David Nyeste

Note to My Future Me A Matter of Perspective A while ago I was confronted with a huge dilemma in a project, which led to a significant delay and a serious budget overrun, that nearly killed the entire project. When I was on the verge of frustration, I remembered an important lesson from my time as an soldier: Whenever I’m confronted with a problem, I start with one decisive question: Which perspective do I choose? Often, you can’t fully control how personally affected you are or how deeply involved you become. Let me explain what I mean more clearly: Air Force, Navy, Army This question always reminds me of a comic I once saw at an army facility. It showed three scenes—each with a soldier from a different branch of the military: In the first, a fighter pilot sits calmly in his jet, looking down from a safe distance at a raging battle below. His thought: “What a mess.” In the second, a patrol boat commander is in the middle of combat, visibly tense, thinking: “I hope we make ...

Note to My Future Me Lifelong Learning – Work and Improve Learning efficiently  is probably one of the most underrated superpowers of our time. In an age of artificial intelligence, mobile internet, and constant acceleration, knowledge itself has lost value for many people. And that’s understandable: Why invest effort in learning something that may soon be outdated—and that you can access anytime with a click (or a swipe)? A strong reason to continuously improve your knowledge and skills is this: You’re training a critical muscle—the brain. Or more precisely: your ability to think. Brain Training Thinking is hard work. The human brain consumes around 20% of our total energy. Maybe that’s why it’s wired by default to prefer “energy-saving mode.” My own brain is a true professional at that. Yesterday, I planned to read a book before bed… and ended up watching a series instead. :-p Take beginner pianists as an example: Even playing a simple scale can be exhausting. After a short...

Notes to my future me Crabs and Climbers This week I adressed an 'inconvenient truth' at work. Disclaimer: I have a huge part in it. I give the blame for all to the fact that I easily subscribe to 'Crab-Mentality'. That one is quickly explained: Imagine a bucket full of living crabs. Cooperative crabs could easily escape their captivity: They would help each other to overcome their bucket-prison - piece of cake. Lots of resourceful crabs would create a climbing-crew and release each and every one into freedom - no one is left behind. Crabs Instead something different happens. The crabs pull each other down and hinder any crab to escape successfully. "If I can't have it, nobody can." is the motto. The result is well known: everyone is worse off, or more specifically: in the end all crabs end up as a yummy dish. Climbers The -more constructive- opposite of the crab mentality is the climbers' mindset. It is pro cooperation and its purpose is to improve sy...

Notes to my future me Receiving Feedback After having given feedbacks to some colleagues in the past weeks and months I regularly felt a strong urge to give some feedback to the feedback recepients on receiving feedback (read that again more slowly if you like :-) ). Here's what I would have given them as a tip for the future: 1. Listen and understand - active listening means laser-focus on the things being said. Taking some notes can be helpful. 2. Never (never EVER) explain, downplay, justify, comment, etc.. Feedback is never exclusively about you - your FB-giver is always part of the story. 3. Ask for clarity - in case you feel you're still in the woods, seek clarity. To understand means to understand without ambiguity and to understand all that was said. Let this claim be the only source of your questions. 4. Pick the cherries - Only you know your journey. Only you can know what helps you reach your harbour. Take what you consider useful, leave the rest and move on. 5. Say ...

The World Is Becoming Crazier By The Day  As a native Hungarian who has been living in Germany for almost 40 years I am always tempted, and therefore rightfully suspected, of feeling smug. When the 'authoritrian democrat' Victor Orbán was elected to power, my Mom told me:"If I had not left Hungary back in 1985 for good, I'd certainly do it now." When I talk to family or friends about Hungary, we actually mostly refer to it as 'Orbanistan'. Eventually, after almost 40 years in Germany, she left again for good, to enjoy her rent in -you will not have guessed it- Hungary.  These are crazy times and I can't shake the impression that the world is getting crazier by the day. The first time this occured to me was, when Donald Trump was elected as the 45th president of the United States of America; I remember feeling an odd surprise. (Actually, now thinking about it, 911 was more of a devastating paradigm shift and an even deeper shocking surprise. It was only...

The World Is Full Of Problems  This is good news. Actually it is great news. Problems are opportunities for growth - if you are able to find -and successfully apply- the solution to a problem that will help someone in any way, you will inevitably create value. If you can find a solution to a big problem (e.g. cure for cancer) you will create an immense value. If you can find a solution to a not so gargantuan, but widespread problem, you will have created tremendous value. But even if you find a solution to a small problem that will benefit a few people, you might still have the benefit of being able to learn something valuable that you can apply later in the solution of greater problems. Don't let yourself be discouraged by the (lack of) magnitude of problems: keep your eyes open and help people even if they do not approach you proactively - this will invite good things to happen to you in the long run. However not everybody in the workforce seems to have the proclivity to solve pr...

Strategic Considerations To me it has always been of paramount importance to have a vision of my model identity. In order to develop towards that ideal my role models would help me strengthen that vision. One effective strategy to find fitting role models is to pick the right environment. Certain organizations will promote specific types of personalities over others. For example in the military there is a tendency to recruit engaging, clearly structured people who have a natural preference to take decisions and action in the face of danger, i.e. under pressure. Thus firm leadership is a skill that is highly valued in military organizations. Other organizations might promote creativity, diversity, individualism and so on. Ask yourself which values you regard as the most precious and then look out for organizations whose values might match best. How To Be A Role Model The good news: setting the bar for being a role model will entirely be up to you. It is your own mind first that you need...