Primus inter pares.To be a Lead Principal Engineer is to be first among equals. It is no small thing to hold the respect of your peers as they strive equally to be recognized as one of the best in their chosen craft. It is not to be the best in everything. It is to have the honor of bringing together a multitude of experiences and expertise so that it can be fused to create something that existed before only in the imagination.These are traits I demonstrate and encourage in others:Curious – we explore new concepts and technology for the improvement of our products and services. It is not the expected, but the unexpected that provides the greatest innovations and value.Courageous – we do not fear the unknown or the unfamiliar. We embrace the challenges as an opportunity to learn; risking failure to reach for success. We acknowledge risk and strive to mitigate it, but do not let it deter us from our objectives.Observant – we see possibilities in what is and what could be, unconstrained by appearances. It is our responsibility to see what others take for granted and imagine what does not yet exist.Engaged – we do not operate in a vacuum. We are aware of and actively participate in all aspects of our business as innovation is not limited to the perspective of engineering.Timely – we create in a window of opportunity beyond which there is diminishing value. We are constantly aware of and reevaluating the changing technological landscape.Constructive – we focus on adding value to our products and services. We cannot afford the indulgence of an ivory tower.Pragmatic – we operate in the real world, with real-world constraints. Perfection is not possible nor even desirable, as the price of seeking perfection is too high (time, money, opportunity).Involved and Accessible – as effective Visionaries, System Engineers, and Architects, we do not isolate ourselves from those who develop, test, sell, install, use, or are impacted by our products and services.