Today, I’m officially launching Digital Wayfarer as an independent consultancy. The focus is simple: help organizations navigate complex change with clarity, speed, and systems that actually work.

What if AI isn’t here to replace us, but to connect us?

Imagine students and professionals solving real problems side by side, using AI to break habits, not just automate them.

The future of work isn’t waiting. It’s being built right now—by those bold enough to collaborate across generations.

Incidents will happen.

This simple but powerful truth drives Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). No system is perfect, no service is infallible, and no transformation happens without disruption. SRE isn’t just about keeping systems online—it’s about building reliability into an organization’s DNA through observability, automation, and continuous learning.

For years, the conversation around AI has been dominated by big, sweeping promises—transforming industries, revolutionizing work, and driving exponential efficiency. But as McKinsey’s latest State of AI report highlights, the companies actually seeing bottom-line impact aren’t the ones dabbling in pilot projects. They’re the ones actively rewiring their workflows to embed AI at the core of how they operate. And where is this happening fastest? Developer Experience (DevEx).

Does this sound familiar? You spend your day jumping between different applications, searching for information scattered across email threads, spreadsheets, and shared drives. You're constantly chasing updates from colleagues, struggling to keep track of project progress, and feeling like you're drowning in a sea of manual tasks. You know there has to be a better way, but you're not sure where to start.

It's been a while since I've put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keyboard, in this way. But after some time away, I'm back and more excited than ever to share my passion for a topic that's near and dear to my heart: Developer Experience. And I'm not just back with a single post; I'm kicking off a long-running series dedicated to exploring the multifaceted world of DevEx, and how it intersects with change management, software development, and operations.

A new job is like a journey into the unknown. The thrill of fresh opportunities is often tempered by the anxiety of unfamiliar settings, processes, and faces. Now, imagine this scenario:

You're seated at your workspace, heart fluttering with first-day nerves. You power up your laptop and click on your first task. Instead of a mundane checklist, a personalized video message pops up. Your manager appears on the screen, greeting you with a warm smile. They welcome you to the team, outline clear expectations, and assure you that support is just a message away.

You might be wondering why I've been talking your ear off about "everboarding." No, it's not a misspelling, and it's not some new extreme sport. It's a concept that's quietly revolutionizing how organizations handle change and how leaders guide their teams through it. Let's dive into why I'm so passionate about it.

The statistics on employee disengagement paint a stark picture of the modern workplace. The decline in engagement, coupled with the looming threat of turnover, underscores the urgent need for a proactive and continuous approach to employee development and support. The traditional onboarding process, often confined to the initial weeks or months, simply doesn't cut it anymore. The solution lies in ever-boarding, a dynamic process that extends onboarding beyond the initial phase, fostering a culture of continuous learning, growth, and connection.

True leadership isn't about barking orders and expecting blind obedience. It's about transparency, communication, and shared goals. It's about empowering your team, providing them with the context they need to succeed, and recognizing their contributions along the way.

It's the start of my day, and I've just brewed my first cup of coffee. Is it time to dig into deep work? Not yet. In an office, this would be when I'd wander to the break room, catch up with a colleague, and share a casual chat. So that's what I do, virtually. I scan the list of online colleagues on Slack and reach out to one I haven't connected with recently, "Coffee chat?"

It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of busyness. Business, after all, is just one letter away. But there's a crucial difference: the "I". It's about your role in the busyness. Are you actively driving towards your goals, or are you simply reacting to the chaos around you?

The world is a blur. It spins at a relentless pace, demanding more, faster, better. We're constantly bombarded with messages urging us to hustle, grind, and never stop pushing. But in this endless race, it's easy to forget a simple truth: running at full speed only shortens your distance. The financial cost of employee turnover is a staggering $900 billion annually according to the Work Institute’s 2024 report. That's the price organizations pay for neglecting the importance of sustainable employee engagement and retention.

The modern workplace is in a constant state of flux, and the pursuit of employee engagement has become a top priority for organizations. But despite the countless resources poured into engagement initiatives, there's a glaring gap between the perceived importance of engagement and the reality employees face.

The cost of employee turnover is a staggering burden on businesses, reaching an estimated $700 billion in the U.S. alone in 2022, according to the Work Institute's 2024 Retention Report. The financial impact is compounded by the rising median wage, making the loss of an employee even more costly. Beyond the direct expenses of recruiting and training replacements, turnover disrupts workflow, dampens morale, and leads to a loss of valuable institutional knowledge.

Ever-boarding is about creating a culture of continuous learning and growth, where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. It's about recognizing that the world is constantly changing, and your company needs to adapt and evolve to stay ahead of the curve.

Remember that first day at a new job? The nervous excitement, the awkward introductions, the mountain of paperwork...Onboarding is supposed to smooth that transition, but let's be honest, it often feels more like a whirlwind tour than a deep dive. And once it's over, you're pretty much on your own.

Ben Horowitz's "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" perfectly captures the essence of building a team that can thrive in the ever-changing business landscape. In a world of constant disruption and unforeseen challenges, you need a team of chaos warriors – individuals who are adaptable, resourceful, and quick on their feet.