Author: ahmed

Be willing to withstand short term suffering for long term gain.

There’s this concept/framework of ‘switching hats’ that I’ve learned by observing a few people who use it. We all play different roles in our lives. I’m a son, a friend, a boss, a brother, a partner, an employee, and many more. The framework of ‘switching hats’ gives you the lenses that allow you to look… Continue reading Switching Hats: an Antidote to Imposter Syndrome

I’ve been asked this question a few times lately (in nicer ways), so I thought I’d answer it for everyone. I’ve also asked this question to a couple of product managers to see what they thought their job was. I think a lot of people don’t understand what a product manager is or what one… Continue reading WTF is a Product Manager?

Winning as a company may seem like a complex concept, but in reality, it is extremely simple on the surface. It only gets complex once you’re a couple of layers in. Hear me out.

Writing this as a reminder for myself. Doing the ‘right thing’ is almost never celebrated with approval and cheers. It helps to remember that this is a timeless fact. Below is a 2,000 year old text that describes it well. When faced with a difficult decision, it is usually not the lack of conviction that… Continue reading Tough Decisions

We all know this smart person (often an engineer) that speaks extremely bluntly, sometimes saying things that might be socially considered as harsh/awkward. I started thinking about this recently. I work much better with such people. At times, I tend to say things myself that people tell me were too harsh or direct. I don’t… Continue reading Truth Seeking

I have this tendency to assume that everyone has the same capabilities as me. I’ve been called out on it a few times. “If I can do it, why can’t you?” I tend to think… I got criticized for assuming that everyone can. I’ve recently heard this statement in a podcast: What if everybody tomorrow… Continue reading Tyranny of Soft Expectations

I’m writing this for the young managers that haven’t received an MBA in management, but need to manage a team regardless. I work with a lot of kind and agreeable people, that are also ambitious and want to get things done. The problem with being agreeable at times is that when someone gets in the… Continue reading On Firing

Figuratively, or literally? I’ve always thought that this statement is a figurative one: staying hungry means not getting satisfied and always aiming for more (ambition not greed). That is a recipe for continuous growth. However, I’ve recently stumbled upon a video for the one and only Andrew Tate saying how one should stay hungry as… Continue reading Stay Hungry