
The Happy Engineer | Career Success for Engineering Leadership
The Happy Engineer helps engineering leaders reach the next level without suffering burnout - because success without fulfillment is failure. You will discover how to redefine work/life balance and lead with purpose, while accelerating your next promotion. Bring a growth mindset, engineers... It's time for personal development before technical development, emotional intelligence (EQ) before IQ, and coaching to crush your comfort zone!
If you find yourself asking questions like these, then this show is for you:
* How do I decide between a technical career path or management? Can I ever go back?
* How do I reignite passion and purpose in my engineering career (or just stop dreading Monday)?
* Why am I not getting promoted to Manager / Director / VP (and my peers are)?
* How can I increase my salary and total compensation faster?
* What should I do if I want to change discipline, industry, or even leave engineering?
* What does it take to move from engineering to entrepreneurship?
* WHY AM I SO UNHAPPY???
Your host, Zach White, knows how frustrating building your engineering career can be. As an engineer himself, he climbed the corporate ladder. He's seen (and survived) it all. He's felt stuck, been burned out from 80-hour weeks, suffered under a bad boss, and had his career plan thwarted multiple times by corporate reorgs.
You know the worst part? He lived below his full potential.
Ultimately Zach found incredible success in his career, but it was not without trials, failure, and a rock-bottom experience with burnout.
Each week, the former engineering leader, now turned CEO and sought-after Lifestyle Engineering Coach, will help you create an action plan to level up your career while designing a life you love.
Enjoy inspiring conversations with experts from all corners of industry and life. Learn how to overcome any career obstacle you face. Get off the road to burnout.
Build your career.
Balance your life.
BE HAPPY!
Latest episodes

Apr 1, 2024 • 54min
162: Change Your Life in 8 Steps with Dave Albin | Firewalk Captain for Tony Robbins
You can radically transform your life in 8 steps. I’m not talking about an 8 step program. I’m talking about 8 literal steps, in just 4 seconds. It’s time to walk on FIRE! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program, exclusively for engineers. ============================ In this episode, meet the man who has led more people through the transformational experience of firewalking than anyone else on earth, Dave Albin. Dave led the firewalk for personal development legend Tony Robbins at his Unleash the Power Within events for 20 years, before starting his own company and bringing this experience to corporate teams and most recently, veterans. I personally experienced walking on fire in 2019 and it changed my life. But this conversation is more than discovering the magic of firewalking (literally, it makes no sense how it’s possible). It’s a story of redemption, impact, and the boost we all need to get back out there and achieve our biggest dream. Engineering leaders can change the world. The question is, will you? So press play and let’s chat… the change begins today! ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WANT MORE AMAZING GUESTS? “I love Zach and these amazing guests on The Happy Engineer Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show! I know it’s a huge favor to ask, but when you follow, leave a 5-star rating, and add an honest review of how these episodes are helping you… it’s a massive benefit for getting the attention of powerhouse guests on this show. On Apple Podcasts, click our show, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5-stars, and select “Write a Review.” Thank you so much. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Mar 25, 2024 • 21min
161: How Asking an Obvious Question Made Me $30K in One Day
Are you leaving untapped potential in your career by not asking the right questions? Tap to DOWNLOAD my free Workbook: How to Influence & Get What You Want At Work (Powerful Questions for Engineering Managers), and start asking better questions https://lifestyleengineering.oasisofcourage.com/powerfulquestions Listen now to discover how to become a more influential leader. ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational insights you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program for engineering leaders. ============================ In this episode, I recount a pivotal moment in my career journey as a lead engineer at Whirlpool Corporation, where I sought to elevate my performance rating. Through a simple yet profound question to my boss, I unearthed the key to exceptional results: cross-functional impact. By collaborating with colleagues and leveraging technology, I devised a solution that streamlined communication between departments, ultimately earning me a top performance rating and a significant bonus—all within eight hours of work. This narrative underscores the power of asking the right questions and embracing innovative approaches to stand out in one's career. Join me as I delve into the transformative impact of asking obvious yet potent questions and how it can propel you towards unparalleled success. So press play and let’s chat about unlocking extraordinary results through the art of questioning. ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WE GROW BY WORD OF MOUTH If you have received value from The Happy Engineer Podcast, would you help us pay it forward by SHARING this episode with another engineer? Hit the SHARE button, or copy the episode URL and paste it into a text message or social media post! Thank you for helping us grow the show. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Mar 18, 2024 • 57min
160: Build a Legacy You Can Be Proud Of with Shawn Dalcour & Keshia Robinson
Nothing is impossible. We all need to be reminded and encouraged to act as if we believe it. Today’s conversation will do that and more! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program, exclusively for engineers. ============================ In this episode, meet an amazing father-daughter duo, Shawn Dalcour and Keshia Robinson. If you have ever felt stuck, stagnant, uncertain, or afraid to take that next step in your career, you must hear what Shawn and Keshia brought to our conversation today. Shawn went from the projects of Chicago, growing up in a neighborhood where the life expectancy was only 30 years old… to arguably the most successful project leader I’ve had on this podcast! He earned an engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and built his engineering career on elite teams at places like IBM, Oracle, Adobe, and Verizon, where he is currently responsible for $1.3 billion in revenue as Global Technology Alliance Manager, Partner Business Development & Innovation Leader. His daughter Keshia has her own amazing journey, currently serving as Director of Operations for the National Society of Black Engineers. She has witnessed first hand the power of her father going from tragedy to triumph, and is giving back to the community of engineering leaders as part of that legacy. So press play and let’s chat…because nothing was impossible for Shawn, and nothing is impossible for you! ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WANT MORE AMAZING GUESTS? “I love Zach and these amazing guests on The Happy Engineer Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show! I know it’s a huge favor to ask, but when you follow, leave a 5-star rating, and add an honest review of how these episodes are helping you… it’s a massive benefit for getting the attention of powerhouse guests on this show. On Apple Podcasts, click our show, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5-stars, and select “Write a Review.” Thank you so much. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

9 snips
Mar 11, 2024 • 19min
159: Who Else Wants More Energy at Work?
