Tactics for Tech Leadership Podcast

Category: Season 2

  • S2E46 – Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 1 of 5)

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    Mon-Chaio Lo
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    Show Notes This is the first in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss how to scale a tech startup from its inception stage. They reflect on past experiences, emphasizing the importance of…

  • S2E45 – To Friend or Not to Friend

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    Andrew Parker
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    Show Notes  Andy and Mon-Chaio tackle the intriguing question: ‘Are we friends?’ in this episode of the TTL podcast. They explore the significance of workplace friendships, discussing how these relationships impact job satisfaction, organizational performance, and employee behavior. The hosts look into the role of physical proximity and shared experiences in fostering interdependence, and even…

  • S2E44 – VacationCast – Is LeSS Scaling SAFe?

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    Mon-Chaio Lo
    in , ,

    Show Notes In this VacationCast episode, Mon-Chaio tackles a listener’s question inspired by “Does Your Software Methodology Matter?” about effectively scaling an engineering organization to 120 engineers. Dispelling the notion that scaling is about simple multiplication, he delves into key tactics, including the creation of autonomous, accountable teams with independent KPIs, and the importance of…

  • S2E43 – Assessing the Impact of Peer Code Reviews

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    Mon-Chaio Lo
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    Show Notes In this engaging episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the topic of peer code reviews. They begin by providing historical context, tracing back code review practices to IBM’s research in the 70s and 80s, and examine the efficacy of modern-day peer reviews. The hosts debate the true benefits of code reviews, discussing…

  • S2E42 – Does Your Software Methodology Matter?

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    Andrew Parker
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    Show Notes Andy and Mon-Chaio question the true impact of various software development methodologies on team performance. They look into whether the research gives any clues about how methodology choice affects team happiness, quality, and speed. The hosts critique the state of software engineering research, discuss effective team dynamics, and highlight the importance of adaptability…

  • S2E41 – Improvement Beyond Podcasts – The Art of Deliberate Practice

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    Andrew Parker
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    Show Notes Andy and Mon-Chaio explore the concept of growth and improvement, focusing on technical leadership. They learn about deliberate practice and discuss its role in enhancing skills for leaders. Scrabble players help them identify practices that lead to skill improvements and contrasting methods that don’t, such as casual reading or working. The discussion wanders…

  • S2E40 – Defining Technical Strategy

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    Mon-Chaio Lo
    in ,

    Show Notes What is technical strategy? Is it a document explaining how to extend your data platform? A set of wiki articles on how you’re tackling technical debt? A forward-looking treatise on how you will integrate generative AI into your tech stack? In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive into the intricacies of creating a…

  • S2E39 – Living on the Edge of Chaos

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    Andrew Parker
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    Show Notes  Andy and Mon-Chaio challenge the traditional notions of root cause analysis and incident reviews within complex systems. They examine how the framing of ensuring errors ‘never happen again’ can be counterproductive, suggesting a shift towards faster recovery and continuous learning instead. Drawing parallels with After Action Reviews in the military and Netflix’s Chaos…

  • S2E38 – Mastering Team Morale

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    Mon-Chaio Lo
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    Show Notes Morale: a topic that impacts every team. But how does morale influence organizational effectiveness? And what really makes a morale event impactful? Through humorous banter and thoughtful discussion, Andy and Mon-Chaio offer actionable insights and challenge conventional wisdom. They share personal anecdotes, explore research-backed definitions, and tackle the complexities of boosting team morale…

  • S2E37 – Remote Work, Boundless Burnout?

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    Mon-Chaio Lo
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    Show Notes Is remote work a burnout trap or a path to freedom? There are good reasons to suspect that remote work may be highly correlated to increased burnout and many may be reinforced by our own experiences or that of our friends and colleagues. But is this hypothesis supported by research and, if so,…