Happy Friday All! I thought it would be a cool idea to do an introduction thread! I see a lot of familiar names (thank you for the support) in The Sensible Manager subscriber community and a lot of new ones too, so I thought it would be good to get some introductions going. I will start. My name is Mahesh Guruswamy, average academic (yeah, I wasn’t great in school), decent dad, decent manager, and terrible cook. I am here to share what I know about the nebulous parts of being a manager and hoping to build a community of like-minded leaders. Who wants to go next?
Happy Friday! What a great way to kick-off a Friday morning lighthearted but hopefully fruitful discussion forum. My name is Krishma Dutia, almost straight A student, decent Technical Program Manager for the past decade+, fledgling artist and aspiring to get into people management.
I believe in Confucius words on gaining wisdom:
First, by reflection: not only of my own but from this community too,
Second, by imitation: I know I can steal a strategy or two every now and then from the articles posted and third by experience: that I am hear to learn and share from the communities experiences
hello all - i’m dave, formerly part of the team at signalfire, a top VC in the valley, though now living in northern portugal. i’ve been focused on prod and eng leadership for decades, going back to my time in the cto’s office at msft, after my own failed sw startup in the dotcom boom. lots of experience with early stage and growth, finding cofounders, first execs, cto’s etc, coaching founders during -1 to 0 and 0 to 1 - now focused on a nonprofit i created to bring early-stage build support to portugal…imagine a country with no silicon valley, no tribal knowledge, technical founders not understanding basics like when and how to integrate or introduce a PM function/role, or how to create a first team lead, or comp, or how to leverage outsiders (it goes on and on)…hoping to steer them all to content resources like this!
My name is Bill Wilson, and I am very happy to be here.
I was a terrible student, and yet made it through college, and have been in the CS/Software Engineering space since before it was cool. I graduated in 1991 with a CS degree and started right into the tech world.
I have been in engineering leadership for the past 23 years, and unfortunately was so stubborn for most of my career that I spent most of the time learning the hard way what everyone already knew. Now I know better and seek to learn from others, and that is what I hope to gain from here.
Hey gang! I'm Danny. I started my first company just after college, so was thrust into people management quite quickly after that. I absolutely love it. Matt's comment about wanting those around you to become the best versions of themselves really resonates - that's a big part of what drives me as a leader.
Now starting a software company, which is very different to my first journey. Seeking a technical co-founder and having some great ongoing conversations/tests at the moment :) Super excited to go through the team and culture building phase again!
Hello! I'm Jason Kehr (pronounced "care"). I've been in leadership roles several years and currently in a
temporary leader of leaders at Kajabi. I've enjoyed learning more about Mahesh's leadership style this last year and look forward to learning/sharing.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy time out in nature, behind a computer, reading fiction/education, serving my friends & neighbors, and most of my fitness revolves around 35+ years in the martial arts.
Hi, I'm Alpha Diallo, Security Engineer, new-ish people leader (9 months). Looking forwarding to learning from and having great discussions on leadership with the folks on here. I enjoy reading (fantasy/sci-fi), watching anime, hanging out, and hiking in my free time.
I'm currently a product designer @ Kajabi and aspire to lead people around me to be the best version of themselves and show up as they are. I've always thought that tech is like the wild west and takes intentional effort to not get lost or trapped out here! Technology was meant to help humanity use science to its benefit, and I enjoy being that reminder to people around me.
In my spare time I typically play video games, collect and customize things like mechanical keyboards, art prints and clothes, and love and support my close friends and family.
Happy Friday! What a great way to kick-off a Friday morning lighthearted but hopefully fruitful discussion forum. My name is Krishma Dutia, almost straight A student, decent Technical Program Manager for the past decade+, fledgling artist and aspiring to get into people management.
I believe in Confucius words on gaining wisdom:
First, by reflection: not only of my own but from this community too,
Second, by imitation: I know I can steal a strategy or two every now and then from the articles posted and third by experience: that I am hear to learn and share from the communities experiences
I pop-corn it over to the next person in line....
Love your comment about reflection!
hello all - i’m dave, formerly part of the team at signalfire, a top VC in the valley, though now living in northern portugal. i’ve been focused on prod and eng leadership for decades, going back to my time in the cto’s office at msft, after my own failed sw startup in the dotcom boom. lots of experience with early stage and growth, finding cofounders, first execs, cto’s etc, coaching founders during -1 to 0 and 0 to 1 - now focused on a nonprofit i created to bring early-stage build support to portugal…imagine a country with no silicon valley, no tribal knowledge, technical founders not understanding basics like when and how to integrate or introduce a PM function/role, or how to create a first team lead, or comp, or how to leverage outsiders (it goes on and on)…hoping to steer them all to content resources like this!
That is so cool David! Thanks for sharing!
Hello all!
My name is Bill Wilson, and I am very happy to be here.
I was a terrible student, and yet made it through college, and have been in the CS/Software Engineering space since before it was cool. I graduated in 1991 with a CS degree and started right into the tech world.
I have been in engineering leadership for the past 23 years, and unfortunately was so stubborn for most of my career that I spent most of the time learning the hard way what everyone already knew. Now I know better and seek to learn from others, and that is what I hope to gain from here.
Always remember to be unfailingly kind.
Welcome old friend!
Hey gang! I'm Danny. I started my first company just after college, so was thrust into people management quite quickly after that. I absolutely love it. Matt's comment about wanting those around you to become the best versions of themselves really resonates - that's a big part of what drives me as a leader.
Now starting a software company, which is very different to my first journey. Seeking a technical co-founder and having some great ongoing conversations/tests at the moment :) Super excited to go through the team and culture building phase again!
Welcome Danny!!
Hello! I'm Jason Kehr (pronounced "care"). I've been in leadership roles several years and currently in a
temporary leader of leaders at Kajabi. I've enjoyed learning more about Mahesh's leadership style this last year and look forward to learning/sharing.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy time out in nature, behind a computer, reading fiction/education, serving my friends & neighbors, and most of my fitness revolves around 35+ years in the martial arts.
Welcome old friend :) And I don't think it is temporary :)
Hi, I'm Alpha Diallo, Security Engineer, new-ish people leader (9 months). Looking forwarding to learning from and having great discussions on leadership with the folks on here. I enjoy reading (fantasy/sci-fi), watching anime, hanging out, and hiking in my free time.
Welcome to the community Alpha! As you navigate manager life, don't hesitate to ask for help. We are here to help!
Hey! 👋 I'm Matt Patterson
I'm currently a product designer @ Kajabi and aspire to lead people around me to be the best version of themselves and show up as they are. I've always thought that tech is like the wild west and takes intentional effort to not get lost or trapped out here! Technology was meant to help humanity use science to its benefit, and I enjoy being that reminder to people around me.
In my spare time I typically play video games, collect and customize things like mechanical keyboards, art prints and clothes, and love and support my close friends and family.
Love it! I am currently anxiously waiting for Diablo 4 :)