Tech Lead Journal

“Leadership is where you have, not necessarily a large organization, but increasing scope and increasing impact, while bringing lots of people along with you.” In this milestone episode of the podcast, James Stanier returns for the third time to discuss his latest book, “Become a Great Engineering Leader.” We explore the role of an engineering leader and delve deep into the nuances of engineering leadership. James explains the difference between an engineering leader and an engineering manager through the lens of the three levels of warfare: strategy, operational, and tactical. We then discuss the importance of organizational chart design and some best practices, including Conway’s law and how to avoid politics. James also talks about the importance of time management, always having a long-term view of your work (long-termism), and the critical role of writing in leadership. We discuss important approaches such as one-way vs. two-way doors and balancing between writing vs. bias for action. Finally, James explains the importance of strategic thinking, why a strategy is not necessarily a plan, and how an engineering leader can communicate their strategy effectively. He also provides practical tips for upcoming engineering leaders and discusses how we should all navigate a career in technology.   Listen out for: Writing “Become a Great Engineering Leader” - [00:02:19] The Role of Engineering Leader - [00:04:21] Engineering Leader vs Engineering Manager - [00:05:57] Tenure Relevancy - [00:09:36] The Importance of an Org Chart - [00:11:30] Org Chart Best Practices - [00:13:44] Conway’s Law - [00:15:55] Avoiding Politics - [00:17:16] Writing Skills & Time Management - [00:21:41] T-Shaped Leadership - [00:26:35] Long-termism - [00:28:39] Leadership is Writing - [00:33:02] Writing vs Bias for Action - [00:36:13] One-Way vs Two-Way Door - [00:38:20] Reading & Seeking Information - [00:41:09] Strategic Thinking - [00:44:46] A Strategy is Not a Plan - [00:48:05] Communicating Your Strategy - [00:52:23] Becoming an Engineering Leader - [00:55:39] 3 Engineering Leader Wisdom - [01:01:56] _____ James Stanier’s BioJames Stanier is Director of Engineering at Shopify. James holds a Ph.D. in computer science and runs theengineeringmanager.com. He has over a decade of experience with building people and software. He is also the author of Become an Effective Software Manager and Effective Remote Work. Follow James: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/jstanier X – x.com/jstanier The Engineering Manager Blog – theengineeringmanager.com The Engineering Manager Newsletter – theengineeringmanager.substack.com 📚 Become a Great Engineering Leader – pragprog.com/titles/jsenglb/become-a-great-engineering-leader/ 📚 Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager – pragprog.com/titles/jsengman/become-an-effective-software-engineering-manager/ 📚 Effective Remote Work – pragprog.com/titles/jsrw/effective-remote-work/ _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/200.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“As an engineer, you don’t have to drop your technical skills, but you need to communicate like an executive. The more you communicate this way, you will have more opportunities and more impact on your job.” Pramoda Vyasarao is an engineering leader turned coach with two decades of experience at Oracle and Meta, and the author of “Beyond Your Limits”. In this episode, Pramoda shares his insights on the importance of communication for engineers, as well as his inspiring journey of achieving 52 lofty goals in over 20 years and going beyond his limits. Having joined Toastmasters in 2003 to improve his public speaking, Pramoda believes engineers should focus on developing their communication skills to advance their careers and become better leaders. He discusses his TALL framework for effective communication: talking with structure, asking insightful questions, listening deeply, and leadership development. Our conversation also delves into key topics from Pramoda’s book, “Beyond Your Limits”. Pramoda discusses the importance of setting goals and finding life’s meaning, sharing his own inspiring journey in his goal-oriented life. He explains the power of thoughts, how our thoughts can influence our feelings and actions significantly, and the three common saboteurs to achieving our goals: time, purpose, and belief. Tune in to learn practical advice on improving your communication and leadership skills, as well as how to achieve your big goals and realize your true potential.   