This is the #1 trait I look for when hiring. Here's why you should aim to be someone who turns a little into a lot & why you should bring skill, judgment, and magic to raise the bar.
Wes, words can't express how much I love this article. Amongst the handful of articles I've read about "going above and beyond expectations", this article turned a yellow spot into the sun in terms of SHOWING how creativity can be used to produce great outcomes despite amount of resources one has at their disposal. At the end of the day, a great thing about being human is the ability to be creative and work together in large teams. As a software engineer, I think these examples (both from big project to the typical day to day interactions) inspire me to exceed expectations. Below were the parts that resonated with me:
1. Turning cardboard boxes into makeshift shelves story: Now that I think about it, I also had a similar story with my mom but in the lens of "how can we use our leftover refried beans and rice effectively"
2. Elevating the Mundane: Was amazed by the way this argument was phrased in the article. Definitely turned a yellow spot into the sun!
I really liked the language of “turning a yellow spot into a sun” to notate someone who creativity and meaningfully raises the bar.
I also liked how you said there’s not rules, or do x/y/z plan to be that type of bar raiser. But when you see it, you know. It feels magical to see it.
For my own personal learning, how would you coach someone who’s motivated and eager to be a bar raiser and start taking things to that next level? Some ideas I had:
- Try to find bar raiser examples?
- Ask others who the best person they know at that thing and reverse engineer their work?
- Ask a set of follow up questions for yourself to go 2-3 levels deeper before just cranking something out?
Shortly before reading this newsletter, I was thinking about how I would double down on doing things in my unique way.
While going through the paragraphs of the newsletter, I was reflecting on my life especially the mediocre results I had produced despite the vast amount of resources I had at my disposal.
"Turning a yellow spot into a sun" idea will assist me in being self-conscious about the available resources and finding my unique way of maximizing them.
What a fantastic article Wes! While all of the aforementioned points resonates. Elevating the mundane is what will stick with me. I find this is often overlooked ..
Great read. There is a certain irony though in that many people will read this article and think "okay, this makes sense, but how do I turn a yellow spot into the sun in MY situation?", and others will go and figure that out themselves with the pointers given here.
Great read! At the top of the article you mention that this is a trait you look for when hiring. I'd love to know more about HOW you suss this out while interviewing candidates.
Loved how you pointed out the 'minor' examples too without the focus being on just the dramatic projects. With my own career, and of those I've managed, I've noticed how the small things you do play a role in signalling to your work mates, how capable you are of problem solving, and opens up more opportunities to problem solve as well.
Wes, words can't express how much I love this article. Amongst the handful of articles I've read about "going above and beyond expectations", this article turned a yellow spot into the sun in terms of SHOWING how creativity can be used to produce great outcomes despite amount of resources one has at their disposal. At the end of the day, a great thing about being human is the ability to be creative and work together in large teams. As a software engineer, I think these examples (both from big project to the typical day to day interactions) inspire me to exceed expectations. Below were the parts that resonated with me:
1. Turning cardboard boxes into makeshift shelves story: Now that I think about it, I also had a similar story with my mom but in the lens of "how can we use our leftover refried beans and rice effectively"
2. Elevating the Mundane: Was amazed by the way this argument was phrased in the article. Definitely turned a yellow spot into the sun!
I really liked the language of “turning a yellow spot into a sun” to notate someone who creativity and meaningfully raises the bar.
I also liked how you said there’s not rules, or do x/y/z plan to be that type of bar raiser. But when you see it, you know. It feels magical to see it.
For my own personal learning, how would you coach someone who’s motivated and eager to be a bar raiser and start taking things to that next level? Some ideas I had:
- Try to find bar raiser examples?
- Ask others who the best person they know at that thing and reverse engineer their work?
- Ask a set of follow up questions for yourself to go 2-3 levels deeper before just cranking something out?
Anything else you’d add?
This is so good!
Shortly before reading this newsletter, I was thinking about how I would double down on doing things in my unique way.
While going through the paragraphs of the newsletter, I was reflecting on my life especially the mediocre results I had produced despite the vast amount of resources I had at my disposal.
"Turning a yellow spot into a sun" idea will assist me in being self-conscious about the available resources and finding my unique way of maximizing them.
Thank you, Wes.
What a fantastic article Wes! While all of the aforementioned points resonates. Elevating the mundane is what will stick with me. I find this is often overlooked ..
As always, so so so good!
is it possible to see the other values, that you are setting in maven?
Great read. There is a certain irony though in that many people will read this article and think "okay, this makes sense, but how do I turn a yellow spot into the sun in MY situation?", and others will go and figure that out themselves with the pointers given here.
Great read! At the top of the article you mention that this is a trait you look for when hiring. I'd love to know more about HOW you suss this out while interviewing candidates.
Loved how you pointed out the 'minor' examples too without the focus being on just the dramatic projects. With my own career, and of those I've managed, I've noticed how the small things you do play a role in signalling to your work mates, how capable you are of problem solving, and opens up more opportunities to problem solve as well.
Thank you for sharing this piece, Wes!
This was great Wes, loved the screenshots and examples you showed!