Success isn’t about knowing the latest tools or checking boxes. It’s about the stuff that actually matters: connecting with people, figuring out what’s broken, and making things better—fast. Over the years, I’ve refined how I think about these foundational skills. Here’s how my approach has evolved.
Version 1 (2018)
Back in 2018, after six years in tech and consulting, I started seeing patterns in what worked. I boiled it down to four big areas:
- Interacting / Listening / Connecting
- Understanding the Problem
- Proposing a Solution
- Implementing for Results
At the time, I was fixated on areas 3 and 4—crafting “perfect” solutions and trying to be the best at something, anything (in my case, software). It was exciting, but I wasn’t really addressing the underlying issues.
Version 2 (2021)
Fast forward to 2021: I co-founded a startup, and suddenly, everything got more layered. Areas 1 and 2 took center stage—connecting with people and truly understanding their challenges became critical. Here’s how I broke it down:
Connecting
- Who am I helping?
- What’s their actual problem?
- Why does solving this even matter to them?
Understanding the Problem
- Say what I’m missing.
- Ask sharp questions to valide my assumptions.
Proposing a Solution
- It’s all about return on value. Does 80% of the value in a month beat waiting three months for 100%?
- Adapt to the real-world context (budget, skills, time).
- Set clear outputs, timelines, and steps. No mysteries.
Implementing
- Define clear outcomes upfront.
- Start scrappy, iterate quickly:
- Manual effort first (the fastest).
- Basic scripts next (the simplest).
- Refine iteratively (the smartest).
Example:
I needed to automate a process. First, I did it manually to understand the bottlenecks. Then, I wrote a basic script to cover the essentials. By the end, I had a robust solution that delivered value every step of the way. No wasted time on perfecting something nobody needed.
Version 3 (2025)
By 2025, life had thrown plenty my way. My outlook shifted again, pulling in a more personal dimension:
Connecting Comes from My Personality
I’m naturally curious and love hearing people out. It’s not just about listening—it’s about genuinely caring and building trust.
Passion for Understanding Problems
I geek out on patterns, theories, and systems. People often say I connect dots they didn’t even see.
Proposing Solutions Through Experience
Hundreds of projects over six years taught me how to frame and pitch solutions that stick. It’s a mix of structure, storytelling, and straight-up practicality.
Implementing: Talent Meets Context
I’m a quick learner. Show me something once, and it’s locked in. This ability lets me adapt quickly and put what I learn into practice immediately. Consistenly getting exposed to new challenges ensured I absorbed a ton of knowledge in a short amount of time.
Conclusion
My take on foundational skills has grown a lot over the years. What started as an obsession with executing solutions turned into a deeper focus on understanding problems and people. It’s this blend of curiosity, practicality, and adaptability that keeps me sharp. And who knows? Maybe in four more years, I’ll have an entirely new perspective.