Listen out for: Career Turning Points - [00:02:13] Going Through Layoff - [00:03:42] Joining Toastmasters - [00:05:25] Tips for Being a Great Speaker - [00:07:34] Think Like an Engineer, Talk Like an Executive - [00:09:17] Your Communication Gives You More Opportunities - [00:11:45] Written Communication Skills - [00:13:41] TALL Framework for Communication and Leadership - [00:15:24] T = Talking with Structures - [00:19:08] L = Listening Deeply - [00:21:59] ABC Framework for Leadership - [00:25:19] Why Writing “Beyond Your Limits” Book - [00:33:31] The Power of Thoughts - [00:37:39] Top 3 Saboteurs of Goal Achievement - [00:41:12] 7 Step Framework for Goal Achievement - [00:47:56] Creating Milestones & Habits - [00:51:01] Pramoda’s Biggest Goal Achievement - [00:54:28] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:57:13] _____ Pramoda Vyasarao’s BioPramoda Vyasarao, the founder of Changesmith Coaching LLC, has a rich background in computer science and boasts over two decades of experience with tech giants like Oracle and Meta. Beginning his career as an engineer and eventually transitioning into a management role, he recognized the importance of structured leadership development. This realization spurred his journey into leadership coaching. With 17 years of coaching experience, Pramoda has significantly impacted thousands of individuals across 11 countries. He specializes in fostering personal growth for senior leaders through one-on-one coaching and cohort-based courses that focus on communication, leadership, and storytelling. Pramoda is the author of the bestselling book “Beyond Your Limits.” Follow Pramoda: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/pramodavyasarao Digital Courses – changesmith.me/courses Live Courses – maven.com/changesmith 📚 Beyond Your Limits – amazon.com/Beyond-Your-Limits-Achieving-Happiness/dp/B0D5ZDX3P5 🎧 Beyond Your Limits Audiobook – open.spotify.com/show/4tHbhirBUklc2Zehq5f9NN _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/199.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Now more than ever, engineering leaders are being asked to be more transparent with how their work is getting done. Every single thing that an engineering team works on needs to benefit the business.” Laura Tacho is the CTO of DX and a leading voice in the world of developer experience and productivity. In this episode, we explore the ever important role of aligning developer experience with business goals and discuss the DX Core 4, a new developer productivity framework recently published by DX. Laura shares how engineering leaders can leverage intuition for data-driven decisions and effectively communicate the impact of engineering initiatives in business language. We discuss the importance of balancing business goals with engineering needs and delve into the process of building a strong business case for improving developer experience. Discover the new DX Core 4 framework as Laura breaks down its four dimensions, key metrics, and actionable strategies for measuring and enhancing developer productivity. Learn how DX Core 4 complements existing frameworks, such as DORA, SPACE, and DevEx, and why it suggests “diffs per engineer” as a valuable metric to measure. Understand the Developer Experience Index (DXI) and why internal developer platforms and AI play crucial roles in improving developer experience. Tune in to learn new valuable insights on developer experience and how to measure, communicate, and improve developer productivity effectively.   Listen out for: Career Turning Points - [00:02:13] Following Your Intuition - [00:05:36] Business Oriented Engineering Leaders - [00:08:06] Explaining Tech Debt - [00:12:01] Balancing Between Engineering and Business Focus - [00:16:53] Building a Case for Improving Developer Experience - [00:21:00] DX Core 4 - [00:22:46] DX Core 4 vs Others (DORA, SPACE, DevEx) - [00:25:19] The DX Core 4 Dimensions - [00:26:49] Diffs per Engineer - [00:30:32] Impact Dimension - [00:33:27] Measuring DX Core 4 - [00:34:59] Developer Experience Index (DXI) - [00:38:19] Impact of Implementing DX Core 4 - [00:41:54] Best Strategy to Improve Developer Experience - [00:44:26] Internal Developer Platform & AI - [00:47:52] The Importance of Talking to the Developers - [00:51:40] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:54:18] _____ Laura Tacho’s BioLaura Tacho is CTO at DX, a developer experience company. She’s a technology leader with a successful track record leading engineering and product development teams at companies like CloudBees, Aula Education, and Nova Credit. She’s been building developer tools and working on improving developer productivity for over 10 years, all the way from the heyday of IaaS and PaaS on cloud, through Docker and containers, CI/CD, and now as part of DX. She’s also an executive coach for engineering leaders and an expert in building world-class engineering organisations that consistently deliver outstanding results. Laura has coached CTOs and other engineering leaders from startups to the Fortune 500, and also facilitates a popular course on metrics and engineering team performance. Follow Laura: Website – lauratacho.com LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/lauratacho DX Core 4 – getdx.com/research/measuring-developer-productivity-with-the-dx-core-4 Developer Productivity Metrics Course - lauratacho.com/developer-productivity-metrics-course _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/198.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Input, Output, Outcome, and Impact. It’s an escalating way of where to spend my time as an engineering leader, and more importantly, where my engineering team is spending their time on.” Balki Kodarapu is the VP of Engineering at Lōvu Health and a seasoned engineering leader with a wealth of experience from startups to large organizations. In this episode, Balki shares his valuable insights on how to build and lead high-performing engineering teams that go beyond just churning out code. We go deep into his practical framework for driving outcomes and impact, emphasizing why it’s crucial for engineers to understand the ‘why’ behind their work. Balki also shares effective strategies for setting, communicating, and reinforcing engineering values. We also discuss the importance of connecting with your team, practicing gratitude and curiosity, and measuring engineering metrics effectively. