Chasing a linkedIN rabbithole
Follow the white Rabbit - Neo
A recent experience brought this powerful idea back into focus:
“Unrealistic expectations are just future resentments.”
When I apply this lens—and pair it with purposeful and well-calibrated expectations—I consistently see teams and colleagues achieve more, collaborate better, and build trust faster. It’s not just theory; it’s lived experience.
This mindset is one of the most effective “recipes” for sustainable success in my day to day work.
An old friend made my mind go here:
More and more, I’m finding that the deeper I lean into honest, grounded self-reflection, the more naturally I lead with empathy, act with courage, and focus on building momentum—not just managing tasks.
My lived experience continues to teach me that real leadership starts from within. When I do the internal work first (often while swimming, biking and running), I’m better equipped to help others believe in themselves and achieve more. This shift in mindset has allowed me to cultivate a leadership style rooted in presence and purpose.
Rumi said it well:
“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
That quote continues to guide how I show up for others—with intention, clarity, and care.
It does require effort, patience, and a deep understanding of one’s own relationship with virtues like courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice. These aren’t just abstract stoic ideals—they’re daily practices that shape how I lead and live.
Recently, I came across Thi Nguyen’s insight about how people often outsource their value systems. It’s something I see show up in real ways—especially in moments like the one captured in this image—where the pull for external validation can overshadow the clarity that comes from within.
It is my observation, when we lead from a place of internal alignment, we create space for others to do the same. And that’s where real transformation begins.
Thi Nguyen Perspectives
Thi Nguyen also offers a compelling perspective worth including in one’s journeys, arguing that social structures and technologies profoundly shape how we think and what we value. In his work on value capture and gamification, he warns that when we rely on simplified metrics—such as likes, scores, or follower counts—we risk surrendering our values to external systems that can distort our sense of agency.
