Author: morschles
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The Missing Ask: Why We Negotiate Salary but Wait for Promotions
I’m currently reading Women Don’t Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever. If you haven’t read it yet, put it on your list. It explores a painful truth that many of us know instinctively: women are often much less likely than men to negotiate for what they want, assuming that hard work alone will be…
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The Biggest Productivity Lie: Why Time Management Fails the Exhausted Leader
When I first started climbing the ladder, I was obsessed with time management. Like many leaders in tech, I viewed my planner as the ultimate tool for control. I color-coded my calendar, mastered task batching, and achieved near-perfect calendar utilization. I was “doing it all.” The painful truth? Despite my perfect schedule, I was running…
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How a Personal Board of Directors Transformed My Growth (and How You Can Build Yours)
Walking into Google felt like walking in the dark When I joined Google as a senior engineering manager: new company, new role, new world, I felt a bit like a blind person groping in the dark. I was the first external manager hired into the Israeli development center. Until then, every manager had grown from…
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How I Failed as a Mentee
I once got the opportunity to be mentored by a senior leader I really admired. I was excited, and in my mind: “mission accomplished”. But a few weeks in, our relationship just fizzled out. The calls got shorter, and the conversations became less frequent until they stopped completely. I was disappointed, and I felt like…
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𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿-𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵
Imagine this: you walk through the door after a long day, and you’re met with pure, unbridled joy. A happy dance, a full-body wiggle, and a serenade that’s a little bit howl, a little bit song. It’s a welcome so genuine and infectious that your own weariness melts away. This isn’t a scene from a…
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The Art of Not Taking No for an Answer
I still remember the day I first pitched my idea. I saw a critical problem that needed solving, one I was deeply passionate about. But when I brought it to our VPs, I heard the same answer twice: “No.” They had their reasons, valid ones about resources and priorities, but I couldn’t let it go.…
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The Art of Letting Go: When Rocket Sirens Hijack Your Sabbatical
Six months sabbatical checkin: how a season of chaos became a masterclass in letting go 1. The Map I Drew Going 6 months into my sabbatical, my plan looked wonderfully tidy: I had dates, flights, and itineraries. I felt in control, right up until I wasn’t. 2. Detour on the Trail Half-way through the Kumano…
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Stop Dodging Office Politics
Five everyday habits that let you influence with integrity and get good work into the world “I hate office politics.” If that line has ever slipped out of your mouth, you’re in good company. I hear it from coaching clients almost every week, and I used to say it myself! The catch? Stepping away doesn’t…
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Shut Up and Listen: A Better Way to Start as a New Leader
When I stepped into my first VP role, I thought I had to hit the ground running. I had experience. A strong track record. A big title. So I thought I had to prove something — fast. But what I’ve learned (and what I now help new leaders navigate through coaching) is this: The best…
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“You Know What You Want. But Can You Let Go?”
Letting Go In 2018, I was in California during one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent history.I remember sitting outside one morning, surrounded by smoke and golden light, watching the sun filter through tall grass.That moment would change everything. It was there that the idea for a new wildfire detection product first came to…
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Sometimes Your Plan Needs to Get Out of the Way
Is your plan serving your purpose — or limiting it? Discover the questions that can help you stay open to unexpected opportunities aligned with your true mission.
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Own Your Narrative: The Key to Getting Promoted (and Growing as a Leader)
Many believe hard work alone leads to promotions, but effective storytelling about one’s impact, challenges, and leadership is essential. Individuals often struggle to articulate their narratives, especially in ambiguous environments. Understanding how to own and present their stories can significantly impact career advancement and personal growth.
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How I Train Myself to Fall in Love With My Job (Again and Again)
Before I even sign a contract, I ask myself a question: “Can I fall in love with this job?” Not just the title or the mission — but the people, the rhythm, the vibe. It’s a question I learned to ask the hard way. In my early career, I chased roles that looked great on…
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When the Work You Love Starts to Hurt
Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it just looks like you, but with the light dimmed. For me, it started with headaches. The kind you wake up with in the morning and carry with you into every meeting. Then came the cynicism. Which, if you know me, is very unlike me. I used to…
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Designing a Life I Love: A Sabbatical Check-In
Three months ago, I left my director role at Google to take a deliberate pause.I had a plan—a structure built around three pillars that mattered deeply to me: I was excited, a little scared, and mostly curious—what would actually happen when the plan met reality? Now, a quarter into this sabbatical year, I wanted to…
Mor Schlesinger 