Excellence
Embracing the Suck

10 Questions To Ask Ourselves Every Week to Continue Improving

Are you looking to make self-improvements in your life? These 10 questions can help guide your reflection and introspection to better understand your values, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. From identifying what led to your biggest achievements to examining your responses to challenges, these questions can help you better understand yourself and your path towards personal growth. Take a moment to ask yourself these questions and discover what you can learn about yourself and your journey to self-improvement.

Excellence Mastery
10 Questions To Ask Ourselves Every Week to Continue Improving

7 Tips For Getting Value Out of Networking Events

If you are an introvert like me the last thing you want to do is spend time "networking". Even if you are an extrovert your time is valuable and just mingling isn't going to cut the mustard if you want to get any kind of meaningful results. So what is the best strategy when attending an event with intention of networking?

Excellence Leadership
7 Tips For Getting Value Out of Networking Events

6 Tips for Scaling A Business

Building an idea is hard. Turning it into a business is even harder. Scaling that business is another level of hard. This is a list of tips to help you get there.

Excellence Leadership
6 Tips for Scaling A Business

Seeking Courage

I struggle with what level of disclosure to give in public forums, because vulnerability is a hard. I don't care for writing and know a path to getting better at something is to do a lot of it. At least that is the excuse I hide behind when it comes to sharing more freely. A while back during a long period of seeking self awareness it became apparent that I didn't really believe in myself very much. Other people believe in me. I believe I am able to get results, but I haven't been able to really believe in me. I was smacked in the face on this topic looking in the mirror and seeing myself over 250 pounds and utterly out of shape and control.

The Forge Excellence
Seeking Courage

3 Rules for Dealing with Trolls

Dealing with trolls is an art form. Being on the internet requires you master it.

Excellence Leadership
3 Rules for Dealing with Trolls

Asking For Help

What about asking for help is so difficult? What expectations do we put on ourselves and others that could be avoided if only we asked for help more frequently?

Excellence Leadership
Asking For Help

What is the Difference Between Scrum vs Kanban?

I see a lot of new teams search endlessly for the best process for to use. They tend to ask what is best for us? Which usually devolves into Scrum vs Kanban. I am firm believer in experiencing them to understand, but one could argue you have to start somewhere. For those seeking here is a very brief quick side by side view.

Mastery Excellence
What is the Difference Between Scrum vs Kanban?

Creating The Arizona We Want

The future we want has to be created by us. Creating the Arizona we want.

Leadership Excellence
Creating The Arizona We Want

Agile Open Southwest Recap

Open Spaces always tend to amaze me. They really are the right people in the right place at the right time. When we kicked off Agile Open Southwest, I was a little bit nervous about what might come out. As always, I was left absolutely amazed. It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Finding everyone was a different place on their journey yet still able to be find common ground and learn from one another.

Excellence Leadership
Agile Open Southwest Recap

Don't Make Your Retrospectives Confusing

If explaining an activity in a retrospective takes more than a minute or two it probably isn't very effective. Don't fall into the trap of making things too complex. Activities shouldn't be complicated they should be fluid. Giving participants too many options and being unclear with instructions makes it difficult to fluid with sharing thoughts.

Excellence Leadership
Don't Make Your Retrospectives Confusing

Retrospectives. When Facilitating. Facilitate. Don't Participate.

As a ScrumMaster when you are "running" a retrospective it is easy to fall into the trap of actively participating in it. It is extremely difficult to do this well (if not impossible), because your role should be as a facilitator not a participant. The minute you start participating you are no longer neutral and severely impact your ability to effectively facilitate.

Leadership Excellence
Retrospectives. When Facilitating. Facilitate. Don't Participate.

Estimates Are Evil!

A young man was bitten by a pitbull when he was 10. Ever since then every time he has noticed a pitbull it is barking, snarling and threatening to him. He is now 35. He believes that pitbull's are a vicious breed and that they should not be family pets.

Estimates Are Evil!

Should Senior Developers Pair Program?

I am a proponent of pairing (not just for programming). Anytime I introduce it to a new team I get a number of objections. The most prominent is that pairing slows me down (because I am so awesome and everyone else sucks so bad).

Mastery Leadership
Should Senior Developers Pair Program?

Shirky's Sharing Model : Personal, Communal, Public and Civic

Clay Shirky enlightens us in Cognitive Surplus that, the organization of sharing has many forms and that those forms have varying output values. He gives us a way we can identify four essential points on the spectrum

Leadership Excellence
Shirky's Sharing Model : Personal, Communal, Public and Civic

Productivity Wednesday #5 : Boomerang for GMail

Sometimes when Getting Things Done, you need a little more power in your inbox than the default. Boomerang for GMail is the extra horsepower you need.

