Introduction!


My name is Issam Gharios and I am an engineering leader in the Boston area.    I am very passionate about building software, teams and coaching individuals.  Practice to Lead is an idea that helps me connect with both my passions.  For now it is a personal project that I am hoping will help many others as much as it will help me.

While we are in the process of building our platform.  Please read the blog to help you know more about me and my thoughts on leadership.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To Blame or Not to Blame?

As corporate leaders we are taught not to blame , we work hard to create a blameless work environment.  In the Private sector you hear all about mental safety and safe work environment. Yet, as we step into the public world, we ignore all of it, we turn into finger pointing monsters.  I’ve done this with my innocent little kids and I bet you did too.  Have you ever stepped into a room with a broken glass, something has spilled on the floor, and said “WHO DID THIS?”?  That question scares any of us even if not guilty. What if we ask “Is everyone ok?” wait for an answer and then ask “What happened?” When the explosion happened in Beirut , everyone raced to understand the root cause, questioning the “fireworks” storage explosion. Then we felt sorry for the people and city, and at the end we started looking for someone to blame. We have yet to see any reports about inspecting other storage facilities in Lebanon.  Any initiative to build policies and regulation for ...
Read more

Software Engineering vs Kitchen Design: Why Every Team Needs a Chief Reminder Officer

Image
  If you’ve ever renovated a kitchen, you know how quickly it can spiral. There are so many features you can add — an extra prep sink, hidden spice drawers, a built-in espresso bar. But unless you decide what’s truly important to you, your bill will go through the roof… and you’ll still end up missing what you really wanted. Software engineering is no different. Every sprint, there’s a new feature you could add. Every week, there’s a shiny new framework, integration, or AI plugin. Without clear priorities, you’ll burn your budget and your team’s focus chasing “nice to have” ideas while the things that actually matter to users remain half-baked. 1. Over-Designing for the Future In both kitchens and software, the future can be a trap. You can’t keep up with every gadget on the market. Just because your neighbor has a double oven with Wi-Fi doesn’t mean you need one. Similarly, just because another company is bragging about its AI-driven workflow doesn’t mean it’s right for your pr...
Read more

Beyond the Boxes: A Holistic Talent Scorecard for Growth

Image
  People are undeniably more than just two dimensions. While the traditional 9-box grid measures Productivity (important for any organization) and Potential (a clear win for the organization), it often misses crucial nuances. What if that potential isn't aligned with what the organization can offer? What if a highly productive individual doesn't align with the company's core values? As a basketball fan, I've always appreciated the comprehensive scouting reports on sites like www.nbadraft.net . They provide a clear, multi-faceted picture of a player's capabilities through a detailed scorecard. It's all about individual attributes, not just fitting into a simple box. Look at an example: When it comes to performance reviews, we often simplify complex realities. Yet, career ladders, which can lead to promotions or performance improvement plans (PIPs), are inherently multi-dimensional. Even with continuous feedback, it's challenging to navigate so many categor...
Read more