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for building outcome-oriented engineering teams and becoming a more effective leader.   Listen out for: Career Turning Points - [00:01:55] Impact & Outcome Driven Engineering - [00:05:50] Helping Engineering Connect to the Outcomes - [00:11:52] Balancing Engineers’ Focus Time - [00:16:18] Key Engineering Metrics: Releasing with Joy & Confidence - [00:18:46] Engineering Metrics Other Org Functions Care About - [00:23:01] Setting Engineering Values - [00:30:33] How to Create Engineering Values - [00:36:16] Communicating Values - [00:40:18] Practicing Gratitude & Curiosity - [00:43:59] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:49:49] _____ Balki Kodarapu’s BioBalki Kodarapu, an all-in engineering leader and entrepreneur at heart. Balki has a proven track record of leading SaaS products from inception to hyper-growth, helping companies achieve 2x to 10x revenue growth, including two successful exits. He loves being a hands-on engineer, director, and VP of Engineering (all at once!), contributing daily, shaping product strategy and building high-performing teams. Currently, Balki leads engineering at Lōvu Health where his team helps create positive, joyful & healthy experiences for pregnant & postpartum moms every single day. Follow Balki: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/balki _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/197.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“The OOOps methodology from the science of happy accidents are optionality, opportunism, and optimization.” Stephen Fishman and Matt McLarty are the authors of “Unbundling the Enterprise: APIs, Optionality, and the Science of Happy Accidents”, a book from IT Revolution. In this episode, we discuss the transformative power of APIs, the importance of optionality in technology and business, and the intriguing science of ‘happy accidents’. We delve into the “OOOps” of the science of happy accidents, which are optionality through API unbundling, opportunism through value dynamics, and optimization through feedback loops. Stephen and Matt share real-world examples of how companies like Amazon, Google, and Cox Automotive have successfully unbundled their enterprises and leveraged optionality for growth and innovation. Also, hear the story and impact of Jeff Bezos’s legendary API mandate at Amazon, which revolutionized Amazon to become the giant it is now. Towards the end, we discuss the role of AI in the future of work and how we can use AI along with APIs to embrace more optionality and create more business value. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how you can apply these concepts to your digital transformation journey and benefit from the power of APIs and optionality.   Listen out for: Career Turning Points - [00:01:51] “Unbundling the Enterprise” Book - [00:05:21] Amazon API Revolution - [00:08:39] What Drove Jeff Bezos’s Mandate - [00:14:10] Optionality Through API Unbundling - [00:17:36] Happy Accidents - [00:23:59] Opportunism Through Value Dynamics - [00:26:59] Value Dynamics - [00:30:55] Optimization Through Feedback Loops - [00:38:03] Embracing AI - [00:45:24] 4 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:52:02] _____ Stephen Fishman’s BioStephen Fishman (Fish) is the NA Field CTO for Boomi. He is a practicing technologist who brings creativity, rigor, and a human-centric lens to problem-solving. Known as an expert in aligning technology and business strategy, Stephen places a premium on pushing business and technology leaders to embrace iteration and the critical need to collaborate across disciplines. In addition to consulting with large organizations, Stephen is an in-demand speaker and advisor. Stephen has led multidisciplinary teams to deliver amazing results at Salesforce, MuleSoft, Cox Automotive, Sapient, Macy’s, and multiple public sector institutions including the US Federal Reserve and the CDC. Matt McLarty’s BioMatt McLarty is the Chief Technology Officer for Boomi. He works with organizations around the world to help them digitally transform using a composable approach. He is an active member of the global API community, has led global technical teams at Salesforce, IBM, and CA Technologies, and started his career in financial technology. Matt is an internationally known expert on APIs, microservices, and integration. He is co-author of the O’Reilly books Microservice Architecture and Securing Microservice APIs, and co-host of the API Experience podcast. Follow Stephen: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/stephenhfishman Email – stephen.fishman@boomi.com Follow Matt: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mattmclartybc Email – matt.mclarty@boomi.com Book & Podcast: 📚 Unbundling the Enterprise – https://itrevolution.com/product/unbundling-the-enterprise/ The API Experience Podcast - https://boomi.com/boomi-podcast/ _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/196.