My founder story: an unexpected blow opens up possibilities “…and I’m reducing your salary 25%.” I could see that he was extremely uncomfortable. He spoke in a voice that didn’t sound like him. It was lower in tone, almost as if his throat was restricted. I knew it was nerves. …

Inspired by this New York Times piece “Now, honey, I’m sure we can find a way to reduce the rent.” It was late. Maybe around ten, my boss’s voice drifted back through the empty office. I was alone and finishing my work when I overheard his half of the conversation…

In order to negotiate better, freelancers need to learn to love the fear of asking for more. (It’s not bravery or some magical power that helped me become a better negotiator; it was raw fear.) Fear can make us unable to think, unable to move. I’ve been so gripped by fear that my feet felt frozen to the floor. When we’re negotiating, we don’t have control over…

This evening a grade school classmate of mine arranged a Zoom reunion call. Thirteen of the eighty-five of us who graduated from Maple School have signed up for the call. A good turnout considering our graduation was in 1958. We’re all in our seventies, and seventeen of us are dead. …

(Published in Fast Company, December 19, 2022) “I want to raise my rates from $90 to $125 an hour.” That was the first thing Jessica said on the call. It was followed by, “My accountant advised it.” Quickly followed by, “How do I tell my clients?” It’s a question I…

Imagine streets as gardens without cars, trucks, and buses. Underground trains take us where we need to go. Imagine rooftops mainly solar with battery-powered air taxi landing zones for those in a hurry. Imagine cities connected by electric-powered high-speed rail replacing almost all fossil fuel-powered aircraft. Imagine ocean cargo transported…

“You must separate yourself from your work.” I listened. Took in the thought. But didn’t connect completely with his meaning. There I was, sitting in a seminar about negotiation with a bunch of business types. It was midway through the morning session. A nice guy teaching the class. I liked…

If you’re any good at all, you know you can be better. And teams make us better. I’ve been a runner off and on over the course of my life. Being adopted and fostered left me with a tendency to be a loner. Yes, I could relate to people. I…

This is the epic story of the birth of the brand NED, which stands for Not Entirely Dead, a brand inspired by Eason Yang’s personal cancer treatment experience. Doctors use the term NED when all symptoms of cancer are gone — which, in their terms, means “No Evidence of Disease.”…