40% Better - Engineering Leadership
40% Better - Engineering Leadership is a podcast that explores employee engagement and team performance. Each week, an expert is invited to discuss strategies for unlocking higher performance levels in teams and leaders. The show aims to provide actionable insights for engineering leaders and managers.
Episodes
Leadership, Psychological Safety & The Power of Failing Forward I LJ Morris
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with LJ Morris, Chief Technology Officer at ProScore Technologies, to explore the leadership lessons that shaped his career and his approach to building high-performing teams. LJ shares the incredible story of organizing a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain at just 13 years old, an experience that sparked his passion for leadership and
Leadership Is Not About the Limelight I Jonathan Fullam
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Jonathan Fullam, VP of Customer Engineering at vCluster, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, team culture, employee motivation, and the human side of managing technology teams. Jonathan Fullam shares his journey from software engineering into leadership and the lessons he learned from working with strong leaders and
From Engineer to Leader I Justin Ryburn
Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about continuous learning, building strong relationships, and helping others grow. In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Justin Ryburn, Field CTO & Vice President, Global Solutions Engineering at Kentik, to discuss what it really takes to become an effective technology leader. Justin shares lessons from his lea
Leadership Is Coaching I Craig Hunt
Leadership is more than managing people. It's about coaching them to grow. In this episode of 40 % Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Craig Hunt, Chief Technology Officer at Sagecrest Solutions, to discuss what separates great leaders from average managers. Craig shares how early leadership failures shaped his career, why leadership should be taught before someone gets promoted, and how coaching,
Leadership Lessons That Actually Work I Matt Delacour
What does it really take to become a great engineering leader? In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Matt Delacour, Chief Technology Officer at CoinList, to explore the leadership lessons that shaped his journey from entrepreneur and data scientist to CTO. Matt shares how coaching transformed his leadership style, why communication often matters more than technical
Lead Without a Title I Natalie Renee Parker
Leadership is not about a title. It is about seeing a problem, taking initiative, and helping people succeed. In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Natalie Renee Parker, Founder | Organizational Development | Talent Management | Employee Engagement at Natalie Parker Enterprises, to explore what real leadership looks like in today's workplace. Drawing from her experi
Scaling Teams With Great Leadership I Ben Van Every
What does it actually take to get real business value from AI? Jimi Li, CTO at ALM Media, has spent the last three years running AI initiatives inside a company that just went through a successful private equity exit — and he's got the framework to prove what works. From his early days in GE's global leadership program to building L'Oreal's e-commerce platform at scale, Jimi's career has always ce
Stop Managing, Start Leading I Jonathan Domsky
40 Percent Better Podcast with Bill Lennan featuring Jonathan Domsky, Founder and Coach at Untangled Coaching. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from accidental entrepreneur to leadership coach and explains how personal growth, self-awareness, and better leadership practices can transform businesses and lives. Jonathan talks about building a successful company, learning leadership throu
Becoming a Corporate Gargoyle I Dominic Vogel
40 Percent Better Podcast with Bill Lennan featuring Dominic Vogel, President of Vogel Cyber Leadership & Coaching. In this episode, Dominic shares his journey from cybersecurity leadership to entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned from burnout, and how self-awareness transformed his approach to leadership. They discuss the connection between leadership and cybersecurity, building trust, emb
The Future of Construction AI I Victor Augusteo,
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Victor Augusteo, CTO @ Boon, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, decision-making, artificial intelligence, construction technology, and the mental models that shape success. Victor shares lessons from his personal leadership journey, explaining how concepts like enlightened self-interest, situational awareness, and pattern
Building Trust Through Leadership I Dave Bair
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Dave Bair, Operations Executive: Certified Change Management Professional; Collaborative Design & NLP Practitioner, to explore the leadership principles that help teams thrive in complex and fast-changing environments. Dave shares his leadership journey, the transferable skills that shaped his career, and why creating clarity, tr
