The Happy Engineer | Career Success for Engineering Leadership

What are you the best in the world at? Most engineering leaders give a blank stare when asked that question. Full confession, so did I.   How do you become your own superhero in engineering? In life?   In this episode, meet the man affectionately known as the World's Best Courage Coach, Laban Ditchburn. He teaches people to bet on themselves.   A child badly affected by divorce, poverty and dysfun...

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy a BONUS [part 2] episode with Chef Charles Webb, who has gone through 92 jobs and dozens of countries in search of the lifestyle he loves.   In this episode, enjoy a freestyle conversation world-renowned #chefontour and Chicago's #1 Private Chef, Charles Webb.    This is not our normal engineering career conversation at The Happy Engineer Podca...

Can you imagine having had 92 jobs, traveling to dozens of countries, experiencing yet another setback, and still showing up with passion to keep building your vision?   Would you consider passion a key ingredient of success leaders?   In this episode, meet world-renowned #chefontour Charles Webb. Chicago's #1 Private Chef, he has been trained through his adventurous spirit.    Chef Charles' caree...

Let me tell you a story about the day storytelling died. Once upon a time…   Wait, WHAT? Isn't storytelling timeless?   In this episode, global strategist and leadership coach, Guillaume Wiatr, will show you the importance of building strategic narratives. He is the Founder of MetaHelm, a consulting firm which guides CEOs and Founders to align people and accelerate innovation adoption.   For Guill...

Are your attempts at reaching the next level "all thrust and no vector?" Has the fuel of your passion burned out, leaving you without a victory?   Can you imagine being an Air Force F-16 fighter pilot who is afraid of heights and claustrophobic?   In this episode, be prepared to fly higher than ever before with Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman, The Wingman. He is a Hall of Fame leadership speaker, executive...

How efficient are you? Is maximum efficiency a good goal?   What are the four pillars of efficiency you must implement to avoid being left behind during this industry (and life) revolution?   In this episode, I'm excited to chat with engineer, entrepreneur, and CEO of a growing global organization, Andrea Dallan. He is the author of the books "The Revolution of Efficiency" (2020) and "Think Thin"...

Who is responsible for your career? The answer is YOU, but do you actually know what owning your career looks like in the modern workplace?   Have you ever felt like you "missed the train" when it comes to career growth?   In this episode, you will discover the keys to owning your career. Lauren Herring is CEO of IMPACT Group, one of the largest woman-owned career and leadership coaching companies...

Have you ever felt out of balance? More importantly, are you out of balance right now?   Will you score a 37 or higher on the true test of your life alignment and claim the title of Happy Hustler?   In this episode, Happy Hustler Cary Jack shares his unhappy story of imbalance, and how it led to cracking the code in his lifestyle.  A lifestyle of blissful balance.   Cary is a renaissance man.  He...

When you look up at the night sky and see the stars, what do you feel inside? Now imagine crawling on your hands and knees, dangerously traversing the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan at night, fleeing your home at the age of six, just hoping for safety… and look up.   Now how do you feel?   In this episode, you will hear a story of overcoming impossible odds with aerospace engineering l...

How does injustice show up in your workplace? Are you in the 5% of leaders who see injustice, are committed to change, and do something about it?   Do you know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of injustice, and become alienated at work?   In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, and the world's leading authority on Sociall...

Do you follow the rules, or are the rules simply slowing you down? Who wrote these rules, anyway?   How does a complete knucklehead get promoted over you?    In this episode, meet CEO and Founder of Career Winners Circle, Tammy Alvarez.  Her spirited "Break all the Rules" approach blends decades of C-Suite experience on Wall Street with a pragmatic, results-based coaching style.    Tammy is a reno...

Are you succeeding beyond standard norms, consistently over the long-term, while maintaining positive wellbeing and positive relationships?    Would you like to?   Why is it so hard for you to maintain high performance without suffering burnout?   In this episode, Mike Szczesniak helps you discover the cornerstones of high performance.     Mike is President and Head Coach at The Results Engine, wh...

