Reposted by Kelly Vaughn
"We were choosing between fast yeses that scale your pain and a slower yes that scales your impact. Saying no to good ideas was how we chose the system over the request."
An excellent read from @kvlly.com. I'm already exploring ideas for an article that builds on some of the opportunities here...
An excellent read from @kvlly.com. I'm already exploring ideas for an article that builds on some of the opportunities here...
Saying no to a bad idea isn't the hard part. Saying no to a good idea is, especially when you don't want to kill someone's motivation.
I wrote about this for The Modern Leader today: www.modernleader.is/p/saying-no-...
I wrote about this for The Modern Leader today: www.modernleader.is/p/saying-no-...
Saying no to good ideas
The hardest no isn't to a bad idea. It's to a good one, and it's one of the most important choices you make
www.modernleader.is
February 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
"We were choosing between fast yeses that scale your pain and a slower yes that scales your impact. Saying no to good ideas was how we chose the system over the request."
An excellent read from @kvlly.com. I'm already exploring ideas for an article that builds on some of the opportunities here...
An excellent read from @kvlly.com. I'm already exploring ideas for an article that builds on some of the opportunities here...
Saying no to a bad idea isn't the hard part. Saying no to a good idea is, especially when you don't want to kill someone's motivation.
I wrote about this for The Modern Leader today: www.modernleader.is/p/saying-no-...
I wrote about this for The Modern Leader today: www.modernleader.is/p/saying-no-...
Saying no to good ideas
The hardest no isn't to a bad idea. It's to a good one, and it's one of the most important choices you make
www.modernleader.is
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Saying no to a bad idea isn't the hard part. Saying no to a good idea is, especially when you don't want to kill someone's motivation.
I wrote about this for The Modern Leader today: www.modernleader.is/p/saying-no-...
I wrote about this for The Modern Leader today: www.modernleader.is/p/saying-no-...
Flying from ATL (near record cold) to LAX (near-record high) tomorrow and packing for this trip is very confusing
February 1, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Flying from ATL (near record cold) to LAX (near-record high) tomorrow and packing for this trip is very confusing
Anyway, I have unfortunately found another thing to monetize
January 31, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Anyway, I have unfortunately found another thing to monetize
Just wrapped up my final cohort of Engineering Leadership in the AI Era yesterday.
Grateful to have taught this course 10 times (7 times through Maven). But I have new course ideas that demand my attention now!
You can still take the self-paced course here: course.modernleader.is/courses/mana...
Grateful to have taught this course 10 times (7 times through Maven). But I have new course ideas that demand my attention now!
You can still take the self-paced course here: course.modernleader.is/courses/mana...
Management Fundamentals for the Modern Leader
A self-paced course to help you become a better leader in your organization no matter your job title.
course.modernleader.is
January 31, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Just wrapped up my final cohort of Engineering Leadership in the AI Era yesterday.
Grateful to have taught this course 10 times (7 times through Maven). But I have new course ideas that demand my attention now!
You can still take the self-paced course here: course.modernleader.is/courses/mana...
Grateful to have taught this course 10 times (7 times through Maven). But I have new course ideas that demand my attention now!
You can still take the self-paced course here: course.modernleader.is/courses/mana...
(spends hours working on a blog post and shares on linkedin)
linkedin: you get 912 views. don't ask for more.
linkedin: you get 912 views. don't ask for more.
January 28, 2026 at 3:08 AM
(spends hours working on a blog post and shares on linkedin)
linkedin: you get 912 views. don't ask for more.
linkedin: you get 912 views. don't ask for more.
3 weeks post-op tomorrow
4 weeks until the next surgery
10 weeks until I can stop washing my compression leggings every single day
4 weeks until the next surgery
10 weeks until I can stop washing my compression leggings every single day
January 28, 2026 at 1:41 AM
3 weeks post-op tomorrow
4 weeks until the next surgery
10 weeks until I can stop washing my compression leggings every single day
4 weeks until the next surgery
10 weeks until I can stop washing my compression leggings every single day
We’re still figuring out how to incorporate AI into our day-to-day. The risk with “AI-ifying everything” is that we strip away the parts of work people actually enjoy. The good news: this is solvable.