Leadership, AI, and Cybersecurity I Craig Taylor
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Craig Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of CyberHoot, to talk about leadership, cybersecurity, communication, and the power of positive reinforcement in workplace training. Craig shares his journey from early leadership experiences and public speaking failures to building a cybersecurity company focused on making security awareness engaging
Leadership Through the Power Leadership Through the Power of Story I Gavin McMahonof Story I Gavin McMahon
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Gavin McMahon, CEO of fassforward and author of Story Business, for a fascinating conversation about leadership, storytelling, team alignment, and the power of creating shared context. Drawing from his experience working with organizations around the world, Gavin explains why storytelling is one of the most effective tools a leader c
Friction Free Leadership That Works I Jimmy Burroughes
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Jimmy Burroughes, Founder of Aidencoach.io, to explore what real leadership looks like beyond job titles and hierarchy. The conversation dives deep into practical leadership lessons drawn from military cadets, software teams, and modern organizations struggling with complexity, trust, and execution. Jimmy shares his core philosophy o
Why Human Leadership Still Wins in the Age of AI I Joshua Gould
Welcome to 40 Percent Better with Bill Lennan featuring Joshua Gould, Group CEO @ thebigword In this episode, Bill Lennan and Joshua Gould dive into leadership, AI, business growth, technology transformation, and what it really takes to build resilient teams in a rapidly changing world. Joshua shares his journey of growing thebigword from a $6 million business into a company generating over $100 m
Leadership, Power, and Real Growth at Work I Charley Wedeen-Zittle
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Charley Wedeen-Zittle, Sr. Value Engineer at Box, for a raw and thoughtful conversation about leadership, power dynamics, and what actually makes people thrive at work. Charley shares how her leadership journey began early in life, shaped by a strong sense of responsibility and a belief that if you care, you step up. From student lea
Leadership Without a Title in Tech I Juan Boyce
Step inside a real-world tech leadership journey in this episode of 40 Percent Better with Bill Lennan and guest Juan Boyce, Chief Technology Officer, Principal Software Engineer at Boyce Tech. Juan shares how he got started in software engineering at startups, where leadership often shows up before the title does. He talks about automating his early work, earning recognition from leadership, and
Mistakes, psychological safety, and leadership clarity | Rob Zuber
Welcome to the 40% Better podcast with your host, Bill Lennan!In this episode, we sit down with Rob Zuber to explore his candid journey into leadership—from the trial by fire of the startup world to managing complexity in scaling organizations. This conversation is a masterclass in how to build a high-performing culture by putting people first.Rob dives deep into the non-negotiables of modern lead
Episode - AI Doesn't Replace Your Thinking It Amplifies It Jimi Li
What does it actually take to get real business value from AI? Jimi Li, CTO at ALM Media, has spent the last three years running AI initiatives inside a company that just went through a successful private equity exit — and he's got the framework to prove what works. From his early days in GE's global leadership program to building L'Oreal's e-commerce platform at scale, Jimi's career has always ce
Jiu Jitsu Changed My Life and Leadership | Jeremy Hass
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Jeremy Hass shares powerful insights from his leadership journey, shaped by his experiences in the military, startups, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.Jeremy dives into the importance of resilience, risk-taking, and personal growth, explaining how embracing challenges can lead to long-term success in both life and business. He also discusses how Brazilian Jiu Jit
The Risk Mindset That Changes Everything | Tamara Laine
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Tamara Laine shares her unconventional leadership journey from teaching dance at a young age to working in documentaries, journalism, and eventually leading in the tech world.Tamara breaks down how taking risks, embracing failure, and building resilience shaped her career and leadership style. She explains why confidence is built through repetition, how c
The Art of Managing Diverse Personalities | Oscar Hedaya
Serial entrepreneur Oscar Hedaya, founder of SPACE and The Space Safe, joins Bill Lennan on the 40% Better podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on what real leadership looks like across industries. Oscar's career has taken him from visual merchandising in New York to touch-screen gloves, electric mobility, and now the world's first smart safe with a built-in camera, touchscreen, tamper sensors,
