Lessons from the Farm

If you grew up on a farm, you know there’s a different rulebook for life—and it’s usually dirt-stained, dog-eared, and smells faintly of hay. Farm life doesn’t mess around; it’s a teacher of resilience, hard work, and a healthy appreciation for the things you can’t control. As it turns out, those skills don’t just help you handle early mornings and unpredictable weather. They’re a guide for how to grow in your career, whether you’re wrangling chickens or quarterly goals.

Hard Work is Just Part of the Deal

On the farm, you learn early that nothing gets done by itself. Animals need feeding, crops need weeding, and all of it often starts before dawn. You work until the job’s done—not because there’s a reward waiting, but because that’s how things get done. This focus on the task rather than the clock carries straight into the workplace. You learn that real progress isn’t about filling time but about tackling challenges head-on, even when the going gets tough. Plus, after cleaning out chicken coops, spreadsheets don’t seem so bad.

Weather Happens, and So Do Setbacks

Farming has a way of reminding you of what’s beyond your control. One minute, you’re looking at a bumper crop; the next, an unexpected frost or dry spell knocks everything off course. I once had to replant vegetables twice because California had two weird frosts in a row. This breeds resilience and teaches you to adapt rather than panic. It’s a lesson that translates directly to work, where projects face surprise setbacks or sudden shifts in priorities. Instead of spinning your wheels on what went wrong, you learn to pivot. It’s like the old farm saying: “Don’t cry over spilled milk—grab a mop and keep going.”

Eyes Open, Ears Up: Details Matter

Out in the fields, it’s the little things that tell the bigger story. Whether it’s a patch of leaves looking “off” or a change in the animals’ behavior, you learn quickly that details matter. Noticing these things early can save you from much bigger problems later. In the office, the same idea applies: the devil’s in the details. Catching an issue before it snowballs or recognizing a small improvement that could make a big difference can set you apart. Think of it as fieldwork in the office: you’re watching, listening, and keeping your fingers on the pulse.

It’s Not About the Hours; It’s About the Harvest

On a farm, it’s about what gets done, not how long it takes. If a storm’s coming, you don’t clock out just because it’s quitting time. You keep going because that’s the only way the job’s going to get done. This mindset is a real game-changer in the corporate world, too. Focusing on results rather than hours makes you more efficient and goal-driven. After all, no one wins points for “Most Hours Clocked in Excel.” The people who grow—personally and professionally—are the ones who focus on the harvest, not the hustle.

Growing Your Career Like Growing a Crop

Building a career, like raising a crop, doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about small, steady steps forward, paying attention, and making adjustments when things don’t go as planned. Sometimes you’ll face bad weather or a dry spell, but you learn to keep at it because you’ve seen what persistence can do. Farming teaches you that great things don’t happen by accident; they come from working hard, showing up, and putting in the time and care to help things grow.

Now, I wasn’t raised on a farm, but over the last 12 years, working on the farm has taught me so many lessons that apply to Corporate America. Hard work, adaptability, a focus on details, and a results-oriented mindset can take you far. It’s a roadmap not just for crops but for careers. And the beauty is, when you apply these farm-bred principles, you’re prepared for whatever the season (or workweek) throws at you. After all, growth—whether in the field or in your career—isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.

Happy Thursday Lovelies,

-srt

Navigating Change Without Fear: A Professional’s Guide to Confidence and Growth

Change is one of the most constant yet challenging forces in the professional world. Whether it’s a company restructuring, adopting new technologies, or navigating shifts in market demands, change has a way of spotlighting our insecurities. For many career professionals, this can feel reputation-threatening rather than reputation-lifting.

But why does change trigger such a response?

When faced with the unknown, insecure professionals often fall into a defensive posture. Instead of adapting, they may seek to solidify their status by showcasing their intelligence, striving to appear infallible. As Adam Grant, a psychologist and thought leader, so aptly puts it:

"Insecure people strive to prove their intelligence. They are quick to assure us that they have the answer - they are determined to be right. Secure people aim to improve their intelligence. They're quick to speak up when they have questions - they're focused on getting it right."

This mindset, while understandable, often does more harm than good. When we prioritize appearing right over getting it right, we undermine collaboration, stifle innovation, and, ironically, risk damaging our reputations.

