More Than One Thing
FM (Friday Morning) Reflection #32
I’ve spent a lot of time recently talking about AI, but today I’m putting that on the back burner. Why? Because I am more than one thing.
Frequent readers know that my posts cover a range of topics that sit at the intersection of technology, business, culture, and human behavior. My interests often span:
• The evolution of technology
• Leadership, strategy, and personal growth
• Media, creativity, and communication
• Navigating transitions and finding meaning in our work
This range isn't accidental; it reflects the simple truth that I am multifaceted, as we all are. We’re not just our job titles or latest projects. We are complex individuals with diverse skills, experiences, and passions.
I am more than one thing.
This knowledge gives me confidence now, but there was a period when I struggled to fully understand and articulate the many ways in which this is a strength. For an observer looking in—especially when I was navigating a job transition—my resume and story must have appeared incoherent.
Putting myself in the position of a recruiter or hiring manager, I know what my own thoughts might have been: I see all these things…but what is he about? Where is he going? Will he focus on what we need him to do? Will he be happy in this role?
The Challenge of a Non-Linear Path
As my career progressed and I added new skills and experiences, this became a bigger challenge. I found it surprisingly difficult to update my resume and craft my narrative for my last job search. Distilling decades of experience felt like trying to fit an ocean into a teacup. I had a lot to offer but struggled to frame it cohesively.
Looking back, I saw a path that moved through positions focusing on data, analytics, strategy, media, and technology leadership in both corporate and consulting roles. At each juncture—whether by choice or circumstance—I moved forward, leveraging what I'd learned previously to prepare for the next stop on the journey.
What I now understand is that I successfully pivoted because:
I am more than one thing.
Ironically, we tell up-and-coming students and professionals that they should be well-rounded—”it’s a strength!” But at some point, usually correlated with tenure, all those skills and experiences can start to look like a lack of focus.
This realization hit me more than 10 years ago, when I reached a crucial decision point in my career path. I was working as a consultant, and though I was a practice lead and could have stayed there comfortably for years, I knew I wouldn’t be happy trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t mine.
I also didn’t agree with my then-boss on many things. Their intuition and client management skills didn’t inspire confidence, and it was hard to follow someone who wouldn’t listen or seek input when they were making bad calls on a daily basis. They wanted me to be less.
I began to dread going to work. And if you know how much I love what I do, you’ll know that was troubling. I remember being so upset after one interaction that I went back to my desk, sat down, put on my heavy winter coat, and zipped it all the way up to my chin. That’s the only time I’ve ever done that—my way of self-soothing and finding a way to cope, I guess.
But in that moment, I made a decision: I needed to do what I believed was right—for clients, for my company, and for myself. I thought, “I might get fired, but at least I’ll be proud of the work and know that I did the right thing.”
Reading this back and now with more life experience, I see that there’s some ego imbued in my statement. If the same thing were to happen today, I’d have a more thoughtful internal dialogue because I know the stakes. But it’s how I felt at the time.
Thankfully, I had already been though another defining experience—one that forced me to clarify my professional values. I wrote about it in FM (Friday Morning) Reflection #21: What Happened When I Stepped into the Spotlight.
Sitting there at my desk and fully ensconced in my coat, I made a decision, and re-engaged my work with gusto…on my terms. I led our team to win a massive pitch, and within a year, the client I was working with hired me to implement the strategies I proposed. They saw my commitment and capability. And they understood what made me a strong, compelling executive leader:
I am more than one thing.
Weaving Your Unique Tapestry
A few years later, at a conference, one of the speakers shared a valuable insight. He said that being great at one thing is good—but it puts you in competition with many others who can do that same thing, maybe better. Being great at two things creates differentiation. But being great at three things? That makes you rare. And when the right environment values that rare combination, you become the obvious choice.
That idea resonated. I began to consciously reflect on the threads I’ve woven together: a data orientation, strategy, technology, creativity, and leadership. That unique blend is my edge. It’s why I’m good at what I do.
I am more than one thing.
