Issue 16: From Tokyo — Life update, lessons, and what’s next

Lessons from eight years of leadership, loss, growth and what comes next.

It's been over two months since I left the United States to take a break from corporate life. I'm writing this from a coffee shop in Tokyo, reflecting on the journey that brought us here.

A quick replay:

I left LinkedIn as a Director on the Marketing Solutions team after eight years in May and I often think of most roles in season. Those seasons saw me through major organizational shifts, each shaping my experience in different ways:

• I joined not long after the Microsoft acquisition

• Managed through the chaos of a global pandemic

• Helped build a functioning hybrid team

• Navigated major shifts across the org during the rise of AI

Balancing those professional challenges, life outside of work unfolded in big ways: I bought a home, got married, lost my mother, and survived a near-death experience that completely shifted my perspective.

Reflecting on it all, to say these eight years shaped me would be an understatement. I’ve grown tremendously both personally and professionally and wanted to share a few reflections I’m carrying into this next chapter.

Lessons and reflections

Health is wealth. Without it, milestones and impact mean little. Guard yours and be proactive.

Prioritize what you can control. Otherwise you’ll live in a constant loop of disappointment, discontent, and frustration.

Managing is selfless. You can guide and support, but you can't control people's decisions. Take care of yourself just as fiercely.

You won't always be right. Choose environments that value learning, people who challenge you, and recognize your wins.

Reframing is a powerful unlock. Win or lose, pause and reframe. Reflection leads to growth and renewed energy on the long game.

Burnout is a clarity problem. If you’re leading others or yourself and things feel murky, that friction adds up fast. Do the work to close the gap or create the clarity you need to move forward.

Make time for your parents and loved ones. We’re at a stage in life where our parents are getting older and that reality can feel at odds with ambition, growth, and opportunity.

The truth is, you can’t get that time back once it’s gone. And sometimes, the people around you; your peers, your manager may not fully understand, especially if they haven’t gone through it themselves.

But if you have the chance, take the time. Be present. Prioritize what matters. You won’t regret it — the work will always be there.

You might wonder: why make such a big change now?

Early in our relationship, my wife and I made a commitment:
We wanted to live abroad for at least a year before starting a family.

This year, we decided to honor that promise.

Professionally, I’d hit an inflection point.

At LinkedIn, the cogs of change in a company that size require immense, sustained effort—and with layoffs, reorgs, growing anxiety, and the internal politics of shaping an AI strategy, it felt like the right moment to step away.

Is it an exciting time to be in Silicon Valley? No doubt. But I could feel the start of another two- to three-year cycle, and I wasn’t ready to sign up for that.

This was the perfect time for us.

In January, we committed to making it real. We began the process of unwinding the life we had built: leaving our jobs, downsizing (hello, Facebook Marketplace), selling our cars, packing up our home, hiring a property manager, and renting out our place.

Behind the scenes, we checked off more than 60 tasks, each a step toward a bigger leap.

There were a few bumps along the way, but nothing a little extra time, patience, and trust in the process couldn’t carry us through.

Saying goodbye wasn’t easy. There were long nights, moments of doubt, and the kind of anxiety that comes with stepping into the unknown.

But once we boarded that plane, there was peace in the finality—no looking back.

Where we are now

We spent May through July in Korea exploring Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. We will be based in Tokyo until October, after which we plan to travel through Southeast Asia later this fall, with the intention of returning to Japan in the spring.

Along the way, it has been energizing to connect with local design communities, share stories, and soak up new creative inspiration. Exploring has become second nature—we often find ourselves walking over 15,000 steps daily.

What I’m up to

Here's how I'm spending my time these days:

Work-wise:

• I’m coaching product and design leaders. You can set up a free intro call here.

• Writing and recording to unpack the nuance of design management the messy middle, the mindset shifts, and the moments that shape leadership. If you’re reading this article you’ve likely subscribed, if not then hit the button!

• My wife just launched her tea business, Thi Time.

Not-work-wise:

• Reading - send me your recs

• Running - aiming for sub-8 min miles

• Prioritizing sleep - my WHOOP band is now one of my favorite pieces of tech

• Exploring - always on the lookout for new cafés, coffee spots, and restaurants

Let's connect

If you're new here, welcome! I invite you to share your thoughts on these reflections and let me know what topics would most benefit you in the future.

Your input drives these conversations, so please reach out.

If we haven't talked in a while, I encourage you to hit reply. I'd love to reconnect and hear your updates.

If you're in Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, or Australia, and in VC, product, or design space, book some time.

Thanks for reading—and here's to whatever season you're in.

Harrison

P.S. Special shout out goes to Andrew Seok and SanHyo Lee for hosting me in Seoul and connecting me with Hiroki Tan in Japan.

P.P.S. Appreciate Emmanual Michael and Jesutofunmi Oluwatosin from Sections for inviting me to be a guest of their group that connects designers from Lagos and London to share experiences, build connections, and collaborate with professionals from diverse sectors. You can check out the replay here.