Video Interviews — Capture Your Flag

Decision Making

Bryan Law on Learning Leadership as Student Body President

In Chapter 8 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, business strategist Bryan Law answers "What Did Your Experience as Student Body President Teach You About Leadership?" As student body president of his Kellogg MBA class, Law learns to lead in two ways. As a student government leader, he first embraces a philosophy of engaging his team to understand their perspectives to shape the team direction. Second, his work as a class president teaches him that while consensus is optimal, sometimes a leader must make unpopular decisions.

Bryan Law is a Principal in the Global Business Strategy Group at Google and a board member at Angola University. Previously, he was a manager at Monitor, a management consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt and Mercer. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a BA from Georgetown University. 

How Management Consulting Teaches Problem Solving

In Chapter 12 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, business strategist Bryan Law answers "How Has Your Management Consulting Experience Helped You Be a More Strategic Thinker?" Working as a management consultant teaches Law how to be a better problem solver by training him to best organize and structure client problems. Helping clients organize their thinking allows Law and his management consulting project team to break down difficult problems, better organize information and help clients make critical decisions.

Bryan Law is a Principal in the Global Business Strategy Group at Google and a board member at Angola University. Previously, he was a manager at Monitor, management consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt and Mercer. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a BA from Georgetown University. 

Bryan Law on Leaving Consulting to Work at Google

In Chapter 18 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, business strategist Bryan Law answers "What Informed Your Decision to Leave Consulting and Join the Google Global Strategy Team?" After years working in economic development as a management consultant, Law sees how lack of access to information hinders growth and development. In joining Google and working in global business strategy, Law sees an opportunity to contribute to Google's mission of making information more easily available for people all over the world.

Bryan Law is a Principal in the Global Business Strategy Group at Google and a board member at Angola University. Previously, he was a manager at Monitor, management consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt and Mercer. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a BA from Georgetown University. 

Bryan Law on What Marriage Teaches About Teamwork

In Chapter 21 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, business strategist Bryan Law answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?" As newlyweds, Law and his wife learn that marriage is about making decisions that are best for the couple. He finds making collective decisions with his wife brings a better perspective into thinking about problems and, ultimately, leads to better decisions.

Bryan Law is a Principal in the Global Business Strategy Group at Google and a board member at Angola University. Previously, he was a manager at Monitor, management consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt and Mercer. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a BA from Georgetown University. 

Getting Advice for Making Big Decisions in Your 30s

In Chapter 23 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, business strategist Bryan Law answers "At This Point in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?" Now in his thirties, Law shares how he gets advice from a network of people to make more informed decisions. From teacher mentors from Georgetown to an inspiring Angolan friend to his parents to his spouse, Law finds willing people to support him as he faces key life decisions. He shares how the process of getting advice and coaching is less about being asked provocative questions that help him come to terms with decisions he makes.

Bryan Law is a Principal in the Global Business Strategy Group at Google and a board member at Angola University. Previously, he was a manager at Monitor, management consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt and Mercer. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a BA from Georgetown University. 

How to Give Better Advice When People Ask You For Help

In Chapter 11 of 16 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, product management executive Ramsey Pryor answers "How Have You Learned to Give Better Advice When People Ask You for Help?" With time, Pryor learns to give less prescriptive advice. He learns from his children to give advice is more to be a sounding board and help others make a decision rather than to make a decision for others.

Ramsey Pryor is a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based collaboration and security software products. Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM. Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University.  

