Today I discuss my thoughts on the concept of “fit” between employer and employee. Gallup found in 2023 that disengaged employees cost the world $8.8 trillion in lost productivity annually. I introduce Andre Martin's book 'Wrong Fit, Right Fit,' which emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit at the point of hire rather than adjusting organizational culture post-hire. I elaborate on reciprocity in the workplace and the significance of going beyond a transactional relationship between employer and employee. I also talk through Martin’s focus on trends in workplace branding and the potential pitfalls of focusing too much on employer brand rather than actual job fit. Finally, I reflect on my own values: fun, evangelism, discretion, value/impact, and relationships, and how they have influenced my career.

00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast
00:32 Exploring 'Wrong Fit, Right Fit' by Andre Martin
02:14 The Concept of Reciprocity in the Workplace
03:48 The Rise of Workplace Branding
06:50 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance at Work
07:23 Reflecting on Personal Workplace Values
13:47 Conclusion and Future Insights

In this episode, I reconnect with Ashwin Aravind, Head of Operations at Lightyear. Ashwin has been a high-octane performer all his life, spanning school and career. Starting with his undergrad years at UC Berkeley, where Ashwin majored in Molecular and Cell Biology as well as Business Administration, we follow his forays into consulting and law school before ultimately transitioning to the tech sector. Ashwin reflects on the proactive and strategic nature of his career decisions, consulting mentors, and evaluating trade-offs, only to recognize in retrospect how some choices didn't align with his true motivations.

We wrap this conversation with him finishing law school, foregoing the bar, and returning to consulting. Stay tuned after this discussion for Part 2, where we discuss his transition to tech and operations.

00:00 Introduction to the Push-Pull Podcast
02:27 Meet Ashwin Aravind: A Journey Through Education and Career
14:11 Early Career Decisions and Consulting
15:31 The Law School Decision
29:35 Experiences at Stanford Law School
35:38 Questioning the Law School Grind
38:07 Exploring Other Interests at Stanford
41:01 Internships and Realizations
46:05 The Consulting Pivot
51:13 Navigating Post-Law School Decisions
01:00:16 Final Decision: Consulting Over Law

Today I discuss my personal journey of leaving prior jobs in search of greater fulfillment. I compare my experience to what I learned in 'Job Moves' by Bob Moesta, Ethan Bernstein, and Michael B. Horn, highlighting how people's motivations for staying in or leaving jobs often go beyond compensation and job features. This book deftly expands to the role of employers in fostering employee growth and satisfaction, the potential for flexible role designs in the workplace, and the benefits of understanding what truly excites and motivates employees.

00:09 Personal Career Reflections
02:53 Features vs. Experiences in Job Descriptions
03:58 Common Beneath-the-Surface Push and Pull Factors
05:38 The Importance of People Development
07:30 Crafting a Role That Fits
09:45 Building a Team Your Employees Want to Rehire
13:40 Flexible Role Designs and the Future of Work
16:38 Final Thoughts and Call to Action