Stop chasing after the wrong things, learn to safeguard our time, and lean on small acts of gratitude.
Victor Saad
Founder
I’m an author, educator, and community builder living in Chicago. In 2012, I designed my own Masters by completing 12 projects in 12 months. I called it The Leap Year Project and my experiences culminated with staging my graduation at a local TEDx and publishing a book of stories focused on the power of learning through risk. I later launched Experience Institute, an organization helping college students and career professionals learn and grow through short-term, real-world experiences. In 2015, I was inducted into Forbes 30 Under 30 in the field of education. And in 2017, I joined the team at Stanford’s School of Engineering as a Lecturer in Design, helping students reimagine their learning through experience.
Posts by Victor Saad
Good at Firsts
Thinking intentionally about first days and first experiences throughout changing times
Stop Resisting
Letting go of the urge to resist, keeping smart company, and celebrating the small wins
What is your hobby?
The power of hobbies, connecting with coworkers, and the mitchondria in startups
The Chubby Kid
What does it look like to foster creativity at school and work when so much has seemingly been lost in the blink of a Covid eye?
Leading With Empathy
Leading with empathy, strategic perseverance, and re-centering in your workspace.
Recalibrating
Performative workaholism, the art of the “soft no,” and writing a New Year’s letter in September
New Year’s Letters (2020 Edition)
How writing a letter to yourself can help you recalibrate before the end of the year
Focus + Time
On time management, creating micro habits, and building purpose-resilient businesses.
We’re Hiring!
Ei is building our team of instructors
Just Say No
Establishing boundaries, learning to say no, and staying interested to be interesting.
What Matters Most
What matters most to employees, revaluing venture capital, and taking a pause.
5-Minute Pause
A short self-awareness exercise to help you pause, reflect, and recenter as the season changes.
Second Time Around
Moving beyond non-racist, advice for second time founders, and finding the energy to continue.
Slow Down
Positive psychology, slowing down, and reflecting on rituals, relationships, and restrictions.
Head, Heart, Play
Relearning to play, navigating workspace disagreements, and embracing negative emotions.
A Look Back at Career Leaps
How we built a virtual retreat to help professionals and students become better at building and navigating careers.
It Starts With Me
Rethinking success and happiness, adapting to working from home, and tips for personal development.
Mid-Year Update
How Ei is growing, shifting, and adapting in 2020
Maintaining Work Relationships
Hanging out with work friends is harder than ever. What’s the impact of losing the connection we once shared within the walls of our workplaces?
Over. Working.
Evolving hiring practices, the American (over)work culture, and the recent discussion on justice and open debate.
Interview with Seamus Yu Harte
A conversation about the windy road to Stanford.
Gaps, Leaps, and Brainstorming
Issue No. 8 of Work Different.
Work Different Issue No. 6
Design a better hiring process, lead an anti-racist organization, and practice effective altruism.
