Redirecting.work
Mike Pino
Solving Problems, Embracing Change, and Finding Wisdom in Transitions
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Mike and I reconnected for a pivot interview after more than ten years of mutual appreciation. We first met when he was with GE, talking about organizational learning where he found data from the SierraCedar HR Systems Survey useful in his work. Recently his name kept coming up with various friends as someone who had recently made a pivot in his portfolio life. We dialogued a bit on how imposter syndrome affects some of us disproportionately. He cracked me up, saying he’d rather struggle with that than with Dunning-Kruger — though he supposed one could struggle with both, which he thought would be quite the feat. So, we finally agreed on a time for the interview. It was everything we could do to keep on the pivot interview when we finally connected as we had so many topics of interest, but a great story did come out!

Mike Pino has built a career defined by transitions, challenges, and his insatiable curiosity to solve complex problems. His journey, marked by a double pivot, is a testament to his adaptability, intellectual rigor, and commitment to cultivating impactful solutions.
Navigating the Double Pivot: From PwC to Problem Solutions
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In December 2022, Mike decided to leave a partnership role at PwC after over three years. While PwC initially brought him on board to launch a practice, his mandate shifted over time, landing him in advisory services focused on large-scale transformations. These projects, while impactful, didn’t align with his passion for solving immediate and intricate problems often found in startups. “I came on with a clear objective,” Mike reflects, “but what I was doing wasn’t my passion. I thrive on thorny, wicked problems, not rinse-and-repeat consulting.”
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His departure from PwC was the first step in his double pivot. He launched an advisory network focused on startups but faced unexpected challenges when Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse disrupted his trajectory. This setback, however, opened a new door to ultimately joining Problem Solutions as Managing Director. Here, Mike is finding a platform to channel his energy into solving real-world problems using technology, especially using AI. Problem Solutions, a team of 26, works across defense, higher education, and corporate sectors to address performance, learning, and technology challenges. “Our aim is to accelerate high-performing teams and rethink performance from the individual to the collective,” he explains.
A Career Built on Reflection and Growth
Mike’s career path has been anything but linear. From his early days experimenting with genetic analysis in high school to his time as head of technology at Harvard Business Publishing, Mike has always gravitated toward learning and adapting.
The cornerstone of his professional philosophy is continual learning, a concept he distinguishes from continuous learning. “Machines do continuous learning—they ingest data and adjust. Humans do continual learning, which involves reflection, extracting insights, and gaining wisdom,” he says. This growth mindset has driven his career decisions and helped him navigate ambiguity, a quality he believes sets humans apart from machines. “We’re okay with working through paradoxes and ambiguity. That’s where collective intelligence and wisdom come from.”
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Mike’s approach to career planning is equally fluid. “I never had a rigid plan. I had ambitions but was more focused on learning, surrounding myself with people who challenged me, and staying curious,” he shares. This mindset allowed him to view each role not as a destination but as a stepping stone to new opportunities and discoveries.
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Advice for Those in Transition, Especially Towards Entrepreneurship
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For Mike, entrepreneurship is not just about taking risks but about solving problems thoughtfully and persistently. His advice to those contemplating career pivots is grounded in these principles:
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Cultivate a Network of Straight Talkers
“The most valuable thing you can have is a small group of people who will talk straight to you,” Mike emphasizes. These advisors should provide honest feedback—both encouraging and critical—to help you navigate decisions and know when to pivot. “They’ll help you see clearly whether your assumptions hold water.” -
Focus on Values Over Roles
Mike cautions against tying your identity to a title or role. Instead, he advises staying connected to your core values and what truly drives you. -
Embrace Ambiguity and Reflection
Transitioning isn’t about forcing yourself into a preconceived pattern. It’s about understanding how you’re changing and being open to new paths. “We live forward but make sense of our lives looking backward. Don’t resist who you’re becoming by clinging to who you were.”
A Legacy of Problem-Solving and Growth
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Mike’s journey reflects his commitment to tackling meaningful challenges and fostering collective wisdom. Whether advancing the potential of AI or rethinking team performance, his focus remains on creating impactful, innovative solutions. “Life is friction, but it’s in that friction that the most interesting things happen,” he observes.
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For Mike, success is not about titles or financial milestones but the ability to remain curious, learn from reflection, and adapt with intention. His approach encourages others to see transitions not as setbacks but as pathways to growth, where resilience and vision can redefine what’s possible.