Why kindness isn’t a nice to have. Why you don’t need perfect heroes. GPT-5: it just does stuff.

One “must” for this week: Why kindness isn’t a nice to have

We were going to miss our deadline.

The whole team knew it.

Our internal client was expecting a delivery, and we were scrambling.

I feared my manager would do what many do: up the pressure, demand longer hours, and in the worst case, even blame.

Instead, they said: "It's OK. We're not going to make this deadline, and that's fine. Let's focus on what really matters long-term."

That safety, that permission to breathe, gave us space to think clearly.

We found an alternative approach we never would have seen while panicked.

And somehow, we actually met the deadline.

Most people can be kind when everything's going well.

Most people can perform under pressure.

It’s the people who are kind under pressure that we remember, like that manager.

Think about the best leader you've worked for: did they add pressure during crisis, or did they create calm?

Inspired by an article from by Nicki Macklin, Thomas H. Lee and Amy C. Edmondson

Personal development

• Why you don’t need perfect heroes
• Why the non-linear career path is your friend, and other advice from the 50 over 50
• The law of reversed effort: slow down to speed up
• Managing careers
• Teaching the invisible
• The protein guide
• Digital and AI upskilling
• This is a lesson I hope to pass down

Innovation

• GPT-5: it just does stuff
• The bitter lesson versus the garbage can
• Hey AI, buy my product: how LLMs are rewriting the customer journey
• Research: the hidden penalty of using AI at work
• Drive business impact with AI agents
• What does the AI revolution mean for our future?
• Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI
• How to validate any startup idea in 90 days

Leadership and management

• Why kindness isn’t a nice to have
• How to be an empathetic manager (without becoming a therapist)
• People > Principles > Process > Product
• Psychological safety and creativity
• Being right doesn't make you a better leader
• Future of work = less and more
• Q&A: professor Robert Sutton on communicating difficult decisions as a leader
• Adam Grant says this myth is killing your emotional intelligence

One book

“The life-changing magic of tidying up” by Marie Kondo.

See you next Saturday,

Roberto

I’m hosting a virtual communication workshop!

Spending hours in virtual meetings can be exhausting 😩

You know the feeling: wondering if people are paying attention, struggling to sound confident through the screen, or just wishing you could connect better in those tiny Zoom boxes.

I’ve been there too.

Since 2020, I’ve spent over 5,000 hours in virtual meetings. Along the way, I’ve learned that being effective online is about so much more than just having a great microphone or camera (and you know how I LOVE a good tech setup 🤖).

That’s why I’ve spent countless hours researching, practicing, and learning how to communicate in virtual settings: how to engage, connect, and leave a lasting impression.

My guiding question has always been, “how do I want the people in this meeting to remember me?”

Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you, and in the process, continue learning myself.

I’m hosting a workshop to help you become a better communicator in virtual settings.

Whether you’re leading meetings, pitching ideas, or just trying to avoid “Zoom fatigue,” this 90-minute session is designed to give you practical tools you can use right away.

🎯 What’s in it for you?

• Learn how to make a stronger, more memorable impression from the moment you join a call.
• Discover how to use your voice, gestures, and presence to keep people engaged.
• Avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the best-prepared sessions.
• And yes, we’ll talk about the all-important technical setup, too!

It’s going to be interactive, fun, and useful, and I’d love for you to join! 🤩

What people said last time

In each session, the spots are limited for better interaction, so don’t wait!

🗓️ September 2nd 16:00 to 17:30 CET > register for the workshop