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Legacy code is a code without tests. If you have code, and it has lots of tests, it’s relatively easy to change. But if you don’t have the tests, you’re really in serious trouble.” Do you dread working with legacy code? Michael Feathers, renowned software expert and author of the classic “Working Effectively with Legacy Code,” joins me to discuss the challenges and strategies for working with legacy code, a topic that remains highly relevant even after 20 years! Michael explains why he defines legacy code as “code without tests,” emphasizing the crucial role of automated tests for code maintainability, rather than simply defining it as an old inherited code. He also provides insights on the psychological challenges of working with legacy code and stresses the importance of approaching it with curiosity and a sense of adventure. The conversation also explores the evolving world of AI assistant in software development, drawing from Michael’s forthcoming book, “AI-Assisted Programming”. He shares how AI can assist developers in various tasks, such as explaining code, identifying potential issues, generating tests, and exploring new possibilities. Listen to this episode to explore the intersection of legacy code, AI, and the future of software development!   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:24] “Working Effectively with Legacy Code” Book - [00:02:05] Definition of Legacy Code - [00:04:55] The Importance of Automated Tests - [00:06:39] Understanding Legacy Code - [00:09:47] Mindset for Working with Legacy Code - [00:11:15] Rewrite vs Fixing Legacy Code - [00:13:50] Microservice for Legacy Code - [00:15:36] Approach to Dealing with Legacy Code - [00:17:33] Seams - [00:20:03] Strangler Fig - [00:21:42] Understanding Refactoring - [00:22:48] Testing Pyramid - [00:24:28] Code Nobody Wants to Touch - [00:26:10] AI for Understanding Legacy Code - [00:27:53] AI Churning More Legacy Code - [00:30:06] “AI Assisted Programming” Book - [00:32:47] Prompt Engineering - [00:34:16] Doing in Small Steps - [00:35:09] Best Use Case for AI - [00:37:29] Developer’s Fear of AI - [00:39:16] SudoLang - [00:40:59] AI as Test Assistant - [00:43:42] Context Window - [00:45:19] Waywords - [00:47:14] Managing AI Sessions - [00:48:53] Using Different AI Tools - [00:50:30] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:52:28] _____ Michael Feathers’s BioMichael Feathers is the Founder and Director of R7K Research & Conveyance, a company specializing in software and organization design. Over the past 20 years he has consulted with hundreds of organizations, supporting them with general software design issues, process change and code revitalization. A frequent presenter at national and international conferences, Michael is also the author of the book Working Effectively with Legacy Code. Follow Michael: Twitter – @mfeathers LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/michaelfeathers Substack – substack.com/@michaelfeathers 📚 Working Effectively with Legacy Code – https://www.amazon.com/Working-Effectively-Legacy-Michael-Feathers/dp/0131177052 📚 AI Assisted Programming – leanpub.com/ai-assisted-programming _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/195.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Product marketing’s purpose is to drive product adoption by shaping market perception through strategic marketing activities that align with business goals.” Are you making the mistake of focusing too much on product and not enough on the market? In this episode, Martina Lauchengo, a partner at Costanoa Ventures and the author of the SVPG book “LOVED: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products”, discusses the often-overlooked importance of marketing in the success of tech products. Martina challenges the traditional notion of “product market fit,” suggesting “market product fit” instead, because a product’s value is determined by the market’s capacity to absorb it. She emphasizes the critical role of go-to-market strategy in informing product development and driving adoption. We explore the four fundamentals of product marketing outlined in Martina’s book: ambassador, strategist, storyteller, and evangelist. Martina shares real-world examples of how these principles have been applied successfully, highlighting the importance of understanding customer needs, crafting compelling narratives, and enabling authentic evangelism. Tune in to discover valuable insights into how to rethink marketing for your tech products and achieve greater success.