Thoughts My Brain Is Having

Hi, I'm Ben Ricker. After over a decade in software, I've decided it's time to start jotting down some of the thoughts and experiences I've gathered along the way.

I've learned a lot from some amazing mentors and teams across a bunch of different projects between agency life, freelancing, and consulting. I've watched exceptional people do what they do best across various roles and responsibilities. This, and seeing the impact that a manager can make on an employee's career, have informed my direction more than any engineering enlightenment or technical skill.

There's nothing more rewarding to me than understanding someone's problem, helping them solve it, and seeing the weight come off their shoulders as they realize they've learned some new way to approach this in the future. I can remember what it's like to be an early engineer, not understanding the lay of the land or how to navigate it. I believe that when people are supported and engaged, great things happen—not just for them, but for the entire organization.

Over the years, I've led a bunch of engineering projects, run ideation sprints, and worked on AI architecture and implementations. I'm passionate about solving challenges and building interesting products that help our teams and organizations thrive.

In this blog, I'll be sharing insights on engineering management, leadership, and the journey of building great teams and products. Whether you're an engineer, a leader, or someone interested in tech team dynamics, I hope you'll find something valuable here.

Hugs and kisses,

Ben