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Stories of Life and Leadership Lessons
Stories of life and leadership lessons can help us see familiar challenges from a fresh perspective. Explore personal reflections on career change, mindful living, and the ideas that shape how we work with others.
Discover how the Enneagram can support self-awareness, and learn why human skills matter in an AI-driven world. These posts also examine practical leadership themes, including using data to support better decisions, building community around sustainability, and giving and receiving constructive feedback. Each story offers a thoughtful starting point for reflection and meaningful growth.
Whether you’re considering a new direction or looking for ways to lead with greater intention, Rachel’s writing brings together candid experiences and useful insights. Read these stories of life and leadership lessons to find ideas you can carry into your work and everyday life.
All Posts
Leading People is Harder Than Math (And the Data That Makes it Easier)
Why leading people is hard; and how data can help. Plus quotes from Mean Girls.
Rachel Mountin
Oct 82 min read
"What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" The Journal Prompt That Helped Me Redesign My Career.
Leaving my 14+ year corporate job was scary; admitting that I wanted more... that was terrifying. And yet, I knew I needed to listen to that little voice inside. This journal prompt was also challenging because I am afraid of most things. But the insights that came out were powerful for me and helped to clarify my new mission statement. When I finally wrote down what I was afraid of, I could face those fears head-on. IF I weren't afraid of: other people's opinions failing ac
Rachel Mountin
May 282 min read
How the Enneagram Hit Me Hard (in a Good Way) and the Noises That Followed
There’s a Flaming Lips song called "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" and though you wouldn’t guess it from the title, the lyrics are quite thought-provoking. I recommend listening to it late-night with a group of friends, dancing in a kitchen on a Thanksgiving-Eve in your 20’s (just pure hypothetical). The chorus presents us with a key question: “With all your power…what would you do?” Years later, that question echoed again when I finally understood my Enneagram type and that
Rachel Mountin
May 283 min read
Human Skills in an AI Age
Emotional intelligence differs from artificial intelligence. As AI accelerates into our lives, our human skills are becoming more important than ever.
Rachel Mountin
Oct 164 min read
Productivity Culture Can Take a Hike
Short story about how a hike with my son reminded me to re-think my definition of productivity.
Rachel Mountin
Oct 13 min read
The Power of Community in Sustainability Work
Sustainability and social impact professionals need the benefits of community to do their most effective work. And the world needs it.
Rachel Mountin
Sep 246 min read
Constructive Feedback that Transformed My Career
In Math Terms: Honest Feedback + Real Support = Actual Growth. This equation proved true for me during one memorable performance review. Years ago, I sat in my boss Jim's office, anxiously awaiting my performance review. I was a manager at a large corporation, leading a team, and asking for a promotion. I wasn't nervous because I expected bad feedback; speaking to authority figures always sent my heart racing. Side note: This Jim was the first of three Jims that I would event
Rachel Mountin
Sep 174 min read
I Ate a Puzzle Piece: Lessons in Mindfulness for Beginners
Puzzling life's meaning. Or just puzzling. One day I ate a puzzle piece I thought was a Triscuit. Also, let’s talk about mindfulness. A group of friends and I were staying at a cabin in the mountains one winter. Large windows let the beautiful sunshine stream in. Outside we could glimpse snowcapped mountaintops, evergreen trees, and a bright blue sky. I was donning cozy clothes and doing one of my favorite wintertime activities: puzzling. Yes, putting together a jigsaw puzzle
Rachel Mountin
Sep 104 min read
Never Enough: A Tale of Finding Unexpected Joy and Connection
Enjoy a tale about finding joy and connection in unexpected places.
Rachel Mountin
Sep 33 min read
Why the Enneagram is Different From Other Personality Assessments
I've worked in corporate America for more than a decade. In that time, I’ve taken many personality assessments as part of leadership development programs or team retreats. I like learning about myself and how I can grow into a better person. On the personal side, I don’t take every “What’s your Hogwarts House?” quiz available, but I see the appeal. I would like to get an A+ on a personality quiz, if that were an option. I’ve written about why the Enneagram is special to me, b
Rachel Mountin
Aug 113 min read
It’s Up to You: How a Positive Mindset Can Change Everything
Learn how four words changed my day, then my life. A positive mindset can change everything.
Rachel Mountin
Jul 233 min read
An Engineer's Take: How the Enneagram Provides a Path to Growth
How to use the Enneagram framework for personal and professional growth - tips from an experienced, corporate professional with an engineering background.
Rachel Mountin
Jun 173 min read
What Else Can I Do?: 3 Lessons From Half-Marathon Training
Besides bringing the song from Encanto to mind, this idea of completing a challenge and then asking "What else can I do?" has recently been on my mind because of running. I'm training for a half marathon, which, to be clear, is a challenge for me. I enjoy running, but typically only run 3 to 4 miles at a time, on a good day. Signing up for a race gave me a goal and identifying a training plan to follow gave me accountability. More accurately: I set a goal and built an account
Rachel Mountin
Jun 162 min read
Lessons in Improv and Authenticity: How Improv Comedy Taught Me to Be More (and Also Less) Serious
My heart was racing. My fists clenched. My armpits…gross. It was opening night for Herding Squirrels, our student improv group’s first real show - in front of actual, paying humans, several of whom we didn’t even know (!). Over the course of the evening, I played a range of characters: a midwestern old woman (somehow my go-to accent), a background cat, and Skittles in a vending machine. Lest you think that this was a normal evening for me, let me take you back. At that time
Rachel Mountin
Jun 162 min read
We Get to Take the Airport Shuttle: How Our Word Choice Impacts Ourselves and Others
Once upon a time our family traveled with young-ish children (ages 5 and 7). We flew into Chicago late one night after delays and a long day overall. It was around 10pm - basically midnight for children and sometimes their parents too. We were exhausted and ready for sweet, sweet sleep. Then we discovered an unexpected obstacle between us and our hotel beds: we would have to take a shuttle to get to our rental car and then to the hotel. As we navigated the enormous airport, w
Rachel Mountin
Jun 162 min read
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