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:52] Market in the Product Market Fit Dimensions - [00:04:02] Importance of Go-To-Market - [00:07:02] Marketing Tech Product - [00:09:16] Product Marketing vs Marketing Campaign - [00:12:17] Sales-Marketing-Product Roles - [00:15:52] How Product Marketing Collaborate - [00:17:20] Product Marketing Metrics & Attribution - [00:21:16] 4 Fundamentals of Product Marketing - [00:25:33] Ambassadorship - [00:28:40] How to Get Customer Insights - [00:31:25] Human Aspect of Product Marketing - [00:35:47] Directing the Product Go-To-Market - [00:39:03] Storytelling - [00:41:53] Curating Stories - [00:44:50] Evangelism - [00:46:52] Authentic vs Authoritative - [00:49:26] Product Review Channels - [00:52:16] Product Support - [00:54:07] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:56:01] _____ Martina Lauchengco’s BioMartina spent 30 years as a marketing and product leader. She started her career working on market-defining software, Microsoft Office and Netscape Navigator. She teaches what she’s learned with SVPG and is a lecturer at UC Berkeley’s graduate school of engineering. As a partner at Costanoa Ventures, she sits on multiple boards and coaches startups. She is the author of LOVED: How to Rethink Marketing Tech Products, a #1 Amazon Best Seller. Martina holds a B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Organizational Behavior from Stanford University. She’s a native Californian, mother of two, and proud wife to Chris. Follow Martina: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/martinalauchengco Costanoa Ventures – https://costanoa.vc/ Silicon Valley Product Group – svpg.com 📚 LOVED – https://www.svpg.com/books/loved-how-to-rethink-marketing-for-tech-products/ _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/194.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“We should always learn intentionally. And the best learning is by doing. Extra time used to practice something is always worth it." Dr. Milan Milanović is a seasoned CTO and the author of the popular “Tech World with Milan” newsletter. In this episode, Milan shares his insights on what it takes to become a great software engineer. Milan emphasizes that technical skills, while crucial, are just one part of the equation. Soft skills, a product-focused mindset, and a commitment to continuous learning are equally vital for long-term success in the ever-evolving tech industry. He delves into the key attributes that distinguish great engineers, revealing the surprising truth about why we should focus on learning the fundamentals, how to learn new skills and become an expert, delivering high-quality engineering, and practical strategies to boost productivity.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:02:14] Attributes of a Great Software Engineer - [00:05:50] Common Lacking Attribute - [00:10:28] How to Learn New Skills - [00:12:48] How to Become an Expert - [00:16:02] 10,000 Hours - [00:22:47] Dealing with Imposter Syndrome - [00:24:52] Learn Things That Don’t Change - [00:27:50] High-Quality Engineering - [00:32:52] Becoming a More Productive Engineer - [00:39:28] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:48:53] _____ Milan Milanović’s BioMilan is a CTO with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. His main areas of interest include software architecture, cloud computing solutions, web and mobile solutions, agile methods, and managing software teams to deliver innovative and high-quality products. He is an avid author who helps more than 300.000 engineers and managers to build great careers and products. He also works as a High-Performance & Career Coach. Follow Milan: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/milanmilanovic Twitter / X – @milan_milanovic Website – milan.milanovic.org ✍🏼 Newsletter – newsletter.techworld-with-milan.com _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/193.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“The four common obstacles that are stopping engineers in progressing in their journey are the imposter syndrome, burnout, trouble dealing with other people, and self marketing struggles." Dagna Bieda is an engineer turned coach and the author of “Brain Refactor”. In this episode, Dagna discusses the common obstacles that prevent engineers from progressing in their careers. She also introduces her latest book, “Brain Refactor,” which offers strategies for overcoming these obstacles and achieving success in tech. Dagna emphasizes the importance of understanding our “legacy mental code” and how it can impact our career growth. She outlines an algorithm for reprogramming our legacy mental code, discussing practical steps for identifying the root causes, planning the refactors, scripting new responses, and continuously executing improvements. Towards the end, Dagda dives deeper into handling burnout and dealing with other people and provides practical tips to resolve those common bugs.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:02:03] Dagna’s Career Transition - [00:04:27] Our Legacy Codebase - [00:10:08] Feedbacks as Debugging Point - [00:13:04] Psychological Safety in Receiving Feedback - [00:17:52] 3 Common Mental Code Refactoring - [00:20:49] The Brain Refactor Algorithm - [00:25:23] Script New Responses - [00:33:45] Merge Conflicts & Cognitive Dissonance - [00:37:33] Common Bug #1: Burnout - [00:42:07] Common Bug #2: Dealing with Other People - [00:51:21] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:57:02] _____ Dagna Bieda’s BioDagna Bieda is an Engineer turned Coach for Engineers and ambitious professionals in tech. With 10+ years of coding experience and coaching since 2019, she’s the tough love, “been in your shoes” kinda Coach. Her clients' backgrounds include a spectrum ranging from ICs to CTOs, from small startups to FAANG+ companies, from 2 to 20+ years of experience, and from self-taught devs through career-changing Bootcamp grads to college grads and PhDs. She helps her clients reach their potential and exciting career opportunities by refactoring their brains. Follow Dagna: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagnabieda Website – themindfuldev.com 📚 Brain Refactor – amazon.com/dp/B0DB3JZYL2 _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/192.