Here’s my take on where we are in the AI adoption journey:
www.modernleader.is/p/what-happe...
Here’s my take on where we are in the AI adoption journey:
www.modernleader.is/p/what-happe...
What happens when AI replaces the parts of work people love?
We’re using AI to move faster. I’m not yet convinced we’re using it to work better.
www.modernleader.is
January 27, 2026 at 3:20 PM
We’re still figuring out how to incorporate AI into our day-to-day. The risk with “AI-ifying everything” is that we strip away the parts of work people actually enjoy. The good news: this is solvable.
Here’s my take on where we are in the AI adoption journey:
www.modernleader.is/p/what-happe...
Here’s my take on where we are in the AI adoption journey:
www.modernleader.is/p/what-happe...
January 27, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Today: mourn yet another preventable execution
Tomorrow: increase shareholder value
Tomorrow: increase shareholder value
January 25, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Today: mourn yet another preventable execution
Tomorrow: increase shareholder value
Tomorrow: increase shareholder value
I think I’ll be a mummy for Halloween this year. By the time I’m done with all 3 surgeries, I’ll certainly have enough ACE wraps to cover my whole body
January 20, 2026 at 12:05 AM
I think I’ll be a mummy for Halloween this year. By the time I’m done with all 3 surgeries, I’ll certainly have enough ACE wraps to cover my whole body
Well that was a heartbreaking end
January 19, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Well that was a heartbreaking end
If you’re wondering what I’ve been doing while on medical leave…
January 18, 2026 at 8:33 PM
If you’re wondering what I’ve been doing while on medical leave…
I’ve talked a bit about having lipedema on here (a connective tissue disorder that causes a buildup of fat that can’t be burned by diet and exercise and has to be surgically removed).
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
January 15, 2026 at 2:02 AM
I’ve talked a bit about having lipedema on here (a connective tissue disorder that causes a buildup of fat that can’t be burned by diet and exercise and has to be surgically removed).
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
Post op day 7
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
January 15, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Post op day 7
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
Post op day 3: swollen legs make for a great table
January 11, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Post op day 3: swollen legs make for a great table
72 hours post-op and I’m trying really hard to not be productive. I’ve read 2 books, watched all of Heated Rivalry, and I’m almost caught up on The Traitors.
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
January 10, 2026 at 8:35 PM
72 hours post-op and I’m trying really hard to not be productive. I’ve read 2 books, watched all of Heated Rivalry, and I’m almost caught up on The Traitors.
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
48 hours post op. Swelling is really starting to kick in and it doesn’t feel super great but I knew it was coming. Still walking around every 2-3 hours and drinking a ton of water.
January 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM
48 hours post op. Swelling is really starting to kick in and it doesn’t feel super great but I knew it was coming. Still walking around every 2-3 hours and drinking a ton of water.
New on The Modern Leader this week:
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
The skills that make good leaders actually stand out
Most leadership advice stops at communication. This is about what actually creates momentum and trust
www.modernleader.is
January 8, 2026 at 8:23 PM
New on The Modern Leader this week:
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
The 2026 Reset Challenge officially kicks off tomorrow! If you’re signed up, Day 1’s email will be in your inbox at 6am ET.
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
2026 Manager Reset Challenge | The Modern Leader
Get quick, actionable insights to elevate your engineering leadership in just 5 minutes a week. Trusted by 6,000+ professionals.
modernleader.is
January 5, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The 2026 Reset Challenge officially kicks off tomorrow! If you’re signed up, Day 1’s email will be in your inbox at 6am ET.
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
First and final race before surgery next week!
January 3, 2026 at 3:55 PM
First and final race before surgery next week!
Happy Mayor Mamdani day to those who celebrate
January 1, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Happy Mayor Mamdani day to those who celebrate
Officially 7 days until surgery! 1 week! Time has flown by
December 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Officially 7 days until surgery! 1 week! Time has flown by
It may technically be a holiday tomorrow, but Modern Leader All Access members will still get their January leadership playbook!
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
December 31, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It may technically be a holiday tomorrow, but Modern Leader All Access members will still get their January leadership playbook!
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade