A Halloween Reflection on Bravery, Boundaries, and Growth

Reflections on Growth, Celebrating Halloween, and Facing Our Fears

I’m kicking off this week feeling refreshed and recharged after taking a long weekend away with my wife for our anniversary. We spent time in Bentonville, Arkansas—a place full of art, nature, and a bit of history. From a unique, coursed dinner at the Crystal Bridges Museum’s Evenings in Eleven to a scenic drive through the Boston Mountains, and even an incredible stop at the Dickson Street Bookshop—an absolute gem with shelves overflowing with books. I brought back a few to add to my collection, inspired by a place that embraces history, knowledge, and nostalgia.

For anyone who’s interested, we also toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House—a striking display of how architecture can be both functional and visionary. Stepping away for a few days provided a fresh perspective, and as I realigned my focus on some ongoing projects before I left, I’m looking forward to sharing more of what’s coming down the line. Sometimes, projects need their own space to breathe and grow before they’re ready to be shared, and this weekend was a reminder of the value of intentional focus.

This week also brings Halloween, one of my favorite times of the year. There’s something about Halloween that encourages a bit of light-heartedness and self-expression, a day when everyone’s free to shed the usual constraints and be a little “weird” (in the best way). It’s a day of acceptance, one where people are allowed—even expected—to embrace the unconventional. It always makes me think: wouldn’t it be great if we could hold onto that openness all year long?

On top of that, Halloween has a way of helping us confront our fears. And it’s not just about “overcoming” them; sometimes, it’s about simply acknowledging them. Some fears don’t need to be “fixed” or defeated—they’re part of what makes us human, and they shape our experiences in meaningful ways. Stay tuned for a special post on Halloween day where we’ll explore how these ideas of acceptance, fear, and courage in embracing our whole selves can support our growth and leadership.

As always, I’m excited to dive into this week’s topics with you and invite you to engage with this unique blend of themes—fall leaves, introspection, and a bit of Halloween magic.

Breaking News: The 2024 State of DevOps Report is Out!

The 2024 State of DevOps Report just dropped, and it’s packed with insights shaping the future of tech and leadership. Each year, this report provides a fresh look at the trends driving DevOps and the innovations changing the way we work—and this year’s findings bring AI, platform engineering, and team well-being to the forefront. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll be unpacking this week:

• AI’s Big Role: From boosting productivity to raising trust questions, AI’s impact on DevOps continues to grow. We’ll be digging into the real effects on code reliability, efficiency, and what leaders need to know about AI’s long-term role in tech.
• Platform Engineering’s Promise and Pitfalls: While platform engineering aims to improve developer experience, it’s a double-edged sword. This week, we’ll explore the efficiency gains as well as the new complexities that come with this approach.
• Burnout & Well-being in DevOps: In a fast-paced field like DevOps, burnout remains a critical issue. This year’s report emphasizes the importance of stable priorities, clear communication, and leadership’s role in keeping teams energized and effective.
• Metrics that Matter & Trends Ahead: We’ll round out the week with insights into which performance metrics are still essential in 2024 and what future trends, like evolving AI applications and refined platform engineering, mean for the path forward.

I’ll be diving into these takeaways throughout the week, so stay tuned for how these findings can guide us in fostering strong, resilient, and innovative teams.

FINAL WEEK of the Dark Triad Leadership Series: Dealing with Toxic Leaders and Promoting Positive Change

This week marks the conclusion of our eight-week deep dive into dark triad leadership and toxic leaders, a series created to spotlight the importance of ethical leadership and inspire positive change. We’ve explored narcissism, manipulation, lack of empathy, and the complex dynamics that can poison a workplace. For me, this series has been about much more than naming toxic traits—it’s been a call to recognize and confront the harmful behaviors that too often go unchecked in today’s world.

With the upcoming U.S. election on the horizon, I’ve been especially motivated to highlight how these dark traits appear in leadership and public life, not only in the workplace but across society. The negative impact of toxic leaders who lack empathy and integrity is evident; they perpetuate divisiveness and erode trust. By discussing these traits, I hope to inspire awareness and self-reflection, helping people recognize manipulative tactics and ultimately make more informed decisions, whether in the workplace or at the polls.

But there’s a deeper side to this topic: I want to provide tools and strategies for anyone dealing with toxic leadership. This series has been about confronting hard truths, embracing integrity, and learning to protect our mental health in environments that challenge it. Here’s what to expect in the final week of this series:

Week 8 Topics:

• Monday: Recognizing and Responding to Toxic Leadership. We’ll dive into the signs of dark triad behaviors, from overt manipulation to subtle control tactics, and outline safe ways to document and respond.
• Tuesday: Setting Boundaries and Protecting Mental Health. For those who’ve experienced toxic leadership firsthand, this post will offer practical tips for emotional detachment, self-care, and building support networks.
• Wednesday: Becoming the Dark Triad Leader’s Metaphorical “Worst Nightmare” – Positively. We’ll discuss how to counter toxic behavior with integrity and positive influence, creating strength in numbers by fostering alliances.
• Thursday: Transforming Organizational Culture. Changing culture requires a collective effort. We’ll explore strategies for promoting psychological safety, transparency, and accountability at all levels.
• Friday: Being the Change: Embodying Positive Leadership. We’ll close with actionable steps on leading by example and empowering others to create a positive ripple effect, no matter the challenges.

This series has been personal for me. Throughout my life and career, I’ve seen the impact of toxic personalities on personal well-being, team morale, and organizational growth. By recognizing and addressing these behaviors, we’re all better equipped to foster environments that value psychological safety, integrity, and genuine leadership. This week is about putting everything we’ve discussed into action, creating a positive change and empowering others to do the same.

Wrap-Up Disability and ADHD Awareness Month

This week wraps up our five-week series for Disability Awareness Month and ADHD Awareness Month, dedicated to illuminating the often invisible challenges and strengths of those with invisible disabilities, particularly ADHD. Throughout this journey, we’ve delved into the complexities of living with invisible disabilities, aiming to deepen understanding among neurotypical individuals while empowering those who navigate these realities daily.

The theme, “Seeing the Unseen: Understanding and Embracing Invisible Disabilities,” has guided us through topics ranging from ADHD’s unique manifestations to the vital role neurodiversity plays in innovation, leadership, and organizational culture. Together, we’ve unpacked the realities of living with ADHD, explored ways to support inclusion, and discussed how to foster environments where individuals with invisible disabilities can thrive. This series has been a mix of factual insights, personal reflections, and practical strategies, all with the goal of breaking down stigmas and promoting a society that celebrates neurodiversity.

For our final week, we’ll be looking to the future—at how emerging trends, policy shifts, and organizational changes can keep pushing for an inclusive world where neurodiversity is recognized, respected, and fully integrated.

Week 5: Looking to the Future and Call to Action

Here’s what’s coming up each day this week:

• Monday, Oct. 28: Emerging Research and Treatments for ADHD. We’ll kick off the week with a look at recent advances in ADHD research, including new treatments, therapies, and understandings of ADHD across the lifespan.
• Tuesday, Oct. 29: Advocacy and Policy Changes for Invisible Disabilities. Policy shifts are essential to creating inclusive societies. This post will cover current advocacy efforts and ways to support policy changes that better recognize and accommodate invisible disabilities.
• Wednesday, Oct. 30: The Future of Neurodiversity in the Workplace. How can workplaces evolve to fully embrace neurodiversity? This discussion will focus on creating supportive environments and leveraging the strengths of neurodiverse individuals for innovation and growth.
• Thursday, Oct. 31: Reflection and Call to Action: Embracing Neurodiversity. We’ll close with a reflection on the month, a call to keep up the momentum, and practical steps everyone can take to champion neurodiversity year-round.

Whether you’re a leader, team member, or simply someone looking to understand and support neurodiverse individuals in your life, I invite you to join me in this final week. Let’s carry forward the lessons from this series and commit to building an inclusive future where everyone’s unique perspectives are valued.

Stepping Forward with Awareness, Integrity, and Positive Leadership

As we wrap up another week filled with introspection, change, and a bit of Halloween spirit, I encourage you to take these themes forward. Each of this week’s focuses—whether it’s recognizing toxic leadership, embracing the strengths of invisible disabilities, or adapting to evolving trends in DevOps—has one common thread: the power of awareness and integrity. When we look openly at ourselves, our teams, and the world around us, we find opportunities for growth and genuine connection, even in unexpected places.

Halloween reminds us that embracing who we are, even in our most unconventional forms, is worth celebrating. Just as we might don costumes, we often wear invisible masks in our professional lives, concealing our vulnerabilities and unique qualities. This week, consider taking off that mask. Lead with openness, embrace your uniqueness, and create space for others to do the same. Facing our fears is part of growth, and sometimes, the simplest acknowledgment of those fears can be the most powerful step toward change.

As we conclude our deep dives into dark triad leadership and neurodiversity, I invite you to remember that positive change begins with each of us. Set boundaries where they’re needed, extend empathy where it’s scarce, and let your leadership reflect the values of respect, integrity, and inclusion. Let’s keep building environments where people feel valued, safe, and empowered to show up as their best selves.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to engaging with you in the week ahead as we continue to foster resilience, growth, and understanding. Here’s to a fulfilling week!

Warm regards,

Edward Schaefer