Why Belonging Is a Performance Metric, Not a Feeling | with Andrea D. Carter
Most organizations measure engagement. But engagement only tells you who's busy, not who's going to stay. Andrea D. Carter, organizational scientist and creator of the Belonging First methodology, joins the 40% Better podcast to share why belonging is measurable performance infrastructure and what technical leaders need to build it on purpose. Andrea is CEO and Founder of Andrea Carter Consulting
Why Employee Loyalty Has Nothing to Do With Salary | Ian Watts
In two decades of coaching leaders across startups to multi-billion dollar corporations, Ian Watts discovered that companies lose talented people not because of compensation, but because they treat employees like replaceable widgets instead of human beings with aspirations beyond their job description. As founder of Employee Success Company, Ian developed the ACTS Method after reverse-engineering
SE1E94 - From Dial-Up Belarus to 350 Engineers | Andrei Yurkevich
In 2002, a 25-year-old Andrei Yurkevich started a software outstaffing business in Belarus with internet speeds under 100 kilobits per second for the entire country—slower than a dial-up modem. Twenty-two years later, he's President and CTO of Altoros with 350+ engineers across 25 countries, plus multiple spin-off companies including Protofire, a Web3-focused venture. Andrei shares why he spent tw
From Dial-Up Belarus to 350 Engineers | Andrei Yurkevich
In 2002, a 25-year-old Andrei Yurkevich started a software outstaffing business in Belarus with internet speeds under 100 kilobits per second for the entire country—slower than a dial-up modem. Twenty-two years later, he's President and CTO of Altoros with 350+ engineers across 25 countries, plus multiple spin-off companies including Protofire, a Web3-focused venture. Andrei shares why he spent tw
Run to the Inevitable: High-Trust Engineering Teams | Josh Carroll
When Josh Carroll tells his engineers not to bring him their hard problems, he's actually doing the opposite—he's making sure they feel resourced enough to tackle anything. As an engineering leader with 20+ years of experience who's scaled teams at agencies, startups, and now Skylight, Josh has learned that leadership is problem-solving with people, not code. He shares why his old boss told him to
How Failure Made Her a Better Engineer | Sairan Aqrawi
When Sairan Aqrawi decided to become a swimming coach as a teenager in Iraq, she discovered something critical about leadership: passion alone isn't enough. You need skills, responsibility, and the willingness to take action. That early lesson would carry her through 30 years of engineering across the Middle East and United States, where she learned that failure isn't the end—it's where real growt
How Clear Communication and Calculated Risk-Taking Built a Leadership Career | Sebastien Jean
When Sebastien Jean was five years old, he organized all the neighborhood kids into a military parade after seeing his first air show. Kids much older than him willingly followed this little commander up and down the street for 20 minutes while parents watched from their porches. That early leadership moment would eventually lead him to become CTO of Fizon Electronics, a company that makes 20% of
From Student Entrepreneur to CTO Leading 371 Engineers | Taran Lent
From College Meal Plans to Multi-Tenant Cloud Platforms: How a CTO Built an 80% Market Share by Stacking the Odds for His Teams with Taran LentWhat started as a hungry college student solving his own problem with slips of paper and a bicycle turned into a career building mission-critical payment platforms serving 80% of colleges nationwide. Taran Lent, CTO of Transact Seaboard (soon to be Illumia)
Leading from a higher level | Prashanth Kumar Tondapu
When Prashanth Tondapu started his company at 27, he had no formal leadership training. What he discovered through building an 85-person engineering team would completely transform his approach to leadership, starting with a personal crisis that became his greatest teacher.In this deeply personal conversation, Prashanth shares how his wife's cancer diagnosis three years ago shattered his illusion
How Engineering Leaders Can Build Teams Ready for AI Driven Development | Bryan O'Neill
Discover why traditional technical skills aren't enough anymore. Bryan O'Neill, engineering leader with 35+ years of experience, shares how communication skills and growth mindset are becoming more valuable than pure coding ability in the age of AI-assisted development.In this conversation, Bryan breaks down practical strategies for helping engineering teams adapt to rapid technological change, fr
How Curiosity Builds Better Teams | Durgesh Sukhtankar
In this episode of the 40% Better podcast, host Bill Lennan is joined by technology leader Durgesh Sukhtankar for a deep conversation on leadership, curiosity, and building high performing product teams.Durgesh shares his leadership origin story, from engineering roles at GE Healthcare to helping teams transition from project based delivery to true product ownership. Together, Bill and Durgesh unp
Leading with Love | Jacob Crockett
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, host Bill Lennan sits down with Jacob Crockett for a thoughtful conversation on leadership in the modern tech world—and beyond. Together, they explore what truly makes an effective leader, why titles don’t always equal influence, and how emotional intelligence plays a critical role in building strong teams and healthy company culture.Jacob shares lessons
Leadership, Risk, And Soft Power in Technology | Rob Johnson
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, host Bill Lennan sits down with Rob Johnson to explore what leadership really means in technology—and why leading people is fundamentally different from managing projects. Rob shares his unconventional journey from a shy, risk-averse engineer to a confident technology leader and entrepreneur.Drawing from experiences in engineering, product management, sta
Leading with Ownership and Passion | Wolfgang Schram
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Wolfgang Schram shares his extraordinary journey from Germany to the global concert touring industry, and ultimately to leading engineering teams in the corporate world. He discusses how his ADHD shaped his learning and leadership style, the lessons he learned from owning his work, and the ways he developed the ability to guide complex teams across high-s
Engaging, Challenging & Growing High-Competency Teams | Brent Wodicka
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, host Bill Lennan is joined by Brent Wodicka, Chief Technology Officer at Applied Information Sciences (AIS), for a focused conversation on what it truly means to build, engage, and sustain highly competent teams.Brent shares clear, experience-driven insights on why engagement isn’t about perks, pressure, or constant motivation—but about providing meaningf
The Art of Building Trust and Embracing Failure | Jill Willard
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, host Bill Lennan speaks with Jill Willard, Chief Technology Officer at IXOPAY, about her leadership journey and how she empowers software and payments teams to build trust, embrace failure, and drive innovation. Jill draws from over two decades of experience leading global software and payment platform teams, offering insights on situational leadership, a
The Journey from Individual Contributor to Leader | with Bill Binkiewicz
In this episode of 40% Better, host Bill Lennan sits down with Bill Binkiewicz to explore how asymmetric wins, leadership, and continuous learning shape high-performing software teams and modern engineering organizations. The conversation spans leadership lessons learned through coaching and sports, building trust and psychological safety in teams, and why curiosity and mental models matter more t
Lessons in Leadership and Adaptation | with Darshan Bildikar
In this conversation, Darshan Bildikar shares his journey from being an introverted builder to a successful engineering manager. He discusses his early experiences in programming, his transition into management, and his time at Amazon, where he built and led teams. Darshan reflects on his move to a startup environment, the impact of AI on productivity, and the importance of balancing speed and qua
The Cupid of Computer Science | with Rodrigo D. A. Senra
In this powerful episode of the 40% Better podcast, host Bill Lennan talks with educator and professor Rodrigo Senra about his groundbreaking philosophy on teaching and education.Rodrigo argues that a teacher's job is not merely content delivery but a mission of inspiration. He emphasizes that true learning and success in computer science come from cultivating passion and a love for computing in s
SE01E80 - Curiosity, AI, and Psychological Safety: Modern Technology Leadership | with Suresh Mani
Join Bill Lennan on the 40% Better podcast as he welcomes Suresh Mani, a seasoned technology executive, to share his remarkable journey from technician to industry leadership. Suresh unpacks the non-negotiables of success in modern tech, emphasizing how curiosity, effective mentorship, and fostering deep team cohesion are paramount. He delves into critical topics like the transformative role of AI
Learning Through the School of Hard Knocks | with Amit Mital
Join host Bill Lennan on the 40% Better podcast as he sits down with veteran executive Amit Mital for a candid look at his 25-year career.In a world that prizes learning from others, Mital shares why his own personal experience and the "school of hard knocks" were his most valuable teachers. This episode challenges the traditional view of professional development and focuses on the power of doing
Sales Engineering for the Win | with Mike Bourgeois
In this powerful episode of 40% better, host Bill Lennan sits down with sales leader Mike Bourgeois to dive deep into the essential mindset that separates top sales professionals from the rest: customer-centric selling.Mike argues that the key to sales success isn't aggressive closing tactics, but a relentless focus on serving the customer and building a genuine, long-term relationship. If you've
The Fight That Made a Leader | with Chris Carter
