Leadership Through Action
Leadership isn't a title. It's a habit.
Everything I've done (building FocusMate, leading through Puddletown Chess, writing Audacity to Start, and competing in chess) has reinforced the same idea: leadership is learned by taking responsibility and starting before you feel ready.
I'm still learning. But I'm committed to learning by doing, not waiting.
Building at the Intersection of Community, Focus, and Leadership
Leadership isn't about being in charge. It's about taking responsibility, showing up consistently, and building things that matter, even when you don't have all the answers.
Every project I've built (from FocusMate to Puddletown Chess to Audacity to Start) represents something I've actually built, led, or shipped. Not something I plan to do someday.
Key Leadership Principles
Lessons learned through real experience
Start Before You Feel Ready
The audacity to start is more valuable than perfect preparation. Every project begins with uncertainty.
From Audacity to Start
Leadership is Service
True leadership means serving others, not commanding them. It's about creating value for your community.
From Puddletown Chess
Clarity Over Authority
Clear communication matters more than having the right title. People follow clarity, not hierarchy.
From Puddletown Chess
Systems Matter
Good intentions aren't enough. Building systems and processes ensures progress continues even when motivation wanes.
From Puddletown Chess
Consistency Over Intensity
Progress comes from showing up consistently, not from occasional bursts of effort. Small steps compound.
From Puddletown Chess
Learn by Doing
The best way to learn leadership is to lead. Theory matters, but experience teaches what books cannot.
From All Projects
Focus Over Distraction
Deep work and sustained attention create more value than multitasking. Focus is a superpower.
From Chess & FocusMate
Planning Instead of Reacting
Think ahead, anticipate challenges, and plan multiple moves ahead. Strategy beats improvisation.
From Chess
Humility in Success
Win with humility, lose with accountability. Mistakes happen despite preparation: own them and learn.
From Chess
Build Responsibly
Create solutions that genuinely help people without adding unnecessary complexity. Build with purpose.
From FocusMate
Iterate Thoughtfully
Continuously improve based on feedback and real-world usage. Perfection is the enemy of progress.
From FocusMate
Teach Others
Growing the game means teaching others. Leadership multiplies when you help others become leaders.
From Chess & Puddletown
My Leadership Journey
How different experiences shaped my understanding
Chess: Strategic Thinking & Humility
Chess taught me to think ahead, manage pressure, and learn from losses. It showed me that mistakes happen despite preparation, teaching me humility and accountability.
Learn more about ChessPuddletown Chess: Building Community
Through Puddletown, I learned that leadership is service. I helped organize programs, support students, and grow a community centered around learning and mentorship. This taught me that clarity matters more than authority, and systems matter as much as intention.
Learn more about PuddletownFocusMate: Building Responsibly
Building FocusMate taught me how to think like a founder: identifying real problems, building responsibly, and iterating thoughtfully. It showed me the importance of creating solutions that genuinely help students.
Learn more about FocusMateAudacity to Start: Sharing the Journey
Writing Audacity to Start allowed me to document real experiences and share lessons learned. It reinforced that leadership is learned by taking responsibility early and starting before you feel ready.
Learn more about the BookWhy This Matters
I believe leadership is learned through action. Everything on this site represents something I've actually built, led, or shipped. Not something I plan to do someday.
The goal isn't to give perfect answers. It's to show what learning looks like when you take responsibility early and commit to learning by doing, not waiting.
Ready to Start Your Leadership Journey?
Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about taking responsibility, starting before you feel ready, and learning by doing.