Discover the correlation between physical fitness and career success, learn how energy management can elevate performance, and explore the importance of self-care in achieving work-life balance for engineering leaders.

Mar 4, 2024 • 1h 6min
158: How to Minimize Regret and Maximize Success with Omar Halabieh | Tech Director at Amazon Payment Services
What does it take to be a Director of Engineering? Where do most managers fall short? How can you maximize your success without regret? Listen now for these answers and more! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program, exclusively for engineers. ============================ In this episode, meet a global technology executive with over 20 years of experience on some of the most demanding teams and technologies in the world, Omar Halabieh. If you want to make it Director level and beyond, this episode is essential. Omar is passionate about developing people and building high performing organizations. Omar is currently Director of Technology at Amazon Payment Services, based in Dubai, UAE. It was a few weeks before Christmas when we recorded this one, and only God knows how many payments were being processed by Amazon. Prior to this, he led technology teams within Amazon’s Supply Chain Optimization Technologies organization based in Seattle. These engineering teams revolutionized what we consider “normal” in supply chain technology today. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his active and inquisitive 4-year old son. You can have that time and balance with your family too. Omar looked fear in the face many times… and discovered that regret minimization was more important than playing it safe. Discover the frameworks he used to make huge decisions and drive his success without regret. So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to make courageous decisions that minimize regret and maximize success! ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WANT MORE AMAZING GUESTS? “I love Zach and these amazing guests on The Happy Engineer Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show! I know it’s a huge favor to ask, but when you follow, leave a 5-star rating, and add an honest review of how these episodes are helping you… it’s a massive benefit for getting the attention of powerhouse guests on this show. On Apple Podcasts, click our show, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5-stars, and select “Write a Review.” Thank you so much. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Feb 26, 2024 • 16min
157: Learn to Say More with Less Words | Executive Communication
Want to project authority and decisiveness in your communication? Tap to DOWNLOAD the free 10X-Habits Checklist, part of our New Career Acceleration Scorecard for Engineering Managers! Listen now to discover one of the most critical habits in your communication! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational insights you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program for engineering leaders. ============================ In this episode, I reflect on a recent coaching session with an engineering leader named David, who struggled to articulate his career challenges concisely. I share how, despite his impressive background, David's long-winded communication hindered his progress. From experiences like this, I've learned the critical importance of clear and concise communication in career advancement. I delve into how engineers, like myself, often fall into the trap of verbosity, but mastering concise communication is essential for success. Whether it's in emails or conversations, brevity saves time and fosters clarity. By adopting this habit, engineers can project authority, autonomy, and decisiveness, crucial qualities for effective leadership. Join me as I discuss the power of concise communication and its transformative impact on career growth. So press play and let’s chat about leveling up your communication game! ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WE GROW BY WORD OF MOUTH If you have received value from The Happy Engineer Podcast, would you help us pay it forward by SHARING this episode with another engineer? Hit the SHARE button, or copy the episode URL and paste it into a text message or social media post! Thank you for helping us grow the show. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Feb 19, 2024 • 56min
156: Why Some Engineers Should Definitely Start a Consulting Business with Jay Aigner
Should you leave your job and start a consulting business? What does it take to succeed if you do? Listen now for these answers and more! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program, exclusively for engineers. ============================ In this episode, you’ll get to meet Jay Aigner. He is a consulting evangelist. You may relate with Jay, who had his first kid at age 19, in college, 1000 miles from home. He graduated, got a job in his dream industry and worked the 9-5 grind for years. Eventually a new challenge presented itself ... get his wife out of working as an overnight long-term pediatric nurse. What is your challenge? Why is your current life no longer acceptable? Most importantly, what’s the solution? For Jay, it was consulting. Fast-forward a few years later, he grew JDAQA, his company, from a one man software testing consultancy based on his 9-5 experience to a 7-figure testing agency powerhouse with 60+ employees. Jay is a father of 5, amateur astrophotographer, student pilot, hockey player, and podcast host as well. His unique 5 for 5 morning routine is his foundation for crushing results, and we cover that and more in this powerful conversation. So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to get off the fence and get clear on your consulting business! ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WANT MORE AMAZING GUESTS? “I love Zach and these amazing guests on The Happy Engineer Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show! I know it’s a huge favor to ask, but when you follow, leave a 5-star rating, and add an honest review of how these episodes are helping you… it’s a massive benefit for getting the attention of powerhouse guests on this show. On Apple Podcasts, click our show, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5-stars, and select “Write a Review.” Thank you so much. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Feb 12, 2024 • 20min
