#96 - Finding meaning and connection in life and work (Ian Schumann & Mike Haney)
Apr 4, 2022
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Ian Schumann, a software engineer with a linguistics background, and Mike Haney, Levels Editorial Director, discuss finding meaning and connection in life and work. Topics include discovering linguistics, settling into a career, a sense of human connection, transitioning into engineering, and working async and remote.
Finding meaning and connection in life and work is important for a sense of belonging and fulfillment.
Written communication can foster a sense of connection and closeness even in an asynchronous work culture.
Levels prioritizes transparency, humility, and low BS, creating a strong sense of connection and belonging among the team.
Deep dives
The Importance of Connection in the Working World
In today's Western adult working world, people seek a sense of belonging and connection. One way to fulfill this need is through our jobs. Another key ingredient for connection is the ability to receive and send social vibes through written communication. This allows people to feel close to others even in asynchronous formats. At Levels, the culture values transparency, humility, and low bullshit, creating a sense of connection and belonging among the team. The podcast episodes and spotlight articles help foster this connection by allowing individuals to share their stories and form relationships. Overall, Levels provides a meaningful and connected work environment.
From Linguistics to Engineering: Ian Schuman's Career Journey
Ian Schuman, an engineer at Levels, shares his interesting career path. He began his college education without a particular career goal in mind, initially studying linguistics. However, his love for intriguing concepts and the intersection of STEM thinking with liberal arts led him to switch into engineering after graduation. Ian joined Levels because he resonated with the company's mission and values, as well as the vibrant and engaging personalities he encountered through the podcast and other content. The transition to engineering exceeded his expectations, and he finds fulfillment in being able to use his technical skills to build something the world needs.
Travel Lessons: Resilience and Finding Common Ground
Ian reflects on his year-long travel experience and the valuable lessons he learned. He discovered that humans are more resilient than we often think and can adapt to various challenges and unexpected situations. Ian also found that the sense of common humanity can bridge cultural differences, regardless of language barriers. This realization allowed him to develop a greater sense of solidarity with people from different cultures during his travels. Additionally, he learned that the search for meaning and connection should extend beyond travel and that genuine social connections can be formed by being present and engaging with others.
Navigating Remote Work and Building Social Connections
Ian discusses his initial hesitation towards remote work due to his people-oriented nature. However, during the pandemic, he adapted to the remote work lifestyle and found social connections outside of work. As he joined Levels, Ian was pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie and social bonds among the team, despite working asynchronously. The shared values of humility, approachability, and short toes foster a positive work culture. Ian highlights the importance of feeling connected to colleagues, even through written communication and asynchronous interactions. Platforms like the podcast and spotlight articles help create a sense of community and connection within the remote work environment.
Joining Levels: Exceeding Expectations and Cultivating a Meaningful Work Environment
Ian shares his experience joining Levels and how it has surpassed his expectations. The company's emphasis on humility, transparency, and a low BS culture appealed to him. Ian praises the people at Levels for their interesting and diverse backgrounds and their ability to form genuine connections. Contrary to his initial assumptions, he found the work environment to be approachable and collaborative, with a lack of defensiveness or territorial behavior. The interviewing process was relational and informal, focusing on culture fit and personality traits. Overall, Ian has felt connected to his colleagues and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to creating something meaningful at Levels.
Levels Editorial Director, Mike Haney, sat down with our Software Engineer, Ian Schumann, to chat about Ian’s past experience with linguistics as well as the idea of finding meaning and connection in life and work, especially in an async remote culture like Levels.
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(04:22) - Discovering linguistics
(13:27) - Searching for ultimate purpose
(15:52) - Settling into a career
(17:41) - A sense of human connection
(31:57) - Learning to soak up what’s in front of you
(36:43) - Transitioning into engineering
(37:58) - Learning about Levels
(39:43) - Aligning with the culture
(43:21) - Getting to know the team
(49:09) - Working async and remote