What does it take to keep growing when you're already good at what you do? In this conversation, I talk with Kate Salada to explore the mindset that has shaped her approach to work: curiosity, taking on unfamiliar challenges, learning from mistakes, seeking feedback, and being willing to figure things out along the way. We talk about the people and experiences that have shaped her, what high performance really looks like in practice, and how you keep stretching yourself without having all the answers. At the heart of it is a simple idea: you don't always have to know how - you just have to be willing to figure it out.

In this episode, I sit down with my uncle, a first-generation immigrant whose 30+ year career as a consultant took him across the country—week after week, year after year. From early days of mainframes to the rise of the internet, he shares what it was really like to live the “road warrior” life. We talk about the tradeoffs, the relationships, and what it takes to influence without authority.

What emerges isn’t a story of careful planning, but one built on curiosity, adaptability, and connecting with people. A grounded look at what actually sustains a long working life.

In this episode, Lakshmi sits down with Abiola Jeremiah to talk about building a career with intention and becoming a stronger strategic HR partner. Abby shares practical insight on shifting from being great at getting work done to focusing on results that drive the business. It’s a grounded conversation about asking better questions, taking on stretch opportunities, and shaping a career thoughtfully over time.