Excellence Mastery
Productivity Wednesday #5 : Boomerang for GMail

What Makes Gangplank Magical?

Gangplank is a community of creators that fuses family life, civic life, creating and earning a living into this unique blend where anything is possible. The support and tenderness offered is counter balanced by a gruff and forceful exterior making participation daunting to most.

Excellence Leadership
What Makes Gangplank Magical?

Transform a Relationship, Be Fully Present

People need to be understood that they matter. We are wired to belong. It doesn't matter if it is your spouse, child, employee or coworker every relationship you wish to maintain requires your attention. Most people consider attention to be measured in time. Time is in short supply and high demand in our connected and fast paced world.

Excellence Leadership
Transform a Relationship, Be Fully Present

Observations, What Is In a Name?

Names are funny. Tone and inflection can make all the difference. Most people don't even bother correcting people when their name is said incorrectly. Close enough is good enough. However, sometimes people get their name so wrong they don't even go by their own name.

Observations, What Is In a Name?

5 Ways to Tell if Your DevOps Relationship is Failing You

Going to cross-functional teams for product delivery is always interesting, but DevOps seems to be particularly loaded in it's meaning. How to tell if your DevOps relationship is failing you?

Mastery Leadership
5 Ways to Tell if Your DevOps Relationship is Failing You

Hierarchy of Reading

Abraham Maslow made the concept of hierarchies of progression in systems popular via his work on a hierarchy of needs. Here is a theory about the hierarchy of different types of readers.

Mastery Excellence
Hierarchy of Reading

10 Steps for Planning a Great Event

Planning events is difficult. The hardest part is starting. Here is a quick 10 step guide to get you planning for that perfect event you have been dreaming about.

Excellence Leadership
10 Steps for Planning a Great Event

Call to Volunteer at Arizona State Parks

I love Arizona. It's natural resources are one of it's greatest assets. I have been encouraging people to get out and ExploreAZ. If you didn't know our State Parks have become seriously under funded and need our help. So how can you help?

Leadership Excellence
Call to Volunteer at Arizona State Parks

Top 10 Ways To Become More Resilient

Resilience refers to the ability of a person to effectively cope with and recover from adversity or stress. This concept has been studied in psychology and neuroscience, and various strategies and techniques have been developed to build resilience, such as mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and social support. Building resilience can help individuals better handle life's greatest challenges and maintain their mental and emotional well-being. Here are ten ways to increase your resiliency.

Excellence The Forge
Top 10 Ways To Become More Resilient

Essence of Humanity is Helping Other People Feel Safe

In Andre Agassi's Open he shows the authentic and human side of himself. He talks about giving a friend named Frankie the money he needs to put his children through school. He reflects on it in the following way:

Excellence Leadership
Essence of Humanity is Helping Other People Feel Safe

Reminding Yourself Where You Are Going

I generally keep voice memos or written journals around as outlets for my thoughts when I am not regularly able to connect with people to share what is on my mind. I try to purge them into a digital format fairly quickly to prevent clutter. I don't recall why I recorded this segment, but I ran across it today and it made me smile.

Excellence Leadership
Reminding Yourself Where You Are Going

Ruby Revolution Rebuttal

In a blog post, Mark Turner has responded to the claim that Ruby is just a bunch of tools by stating that it is actually about making developers happy. I believe that the Ruby community is too focused on creating tools and lacks creativity and true innovation. Regional Ruby events have become more about showcasing tools and less about sharing cutting-edge ideas.

Excellence Leadership
Ruby Revolution Rebuttal

Explore AZ : August 19th – 21st : Payson, AZ

So back in 2009 I talked about starting ExploreAZ tweetups. I did get the RV out one time in 2010 shortly after that post to Catalina State Park outside of Tucson. After putting some money into the RV and getting it operational again considering starting this back up. So I have booked two trips.

Explore AZ : August 19th – 21st : Payson, AZ

Ruby is Just a Bunch of Tools

I have always liked Unix because of it's mentality that lots of small tools chained together could be more than an opaque larger tool. In this instance. I mean Rubyists are a bunch of Tools not of the useful kind. Maybe Zed is right an Rails is a Ghetto.

Leadership Excellence
Ruby is Just a Bunch of Tools

AZ Commerce Authority Full of Wrong Industry

Governer Jan Brewer announced the new AZ Commerce Authority Board today. It is no surprise that it is full of Land Developers, Sports/Tourism and Manufacturing. All industries that were leaders of the OLD economy.

AZ Commerce Authority Full of Wrong Industry

Rituals Help Us Form Emotional Connections

Whatever our exact ritual, the social act of eating together is important; it reunites us with our tribe. Transforming us from solitary beings to members of a group.

Excellence Leadership
Rituals Help Us Form Emotional Connections

Brian Cole on Economic Development Strategies

Notes from Brian Cole talking about economic development strategies at from Arizona's 96th Town Hall on Building Arizona's Future: Jobs, Innovation & Competitiveness.

