Exceptional Difference

Do you view training as a necessary evil in your job, or are you driven to continuously learn and grow? By adopting a hybrid approach of reading, coursework, and on-the-job experiences, you can propel your career to new heights. Did you realize that dedicating just 5 minutes to reading each workday translates to investing 20 hours in yourself and your career annually? Doubling that to 10 minutes daily boosts your yearly investment to 40 hours. Aren't you worth an investment of 10 minutes a day?

We've often been called "the best kept secret," but our customers love singing our praises. A recent graduate of our Exceptional Engineer Experience told us, "Knowing that I have permission to lead was a huge mindset shift near the end of the course. This was really my big lightbulb moment and the moment where expert mentoring really helped me unlock this part of me. I am learning to trust my leadership instincts more, and I think this will help me on my current team and throughout my entire career."

"He was angrier than I had ever seen. The competition was gnawing at our heels, and we were in danger of losing our position as market leader. This project was critical in terms of market share, and we had an aggressive schedule that was already in jeopardy... As he barged into the conference room, his voice erupted, “This project cannot slip! What don’t you understand about competition? I need answers right now!” Read the rest of the story at https://lnkd.in/eVsWVBVM. At Exceptional Difference, we've helped thousands of engineers make commitments they can meet or beat, and we've helped launch projects with exceptional starts that set the projects up for success.

The greatest legacy anyone can leave behind. For your copy of our Amazon bestseller, “Unlock the Hidden Leader: Become The Leader You Were Destined To Be, “click the link below. https://geni.us/4JmlQU #leadershipfirst #inspiration #giffordthomas

This decade has been challenging for leaders everywhere, and the volatility expected ahead may make this year look like the calm before the storm. In the midst of these storms, the need for exceptional leadership has never been greater! In case you missed our leadership talk, Navigating the Storms of Change, you can check it out on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/ezzP2b8g

Too often, engineering teams are focused on meeting requirements solely from a technical perspective. When you instill a mindset of value, teams begin to focus on requirements in the context of what's important to the customer. They know more, care more, and are willing to do more to delight your best customers with innovation and quality that far exceeds requirements.

The need for exceptional leadership has never been greater. Supply chain disruptions, changes in workforce dynamics, the wisdom gap, geopolitics, and other factors are rapidly changing the world we live in. We can react after change happens, or we can take ownership and lead through change. Join us on Wednesday Oct 16, 12-1 ET, for a free webinar, Navigating the Storms of Change: Five Keys for Exceptional Leaders to Thrive. Register at https://lnkd.in/eXPnJubs

Do you struggle with feeling overcommitted and find it hard to say no? If so, you're not alone. But being normal isn't enough - we want you to be exceptional! The Exceptional Few live by a personal Culture of Commitment, where their word is their bond. They meticulously estimate task efforts, available work capacity, and make commitments based on data and expert judgment, consistently exceeding expectations. Discover more about cultivating a Culture of Commitment in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eeVJeCct

Don't miss out on "The A-10 Thunderbolt II Agile Software Development Story" at the October SEA Tech Talk by David R Webb on Wednesday, October 9th at 4:00 PM! Learn about the innovative software development behind the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Link in bio for more details and to get tickets. #A10ThunderboltII #AgileSoftwareDevelopment #SEATechTalk #Innovation #TechEvent

The "essential many" are critical to getting things done in your organization, and they will maintain the status quo. When you want to take your game to the next level, you need the "exceptional few" - visionaries who execute, designers who build, curators of value, agents of change. What does it take to become one of the exceptional few? A relentless focus on value, a maniacal obsession with quality, an unquenchable thirst for speed-to-value, the ability to make commitments you routinely meet or beat, expert judgment you can apply to data and use with courage and conviction, and a lifelong commitment to Cultures of Excellence. Check out some of our videos on our YouTube channel at https://lnkd.in/eXCt3uVw.