As I sit down to start this week, I’m feeling a deep sense of gratitude. This week marks a meaningful milestone for me: my upcoming 5‑year anniversary with E&I.
Looking back at the person who started five years ago, I am struck by how much our landscape has evolved. We have navigated reorganizations, adopted new frameworks, and learned new tools along the way. And while the boards and structures I build are important, I have learned that the true architecture of success runs much deeper.
If these five years have taught me anything, it is the value of perseverance. Project management is rarely a straight line; it is about keeping a steady hand on the wheel when the roadmap shifts.
I have been reflecting recently on Maria Konnikova’s perspective on resilience (https://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/the-secret-formula-for-resilience): it is not a fixed superpower we are born with, but a mindset we cultivate through how we frame our experiences. Looking back at moments of change and uncertainty, I have realized that perseverance is not about toughing it out. It is about staying committed to the goal and helping teams move forward with clarity and confidence.
Over time, my perspective has shifted.
I used to think my role was primarily about managing work, keeping things organized, moving, and on track. Experience has taught me that while tools, boards, and frameworks matter, they are not the point.
What matters is how people experience the work, especially during moments of change, uncertainty, and when the path forward is not perfectly clear.
Two principles guide how I think about work today:
- Relentless Learning:
This is about protecting curiosity, creating enough space in our workflows to ask why and how can we do this better? so our growth as people keeps pace with our growth as a business. - Better Together:
Perseverance is never a solo effort. I have learned that progress is stronger and more sustainable when we design work in ways that support the person behind the project, not just the deadline. When trust and well‑being come first, meaningful results follow.
Whether you have been here five days, five months or five years, take a moment today to look at your to‑do list through a new lens:
- What’s one thing you’re curious to understand better this week?
- Who can you reach out to today — not for a status update, but simply to say hi, listen, and support?
I was reminded recently, while attending Jason Feifer’s Build for Tomorrow webinar (https://www.jasonfeifer.com/book/), that progress is not about predicting every turn; it’s about staying adaptable and moving forward thoughtfully. I am proud of what we have built together and grateful for how we continue to learn, adjust, and support one another along the way.
Emma