Brian Cole on Economic Development Strategies

Joe Kalt on Arizona Economy

Notes from Joe Kalt talking about Arizona's economy from Arizona's 96th Town Hall on Building Arizona's Future: Jobs, Innovation & Competitiveness.

Leadership Excellence
Joe Kalt on Arizona Economy

Flashback on Arizona's 96th Town Hall

Random notes from the Arizona's 96th Town Hall on Building Arizona's Future: Jobs, Innovation & Competitiveness.

Leadership Excellence
Flashback on Arizona's 96th Town Hall

The Effects of Shifting or Resetting on Society

If you are listening. A lot of people are talking about a "new norm", a "reset" or a "shift". Largely this discussion is around economics and growing concerns of debt. In reality it is about a lot more than that.

The Forge Excellence
The Effects of Shifting or Resetting on Society

Sometimes Team Perspective Is Needed

The benefit about working on a high performing team is that everyone expects excellence. There is always a drive that it could be better. Nail a perfect 10 and then ask how it could be an 11.

Excellence Leadership
Sometimes Team Perspective Is Needed

It's About People. Companies Saying Right Wage. Wrong Skill Set.

Why do we keep doing 1950 economic development? Capital first, then innovation and then people. Yet, companies wanting to be here say that it's lack of skilled people that keeps them out. What are we doing to invest in people? Keep and attract the best and brightest?

Leadership Excellence
It's About People. Companies Saying Right Wage. Wrong Skill Set.

Four Principles of Collaborative Consumption

The basis of the 'Sharing Economy' operates on principles. How are you seeing them applied in the world around you? What can you learn from them? How are you applying them?

Leadership Excellence
Four Principles of Collaborative Consumption

Great Service Requires Constant Attention

I am a fan of great service. When I see it exemplified I try to share it. For example, QuikTrip does a great job #winning. Another company that has always impressed me is Discount Tire. They always greet me right away. They fix my tires for free when repairable. They give me a free air check when my tires are low. All of this even on tires not purchased from them. WOW! They never give me problems when I need tires rotated or tires replaced under warranty that I did purchase from them.

Excellence Leadership
Great Service Requires Constant Attention

You Can't Handle the Truth

A woman and her son were entering the Subway as my daughter and I were getting out of the car. My daughter uttered, "Hoochie Mama" under her breath. I chastised her for being inappropriate. Her response to me was, "Well she is." Granted the woman was probably in her late forties, had on 5 inch heels, booty shorts and next to nothing for a top with her adolescent son in tote. Sadly, my daughter was right.

You Can't Handle the Truth

Coworking Space vs Collaborative Workspace

When talking about Gangplank I always struggle to consider it to have anything to do with coworking. After doing some reading on collaborative learning vs. cooperative learning, I believe I can better articulate the difference between collaborative workspaces and coworking spaces.

Leadership Excellence
Coworking Space vs Collaborative Workspace

Desert Code Camp 2011.1

Desert Code Camp has opened it's call for suggestions. This is a great FREE event that brings together technologists of all kinds together at a single location to learn (while feeding them breakfast and lunch) new technologies, improve on existing technology or share your favorite technology. There has been a good dynamic languages track in addition to a strong Microsoft track. There has been a track for kids (Gangplank Jr) and even sessions on sales or running a business.

Mastery Leadership
Desert Code Camp 2011.1

Skysong: Helping Cement Phoenix as the Place for Mediocre People

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council released a report touting that Skysong actually is exceeding expectations and has been underestimated. Citing a $113 million impact which is largely calculated using salaries of people that have worked there over the last five years.

Leadership Excellence
Skysong: Helping Cement Phoenix as the Place for Mediocre People

Public Universities Get a Free Pass

The University of Phoenix announced a 42% decline in enrollment with forecasts that next quarter will see another significant dip. The number one reason cited is a change in rules affecting for-profit-schools that restricts paying admission counselors based on how many students they enroll.

Public Universities Get a Free Pass

Opening Lines From Great Minds

It is no secret, I love books. One of my favorite things to read is autobiographies. I enjoy them because I love to hear the authors reflect back on how they got started. A glimpse of what made them who they became.

Excellence Mastery
Opening Lines From Great Minds

Microsoft Kinect Exceeding Expectations. Adopted More Quickly Than iPad.

I see a lot of new technology. Not very often am I impressed. Microsoft has a winner on their hands with Kinect. I completely ignored it at launch. Gangplank even had Kinect setup at the Chandler Block Party with tons of kids playing it. It looked stupid to me. The Wii had already won my heart.

Excellence
Microsoft Kinect Exceeding Expectations. Adopted More Quickly Than iPad.

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