Why to Major in Broadcast Journalism

In Chapter 5 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "Why Did You Choose to Major in Journalism and Mass Communication in College?" In college at UNC, Geller chooses to major in broadcast journalism. He minors in chemistry to round out his skills of focusing on business, science and medical journalism. He finds studying journalism helped him be a better learner and more effective communicator.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Two Steps You Need to Build Relationship Trust

In Chapter 14 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?" Geller finds trust building is a two-step process. First, he assesses someone's trustworthiness from a capabilities standpoint of what they have compared to what the relationship requires. Second, he performs diligence on an individual to gather data and make a more informed decision on whether or not to trust them. He shares his experiences building trust with students as an 8th and 9th grade science teacher.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Two Things to Look for in a Technical Cofounder

In Chapter 15 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "What Attributes Do You Feel Are Most Important in a Technical Co-Founder?" Geller looks for two things when searching for a technical co-founder. The first is to find a co-founder candidate who technically capable for the job requirements, both as they exists today and how they will evolve in the near future. Second, Geller looks for a co-founder who shares a passion for the problem being solved. Geller finds a co-founder when he meets someone who can handle the architectural and product rigor required while also being passionate about helping teachers improve.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Geoff Hamm on Organizing Your Social Network for Success

In Chapter 9 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Do You Use Your Network to Get Help in Making Career and Life Decisions?" Hamm shares how he structures his personal and professional network as a series of rings, with immediate family and best friends at the core. In the ring nearest the core, Hamm includes mentors, bosses, and peers who have been engaged, reliable, supportive when he has asked for help in the past.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Assessing Fit When Interviewing for a New Job

In Chapter 10 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Do You Assess Fit When Interviewing for New Job Opportunities?" When interviewing for new job opportunities, Hamm first makes sure he sees value in what the company is building. He then learns about the founders and the values and belief system they have brought to the company. If first-time entrepreneurs started the company, he looks more closely about founder focus and resources in place to keep founders focused on reaching their goals.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Two Key Things to Look For Before Joining a Startup

In Chapter 12 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Did Working at Your First Startup Inform What You Looked For at Your Second Startup?" When looking for a new startup job, Hamm first looks at the founders' story and experience. He learns a hard lesson about inexperience working with first-time founders and chooses a founding team with previous startup experience when he joins his next startup. Additionally, he learns to understand what to look for in an advisory board and the importance of board involvement in the company.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

How Family Support Helps Tech Career Flourish

In Chapter 15 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?" Hamm involves his wife in all major decisions and finds assurance in her support and high-tech work experience. For higher level life advice, Hamm goes to his Dad for perspective and wisdom.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

When to Move Your Family From the City to the Suburbs

In Chapter 18 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "What Factors Did You Consider in Your Decision to Relocate From the City to the Suburbs?" Hamm finds that moving to the suburbs comes down to providing more space for his family. In making the move, he also considers public school options for his kids. He finds moving to the suburbs helps him slow down and embrace family life more fully.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Preston Smith on Joining Teach for America After Graduating College

In Chapter 3 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "Why Did You Join Teach for America After Graduating College?" Smith shares how growing up in a low income community with underperforming schools helped him connect to the Teach for America mission. He finds the program an opportunity to make a community impact right after college. The program helps him pay back his student loans and leads while making a difference and finding inspiration to build an education career.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows.

Preston Smith on the Awesome Feeling of Working at a Job You Love

In Chapter 6 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About What You Do?" As CEO of a network of schools serving low-income districts in California, Smith finds inspiration working with talented and committed co-workers doing mission-based work to build higher quality schools to give students a better education.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows. 

Preston Smith on Going From Employee to Entrepreneur

In Chapter 7 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "How Did You Make the Leap From Being an Employee to Become an Entrepreneur?" Smith talks about pushing through a transition out of teaching elementary school to becoming an entrepreneur and starting a school. Seeing an unaddressed need for higher quality education, Smith embraces youthful energy to work through family and financial challenges to start a small school called LUCHA.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows. 

Preston Smith on Marriage Encounter Influences on Married Life

In Chapter 12 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?" Growing up, Smith watches his parents attend marriage encounter relationship building groups and sees the positive impact it has on their marriage and the family. He learns that marriage is a daily commitment that needs daily attention. By making that daily commitment to marriage and his spouse, Smith finds he learns a lot about life and the importance of staying positive.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows.