Performance mirror - a tool for radical self-inquiry

As an engineering manager and leader, the hardest part of my job has always been performance management. Giving and receiving feedback is never easy, but it’s also not just about feelings or hard conversations. There’s a huge monetary aspect to it. Companies spend millions every year on exit packages and terminations, often within the first year of a new hire.

Written on July 10, 2025
Read More

Stoicism for Engineering Managers

Before I ever read The Daily Stoic, I had already spent time with the original works-Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius. I loved them. But I always felt like something was missing: a version that brought it all together. A single place where the ideas were accessible, organized, and felt close to the world I live in.

Written on June 16, 2025
Read More

Reflections on using LLMs for writing and journaling

I’ve been consistently writing and journaling for the past 5–6 years. Nothing complicated - just pen and paper, coffee, and it worked pretty well. But over the last 5–6 months, I’ve noticed both the frequency and desire to write starting to decline. At first, it was a gradual slowdown. Now, it feels like a rapid fall.

Written on May 20, 2025
Read More