Being Named a Hacking Work “100 Disruptive Heroes” and Lessons from the Road

Hacking Work named me as one of their 100 Disruptive Heroes. That recognition was unexpected and humbling, but what mattered most was the opportunity it gave me to reflect and to talk with others who are passionate about business innovation. I had a wide-ranging conversation with business innovator Bill Jensen that touched on my past, the importance I place on sharing meals with people, and the practical lessons I’ve learned while traveling, building teams, and navigating change.

Why the Recognition Matters Less Than the Conversation

Being listed among disruptors is flattering, but labels only tell part of the story. For me, the real value is in conversations that uncover how people think, how they connect, and how they create. Talking with Bill Jensen opened up a space to explore the habits and routines that actually move ideas forward. We discussed how small rituals—daily check-ins, honest feedback loops, and deliberate time for reflection—often have a bigger impact on innovation than big, dramatic gestures.

The Power of Sharing Meals

I spoke about why I feel so strongly about sharing meals with people. Sitting down to eat together is an intimate, human ritual that lowers barriers and builds trust. Over a meal, hierarchies soften, and conversations become more candid. That kind of informal connection fuels collaboration, encourages vulnerability, and helps teams solve problems more creatively. I’ve found that whether it’s a quick lunch with a new collaborator or a long dinner with colleagues, those shared moments produce ideas and relationships that structured meetings rarely achieve.

Sharing meals is also an excellent way to learn about someone’s cultural background, priorities, and motivations. The act of breaking bread encourages storytelling, and stories stick. By making time for these simple gatherings, leaders send a powerful signal: people matter more than processes. That shifts the organization’s energy from purely transactional interactions to something more human and sustainable.

Lessons from the Road: Practical Takeaways

Travel and time spent outside the office have taught me numerous lessons that are directly applicable to work. First, adaptability matters. Plans will change, constraints will emerge, and the ability to pivot thoughtfully often determines success. Second, observation is a skill: paying attention to how people behave, what they prioritize, and where friction appears can reveal practical opportunities for improvement.

Third, small experiments beat long-winded plans. On the road, you learn quickly whether a new approach is working; you don’t have the luxury of months of analysis. Run quick tests, gather feedback, iterate. Fourth, invest in relationships before you need them. The connections you build over time become the network that supports you when challenges arise. Finally, document the lessons. The best insights often come from messy experiences—capture them so others can learn and you can refine your approach.

Leadership, Collaboration, and Innovation

Our conversation touched on how leadership is changing in an era of rapid disruption. Leaders who create psychological safety, who encourage dissenting views, and who reward curiosity are the ones most likely to foster innovation. Collaboration is less about meetings and more about creating environments where people feel comfortable contributing. Innovation thrives when teams combine diverse experiences and perspectives, and that diversity often surfaces during informal interactions like shared meals or casual conversations.

Another practical point we discussed is the importance of simplifying communication. Complexity kills speed. Clear, concise messages allow teams to move faster and with greater alignment. Pair that with a habit of listening more than speaking, and you have a culture that both generates and implements ideas effectively.

Closing Thoughts

Being recognized as one of Hacking Work’s 100 Disruptive Heroes is an honor, but the recognition is a prompt more than a destination. The real reward comes from the conversations that follow—conversations that help refine values, sharpen practices, and strengthen relationships. Whether through sharing meals, embracing small experiments, or listening closely on the road, the methods that support sustained innovation are often simple and human. I’m grateful for the chance to share these lessons and for the ongoing dialogues that continue to shape how I work and lead.