They had first met in college, while both were studying business. Kim, fresh from Korea, had seen Jiwon eating alone and thought she’d found a fellow expatriate. She had momentarily been crestfallen when she learned her new Korean friend was American-born. But that didn’t matter to Jiwon. She had waved her to the empty seat with a big smile on her face, and from that day on, they were inseparable. They graduated at the same time, then took different paths to the executive suite, but stayed close—troubleshooting careers and commiserating over shared meals like this one.
Richard Mogan
Richard (Rick) Mogan is an author, former Strategic Program Executive, and systems thinker who writes about why projects fail—and why they often fail successfully. With a background in engineering and large-scale program leadership, he brings a sharp, analytical lens to the messy reality of modern organizations. Rick is the author of 8 Successful Ways to Fail – at Project Management, a narrative-driven exploration of project dysfunction told through story, satire, and real-world case studies. His work blends practical insight with a dry, often self-aware humor, reflecting years spent navigating complex initiatives where clarity was optional and confidence was mandatory. Through his writing and commentary, Rick focuses on the systemic patterns behind failure—unclear objectives, poor planning, stakeholder blind spots, and governance theater—helping readers recognize the warning signs before their own projects join the list. He lives in Colorado with his family and continues to write, observe, and occasionally shake his head at meetings that could have been emails.