Yesterday, I went for my usual evening walk. Earbuds in. Music on. (Cue “Coffee” by Sylvan Esso, followed by “La da di” by Co.fee, and then my son CJB’s songs “Crossroads” and “Different Days”). Encouraged by the beauty in nature, I thought about the great leaders who propelled me in life and profession. What makes them differentiated? I also then paralleled this to my own journey towards a rich legacy thus far. How many did I empower and inspire? And, “What else will I leave behind?” You know something, I want to be remembered as remarkable! Don’t you?

Remarkable leaders have a way of inspiring others to achieve greatness by setting a compelling example of belief, excellence in behavior (certainly most of the time), communication that connects, and attitude. They elevate their team through positive feedback, timely recognition, demonstrating the right habits, and empowering delegation of responsibilities, encouraging each individual to surpass their limits. By serving as a mentor and believer in their team’s potential, they cultivate growth and foster a culture of innovation and trust. Through clear vision sharing and active listening, they guide their team towards remarkable achievements, fostering a continuous learning environment that propels both the leader and their inspired colleagues to extraordinary success. 

The Way: 

***The Understoods*** Clear vision, Integrity and Ethics, Empathy, Accountability, Data-Driven but digging beneath the numbers, Open-Minded, blah blah. But, the really good ones teach you these along the way:

• Abandon the Past: Don’t just improve your existing strategy, commit to a radical shift for growth.
• Focus on Customer Needs: There’s this term I’ve heard, “remarkability”. This is defined by exceeding customer expectations, not just leaning into the inherent disconnect that can be derived from just internal metrics.
• Avoid Gimmicks: Aim for impactful results, not fleeting attention-grabbing stunts.
• Embrace Extremes: Strive to be the best, the fastest, the easiest to do business with, etc. in your chosen area.
• Ignore Naysayers: Focus on attracting enthusiastic supporters, not pleasing everyone.
• Do Something New: Break new ground and avoid following conventional wisdom. 
• Fearlessness is Key: Don’t be afraid to take risks and break away from the crowd.
• Find Your Niche: Target a passionate audience who truly cares about what you offer.
• Constant Reinvention: Success requires continuous innovation and improvement.
• Sustainability Matters: Don’t be a one-hit wonder, keep evolving to stay remarkable.
• Common Sense: If something is consistent and working powerfully, don’t go changing it.

The Marketable You:

I’ve been a hiring leader for some time. I’ve interviewed individual contributors, Managers, Directors, and even key area Sr. Executives along the way. I’ve even interviewed those who came in from the outside to lead me. I find myself on the other side now, interesting season. If you know me, I’m going to keep being me (transparent, vulnerable, positive, focusing others on hope & growth). Today, I’m selling what I bring to the table to power organizations forward, which is a little different. I respect and embrace the process. But, what I do here is not so much about me. It’s about you!

How might the principles from this blog post be applied effectively to any individuals looking to showcase their value to technology organizations to land the right fit, and or upward mobility, for their “remarkability”? My experience has taught me perhaps very little, LOL (just kidding), but what I do know is that applying these principles can help tech professionals not only stand out in a crowded job market but also align themselves with the dynamic and innovative culture of technology organizations seeking top talent. By committing to continuous improvement, innovation, and specialization, individuals can effectively showcase their value and land great opportunities (even where the gifts are transferrable to non-traditional roles).

• Understand the urgency: In the competitive tech industry, merely sticking to what worked yesterday won’t suffice. Technology evolves rapidly, and organizations seek candidates who are committed to continuous learning, innovation, and adaptation. Demonstrating a commitment to growth and staying updated with the latest trends and skills is crucial.

• Be remarkable to the employer: When applying for a tech job, your skills and achievements must stand out to potential employers. It’s not about what’s remarkable to you; it’s about showcasing how your skills and experiences can solve their problems or contribute uniquely to their team and projects.