Welcome to the 40% Better podcast with your host, Bill Lennan!Join us for an inspiring conversation on leadership and personal growth as Chris Carter shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery and resilience. In this powerful episode, Chris recounts a pivotal childhood moment—an incident with his cousin that shaped his perspective on life lessons and the true meaning of taking control. Chris
Code, Courage + Culture in Modern Leadership | with Rob Truxler - Episode 76
In this episode of 40% Better, Rob Truxler shares his journey from engineer to leader and how his love for technology shaped his approach to management. He opens up about learning from mistakes, building resilient teams, and fostering a culture of growth and curiosity. The conversation explores how AI is transforming engineering roles, why critical thinking matters more than ever, and how balance
Mastering Communication Through Low-Stakes Practice | with Kevin Hubschmann - Episode 75
In this episode, Kevin Hubschmann explores the real essence of improv - it’s not about being funny, but about active listening, teamwork, and positive communication. He shares how focusing too much on jokes can hurt collaboration, and why the best comedy comes naturally when performers create a supportive environment.#Improv #Comedy #ActiveListening #Teamwork #Communication #PodcastI hope you enjo
Lessons in Leadership and Adaptation | with Darshan Bildikar - Episode 74
In this episode, Darshan Bildikar shares his journey from being an introverted builder to a successful engineering manager. He discusses his early experiences in programming, his transition into management, and his time at Amazon, where he built and led teams. Darshan reflects on her move to a startup environment, the impact of AI on productivity, and the importance of balancing speed and quality
Unlocking Leadership Potential | with Amee Meghani - Episode 73
In this episode, Amee Meghani shares her journey in leadership, discussing her early experiences and the evolution of her role within her organization. She emphasizes the importance of promoting from within, fostering a culture of feedback, and the principles of servant leadership. The discussion also covers the challenges of onboarding new employees, maintaining innovation in a growing organizati
The Future of Connectivity | with Sunil Jagani - Episode 72
This episode with Bill Lennan and Sunil Jagani explores the evolution of technology, particularly in connectivity and satellite advancements, and their impact on consumer behavior and business practices. Bill and Sunil discuss the challenges faced by startups, the role of software engineering, and the intersection of AI and marketing. They also delve into the future of work, the need for sustainab
Leadership Beyond the Code | with Sebastian Jean - Episode 71
In this episode, Bill Lennan and Sebastian Jean share insights on leadership, technology, and effective communication. They reflect on their early experiences with leadership, particularly in military settings, and how these experiences shaped their understanding of collaboration and motivation. The discussion also delves into the importance of clear communication in presentations, the dynamics of
Balancing Technology and Humanity | with Alberto Silveira - Episode 70
In this episode, Bill Lennan hosts Alberto Silveira who shares his journey from organizing soccer leagues as a child in Brazil to becoming a leader in technology. He reflects on the influence of Ayrton Senna, the evolution of technology, and the importance of balancing human aspects with technological advancements. Alberto emphasizes the need for critical thinking and ethical considerations in lea
Accountability and the Future of Leadership | with Zach Wills - Episode 69
In this episode, Bill Lennan and Zach Wills explore the organic journey into leadership, emphasizing the importance of learning from role models and the necessity of a business value orientation in decision-making. They discuss the significance of quantitative thinking in engineering, creating a positive team culture, and the practice of radical candor in feedback. The dialogue also touches on evo
Engineering Leadership in Practice | with Tim Sublette - Episode 68
This episode of 40% Better with Bill Lennan explores the journey of Tim Sublette, a software engineer, who transitioned into leadership roles.Both share insights on the challenges they faced, the importance of storytelling, and the evolution of communication skills.Tim reflects on his unconventional path, the significance of building a competency framework, and the lessons learned from both succes
The Power of Being True to Yourself | with Ricardo Torres - Episode 66
This episode explores the importance of being true to oneself in a competitive environment, particularly regarding extroversion and individual contributions to team success. Bill Lennan and Ricardo Torres highlight the challenges faced by introverts and the societal pressures to conform to extroverted norms, while also acknowledging the value of unique contributions from individuals who may not fi
The Startup Culture and Embracing Failure | with Ken Pickering - Episode 65
