I’m the product of my experiences, education, and perspectives. Then again, I think that holds true for all of us. But I’ve been lucky. My background is a paradoxical mixed bag, and I believe it gives me a unique style.
Military veteran. Technically trained. Business savvy.
I’ve been accused that my military training would mold me into a rigid, unmoving agilist, but nothing could be further from the truth. What civilians call agile, the Corps calls leading Marines, and it’s through my experiences as a Marine that I derive most of my insights. (You can read about some of those insights in this blog post and also this one.) It is by way of my software engineer beginnings that that help me relate to developers. Finally, it’s through my experiences as a business professional that helps me get inside the minds of executives.
But back to today. I write while I’m on the Caltrain, a commuter train that cuts through Silicon Valley. Traffic is a nightmare around here, and the area can get a little overwhelming for this small town southern boy. I’m lucky that my company pays my way on the train every day. (Great perk!) Nonetheless, two hours a day on the train takes its toll, and I like to stay occupied. I use this time to read, to write, and to decipher my thoughts. And who knows. Maybe others can derive wisdom from my introspection.
But let’s be clear about one thing. I could be wrong, and I surely have no monopoly on the right answer. I’ve found by way of writing and teaching that I’m still a student myself, and I look forward to learning from all of you so I can continue to grow as a humble servant to my teams.