What are the skills of emotional intelligence? How do you develop them to improve your performance at work?   Why does an executive coach with 25 years of leadership in the field start her zoom calls with… DANCING?    In this episode, Teresa Quinlan is going to show you that exceptional performance is a direct result of knowing how to be personally responsible for using your attributes.   Your IQ,...

What makes you the best candidate for that big promotion? How do you communicate your value in a way that differentiates you from your competition?    Has emotional congruence been a barrier and blind spot in your career?   In this episode, discover the power of positioning your value with Career Growth Coach, Julie Schaller.    She is a Professional Certified Coach through the ICF, and her client...

What is hypnosis and how does it really work? How do you make the transition from leading yourself to leading others more effective? What is "conscious leadership" in your career?   In this episode, I get hypnotized by NLP Practitioner, Hypnotist, and certified coach Leslie Thornton.   No, I don't make love to my office chair or do anything crazy… but this conversation won't disappoint.   Leslie t...

Do you want to be happy now? What can professional theater teach you about being a great leader?   How does knowing brain science give you an edge in your engineering career?   In this episode, be prepared to discover the leader inside you with Alain Hunkins.    He has worked with over 2,000 groups of leaders in 25 countries as a leadership coach and consultant, supporting a list of major corporat...

How many engineers entered the profession because a high school guidance counselor said you're good at math and science? Can you remember the moment engineering became more than a textbook for you? How does a mechanical engineer go on to become a software development leader in a hot new startup?   In this episode, you are going to see the blueprint Matt Sevey followed from karate, to ballet dancin...

Do you feel rushed? Like you're in a hurry from the moment your feet hit the ground in the morning? Have you ever bolted upright in the middle of the night, panicked about a work assignment?    In this episode, discover the layer underneath your conscious mind with Camille Saltzman. As a coach who specializes in subconscious transformation through RIM, Regenerated Images in Memory, Camille helps p...

Ever thought about quitting your job… via text message? What happens when your mind and heart are not in sync? Do you know why NOT to "start with why" in life?   In this episode, Master Career Coach Nada Buhendi is going to help you find your career sweet spot. She tells an epic story of texting her boss, "I quit," then moving forward to build the business of her dreams.   But before that, Nada ha...

How can an engineer become a CEO? Does measuring success actually hurt your growth? What's the best response to people who doubt your qualifications to lead at the next level?   In this episode, you'll meet Ken Whah, President and CEO of Hanson Logistics, who proves that anything is possible with the foundation of an engineering mindset.   As long as you build on it the right way.   Ken has a trac...

What does it take to recover $600 billion in lost productivity due to low engagement per year in the United States? How can you immediately change the experience of your daily life? Do you maintain healthy energetic hygiene?   More importantly, do you even know what "energetic hygiene" means?   In this episode, meet award-winning author Anese Cavanaugh. She is creator of the IEP Method, and author...

If you were told girls don't have brains as a child, how do you think that would affect you? Do you believe that all humans have inherent excellence inside them? What does unconscious bias actually look like day to day?   In this episode, you may get uncomfortable.   That's a good thing.   Dr. Farzana Chohan has authored two books and is a globally recognized expert on leadership, the impact of me...

You may feel self-aware, but how often do you truly self observe? Do entry-level engineers or executives struggle more with self-criticism? How do you interrupt the programming that has been driving you since the day you were born?   In this episode meet Jay Abbasi, a former Tesla leader turned career consultant with an inspiring story.     Discover the results of a 7-year search that began when J...

Is your childhood the start of your failures, or the source of your fuel? Where do you find the greatest compound return on investment in personal development? How can you be part of the solution to gender bias in engineering?    In this episode, we touch challenging topics and I know you will benefit from every word. Get ready to meet Tammy Bohen, the Chief Human Resources Officer at SVP Worldwid...

Want to join Facebook (Meta), Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, or the other big tech giants? Is your life being driven by fear or purpose? Has anyone ever accused you of being a control freak?    In this episode, you are in for a special treat as I speak to a friend and former client, Mauricio Nunes. I had the privilege of coaching Mauricio through a total transformation in his career and life, and...