The Reputation Threat of Insecurity During Change

Insecurity during change manifests in ways that can unintentionally harm a professional's reputation:

1. Resistance to New Ideas: Clinging to old methods or dismissing new approaches can signal an unwillingness to grow.
2. Fear-Based Decision-Making: Avoiding risks or micromanaging teams out of fear can erode trust and morale.
3. Defensiveness in Feedback: An inability to accept constructive criticism can make others hesitant to collaborate.

While these behaviors might protect a fragile sense of competence in the short term, they also create a perception of rigidity or fearfulness, which is counterproductive in dynamic environments.

Transforming Insecurity Into Growth

To shift from reputation-threatening to reputation-lifting during change, professionals must embrace a mindset of security and curiosity. Here’s how:

1. Ask More Questions: Secure professionals don’t pretend to know everything; they seek understanding. Admitting what you don’t know isn’t a weakness—it’s a mark of maturity and confidence.
2. Prioritize Learning Over Being Right: When you focus on improving your skills and knowledge, you signal adaptability and a growth mindset to colleagues and leaders.
3. Embrace Feedback: Feedback is a tool, not a threat. Seek it out, reflect on it, and use it to refine your approach.
4. Collaborate Openly: Be the person who uplifts others during change. Supporting colleagues fosters trust and a shared sense of purpose.
5. Practice Self-Compassion: Change is hard for everyone. Giving yourself grace to learn and grow reduces the fear of failure.

A New Definition of Success

Success in a world of change isn’t about proving you have the answers—it’s about showing you’re willing to find them. It’s about being secure enough to admit, “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.” This approach not only builds trust but also transforms moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth and innovation.

As I prepare to step into retirement—a major life change—I find myself leaning into this guidance. Letting go of a role I’ve held for decades and stepping into the unknown is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I remind myself daily to embrace curiosity over fear and to view this transition as an opportunity to learn, explore, and grow in new ways. If I’m being honest, I’m preaching to myself too: focusing on getting it right rather than proving I’m ready for this next chapter. It’s humbling but empowering, and I’m learning to trust the process.

As professionals, our reputations are built on how we respond to challenges, not how we avoid them. Change is a chance to demonstrate resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to improvement. Let’s use it to lift ourselves—and our teams—higher.

How do you handle insecurities during times of change? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your strategies in the comments.

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

All Aboard the Decision-Making Express!

Why Waiting for the Perfect Answer Won’t Get Us Anywhere

Making decisions is a lot like standing on a platform watching trains come and go. Some people hop on right away, trusting the journey, while others linger, waiting until every single passenger has the “perfect” ticket, the “right” seat, and maybe even a snack. We’ve all been there—on the sidelines, debating every little detail. But as technologists, we need to be willing to jump on board, even if every “perfect” answer hasn’t arrived yet. Let’s talk about why this matters, and what it means for us as a team to embrace constructive confrontation, “disagree and commit,” and learn to board without delay.

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Constructive Confrontation: The Real Conversation, Not a Shouting Match
Constructive confrontation is like that friend who insists on checking everyone’s travel itinerary. It’s not about fighting over who has the window seat; it’s about saying, “I see your point, but what if we’re off track?” Productive disagreements bring every voice to the platform (literally and figuratively) so that we can choose the best train, together.
I know, “confrontation” can sound like we’re preparing for a clash, but here, it’s just honest communication. It’s the courage to say, “I’m not sure about this,” or, “How about another angle?” Constructive confrontation is simply offering up your perspective for the good of the team. Picture it like this: we’re debating the 10:10 or 10:30 departure for our project’s next phase. Constructive confrontation gives us a holistic view of options and stops us from riding the rails based on assumptions.

Stacy Thought: Use your voice! Don’t just be a yes-person. Bring your unique perspective forward—that’s your value.

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Disagree and Commit: We Don’t All Need Window Seats
Once the conversation’s over and we make a call, it’s time to board—no matter what train we chose. Maybe you wanted the 10:30, but the team went with the 10:10. “Disagree and commit” means that even if it’s not your first pick, you’re going to give it your best shot.
And if we waited until everyone was on board with the “perfect” plan, we’d never leave the station! Standing still only means falling behind, especially in our field, where our competitors certainly aren’t waiting. Our success lies in our agility to adapt and keep moving towards our goals—even if it means taking an unexpected turn here or there.

