A very long time ago – obviously before digital photography- my passion for music led me to the saxophone. After learning the Tenor Sax, I explored the Alto and Bari Sax as well. Same idea, very different results.
I found that I could coax classical, pop, jazz, funk, or whatever out of those instruments with the right amount of care, air, and attitude. Similar to other creative pursuits, I found that I could create something beautiful where nothing existed before.
The work I do today is not all that different and I lean on the lessons of my early life all the time without really realizing it. One segment of code can do something completely different with a slight variation. Products and tools can serve different needs depending on the way you use them.
As a Solutions Engineer, I lean on the knowledge that everyone has different needs and no one solution is purpose-built to suit everyone. That is why we need to question, discover, and qualify all the time. One product can solve 10 different needs if you breathe life into it in a slightly different way.
I have found the same as a people manager. People all have different motivations, skills, and interests. Managing performance output from a team of people is a lot like playing many different instruments at the same time. Each one needs something different from you in order to produce the best result.
Getting the results you need as an individual or team means not assuming every case is the same. Discovery is essential in every case.
The Bleeding Edge 
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