Video Interviews — Capture Your Flag

Hammans Stallings

Hammans Stallings is an innovation strategist based in the Xuhui District of Shanghai, China. Stallings is currently a Principal Strategist at frog design, where he works between frog studios in Shanghai, Austin, Milan, Munich, New York, and Seattle. He also teaches at the CEDIM Masters in Business Innovation program in Monterrey, Mexico. Previous to frog design, Stallings earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Before business school, Stallings worked in business strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

All Video Interviews

Hammans Stallings on Balancing Service and Self in How You Live

In Chapter 19 of 19 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, strategist and management consultant Hammans Stallings answers "How Are You Better Learning to Balance Service and Self in How You Live Your Life?" Stallings shares how it is about staying aware and curious about finding the things that matter and blocking out time for them. He notes it is a balance because after this time he leaves to continue his discovery process.

Hammans Stallings is a Principal Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Hammans Stallings on How Parents Raise Gifted Children

In Chapter 1 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?"  From an early age, Stallings finds his family an extension of his career.  He grows up in a family of doctors and learns medicine is not the career for him via a variety of experiences, from doing home Skinner Box psychology research to taking personality tests in junior high school to learning at camps such as Odessey of the Mind and Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP).

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Hammans Stallings on How Role Model Father Inspires Work Ethic

In Chapter 2 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?"  Stallings watches how his father, a physician, works at his job.  He notes how his father orients to his work and how his father stayed connected to his work over time.  Stallings sees the sacrifices that come with a dedicated career and why mindfulness can be useful making that commitment. 

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Hammans Stallings on Loving Your Parents More

In Chapter 3 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are Your Family Relationships Changing As You Get Older?"  Hammans finds he is more able to help his parents as they encounter new challenges and problems.  He notes how his parents have recently went through an adult and how this experiences makes him see his parents more as people.  This allows him to love his parents more. 

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

4 Ways to Manage a Busy Schedule and Do Great Work

In Chapter 4 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Do You Find are the Keys to Managing a Busy Schedule and Getting Things Done?" For Stallings it comes down to setting expectations with others, finding accountability partners, understanding his capacity and setting the right pace, and maintaining empathy with others.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Admit Failure and Adapt When Things Don't Work Out

In Chapter 5 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Have You Learned to Adapt When Things Have Not Worked Out as Planned?" Stallings first notes the importance of being quick to admit failure. Once this is established, Stallings adapts and works out the situation by getting guidance from trusted relationships and using his own intuition.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Why to See Yourself Through the Eyes of Others

In Chapter 6 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing As Your Experience Grows?" For Stallings, his aspirations are constantly informed by the accumulation of experiences. To better understand how he is showing up in the world, he relies on seeing himself through the eyes of family, friends and colleagues to get feedback and counsel.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Find Interesting Friends Who Accept You For You

In Chapter 7 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are Your Personal Priorities Changing as You Get Older?" Stallings notes how the people around him provide him the space and accommodation to have selfish or individual moments. He also discusses why he tries to surround himself with interesting people who teach him things.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Plan Your Future by Aligning Your Passions

In Chapter 8 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" He notes that while you cannot control your past you can take steps to create experiences that will shape your future. He finds places where his passions align and plans his goals around the possibilities that exist at that juncture.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Why to Work With People Who Think Differently Than You

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are You Learning to Work More Effectively With Different Personality Types?" Stallings seeks out different personality types at work because they help him learn new subjects, new problem solving approaches and new ways of thinking.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Honing Interdisciplinary Job Skills to Do More Impactful Work

In Chapter 10 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" Stallings finds honing his interdisciplinary skillset - psychology, design, marketing, and strategy - is helping him contribute more to a team and take on more leadership responsibilities.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Breaking Down Learning Barriers by Building a Home Library

In Chapter 11 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "Why Did You Decide to Build a Home Library and What Approach Did You Take to Do It?" Stallings shares how his home research library has taken shape over time as he has identified necessary resources that help him bridge gaps between the research of academics and the practice of business.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Make Employee Culture a Competitive Advantage

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Has Working at frog design Taught You About What It Takes to Build a Strong Company Culture?" Working at 40-year old design strategy company frog design, Stallings sees firsthand how people not only can come together to solve client problems but also can individually contribute to shaping what the company represents in carrying on the company history via actions and values. As he assimilates into frog culture over time, Stallings learns how to contribute, embrace the impromptu nature of interaction, and, ultimately, add to how the company differentiates with its culture.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How Nonlinear Thinking Facilitates Innovative Problem Solving

In Chapter 13 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are You Developing an Innovation Process to Help How You Solve Problems?" Stallings notes the non-linear and interdisciplinary inquiry or thinking that comes with producing innovation often is at odds with how organizations are structured. These silos block potential cross-fertilization that comes with approaching problems with resources and tools - ethnography studies, case studies, etc. - that may not be readily available in any one business or organizational unit.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Hammans Stallings on Learning Innovation by Teaching Innovation

In Chapter 14 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Do You Expect to Learn by Teaching a Graduate School Class on Innovation?" Stallings finds that teaching a program at CEDIM in Mexico City allows him him to identify what he does not know about innovation and provides him a platform to learn from the classroom teaching experience. Teaching a graduate-level class allows him to learn from the shared experiences of his class and apply it to learning innovative elements of information space and information theory.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Teach Innovation to Graduate School Students

In Chapter 15 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Approach are You Taking to Design a Graduate Level Course Teaching Innovation?" Preparing to teach an innovation course to graduate students at CEDIM in Mexico City, Stallings focuses on bringing great innovation thought leaders such as Daniel Kahneman, Alexander Chernev, Clayton Christensen, Michael Porter, Youngme Moon into the curriculum and presenting them in a context tailored to both Mexican business culture and the more senior level of his graduate students.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Improving Class Syllabus Design by Setting Teaching Goals

In Chapter 16 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Has Preparing to Teach an Innovation Class Helped You Clarify Your Teaching Goals?" Stallings finds preparing to teach a Masters of Business Innovation class at CEDIM in Mexico City pushes him to rigorously edit and hone the material in advance of the class. His focus is to distill what he knows into story format that will connect with his students and also be useful reference material for years to come.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Use Psychology and Decision Sciences in a Business Strategy Job

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Types of Psychology Research Have Been Most Useful in Your Strategy Work?" As an undergrad studying psychology at University of Virginia, Stallings embraces the decision making and uncertainty research of Herbert Simon and Daniel Kahneman. Stallings draws on this and similar psychology research in his strategy planning work at frog design. He finds tying psychology into business strategy helps clients more easily understand the concepts and theories driving his recommendations.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.