155: Get Rid of Sleazy Networking Once and For All
Are your networking efforts leaving you feeling empty rather than fulfilled? Tap to DOWNLOAD the free Re-Think Networking Checklist, part of our New Career Acceleration Scorecard for Engineering Managers! Listen now to discover how to easily enhance your network! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational insights you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program for engineering leaders. ============================ In this episode, I dive into the misconceptions and pitfalls surrounding networking in the professional world. Join me as I unpack the flawed mindset behind traditional networking strategies and propose a paradigm shift towards authentic connection and giving without expectation. Discover why leading with generosity and genuine intent can not only transform your networking experiences but also propel your career forward with fulfillment and purpose. So press play and let’s chat about redefining networking for success without the sleaze. ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WE GROW BY WORD OF MOUTH If you have received value from The Happy Engineer Podcast, would you help us pay it forward by SHARING this episode with another engineer? Hit the SHARE button, or copy the episode URL and paste it into a text message or social media post! Thank you for helping us grow the show. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Feb 5, 2024 • 54min
154: Here is a Method to Make Career Fulfillment a GAME with Jay Abbasi | CEO & Career Consultant
How can a GAME help you find more fulfillment and balance in your career? Listen now for these answers and more! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program, exclusively for engineers. ============================ In this episode, we reconnect with CEO and Career Consultant, Jay Abbasi. If your career lacks fulfillment, impact, or balance… he explains that you’re probably playing the wrong game. What Jay learned as a top trainer at Tesla, where he was responsible for helping the most talented leaders in the EV industry rise to an even higher level, is that people fail to reach their full potential at work because stress, anxiety, or burnout keep them stuck. He developed a method proven across hundreds of leaders in dozens of industries that turns career building into a GAME, four steps to a fulfilling, impactful, and balanced career. Now CEO of his own career consulting company, Jay is helping leaders like you to be resilient, perform better, lead better, and work better with others. So press play and let’s chat… it’s GAME time! ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WANT MORE AMAZING GUESTS? “I love Zach and these amazing guests on The Happy Engineer Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show! I know it’s a huge favor to ask, but when you follow, leave a 5-star rating, and add an honest review of how these episodes are helping you… it’s a massive benefit for getting the attention of powerhouse guests on this show. On Apple Podcasts, click our show, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5-stars, and select “Write a Review.” Thank you so much. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube

Jan 29, 2024 • 28min
153: How to Master the Calendar and Get More Done
Struggling to balance your engineering career and personal life? Ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list? Discover the secrets to mastering your calendar in my latest podcast episode. Can you afford to miss it? Tap to DOWNLOAD the free Calendar Mastery Checklist, part of our New Career Acceleration Scorecard for Engineering Managers! Listen now to discover how to reclaim your time! ============================ When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career: 1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational insights you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work. 2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session. 3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program for engineering leaders. ============================ In this episode, we discuss a common struggle we engineers face: mastering our calendars. Inspired by an email from a listener named Will, who felt overwhelmed and struggled to get things done, we explore the crucial skill of calendar management. I share five actionable tips, from guarding your best hours to winning the morning, to help you take control of your time. These tips are just the tip of the iceberg – there are seven more waiting for you in the downloadable PDF scorecard. Remember, you have all the time there is, and by implementing these strategies, you can shift from feeling overwhelmed to experiencing joy and flow. So press play and let’s chat about reclaiming your calendar and mastering your time. ============================ HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS: > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together. ============================ WE GROW BY WORD OF MOUTH If you have received value from The Happy Engineer Podcast, would you help us pay it forward by SHARING this episode with another engineer? Hit the SHARE button, or copy the episode URL and paste it into a text message or social media post! Thank you for helping us grow the show. ============================ Connect with your host, Zach White: LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube
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