As a kid in the mid-1980s, one of my favorite cartoons was Transformers.
What fascinated me wasn’t just the battles between Autobots and Decepticons or their quest for Energon on Earth. It was their ability to shape-shift. In an instant, they could transform from robots into spacecraft, jets, cars, trucks, or devices, adapting seamlessly to their environment or going unnoticed.
At the time, I couldn’t articulate why this struck such a deep chord in me. But looking back, I see where it led me. The question behind my childhood awe was: “Can I tap into my own creative potential and become whatever I want, just like these ‘big bots’ do?”
I never doubted the “mechanical” or “geometrical” possibility of their transformations. Armed with cardboard, scissors, tape, toothpicks, and markers, I recreated Transformers characters as 3D, fully functional shape-shifting models. For me, the question was never “if,” only “how.”
Unknowingly, I was stepping into a profound truth about life: there’s always more than meets the eye. I just needed to figure out the mechanics to get there.
My parents encouraged this curiosity, giving me endless opportunities to experiment. As an example, over the years, I learned to play the piano and guitar; practiced karate; studied visualization techniques to memorize lists and foreign words; created objects from whatever materials I could find; and taught myself programming by reverse-engineering code—also building a program to help me master irregular English verbs (which I still remember to this day!).
The only limit to my imagination was…well, there weren’t any. I wasn’t focused on mastering specific disciplines. Instead, I obsessed over discovering the strategies—the mechanics—for learning them efficiently and effectively.
That mindset proved invaluable throughout my career.
I earned a Master's Degree in Building Engineering and worked in construction for years, focusing initially on residential buildings, then large chemical plants, and later solar power plants. As is often the case in the construction industry, companies came and went, forcing me to flex my adaptability muscles and transition between firms and roles.
Then came a mid-career (and mid-life) crisis.
With the construction industry in turmoil, I had to reinvent myself completely.
I let my passion for technology take the lead and transitioned into IT and Software Development. That’s when I realized my ability to “shape-shift” wasn’t just a survival skill—it was a gift worth sharing.
I had already used #Scrum and #Agile methods in my projects and life, and I realized I could use them to help others adapt—not by resisting change, but by embracing it as part of the journey.
Michele Maritato was the first to recognize this potential, offering me the chance to express it as a trainer and #ScrumMaster. Later, Roberto Cocchi trusted me to coach and “agilize” his company for two years.
What I’ve come to understand is that I’m not fixed in my personality. Wherever I go, whatever temporary hat I wear, I’m more than the sum of my experiences. I’m the #Consciousness those experiences brought to life. And consciousness isn’t confined by rules or boundaries. Like water, it adapts to its container—but more than water, it challenges boundaries because… there are none.
As I let go of the stories of who I was, my true #Purpose began to emerge: serving people and organizations, not by providing instructions but by sharing the awareness I’ve gained – studying topics and systems on my own, as a hermit, then going through trials and errors to master them, and finally return as a role model to help others achieve their goals faster.
(And yes, LaVeena, #HumanDesign helped me acknowledge my inner mechanics and articulate this uniqueness as a #Reflector with a 6/2 Profile ☺️.)
Trainees and coachees began describing the #transformative impact of our work together. To reach beyond those I could work with directly, I wrote a book (currently in beta) combining the Hero’s Journey with the Inside-Out Understanding. I also self-published two books on unlocking creative potential through AI and the writing process: https://1link.st/danilo .
Now, as an employed consultant at BTO Research, and with my current client engagement ending after three and a half years, I’m eager to see how Life will call me to transform next.
It all started with some “big bots” fighting, shouting, and transforming—sparking the awe of a child who learned that the ultimate quest isn’t for answers but for the right questions. And eventually, no questions at all—just being.
Thank you, Hasbro, for creating the series and SaldaPress for publishing the volume in the picture. You’ve given me the perfect excuse for this inspiring flashback!
Now it’s your turn: What childhood passion led you to the work you do today—or to the unique way you approach it?
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