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“One key highlight of the report is that there’s a massive disconnect between engineering leaders and engineers about developer experience." Andrew Boyagi is a DevOps Evangelist at Atlassian. In this episode, Andrew shares the key findings of the State of Developer Experience Report 2024, including the disconnect between engineering leaders and engineers, the impact of AI on developer experience, and the importance of measuring and improving developer productivity. Andrew shares practical advice on how to improve developer experience in our organization, emphasizing the importance of communication, continuous improvement, and transparency. We also delve into the role of internal platforms in enhancing developer experience and the importance of engineering culture. If you’re interested in learning more about developer experience and looking for ways to improve developer productivity, this episode is for you!   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:37] State of Developer Experience Report - [00:04:05] Developer Experience (DevEx) - [00:05:32] DevEx Across Companies & Teams - [00:06:25] Report Key Highlights - [00:09:20] AI Impact to DevEx - [00:12:41] How Developers Spend Their Time - [00:15:13] How to Improve DevEx - [00:18:21] What to Ask Developers About DevEx - [00:21:31] Impact of DevEx on Deveopers' Retention & Attraction - [00:24:22] The Danger of Traditional DevEx Measurement - [00:26:50] Importance of Engineering Culture - [00:31:15] DevEx Frameworks - [00:34:24] Platform Engineering - [00:37:02] Platform Buy vs Build - [00:39:29] Self Service & Reducing Wait Time - [00:42:03] AI for Improving Documentation - [00:44:50] Feedback Loop for Improving DevEx - [00:47:29] Atlassian DevEx Journey - [00:49:01] Importance of Transparency - [00:50:28] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:52:01] _____ Andrew Boyagi’s BioAndrew is a DevOps Evangelist at Atlassian with more than 20 years of experience in software delivery and service management in enterprise organizations. He provides a practical perspective on how teams and organizations can maximize the benefits of DevOps based on real-life experience. Before joining Atlassian, Andrew was an Executive Manager at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he established and matured a platform engineering function that supported 7,000 engineers. Andrew holds an MBA from Southern Cross University. Follow Andrew: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/andrewboyagi/ State of Developer Experience Report 2024 – atlassian.com/software/compass/resources/state-of-developer-2024 _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/191.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“The three core expectations of a Staff+ engineer are having a high blast radius impact, able to do multi-scale planning & influence, and having high ownership & autonomy level.” What does it take to become a Staff+ engineer? Thiago Ghisi, an experienced engineering leader and a Director of Engineering at Nubank, reveals the secrets in this episode. We discuss the path to becoming a Staff+ engineer and explore the attributes that set successful Staff+ engineers apart. Thiago emphasizes that technical skills alone are not enough and outlines the three core expectations and three key behaviors for Staff+ engineers to demonstrate. Our conversation concludes with a discussion of the importance of finding role models and learning from their behaviors and approaches rather than following checklists. If you’re an aspiring Staff+ engineer or simply interested in career growth in tech, don’t miss this episode! Tune in now to unlock the secrets to Staff+ success.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:02:11] Definition of a Staff+ Engineer - [00:04:24] The Different Level & Scope of Responsibilities - [00:09:43] What You Got Here Won’t Get You There - [00:18:54] High Blast Radius Impact - [00:23:34] Multi-Scale Planning & Influence - [00:27:23] Stakeholder Management - [00:31:06] Ownership & Autonomy Level - [00:35:52] Behaviors & Patterns - [00:43:51] Role Models Over Checklists - [00:51:53] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:55:56] _____ Thiago Ghisi’s BioThiago Ghisi is the Director of Engineering for the Mobile Platform team at Nubank. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the software industry, having worked at companies like Apple, ThoughtWorks, and Amex. Ghisi has worn multiple hats - from Programmer to Project Manager to Quality Engineer, back to Engineering, and finally, Engineering Management, where he has been leading cross-functional teams in the Mobile FinTech space for the past eight years. He also hosts a podcast called “Engineering Advice You Didn’t Ask For” and writes extensively about Career & Leadership in Tech on LinkedIn & Twitter. Follow Thiago: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/thiagoghisi Twitter – @thiagoghisi _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/190.