This conversation explores the journey of leadership, focusing on the challenges and philosophies that shape effective leaders in the tech industry. Bill Lennan and Ken Pickering discuss their personal experiences with micromanagement, the importance of psychological safety, and the value of diverse skills in startups. They emphasize the need for effective feedback and intrinsic motivation, while
Mastering Diplomacy in the Workplace | with Nick Woodward - Episode 64
This conversation explores the evolution of battery technology, the importance of leadership stories, and the critical role of communication in effective leadership. Bill Lennan and Nick Woodward discuss their personal journeys in leadership, emphasizing the need for continuous coaching and self-development. They highlight the significance of promoting internal growth and retention within organiza
Embracing Life's Lessons in Leadership | with Sherwin Socaransky - Episode 63
This conversation explores the journey of leadership through personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of emotional resilience, trust-building, and systems thinking. Bill Lennan and Sherwin Socaransky reflect on their career paths, the challenges faced in team management, and the significance of creating a culture of ownership. They discuss the dual career track in tech, the power dynamics
Navigating the Digital Nomad Lifestyle | with Sunil Jagani - Episode 62
In this conversation, Bill Lennan and Sunil Jagani delve into various themes surrounding modern living, work dynamics, and technological advancements. They explore the concept of tiny home communities as a solution for affordable living and the hybrid work model that allows for flexibility. The discussion transitions into the digital nomad lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance
The Value of Serendipity in Collaboration | with Sanjay Ginde - Episode 61
In this conversation, the Bill and Sanjay discuss their experiences with technology, leadership in software teams, and the dynamics of remote work. They explore the importance of fostering a cohesive team environment, the value of serendipity in collaboration, and the role of risk-taking in personal growth. Additionally, they emphasize the significance of intrinsic motivation, psychological safety
The Power of Storytelling in Business | with Steven Puri - Episode 60
In this conversation, the Bill and Steven delve into the nuances of effective communication, particularly in the context of pitching ideas and building relationships in both the technology and film industries. They explore the importance of understanding one's audience, the art of storytelling, and the necessity of networking. The discussion highlights how to empower others by making them the hero
The Intersection of AI and Team Dynamics | with John Stanhope - Episode 59
In this conversation, John and Bill explore the journey into leadership, drawing parallels between skateboarding and team dynamics in technology.They discuss the challenges of managing teams, the impact of AI on coding, and the importance of stability in team structures. The conversation also touches on agile methodologies, recruitment practices, and the fast-paced nature of game development, emph
The Art of Servant Leadership | with Mike Auteri - Episode 58
In this episode, Mike shares his journey to software development and leadership, supporting his people, setting expectations, and why you should do the work before the promotion.We hope you enjoy this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better Podcast TeamConnect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauteri/Connect with
The Art of Leadership Without Power | With Donald Kossmann - Episode 57
In this conversation, Donald shares the unexpected journey into leadership at Microsoft, discussing the unique environment of Microsoft Research, the transition from a bottom-up approach to a more focused research strategy, and the importance of leadership over management. We emphasize the role of communication in driving change, the interplay of luck and preparation in achieving success, and the
The Art of Communication in Leadership | With Zack Halloran - Episode 56
In this conversation with Zack Halloran, we explore various aspects of leadership, focusing on the importance of communication, understanding business context, and fostering psychological safety within teams.We discuss personal experiences in leadership roles, the challenges of remote work, and the significance of aligning individual goals with team objectives.We also talk about the need for effec
How Team Relationships Drive Success | with Andrew Kumar - Episode 55
Welcome to the 40% Better Podcast! This conversation explores the unexpected path from web development to engineering leadership. Andrew shares insights on building high-performing teams, the role of solution engineering, and the impact of AI on software development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of coaching over management and the non-linear paths individuals take in their careers. #40
Love The Grind - Episode 54
I learned this from a decade+ of surfing. Every day is an opportunity to improve, there is no ultimate goal.
