Principles
How I think about work, problems, and building things.
Ask Why
Before jumping into solutions, I always ask why. Defining and truly understanding the problem is the most important step I can take in engineering, in leadership, and in life. Clarity on the problem saves more time than speed on the solution.
"A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved."
Charles Kettering
80/20: Low Effort, High Impact
I apply the Pareto principle wherever I can: achieve 80% of the value with 20% of the effort. I gravitate toward low-effort, high-impact work that delivers outsized results with minimal overhead. Ship something small, validate it, then iterate. Not every problem needs a perfect solution.
"For many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes."
Vilfredo Pareto
Fail Fast, Iterate Faster
I'd rather try something quickly and learn from failure than spend weeks perfecting a plan. Try, fail, adapt, improve. The iteration loop is where real progress lives. I believe in falling in love with the process of becoming better. Continuous feedback loops drive everything I do.
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."
Henry Ford
Embrace the Trade-Off
Every decision in engineering, leadership, and life comes with trade-offs. There is no perfect choice, only the best path forward given the constraints. I weigh the pros and cons honestly, make a deliberate call, and own the outcome.
"Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do."
Steve Jobs