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“A lot of problems that we are facing in code review are due to the interface. We are not actually giving feedback to a person, but we are just filling in text boxes and looking at code." Dr. Michaela Greiler is a code review advocate and runs the “Awesome Code Reviews” workshops. In this episode, we discuss the importance of making code reviews awesome. We discuss the common challenges of code reviews, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers both the technical and social aspects. Michaela also shares insights on how to assess and improve code review practices within teams, highlighting the code review quadrant of review speed and feedback value. Our discussion further explores the correlation between code reviews and developer experience, emphasizing the role of psychological safety and a positive feedback culture. Finally, Michaela provides valuable tips on code review tools and techniques, including the use of checklists and strategies for managing context switching. If you’re looking to enhance your team’s code review process and foster a positive developer experience, listen now and take your code reviews to the next level!   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:53] Awesome Code Review - [00:05:33] Assessing Code Review Practices - [00:11:41] Code Review Speed - [00:18:23] Code Review & Developer Experience - [00:23:31] Improving Code Review Cultural Aspect - [00:29:13] Code Review Tools - [00:35:36] Code Review Techniques - [00:42:11] Context Switching - [00:48:15] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:54:14] _____ Michaela Greiler’s BioFor over 15 years, Michaela Greiler has helped software teams build high-quality software in an efficient and effective way. Her mission is to lead teams to unlock their full potential during company workshops and team coaching sessions. She shares her findings through articles on her blog or in scientific journals, in publications such as freecodecamp and at conferences. She also runs a weekly newsletter that more than 2500 people enjoy. In this newsletter, she shares her thoughts on relevant software engineering topics and helps you stay up-to-date. She’s also the host of the software engineering unlocked podcast. Here, she interviews experienced developers, product managers and CTOs about how they build software. Follow Michaela: Awesome Code Reviews – awesomecodereviews.com Personal Website – michaelagreiler.com LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mgreiler Twitter – @mgreiler SE Unlocked Podcast – softwareengineeringunlocked.com _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/189.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Coupling is an inherent part of system design, not something that is necessarily good or evil. How we design coupling can take our system either towards complexity or towards modularity." Vladik Khononov returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book “Balancing Coupling in Software Design”. In this episode, Vlad revisits the essence of coupling, a term often not fully understood, and explores its implications on software complexity and modularity. Vlad introduces the concept of shared lifecycle and shared knowledge, revealing the hidden dependencies that can undermine even the most well-intentioned designs. He also explains complexity through the lens of the Cynefin framework and delves into the differences between essential and accidental complexity. One of the episode’s highlights is Vlad’s unique framework for evaluating coupling. He introduces the three dimensions of integration strength, distance, and volatility, providing a practical model for assessing and balancing coupling in software design. He also challenges traditional definitions of modularity, emphasizing the importance of knowledge boundaries. Whether you’re a seasoned tech lead or an aspiring software engineer, this episode offers invaluable insights into building maintainable and modular software systems. It will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance between coupling and complexity.   Listen out for: Writing about Coupling - [00:03:28] Coupling - [00:06:09] Shared Lifecycle & Knowledge - [00:08:17] Cynefin - [00:12:28] Essential vs Accidental Complexity - [00:19:00] Modularity - [00:22:45] Abstraction & Knowledge Boundary - [00:29:04] 3 Dimensions of Coupling - [00:36:25] Balancing Coupling - [00:58:11] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [01:02:30] _____ Vladik Khononov’s BioVlad Khononov is a software engineer with extensive industry experience, working for companies large and small in roles ranging from webmaster to chief architect. His core areas of expertise are distributed systems and software design. Vlad consults with companies to make sense of their business domains, untangle monoliths, and tackle complex architectural challenges. Vlad maintains an active media career as a public speaker and author. Prior to Balancing Coupling in Software Design, he authored the best-selling O’Reilly book Learning Domain-Driven Design. He is a sought-after keynote speaker, presenting on topics such as domain-driven design, microservices, and software architecture in general. Follow Vladik: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/vladikk Twitter / X – @vladikk 📚 Balancing Coupling in Software Design – https://www.amazon.com/Balancing-Coupling-Software-Design-Addison-Wesley-ebook/dp/B09RV3Z3TP _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/188.