Why Being A Modern Polymath Is The New Normal
Polymath Advantage 1: Combining two or more skills can make you world-class.
Polymath Advantage 2: Most creative breakthroughs come via making atypical combinations of skills.
Polymath Advantage 3: It’s easier and faster than ever to become competent in a new skill.
Polymath Advantage 4: It’s easier than ever to pioneer a new field, industry, or skill set.
Polymath Advantage 5: It Future-proofs Your Career
Polymath Advantage 6: It Sets You Up To Solve More Complex Problems
Polymath Advantage 7: Being a polymath helps you stand out and compete in the global economy.

Preparation
Although I’m interested in machine learning positions, the positions at the five companies are slightly different in the title and the interviewing process. Three are machine learning engineer (LinkedIn, Google, Facebook), one is data engineer (Salesforce), and one is software engineer in general (Airbnb). Therefore I needed to prepare for three different areas: coding, machine learning, and system design.

I mainly used Leetcode and Geeksforgeeks for practicing, but Hackerrank and Lintcode are also good places. I spent several weeks going over common data structures and algorithms, then focused on areas I wasn’t too familiar with, and finally did some frequently seen problems. Due to my time constraints I usually did two problems per day.

Ramit Sethi has called this the “Briefcase Technique,” saying that the best job applicants wait for a moment right after the pleasantries have ended and the basic information about the position has been explained. It is here, after they have answered just enough questions to establish comfort and trust, that they reveal how much research they have done prior to showing up, by explaining all the things they’ve learned about the business, how they intend to improve it and exactly why they’re the right person for the job. This move, done politely but confidently, immediately separates them from all the other potential hires.

I want to clarify my priorities
by defining my goals and the path to reach them.

The DIY Toolkit has been especially designed for development practitioners to invent, adopt or adapt ideas that can deliver better results.

Wedged between boomers and millennials, Gen X has been the quiet, get-things-done generation nobody paid much attention to. Now they’re getting pushed out of their jobs—and boy, is Boston gonna miss them. —By Kris Frieswick

1. What does success look like for this project?
2. How can failure be avoided with this project? What are you worried might go wrong?
3. What will happen to your business if nothing changes?
4. Where do you see your business a year from now? Three years from now? Ten years from now?
5. What is the single hardest thing in your business right now?

Here are some ways people ask questions the wrong way -- and how you can ask the right way:

1. Don't Lead the Witness
   "What do you think we should do about that order?"

2. Don't Stick to Either/Or Questions
   "There are defects throughout the whole order. What do you think we should do?"

3. Look for Clarification
   "That sounds really good. Let me make sure I don't miss anything, though. Can you walk me through it one more time?"

Talk as little as possible. You already know what you know.

The most productive engineers I’ve ever worked with aren’t the engineers who pull all-nighters or clock in 80 hour work weeks. Nor are they the engineers who can effortlessly craft an elegant five lines of x86 assembly to succinctly and efficiently solve a problem.

Focus on the problem – each and every time

• Breathe
• Focus on your body
• Try saying a mantra
• Acknowledge and label your feelings
• Take a break

Imagine my surprise when he called me into his office that day and admonished me for being too efficient. My zeal to do everything on my to-do list—along with my reserved, even shy nature—made me come across as abrupt and cold. I started every meeting by jumping right in and left with every action under control.

"You have to wallow in it," he said. "Take time to get to know people. Understand where they are coming from, what is important to them. Make sure they are with you."

“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly."

Writing intrinsically champions and improves creativity, critical thinking, and clarity.

1. "If" -- improves performance when describing a hypothetical positive.
   "What would you say if you did know?"

2. "Could" -- boosts creativity when used instead of "should."

3. "Together" -- makes teams work harder and smarter

4. "Choose to" -- reframing from "have to" makes a big difference.

5. "And" -- the best way to state a contrary opinion.
   "Here's what I'm thinking."
   "My perspective is based on the following assumptions... "
   "I came to this conclusion because... "
   "I'd love to hear your reaction to what I just said."
   "Do you see any flaws in my reasoning?"
   "Do you see the situation differently?"

6. "Because" -- makes whatever you ask sound objective and rational.

7. "(Your name)" -- we prefer things connected to ourselves.

8. "Willing" -- can turn a "no" into a "yes."

7 Words to Avoid:
Need Must Can't Easy Just Only Fast

Creativity: A Systems Approach

First, an individual must master her craft in a given domain (art, science, mathematics). Then, this person must offer the creative work to a field of influencers in that domain who are trusted experts. Finally, the gatekeepers decide if the work is worth being accepted as authoritative into the domain.

1. "It's not fair."
2. "This is the way it's always been done."
3. "No problem."
4. "I think ... /This may be a silly idea ... /I'm going to ask a stupid question."
5. "This will only take a minute."
6. "I'll try."
7. "He's lazy/incompetent/a jerk."
   (There is no upside to making a disparaging remark about a colleague.)
8. "That's not in my job description."
9. "It's not my fault."
10. "I can't."
    (If you really can't do something because you truly lack the necessary skills, you need to offer an alternative solution.)
11. "I hate this job."

Big companies understand the importance of brands. Today, in the Age of the Individual, you have to be your own brand. Here’s what it takes to be the CEO of Me Inc.

Reflect on what you learn by writing

Apart from becoming a better writer, blogging can help you organise your thoughts.

Blogging encourages deep thinking.

When you begin to share what you know with others, your ability to communicate gets better.

Blogging helps your brain to stay active.

You will also be able to link ideas and pieces of information better.

#1: How’s life?
#2: What are you worried about right now?
#3: What rumors are you hearing that you think I should know about?
#4: If you could be proud of one accomplishment between now and next year, what would it be?
#5: What are your biggest time wasters?
#6: Would you like more or less direction from me?
#7: Would you like more or less feedback on your work? If so, what additional feedback would you like?
#8: Are there any decisions you’re hung up on?

4. Be open to teaching and learning. When people get promoted at work it's because their managers can see that they are ready to operate at a higher altitude. Show your managers you're ready by staying open to teaching people what you know and learning from your co-workers, too.
5. Climb up in altitude. Once you understand and feel comfortable at your own job, think from a higher altitude about your department and its role in your company or institution. Think about the company's goals and get clear on your personal goals, also.
6. Thank and acknowledge people. You don't have to wait for a management title to thank and acknowledge your co-workers.
7. Get comfortable asking "What can I do differently next time?" Most people will not give you feedback unless you ask for it because they'll think you might find them presumptuous if they do. Find the people you trust in your workplace and enlist them as informal mentors by asking them "You saw my presentation. Be honest -- what could I do differently next time?" If you and they are comfortable, share your feedback with them too. We all need people in our corner and on our side.

Here are humans’ core needs in the BICEPS model:

Belonging
Improvement/​Progress
Choice
Equality/​Fairness
Predictability
Status