On my way to Munich today, where I’ll be hosting an exclusive dinner for some members of Women of Colour Tech Connect this week. As I watch the scenery rush by, my mind keeps returning to a conversation I had earlier this week with a friend who is a Senior Frontend Engineer. He asked me, “Elizabeth, why do you think I’m good at what I do?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Because when you run into issues, you know how to navigate through them—and you keep improving your approach to challenges every single time.” That moment sparked a deep discussion about what makes problem solvers stand out. Whether it’s classmates asking for help because they trust you’ll figure it out first, or gracefully guiding someone to the right documentation or the right expert—you’re valuable when you can tackle challenges head-on and turn them into opportunities for growth. It’s easy to shy away from difficult problems, but what if we leaned into them instead? Yes, finding the solution may take time. It might be messy or even uncomfortable. But in the process, you gain so much more—new insights, alternative solutions, and a deepened understanding of the problem space. Think of it this way: Instead of waiting for someone else to solve it and return to tell you the one-line solution, you uncover that solution and twenty possible root causes, and ten tools or approaches that can help you in the future. That depth of knowledge transforms you into someone others turn to when it matters most. So I ask you—do you avoid challenges, or do you embrace them, knowing they’ll leave you sharper, wiser, and more resilient? Let’s keep growing, one solved problem at a time. P.S.: Attached herewith is a picture of my Builder’s Mug of Endless Energy 😌.
When it hurts, do it more! This is the statement that keeps me going when I think of quitting an annoying issue or taking short-cuts. Thanks for sharing Elizabeth!
Go Elizabeth great work you are doing
Exciting
Senior AWS Architect ☁️ 10x AWS Certified | AWS Community Builder
2moGreat words about being a problem solver! In my opinion, it also boosts your self-confidence and takes away the fear of taking on bigger and bigger challenges. Just knowing that you will always find a solution 💡