A Mental Health Toolbox - Episode 53
I've had struggles with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and imposter syndrome. Here's a list of tools that make those things not problems today. These tools all have extensive research behind them :-)
Do Hard Things - episode 52
Accept the inevitable - success requiers hard work.When you accept this, life gets way easier.Fighting against hard work - makes things harder.....
Mistakes are Required - Episode 51
The inspector gave me a list of 6 things to fix. Only one was easy. Every issue was solvable. And each one would take time and effort. It wasn't what I wanted, it was what I got. And it taught me a lot!
Success Metrics - Episode 50
Car racing, surfing Pipeline, 70 ft free dives, and beating software release predictions. These activities are all built on a stack of small success metrics. Having deliberate and sufficiently detailed metrics lets us talk about, analyze, and reverse engineer success and failures.
3 Mental Models and 1 Lie - Episode 49
These mental models (beliefs) were taught to me well before my first leadership role. And the lie was one I started leading with - but dumped in a few months
Being Lucky - Episode 48
I've been outrageously lucky in this life. And looking back, there's a consistent pattern for how I made luck my friend.Initiative + Optimism -> LuckClover thanks to: Umberto Salvagnin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Steven Puri and Sukha - Episode 47
Software engineer to Hollywood powerhouse and back to software.Raised $21M to fund startups and was a senior executive in Hollywood studios. Independence Day, Transformers 1/2, Star Trek, Eagle Eye, Wolverine, etc - all movies where Steven's teams contributed to special effects. The man has worked with legends (and he has a great sense of humor).We talked engineering, Office Space, leadership, and
Jeff Hancher - Episode 46
Jeff's journey began as a child growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania.After serving in the United States Army, Jeff began a career as a blue-collar worker at a large corporation.Since that start, he was promoted 10 times, and achieved advanced leadership roles at a Fortune 500 company.During his pursuit of success, there has been no greater thrill than making those around him better. What starte
Imposter Syndrome- Episode 45
Oh boy, have I heard stories!!Team leads and managers who were sure any day they'd be discovered as frauds. And yes, I've been that person. Convinced that my team's performance was amazingly lucky hires. And in hindsight, this three factor framework would have saved me.
Above Your Pay Grade - NOT!! Episode 44
People regularly tell me some version of "that's above my pay grade". But that is not true. The real problem is people don't have a system to bring issues up the org chart and get executive attention, approval, and budget. Once you have a system - it becomes simple to get executive approvals and budget. Here's how.
Brian Maggi - Episode 43
Brian Maggi has an impressive list of accomplishments. From building medical education websites to Desktop Technology Manager at Apple to live entertainment and now AI - diverse experience is an understatement. You can learn more about Brian's work at: http://brianmaggi.com/
ExecutiveBlindSpots - Episode 42
Executives are talking but the rank and file are not responding. This is not a language barrier problem - it's a blind spot problem. Execs think their audience understands them - but they don't. What to do?
Ernesto Gomez - it's all about the people - Episode 41
Ernesto is a lifelong learner.He studied social communications and has completed executive programs at leading institutions, including Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan School of Management, Wharton Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Chicago Booth, London Business School, and IMD Business School.He wrote the book “Regrowth, How Organizations Can Overcome Stalling by Unlocking Their People´s
Recommended
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Stand In The Circle
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
Bad Friends
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Deadline: White House
English Vocabulary Help
این نقطه
Solved Murders - True Crime Stories
