Clara Soh on How to Work Smarter and Perform Under Pressure

In Chapter 15 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" An avid rock climber, Soh approaches challenges mindfully and deliberately. In her health care policy work, she learns to manage pressure by looking for context when making decisions in high stakes situations. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Clara Soh on What It Means to Be a Leader

In Chapter 17 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?" To Soh, leadership is about setting clear expectations and being present to support team members as they then work to accomplish the goal or complete the project. She uses structure and frameworks to keep her team organized and focused on its goals. As a rock climber, Soh shares how climbing has taught her leadership skills, especially the need to be considerate of the implications your actions while have on those following you when lead climbing a route. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

James McCormick on How to Give Better Advice When Asked for Help

In Chapter 20 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "How Have You Learned to Give Better Advice When People Ask You For Help?" McCormick gives better advice by listening more and talking less. When giving career advice, he asks questions to learn specific details of an individual's circumstance so he can be more helpful. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan.

Leslie Kerner on What It Means to Be a Leader

In Chapter 15 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?" Kerner finds the biggest part of being a leader is bringing out the best in people and helping them to achieve great things they did not even think they could do. She learns to do this through developing a leadership style using differentiation skills to help employees thrive in a way that makes sense for them.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Leslie Kerner on Skills You Build Working in Management Consulting

In Chapter 18 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Core Skills Did You Learn Working in Management Consulting That You Still Use Now?" Kerner learns communication skills that help her navigate uncomfortable situations working with client managers. As a Deloitte management consultant, Kerner builds conversation skills to address sensitive client topics in non-threatening ways that do not compromise project productivity.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Randall Metting on Turning 40 and Making the Most of Every Moment

In Chapter 10 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer Randall Metting answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing as Your Experience Grows?" As he approaches his 40th birthday, Metting shares why he feels it is important to maximize every second you are given in all aspects of life. From time with friends, family and his trusted canine pal, Shiner Dog, to work and personal health, Metting tries not to waste an opportunity to live life to its fullest and push the boundaries to what is possible. Randall Metting is a brand marketer working for Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin. Metting has built a career on helping companies and non-profits develop integrated marketing strategy and brand development programs. As "The Unofficial Mayor of Austin, Texas" Metting authors the randallmetting.com community blog. He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR radio in Austin. Metting earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

Jon Kolko on How Pressure Can Help and Hinder Employee Motivation

In Chapter 9 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Kolko finds that intrinsic motivation approaches better suit designers than extrinsic ones. He finds extrinsic factors tied to strategic goals are less tangible and can come across as fire drills and do more harm than good to design team productivity. As he grows as a leader, Kolko looks for ways to nuance both tools managing his team. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Learning the Nuances of General Management

In Chapter 12 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" As he gains general management experience managing larger design teams at MyEdu, Kolko learns to handle challenging situations and help individuals and teams execute by using hands-off and hands-on techniques. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

How to Communicate Better to Make Sure You Are Understood

In Chapter 12 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Courtney Spence answers "How Are You Learning to Communicate More Effectively?" She learns that just because you say something to someone does not mean they heard you. Spence finds it useful to communicate a message different ways at different times to make sure her message is received and understood. Social entrepreneur and storyteller Courtney Spence founded 501c3 nonprofit Students of the World (SOW) to shine a light on progress and celebrate the world's problem solvers. She is building a movement of next-generation storytellers and creative activists through the SOW program The Creative Activist Network. Spence is a graduate of Duke University.

Audrey French on How to Be a Better Mentor to Young Women Professionals

In Chapter 10 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "How Are You Learning to Be a Better Mentor to Young Women Professionals?" After selling the company - CLEAResult, she co-founded, French is able to get space and be a more engaged and useful mentor to young women professionals trying to better navigate their careers. Her own entrepreneurship experience teaches her the importance of not needing to have all the answers before moving forward on a big decision. Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Bijoy Goswami on Learning Work Ethic From Family Role Models

In Chapter 3 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, leadership philosopher Bijoy Goswami answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Goswami shares how he learned his work ethic from his family.  His recalls learning from his grandfather and how he took such great care in his work and possessions.  His parents teach Goswami the importance of persevering through times where delaying gratification is the right thing to do.

Bijoy Goswami is a writer, teacher, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. He develops learning models to help individuals, organizations and communities live more meaningfully. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software.  Goswami graduated from Stanford University.

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.

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.

Learning to Reflect More and Get to Know Yourself Better

In Chapter 5 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, real estate developer Brett Goldman answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Goldman shares how he reflects more as he gets older. Reflecting helps him better understand why and how he makes decisions and improves how he learns from decisions and even mistakes. Reflecting helps him be more comfortable with who he is, what he chooses to do and when he chooses to do things.

Brett Goldman is a Real Estate Acquisitions Director at Triangle Equities in New York City.  He holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

Brett Goldman on How Low Interest Rates Affect Investing Goals

In Chapter 9 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, real estate developer Brett Goldman answers "How are Current Economic Conditions Shaping Your Real Estate Investment Goals?" Goldman shares how his investment philosophy through the recession and recovery has been long-term focused.  He notes while he has invested in some distressed properties, he still is very cautious about investing in markets where money is cheap and financing rates are low. Investing for the long-term requires you assess how an investment might look if rates rise and how that would affect buyers and sellers. Looking at the market today, Goldman finds distressed real estate where the best opportunities exist.

Brett Goldman is a Real Estate Acquisitions Director at Triangle Equities in New York City.  He holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

Brett Goldman on What It Takes to Be a Real Estate Investor

In Chapter 18 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, real estate developer Brett Goldman answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing as Your Experience Grows?"  After nearly 20 years working in real estate, Goldman finds what he has learned about developing real estate - from understanding economic markets to learning building zoning and construction project management - is now more transferable than ever to real estate investing.

Brett Goldman is a Real Estate Acquisitions Director at Triangle Equities in New York City.  He holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

Jason Anello on Finding New Ways to Share What You Know

In Chapter 18 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and Manifold ad agency co-founder Jason Anello answers "How Are You Becoming a Better Teacher?" Anello finds the more experience he has to draw on and share, the better he can distill and impart the knowledge to others. He tries to find teachable moments in everyday, non-classroom moments which help him look for new ways to learn and to share.

Jason Anello is a founding partner and creative director at Manifold Partners, an award-winning creative advertising agency. Previously, Anello worked in creative leadership roles at Yahoo!, Ogilvy & Mather, and Digitas. A passionate foodie and traveler, he runs the Forking Tasty food blog and supper club series.  He earned a BFA from University at Albany.

Mike Germano on When to Promote an Employee to Partner

In Chapter 7 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "How Is Your Business Partnership Structure Changes As Your Company Grows?" As the company grows, Germano and his founding partners see jobs get more specialized and roles become less evenly distributed. Germano learns that what comes next requires hard decisions, including adding new partners and parting ways with a founding partner.

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative. Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University.