About Under Pressure
What this is
Cinematic essays about leadership, pressure, and what really happens when things go sideways.
Every story in Under Pressure comes from something that actually happened to me — teams I led, systems I built, or situations that went off the rails.
They’re not theories. They’re field notes on what not to do and what it looks like when you rebuild better.
Why I write them
I’ve led teams and built workflows, structure, and infrastructure long enough to know that rules don’t teach — stories do.
When you see the moment play out — the silence in the room, the decision that costs trust, the repair that takes weeks — it sticks.
That’s why I share them: so the next generation of leaders can recognize the signs faster than I did, and so anyone new to the workplace knows they’re not alone when something feels off.
What you’ll get
Real scenes from real work — no jargon, no theory.
A clear takeaway in every piece.
One new essay each month.
Occasional follow-ups showing how those lessons evolve into what I build next.
Each story stands alone, but they all lead back to one question: How do you lead without breaking what matters most?
If you lead, build, or want to
You’ll see what pressure does to judgment, how culture forms under stress, and what to watch for when you’re the one responsible.
If you’re early in your career, you’ll see that the messes aren’t yours alone — and that you have a voice in how the work should run.
Keep reading
If you want to see how these lessons turn into actual systems and practices, head to The Build Log_ — that’s where the experiments live.
If you want the personal side — film, culture, and politics — that’s A Unique Perspective* and The Republic, Weathered .
They’re all connected, but Under Pressure is where it starts.
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No advice columns. No fluff. Just real stories about leadership, mistakes, and what they teach.
