This month marks nine years since I joined Improving full-time (when I did, I blogged that it was time for me to improve). Before that, I had spent a couple of years contracting with the company, so in many ways this milestone feels even larger. Reflecting on this journey has reminded me of the path that brought me here and why Improving continues to feel like home.
Discovering Improving
I first came across Improving around 2007 while speaking at conferences. Whenever I wasn’t giving a talk, I would sit in the back of sessions, refining my material while listening. Time and again, the talks that interested me most were being delivered by people from Improving.
It happened at multiple conferences, in multiple cities. That was my first clue that my interests and passions aligned with theirs.
Building Connections
In 2008, I presented at a user group in Harrison, Arkansas. I heard about a group of developers who drove hours with friends to attend. We stayed in touch, and years later, one of those attendees moved to Houston to start Improving Houston; our connection continued.
By 2014, I was living between the U.S. and Brazil when an email from Improving popped into my inbox. It was about a Ruby on Rails project, but soon turned into an opportunity to interpret for an Agile training in São Paulo. Since I was already in Brazil, the timing was perfect.
That experience led to more training, consulting, and Agile coaching engagements with Improving. I enjoyed bridging conversations between business and technology, helping teams remove roadblocks and build more effective systems.
Choosing Improving
In 2011, when I went independent and a new journey began, I wrote in my journal that if I ever decided to return to full-time employment, it would be with Improving. My contracting experience from 2014 to 2016 only confirmed that belief.
So, when I returned to the U.S. in 2016, I didn’t look anywhere else. I joined Improving full-time and have been here ever since.
Living Into My Values
What I appreciate most about Improving is how naturally my personal values align with the company’s values. I’ve been able to continue honing the practices I care deeply about, such as Agile, clean code, test-driven design, behavior-driven development, and share them through classes, talks, and client engagements.
Over the years, I’ve seen Improvers adopt these practices, coach others, and lead by influence. It’s rewarding to know I’ve played a part in that growth.
Just as importantly, I’ve never had to change who I am to fit in. Instead, Improving has encouraged me to grow, explore, and improve myself.
Beyond Work
Improving is more than work. The openness here often turns ideas into action. Book clubs, new classes, collaborative talks, or even a friendly ping-pong game—if someone suggests it, chances are people will say, “Let’s do it.”
For me, that has meant friendships, hobbies, and creative projects that extend far beyond office walls.
I welcomed our return to the office.
Data, Insights, and Growth
One unique aspect of Improving is the involvement program, which recognizes contributions beyond our day-to-day roles. Through it, I’ve logged nine years of activities, such as speaking, writing, and teaching, that not only earn recognition but also generate a rich source of data.
Looking back, I can see spikes in activity after major milestones, such as completing one of our business programs in 2019, and I can reflect on how I responded to the challenges of 2020. These insights remind me of how I’ve grown both personally and professionally.
The analysis of my involvement data over these nine years shows a clear progression:
- 2016–2018: Establishing myself at Improving with steady involvement in technical talks, coaching, and community engagement.
- 2019–2022: A sharp increase in leadership, mentoring, and community-building activities.
- 2023–2025: A strong emphasis on thought leadership, AI/tech education, and cross-team collaboration, with consistent impact both internally and externally.
It also highlights the balance of my contributions: about 68% internal impact (coaching, leadership, mentoring Improvers) and 32% external impact (talks, blogs, client engagements, and community events). That balance reflects how much I value both strengthening our culture and reaching beyond our walls to make a difference in the broader community.
The business program I mentioned earlier was a highlight in itself. It validated many of the practices I had already embraced (GTD, time management techniques, focus management) while adding new tools to my toolkit. Around that same time, I was surprised by a promotion to Director. Titles have never motivated me, but I accepted because it meant expanding my ability to make a positive impact.
Recognition and Highlights
A few moments stand out as highlights:
- 2019: Promotion to Director, opening opportunities for wider influence.
- 2019: The business program was a turning point in productivity and focus.
- 2023: Being recognized in the Improving 100 for thought leadership and community engagement.
- 2025: Seeing my activity profile evolve into a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and thought leadership around AI and productivity.
- And perhaps most meaningful: today, my friend, who is also the President of Improving Houston and Improving’s CCO, is someone I first met back in 2008, when he was an attendee at that presentation in Arkansas.
Full Circle
Back in 2001, people asked why I gave talks and wrote articles “for free for Microsoft.” My answer was simple: I’m not doing it for Microsoft. I’m doing it for the community.
In 2008, when I traveled to small towns to speak at tiny user groups, people asked why I would go so far for such small crowds. My answer then was just as simple: Because communities of all sizes matter.
Seventeen years later, I can see how those choices led me here: to Improving, to lifelong friendships, and to opportunities I never could have planned.
Looking Ahead
Nine years in, I’m still energized by the brainpower, generosity, and spirit of Improvers. My involvement journey shows a trajectory toward greater influence, mentorship, and thought leadership. I see opportunities ahead to:
- Continue shaping company culture and leadership practices.
- Formalize and share frameworks for coaching, productivity, and AI adoption.
- Expand both internal and external impact as a mentor and thought leader.
I’m grateful to work in a place where ideas turn into action, where growth is encouraged, and where impact is celebrated.
Here’s to the journey so far, and to the many milestones yet to come.
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