JOSH RUFF
My closest friend would describe me as:
A resourceful maker and creative builder; a joy bringer; a collaboration junkie and “bringer-togetherer” of diverse perspectives; a kind nudger and encourager; a dad-joke champ.
My coaching style is:
Leaning into creativity, being generative and iterative. I like to co-create and illuminate many exciting directions, then hone in on what’s worth exploring. We’ll always rely on a little adrenaline to traverse brave experiments.
One belief that I have that influences my approach to coaching is:
Character, grit, and vision are always core to the recipe for impact.
One way I’ve challenged a norm or taken a leap in my life is:
My family and I will be packing up our home and living out of a tiny off-road teardrop trailer for 3 months to investigate and experiment with locations we’re interested in putting down roots. This may bring validation to where we thought we wanted to set up shop, and it might surprise us with something new. Either way, the challenge will… put us in a tight spot… but we’re ready for the eye-opening adventure.
My story:
In Michigan I grew up drawn to design and was naturally led to study architecture and facility management at Ferris State University. I moved to San Francisco to join Hyatt, thinking an engineering path at a hotel company known for architectural progression was the right fit. I was surprised to stumble into a program called d.Leadership at the Stanford d.school where exposure to design thinking ignited something new in me. It expanded my ability to impact people beyond the built environment.
I spent the next 8 years at Hyatt building an innovation practice, leading a series of programs developed to create innovations and innovators. I returned to the d.school to teach executive education programs like Design Thinking Bootcamp -- there my intrigue and curiosity around reimagining “how” we work became the ever-present design challenge I felt most drawn to. I joined Stoked in 2021 to sink my teeth into solving that challenge as a full-time gig, and for a larger variety of industries and organizations.
I want to continue growing -- personally, professionally, spiritually; as a husband, as a dad, as a friend and colleague -- and I’m left filled up when I get to spend time collaborating with folks who share a similar pursuit of growth.
Digging Deeper:
Here are a few photos that tell you more about me. What do you notice?
