For the next 5 minutes, let’s elevate your career.
In today’s email:
People are strange
Generosity > agreeableness
Work binges are tempting but
A late start doesn’t mean you lost
Jennifer Rumsey’s career wisdom
ON YOUR CAREER
People are strange
Charles Bukowski, the writer and poet, said, “People are strange: they are constantly angered by trivial things, but on a major matter like totally wasting their lives, they hardly seem to notice.”
Each week is an opportunity to do useful things in our careers and broader life. Will you optimize this week?
Careers are a jungle gym. not a ladder.
COMMUNICATION
Generosity > agreeableness
I had an I.T. colleague who was grumpy most times when I requested her assistance. She would then complete the request at an excellent level - often solving things that I didn’t know I needed.
My colleague didn’t have an agreeable style. But she was very generous.
Agreeable displays might lead to assistance, or they might be superficial. Generosity is much more valuable.
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
PRODUCTIVITY
Work binges are tempting but
There are times when we have urgent work that leads us to working very late. Sometimes we’ll work late to stay on a roll. Work binges are tempting, but they’re the enemy of productivity. Tiredness in the days following work bingeing means we’re less productive overall than if we’d stopped for normal sleep. A balanced approach to sleep and work is a good short and long-term strategy. Sleep = productivity.
It’s not the giant’s blow but the constant drop of water that hollows the stone.
1 MINUTE TO HAPPINESS
A late start doesn’t mean you lost
As long as we keep learning and trying we can be hopeful of future success.
The epic lap could be coming.
I started late, learned slow, but I never gave up. And that made all the difference.
CAREER WISDOM
Jennifer Rumsey
Jennifer Rumsey (1974 — ) was born in Bloomington, Indiana. She showed early curiosity in how things worked, often taking apart household gadgets to see if she could put them back together. Rumsey earned a bachelor’s degree (Purdue) and masters degree (MIT) in mechanical engineering. After working in various engineering roles, Rumsey joined Cummins, a global leader in power solutions. Her technical expertise and collaborative leadership style helped her rise steadily through the ranks. In 2022, Rumsey became CEO of Cummins, and in 2023 she added the role of Chair of the Board.
Rumsey has focused on innovation, guiding the company through a transition toward low and zero-emission technologies. Rumsey’s vision balances sustainability with performance, ensuring the company remains competitive in a changing energy landscape. She is also known for championing STEM education and believing that diverse teams build better solutions. Rumsey’s leadership reflects engineering precision, strategic foresight, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of energy. Some of her career wisdom:
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Progress matters more than waiting for flawless solutions.
I believe in making decisions grounded in data, guided by values, and focused on long-term outcomes.
Every challenge is also an opportunity — an opportunity to rethink, reinvent, and redefine what’s possible.