Episode 170: Lead By Design with David Pearlman

This is a book launch-week conversation. David Pearlman joins to mark the release of his first book, Lead by Design: The Human Side of Leadership in an Age of Change. Rather than a standard author interview, Bill and David walk through how the book actually came together over two years — the writing process, the developmental editing partnership between two people who'd never met in person, but walked the same paths, and the personal story at the book's center. They close with reflections on what happens after a book ships: reader reactions, speaking invitations, and what David calls "the riches" that follow publishing something honest. David Pearlman spent roughly 23-24 years across Great Plains Softward and Microsoft, moving through about sixteen roles — people strategy, product, and large-scale fielding — with his last 18 years focused on the public sector: healthcare, K-12, and higher education. Along the way he served as chief of staff and spent time in the Army, active duty and reserves. He's currently at Adobe, working at the intersection of education, healthcare, and AI. Lead by Design is his first book. Visit: www.thedavidpearlman.com to order his book.