Karli Auble THRIVEs: Positive Psychology Meets Engineering Rigor (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)
In our latest episode of our interview series, “A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts,” we delve into the human aspect of engineering with Karli Auble. Karli is a leader from the defense industry whose unique perspective integrates systems engineering with positive psychology.
With a decade of experience under her belt, Karli introduces us to her THRIVE Framework, a holistic approach for engineers to balance technical and human elements effectively.
About Karli
Karli Auble is an Engineering Leader in the defense industry who has over a decade of experience leading high-pressure teams. She is also a Speaker, Author, and Coach. With her combination master’s in systems engineering and positive psychology, she created THRIVE: a six‑pillar framework whose name stands for Thoughts, Habits, Relationships, Instincts, Values, and Environments. Karli contributed a chapter to the book Beyond the Pipeline, where she shares how engineers can embed THRIVE into their everyday lives.
What makes Karli’s perspective especially valuable for you (whether you lead a design team, drive R&D strategy, or advise high‑tech organizations) is that she translates human behavior into more reliable engineering design.
Karli’s Insights
1. Engineering with Human Error Codes in Mind: Karli emphasizes the need for engineers to recognize the ‘error codes’ in their own bodies, akin to the ones in technical systems. By paying attention to physical responses like stress or anxiety in high-pressure meetings, engineers can mitigate burnout and enhance decision-making.
2. Instincts and Environments: Two pillars of the THRIVE Framework discussed extensively by Karli are Instincts and Environments. She shares personal anecdotes and practical tools like ‘box breathing’ to manage stress and avoid ‘fight or flight’ responses during critical moments.
3. Improving Communication and Coordination: Karli touches on the necessity of fine-tuning communication, whether addressing team dynamics or engaging in conflict resolution. She shares strategies such as meeting follow-ups and environment adjustments (both physical and virtual) to foster healthier interactions.
Karli Auble’s approach, which seamlessly blends positive psychology with engineering principles, provides a refreshing perspective for professionals seeking sustainable success. By addressing both the tangible and intangible aspects of work, engineers can not only solve technical problems but thrive personally and professionally.
Karli emphasizes the importance of recognizing ‘error codes’ in our bodies, applying practical tools like box breathing, and fostering better communication within teams. Listeners will learn actionable strategies for creating supportive work environments and improving personal and team dynamics.
00:00 Introduction: Engineering Meetings and Human Error Codes
01:22 Interview Introduction: Meet Carly Ble
02:41 Carly’s Engineering Journey and Role
06:45 Thrive Framework: Thoughts, Instincts, and Environments
10:37 Practical Applications of the Thrive Framework
16:29 Creating Positive Work Environments
25:48 Virtual Workspaces and Communication Tools
33:22 Conclusion: Applying the Thrive Framework
34:55 Final Thoughts and Challenge for the Week
Applying THRIVE in Your Work
Engineers often face the temptation to downplay emotional or environmental factors affecting their work due to an intense focus on technical elements. Karli advocates for regularly checking ‘error codes’ not just in projects but in oneself and team dynamics. This could involve small yet powerful gestures like optimizing one’s workspace, employing mindfulness techniques, or revisiting collaborative processes to ensure everyone feels aligned and valued.
Enhancing Virtual Workspaces
The conversation with Karli also explores the modern challenge of virtual teamwork. She offers practical steps for transitioning from email chains to more dynamic platforms, which promote real-time, transparent communication—emphasizing the importance of establishing clear guidelines and expectations for their usage.
More About Karli
If you resonate with Karli’s insights and wish to learn more, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website at lifeandlabor.com. She welcomes conversations on applying the THRIVE framework to real-world engineering challenges.
Her website: www.LifeNLabor.com
www.linkedin.com/in/karliauble
Book: Beyond the Pipeline
For those interested in exploring further, subscribe to the Quality during Design podcast wherever you listen, and consider sharing this episode with fellow engineers who might benefit from Karli’s wisdom.
Other podcast episodes you might like:
Karli mentioned these two episodes in our interview:
Crucial Conversations in Engineering, with Shere Tuckey (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)
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