A deep dive conversation about today’s topic, Urgency 🎧 powered by Notebook LM. 🤖
👋 Hi there! I’m Carwan, the voice behind The Impact Engineer newsletter from Genvalues. In this newsletter, we explore the future of engineering careers at the intersection of purpose and impact. Each issue shares insights on how engineers like you can work more efficiently, find meaningful roles, join teams with shared values and core principles, and build products that make a difference. 💡
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Urgency
In today’s fast-paced tech world, just keeping up isn’t enough. As an engineer, having urgency means you’re not only in the race—you’re leading it. Engineers who take action and adapt quickly are essential. These are the talents setting the pace and driving innovation forward. Here’s why building a sense of urgency is a powerful skill for your career and how it can help you grow and make an impact
Why Urgency Matters
First, think about the nature of our industry. Technology operates in an environment where rapid iteration, testing, and deployment make all the difference. Companies are constantly trying to innovate, and they need engineers who have a sense of urgency. If you’re willing to embrace this speed, you’re positioning yourself as a vital part of that competitive environment. Engineers who understand the value of urgency driving the whole system forward.
Accelerating Your Career Growth
But urgency isn’t just about meeting deadlines. When you show that you’re actively solving problems, pushing boundaries, and seizing opportunities, you’re setting yourself apart. You’re signaling that you’re ready for bigger challenges. Urgency is a way to say, “I’m here to make an impact.”
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Building Meaningful Products
At the heart of every great engineer’s work is the desire to build something meaningful. Whether you’re developing software that enhances daily life, working on systems that solve pressing problems, or crafting products that people love, urgency amplifies this purpose. When you’re proactive, you are bringing genuine value to your users. And by prioritizing meaningful work, you’re also setting a standard for yourself.
Staying Adaptable
And let’s be clear—urgency is not only about speed, but knowing when to shift focus, adapt, and change your gears when things shift around you. High-growth companies evolve quickly, and so do the roles within them. Engineers who can prioritize, and adapt to what’s happening in real time become essential.
AI Entering the Workforce
Now, let’s talk about AI. With AI increasingly becoming part of the workforce, urgency has never been more essential. We’re not just competing against other humans anymore; we’re working side by side with machines that can execute tasks faster and more efficiently than we can.
Here’s why that matters:
AI Speeds Up Everything
Think about how quickly AI handles data analysis, code tasks, and testing. As AI embeds itself in our workflows, project cycles get shorter. Engineers who match this AI-driven speed with their own sense of urgency will thrive, while those who lag risk being left behind in a world of accelerated timelines and expectations.
Your Unique Contributions Become More Valuable
When AI takes on repetitive tasks, it frees us to focus on what we’re uniquely good at: creativity, strategic thinking, and innovation. But to really maximize this opportunity, we need to be quick. Responding fast to customer needs, making strategic decisions, and delivering valuable insights—this is where human engineers shine, and urgency amplifies that impact.
Human-AI Collaboration Needs Speed
Engineering in the future won’t be about humans versus AI; it’ll be about how humans and AI work together. Engineers who bring a sense of urgency to this collaboration are the ones who will excel, responding quickly to AI insights, fine-tuning outcomes, and making real-time decisions that improve project results. In this way, urgency will be about being a more effective partner to AI.
Demonstrating Resilience in an AI-Driven World
Let’s face it: companies are looking for talent that can “keep pace with AI.” When you show urgency in your work, you’re sending a clear message that you’re able to adapt to new technologies and handle the fast, dynamic world that AI brings.
Joining a like-minded team
Who you work with shapes who you become. Working with a team that shares your values and drive creates a space where urgency fuels purpose, amplifying motivation and focus. When everyone is pushing forward, your growth and contributions are truly valued. If you want to solve meaningful problems with urgency as an asset, choose a team that’s moving in the same direction with clear core principles.
Building a Sense of Urgency
Relentless Prioritization
Not every task deserves the same urgency. When you’re practicing relentless prioritization, you’re focused on the tasks with the highest impact. You’re putting your energy where it’s most needed, creating high-value contributions that align with your team’s goals.
Work Iteratively
Engineering is all about development cycles. Instead of holding out for perfection, adopt an iterative mindset. Develop, test, refine, and repeat. Each cycle gets you closer to the finish line, faster and more efficiently. Here is how Elon and his team operate to move fast.
Transparent Communication
Keep everyone in the loop on your progress. When you update stakeholders, you help them stay aligned. Clear communication identifies priorities, brings bottlenecks to light early, and keeps your momentum going. By being open about your timeline, you often get the support you need sooner, speeding up your own progress.
Stay Relevant
In tech, engineers with a strong sense of urgency are the ones who stand out. Every hiring manager seeks team members who can help iterate quickly and bring products to market. By developing a sense of urgency, you position yourself as a valuable team player who thrives at the fast pace of the industry.
Urgency isn’t just something innate; it’s a skill you can build. Cultivating urgency can accelerate your career and prepare you for a future where human expertise and AI work side by side. While some people naturally move quickly and stay focused on results, anyone can foster urgency by setting clear goals, managing time effectively, and prioritizing high-impact tasks.
When a team shares this sense of urgency and is united by a common vision, work becomes more than just completing tasks—it transforms into a meaningful journey forward.