So why do we sometimes resist accepting this—in ourselves or others? Maybe it’s discomfort with complexity. But these instincts don’t have to define us. And as an aside, it makes me wonder: How will AI, trained on our patterns, reflect or challenge this tendency?
Bringing My Whole Self to Work
During the pandemic, I realized I wasn’t using all of my skills—particularly my background in media production and photography, and I felt it was time to come out of my shell.
My first step was safe: a department talent competition. I submitted a photo of the Philadelphia skyline at night, the moon rising above the city. It was a winner in its category.
Soon after, I realized our team needed a better way to share insights. My media instincts kicked in: “We need a TV show.”
That spark lit a fire. I turned my home office into a video studio—with pro-level gear, lighting, and motion graphics. I launched a monthly video update in the company, complete with guest speakers and original content. It showcased our team’s thought leadership and made complex analytics engaging and accessible. It was fun, creative, and effective.
That same studio? I still use it today to produce podcast episodes for Do Good by Doing Better.
All because I remembered:
I am more than one thing.
Seeing the Tapestry in Others
That experience taught me how powerful it is to feel seen for all you bring—and it reshaped how I lead.
I now start my first conversation with new team members by asking, “Tell me about your journey. What brought you here?” We begin with the person—not the role.
This simple shift builds trust. It surfaces hidden talents and passions. It invites people to bring more of themselves to the work.
In one instance, a teammate’s love for community service led us to connect them with a company initiative. Their energy soared.
Seeing and valuing someone’s full life tapestry gives them courage to show up more fully—and helps you lead more effectively.
Up Your Impact: Celebrate Your Complexity
Finding a job that fits your skills is important. But finding a place that welcomes all of who you are? That can be transformative. Just remember:
You are more than one thing.
Here are a few ways to lean into that truth and Do Good by Doing Better:
Identify Your Threads: List out your distinct skills, experiences, and passions—even the ones you don’t use at work. What makes your combination unique?
Need inspiration? In FM (Friday Morning) Reflection #10: Getting from Where We’ve Been to Where We’re Going, I shared how my seemingly disconnected experiences in media, analytics, and AI formed a clear arc. The clarity didn’t come first—the pattern emerged from the process.
Seek Connections: Look for ways to combine your skills. Could your analytical abilities enhance a creative project? Could your love of mentoring shape your leadership style?
Articulate Your Value: Practice explaining how your combination of talents creates value. Use this narrative in conversations, interviews, or reviews.
See the Tapestry of Others: Ask deeper questions of your colleagues. Discover what drives them. You’ll often uncover hidden strengths and build stronger teams.
Share Your Story: Reflect on how you’ve woven your skills together and share your experience. Your story may help others embrace their own complexity.
By recognizing and activating the full range of your experience, you can create greater impact and find deeper fulfillment.
P.S. On Weaving My Story
If you’re curious how I articulate who I am today, here’s how I present:
I’m a future-focused intrapreneur working at the intersection of data, analytics, AI, creativity, and strategy. My focus is on leading portfolios of solutions that solve real problems. And right now, I believe data and AI provide a generational opportunity to unlock value and deliver on technology’s promise.
No matter the company, job, or specific role, there are three things I am:
Portfolio Leader: I build and scale solutions by listening, aligning teams, and executing with structure.
Innovation Partner: I collaborate to shape what’s next, bringing diverse perspectives and new capabilities.
Bridge and Glue: I connect across levels and disciplines, ensuring clarity, momentum, and shared vision.
Ideas are important, but execution moves the needle, and I get things done.
📷 Photo Bonus
This photo was taken from the South Street Bridge, looking out across the Schuylkill River toward Center City Philadelphia. I shot it on Halloween 2020—a cold evening just as the moon rose above the skyline. One of the things I appreciate about this image is how it shows the city as symbiotic set of livable spaces—great skyscrapers surrounded by parks, public areas and trails, and a blend of both residential and commercial buildings.
It ended up being the photo I submitted for my company’s talent show. That simple act of sharing something creative sparked a much bigger realization: I had more to offer than what was on my resume. And it reminded me that tapping into those other skills—the ones we don’t always use at work—can be transformational.
We are more than one thing.