• Being noticed vs. being remarkable: Standing out isn’t just about attention-grabbing tactics. It’s about substantive contributions and innovations that solve real problems or improve processes within the tech organization.

• Pursue extremism in your skills and achievements: Excellence in tech often means pushing boundaries, mastering cutting-edge technologies, or solving complex problems innovatively. Being at the forefront of your field can make you indispensable.

• Explore the edges: In technology, being remarkable often means being at the forefront of innovation—whether it’s pioneering new technologies, methodologies, or applications. It’s about being the first or the best in your niche.

• Accept that not everyone will appreciate your efforts: In a field as diverse and fast-moving as technology, not everyone will understand or appreciate your innovations or contributions. Focus on impressing those who matter—employers, tech leaders, or influential stakeholders.

• Avoid the ordinary: In a tech job search, skills that are commoditized or easily replicated are less valuable. Aim to showcase unique skills, experiences, or projects that set you apart from others with more conventional backgrounds.

• Overcome fear of standing out: Innovators and leaders in tech often face risks and challenges. Embrace these challenges as opportunities to demonstrate your capability and resilience in a dynamic industry.

• Focus on niche expertise: Tech employers often value deep expertise in specific areas over general skills. Being remarkable in a niche can attract the attention of employers looking for specialized talent.

• Stay relevant through reinvention: Tech evolves rapidly, so staying remarkable requires constant reinvention and learning. Embrace ongoing professional development, certifications, or projects that demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.

Leading Niche Skills To Snatch:

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML):
   • Understanding AI algorithms, machine learning models, and their applications (e.g., computer vision, natural language processing).
   • Proficiency in frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn. If you don’t know these terms, they are real, research them.
   • Ability to develop AI/ML models from data collection to deployment.
2. Cybersecurity:
   • Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, protocols, and best practices.
   • Experience with threat detection, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments.
   • Familiarity with tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, or intrusion detection systems.
3. Cloud Computing:
   • Expertise in cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
   • Understanding of cloud architecture, deployment models (e.g., IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and services (e.g., EC2, S3, Kubernetes).
   • Skills in containerization and orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes.
4. Data Science and Big Data:
   • Proficiency in data analysis, statistical modeling, and data visualization tools (e.g., Python, R, Tableau).
   • Knowledge of big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark, or NoSQL databases.
   • Experience in data preprocessing, feature engineering, and predictive modeling.
5. Blockchain:
   • Understanding of blockchain principles, cryptography, and consensus algorithms.
   • Development skills with blockchain platforms like Ethereum or Hyperledger.
   • Experience in smart contract development and decentralized application (DApp) deployment.
6. DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD):
   • Expertise in CI/CD pipelines, automation tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD), artifact management and software distribution (JFrog), and version control systems (e.g., Git).
   • Knowledge of infrastructure as code (IaC) practices with tools like Terraform or Ansible.
   • Ability to streamline software development, testing, and deployment processes.
   • Innovation awareness (GitHub Copilot, CodeGuru, ClickUp, Code Assist, Sysdig, Snyk, Kubiya).

Personal Qualities to Display:

1. Problem-Solving Skills:
   • Ability to analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions.
   • Critical thinking, creativity, and innovation in approaching technical challenges.
2. Adaptability and Learning Agility:
   • Willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to evolving industry trends.
   • Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and apply them in practical scenarios.
3. Team Collaboration and Communication:
   • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
   • Clear and concise communication of technical ideas and solutions to non-technical stakeholders.
4. Attention to Detail and Quality:
   • Commitment to producing high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail.
   • Emphasis on writing clean, maintainable code and adhering to coding standards.
5. Project Management and Time Management:
   • Organizational skills to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
   • Experience with Agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello).
6. Ethical and Professional Integrity:
   • Commitment to ethical behavior in handling sensitive data and adhering to industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
   • Professionalism, reliability, and a reputation for integrity in all professional interactions.

My Message To You

I want to see you not just win, but become a champion, recognized and celebrated as truly remarkable. Be Well!