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Michael Karnjanaprakorn
Product Design Manager at Datadog
Michael Karnjanaprakorn is the Executive Creative Director at OpenText, a company specializing in enterprise information management. He has a diverse background in creative direction, product design, and user experience, contributing significantly to the development of innovative solutions in the tech industry.
Career Highlights::
- Executive Creative Director at OpenText: In this role, he leads creative initiatives and oversees the design of user-centric products and services.
- Previous Experience: Karnjanaprakorn has held various leadership positions where he focused on enhancing user experience and driving creative strategies.
His expertise lies in blending creativity with technology to create impactful user experiences, making him a valuable asset to OpenText.
Highlights
On the latest episode of TKS, I chatted with Rick Foerster (@rickfoe ), about scaling down to find meaning.
After twelve years at Privia Health, Rick took a sabbatical when the company went public. He used that time to reassess his priorities and shift from a work-centric identity to a multi-dimensional one, and finding meaning beyond career success.
This episode is perfect for anyone going through a transition, curious about taking a sabbatical, or seeking a more meaningful life beyond work.
Takeaways
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Sabbaticals as a Reset: Rick's sabbatical gave him the space to step back from the relentless pace of career life and focus on self-discovery. This period acted as a zero-based identity budgeting, helping him dismantle the accumulated ‘crud’ and realign his identity with life goals beyond the career ladder.
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Scaling Down for Meaning: After years of scaling up in the startup world, Rick discovered the value of scaling down. He realized that while helping millions through his job was impactful, the deeper meaning came from mentoring and making a direct difference in one person’s life.
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Identity Portfolio: Just as one diversifies financial investments, an identity portfolio should be diversified. Instead of over-allocating identity with work, he suggests spreading one's identity across various areas of life—family, health, creative pursuits—to minimize discontent from any single area.
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Redefining Ambition: Moving from career-focused goals to a broader ambition, including being a better father and community member. The shift from "I want to be Steve Jobs" to "I want to be a great father and citizen" highlights the evolution of ambition that aligns more closely with personal values and fulfillment.
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Experiment with Small Changes: Even if a long sabbatical isn't possible, Rick encourages experimenting with smaller shifts—whether it’s taking up a new hobby, reducing work hours slightly, or getting involved in community projects to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:43 Rick's Journey 03:38 Life After Privia Health 08:25 Identity Shift 12:40 Sabbaticals 25:10 Ambition 36:00 Scaling Down After Scaling Up 40:02 Meaning 48:24 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck 54:36 Rebalancing Life's Portfolio
🔖 Search "TKS" on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or bookmark here on X.