Stacy Thought: Sometimes, you just need to get on the train. 😊

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The Waiting Game: Perfection vs. Progress
If we wait for every person to feel 100% ready, or for conditions to be “just right,” we’ll never move forward. Decisions are, by nature, snapshots in time; business needs, markets, and technology all evolve faster than we could ever predict. We make decisions based on the best information we have at the moment, and the rest unfolds as we go.

One of my most challenging (and inspiring) bosses used to say, “Perfection is the enemy of good enough.” This same boss also said, “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.” That nugget still resonates! Perfection shouldn’t be the goal—getting to an optimal state is a journey of many steps. Remember, “good enough” is what gets us moving.

Stacy Thought: Don’t let perfection paralyze you. Our job is to aim for progress, not perfection.

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Would We Ever Leave?
If we all waited for the perfect plan, the train would never leave the station. The combination of constructive confrontation, “disagree and commit,” and embracing imperfection is what empowers us to board and keep moving. Making the decision to decide is often the hardest part. And while you may not love every choice, having the courage to commit will ensure we’re always moving forward.

Stacy Thought: So here’s my advice: Gather up, ask tough questions, bring your perspectives to the table, and then commit. It may not be the smoothest journey, but it’s one that’ll take us to the right destination—scenic route and all.

Happy Thursday, everyone, and let’s keep this train rolling!
-srt

What Working the California Election Voting Center Taught Me

Working at a California Election Voting Center for four days was an eye-opening experience that taught me lessons about community engagement, the power of civic duty, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into ensuring a fair and seamless voting process. Here’s what I learned about both democracy and the diverse and determined people who help make it work.

1. Community Engagement Runs Deep

Throughout my four days at the center, I met people from all walks of life—different ages, backgrounds, and political beliefs. It was inspiring to see how strongly people felt about their right to vote. This kind of engagement doesn’t happen by chance; it’s a product of deep-rooted connections and a shared belief in making one’s voice heard. Working here reminded me of the importance of community and how an election brings people together to make collective choices for the future.

2. Patience and Empathy Go a Long Way

Helping voters navigate the system taught me the importance of patience. Some people were unfamiliar with the voting process or had questions about procedures. Whether it was explaining the voting machine, clarifying a rule, or simply reassuring someone about their vote’s impact, I learned that patience and empathy are key. Elections can feel overwhelming and being calm and approachable can make all the difference in someone’s experience.

3. The Importance of Transparency

There’s a lot that goes into ensuring the integrity of every vote, from the set-up of the machines to verifying voter registration. Being on the inside, I saw just how many steps are taken to prevent any issues. Every process is carefully monitored, and every rule strictly followed. This transparency builds trust in the voting process. It’s encouraging to know that so many checks are in place to make sure every vote counts.

4. Adaptability is Key

Each day brought something new—unexpected technology issues, busy times when the line would build up, or moments when we had to explain changing policies. As a team, we had to stay adaptable. I learned that flexibility and a readiness to tackle challenges are essential in ensuring everything runs smoothly, especially during peak periods. Election staff are highly trained, and they move quickly to adapt to whatever situations arise.

5. Gratitude for Volunteers and Workers

Before this experience, I hadn’t fully appreciated the dedication of the poll workers and volunteers. Many people devote long hours to ensure the voting process runs smoothly, often sacrificing their time to serve their community. It’s rewarding work, but it’s not without its challenges. Observing their commitment firsthand gave me a new sense of gratitude and respect for those who take on this role.

6. Every Vote Counts—Literally

The volume of voters who came through each day was a powerful reminder that each vote truly matters. Watching people exercise this right—some for the first time, others as part of a long-standing tradition—made me realize how important it is to be counted. Whether the voter was young or elderly, from a small town or a big city, each one had a part to play. Working in this role reinforced my belief in the power of a single vote and the collective impact of everyone’s participation.

Final Thoughts

Working the California Election Voting Center showed me the humanity behind the electoral process and the importance of a dedicated team to ensure it all comes together. The experience was a reminder of why voting matters and how, through both large and small contributions, each of us can strengthen our communities. I’d encourage everyone to take advantage of the two days of community service our company offers; giving back not only enriches us personally but also reinforces the fabric of our communities and the democracy we all rely on.

 Happy Thursday all,

-srt