Tothal Systems
Insights from a career in Systems Engineering. Reflections on concepts and approaches translated into down to earth language that you can apply at work and in life. No ads. No listicles. No shitGPT. Unsubscribe any time.
Intro - A little bit about me
Alex Toth Hello You: My Story and What Kind of Help YOU may Expect from Me ↓ This may sound like an interview question (and answer), but people are legit to ask "What's the deal with you? Why should I follow?". Here's my Story. And it can be yours too: From Test Engineer to Systems Engineering Pioneer ... As I sat at my desk, staring at the computer screen, I couldn't help but reflect on the winding path that had led me here. Fresh out of university, I had started my career as a Systems Test...
The Parachute Problem
Alex Toth Stop asking for the "standard template." Forget the recipes. You might think that having the expensive license and the "best" tool will do the thinking for you?? Nope. It will not! Here is why relying on "recipes" is dangerous and how you can become the "chef" your project actually needs. Read on ... ⇓ The Parachute Problem David Long shares a story about visiting the SAAB aviation HQ. The host pointed to the Viggen fighter jet on display. He spoke proudly of its parachute...
Your Tool doesn't matter
Alex Toth Are you spending more time fighting your TOOL than THINKING the system? You are not alone. It is easy to fall into the trap of believing the tool is the work. But mastering the UI/UX is not the same as mastering the discipline. Setting up perfect work systems that are useless when you don't know how to do the work? Your tool doesn't matter Going through the motions is not getting the work done. No?Tell me I'm wrong ... Here is how to stop being a tool operator and start being an...
I've been silent. Here's why 90% of my job is "boring."
Alex Toth Are you drowning in "busy work"? This feels like cog-work and not Systems Engineering? That endless stream of meetings, ticking boxes, and following rigid processes, all while the real work that actually matters and creates value gets pushed aside? I’ve been silent for the last two months, deep in a complex project. I'm back to share the one critical lesson I re-learned. It’s the key to separating the activity you’re paid for from the value you're hired for. Tier4 Autonomous Bus So,...
Why Recruiters are GHOSTING you
Alex Toth 3 Quick changes to get that call So you're still working harder than everyone you know but still getting no results? What we learned from last week's CV Clarity calls ⇓ The other week I looked like a Dalmatian! Remember? I wasn't using the right paint roller. And I made a mess. I was busy and was working hard. But .. Without much progress and most importantly with no results. And then I changed my approach. I changed my tools ... This is the kind of pattern I see repeated in our...
I failed into the splash zone
Alex Toth I looked like a Dalmatian Are you working harder than everyone you know but still getting passed over for promotions? You are probably a Dalmatian also and make this important MISTAKE too ⇓ It's soo late ... I was renovating last week. Fixed all the walls and prepped for painting. It's easy to fall in the trap that you're ready to roll .. Was I making the same mistake again? I was ... I'll tell you what it was in a moment. But first you need to understand what happened. Had one week...
I was such a disappointment to myself!
Alex Toth Struggling with your CV and preparing for that interview? Imagine having a magic switch that lets you easily prepare for and ace any job interview. Now you can! Concrete Steps ⇓ P.S. Loving these emails? Support my Work - I'm fueled by Coffee . Buy me a cup to say thanks! I'm a certified NLP Practitioner. I know I know - don't ask ... Or better, it should be said I was. Even if the certification doesn't expire ... Why? I'll tell you: At First: This is great! It will be sooo useful....
Are you in touch with your Future Self? He may hate you ...
Hey Reader Coming back from holiday and a very busy period got me thinking about the philosophy of life, he he ... Don't worry I won't bore you with that but I will share what is relevant to leaders and those who are aspiring to leadership. I also shared those thoughts on LinkedIn if you want to comment. But feel free to respond to this email and share your experience. Tell me what YOU think. I'm still maturing these ideas. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻'𝘀...
MBSE can get you a dead Earth over a sad moon landscape
How to sell the benefits of MBSE to your Boss (or business)? My mentee raised an interesting question and I thought the answer was obvious. Hint: it wasn't .. Any questions? Drop me an email. And share with others. Remember: you can always schedule a free 30-minute exploration call to chat about any career, engineering & leadership development support you need! (for yourself or your org). This is a brief glimpse. But first I need to show you why. I should liven up my living room. My guest...
Where are the Elders who Know the ropes?
Alex Toth Struggling with your career outlook? Having Doubts? I'll tell you how to get ahead deliberately. Any questions? Drop me an email. And share with others. Remember: you can always schedule a free 30-minute exploration call to chat about any career, engineering & leadership development support you need! (for yourself or your org). In the vast cosmos, Earth spun quietly. A vibrant blue dot among countless stars. Dead ... Over billions of years humanity faded into forgotten history. As...
Why Bother? The Journey Ahead: Benefits of ASEP and CSEP certification
Alex Toth Understand the Need to Move Fast. Learning Spanish exposes your Engineering Any questions? Drop an email. And share with others. Just got home after meeting a friend for a pizza. He’s now learning Spanish. In Spain ... I hadn’t heard from him for a long while and he opened my eyes on WHY it took me so long to grow into a SYSTEMS expert … So I rushed home to share what he told me! So you know the shortcut. In his own words: Enjoy! Short email. It includes: • A coat • A young lady who...
Insights from a career in Systems Engineering. Reflections on concepts and approaches translated into down to earth language that you can apply at work and in life. No ads. No listicles. No shitGPT. Unsubscribe any time.