The Update: Dean Talks Assertiveness

Danny split his paternity leave in half and is taking the second half of that leave right now, so Dean is writing The Update this month.

• “When confronted with a need to change, most people will change tactics rather than strategy.” It was business school orientation, and I didn’t know what Professor Patton was talking about or how to apply his thoughts to the tinker toys laid out in front of our team. Since then, I’ve read a lot of business cases, business books, neuroscience, psychology, and Calvin and Hobbes. I’ve also worked with many business leaders, thriving and… not. I’m putting together what the experts are saying and the difference between the thriving leaders and the ones that are not.
   
•  I’m writing about it in a new series on how you can change your problem-solving strategy. I believe a way to achieve reliable success requires being assertive and understanding the self. I start by diving into the crucial question “What do you want?” (you won’t get it if you don’t know) and how people’s fear impacts their professional success. I think a large part of that fear comes from the reality that accepting and communicating desire requires giving up control. Understanding all of this is a journey. Come with me, and I’ll help you understand the science on a clear path to confidence and improved professional outcomes.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, distributed by GoComics/Universal Press Syndicate

• By the time you’ve read this, we will have moved our headquarters to West Berkeley! We’ve contracted Nigel Sussman to do a mural on our wall, and are really excited to share it with you all. Keep an eye out for next month’s update, as he’ll be finished by then. If you want a sneak peek, reach out, and we’ll show it to you in person!
   

• We’re walking the floor of TechCrunch right now, meeting the hottest new startups!

• Hamza, one of Geocene’s longtime team members, is from Morocco. The earthquake shook his family, but thankfully, they were not injured. Many others were not so lucky. I want to encourage our readers to make a donation to one of the many organizations supporting the relief efforts, like the World Central Kitchen.