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Just because the network is unreliable doesn’t mean a monolith is reliable either. It’s a fallacy to assume that you can build an error free system. You deal with it by accepting that the system overall has a baseline error rate, and that’s a business requirements issue." Richard Rodger is the author of “The Tao of Microservices”. In this episode, Richard shares a unique philosophical and practical approach to microservices, focusing on core concepts such as messages first, component-based, pattern matching, and transport independence. Our discussion also covers the choice between monoliths and microservices, discussing the challenges of network unreliability and data consistency.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:55] The Tao of Microservices - [00:10:12] 3 Core Technical Principles - [00:18:22] Messages First - [00:27:55] Pattern Matching - [00:35:55] Monolith vs Microservices - [00:41:18] Network Fallacy - [00:45:17] Handling Data Consistency - [00:49:30] 2 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:55:47] _____ Richard Rodger’s BioRichard Rodger is the author of The Tao of Microservices, a book from Manning focused on the design and management of microservice architectures. His first book Mobile Application Development in the Cloud (Wiley, 2010) is one of the first major works on the intersection of Node.js, Cloud, and Mobile. Richard Rodger is the founder and CEO of voxgig.com, a professional network and tool suite for speakers and event organizers. Richard was previously a co-founder and COO of nearForm.com, the world’s largest specialist Node.js consultancy delivering next-generation enterprise software, with a focus on Node.js and microservices. Before that, Richard was the CTO of FeedHenry, a mobile application platform provider that was acquired by RedHat in 2014. Richard holds degrees in Mathematics, Philosophy, and Computer Science. Follow Richard: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/richardrodger Twitter – @rjrodger Mastodon – @rjrodger@fosstodon.org Blog – richardrodger.com 📚 The Tao of Microservices – https://www.manning.com/books/the-tao-of-microservices _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/187.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Where the CTOs usually struggle is holding people accountable. The other things are leadership, strategy, vision, and being an executive. Most of the CTOs are swamped with work from their day-to-day job." Stephan Schmidt is a CTO coach and the author of “Amazing CTO”. In this episode, we delve into the multifaceted world of the CTO role and discuss what it takes to become a great CTO. Stephan highlights the common struggles CTOs face and offers practical advice from his book on the different important aspects of the role, such as setting a clear vision and strategy, delegating effectively, having effective one-on-ones, and fostering a culture of ownership and growth. We also touch on the personal side of the role, discussing the importance of self-management, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, handling failures, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Whether you’re already a CTO or have aspirations for tech leadership, this episode shares practical insights for effectively managing technology teams and driving innovation.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:46] The Role of a CTO - [00:03:57] The Missing Manual - [00:06:54] 140 Bite-Sized Rules - [00:09:22] CTO Struggles - [00:10:52] Stephan’s Failure Stories - [00:14:43] Strategy is for People - [00:18:05] Set People Up for Success, Not Failure - [00:19:59] One-on-One & Automatic Management - [00:22:59] Delegate Everything - [00:27:29] How to Delegate Better - [00:30:02] Think in 10X - [00:33:17] Radical Simplicity - [00:36:15] Managing Yourself - [00:40:56] Impostor Syndrome and Handling Failures - [00:44:07] The Future of a CTO - [00:47:07] 2 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:49:46] _____ Stephan Schmidt’s BioStephan Schmidt launched his tech career as a self-taught coder, mastering the art of programming as a kid in a department store back in 1981 with ambitions of creating video games. His passion for technology led him to university, where he delved into computer science, specializing in distributed systems and artificial intelligence, while also exploring the realms of philosophy. With the dawn of the internet era in Germany during the 1990s, Stephan became a pioneering coder and engineering manager for several startups. His journey in the tech world expanded as he founded a venture capital-funded startup and tackled architecture, processes, and growth challenges in various fast-growing VC-backed companies. His roles have included engineering manager at ImmoScout24 and CTO of an eBay Inc. subsidiary. Following the successful sale of his wife’s startup, the couple relocated to the seaside, where Stephan embraced his role as a CTO coach, guiding technology leaders through the intricacies of their evolving roles. Follow Stephan: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/stephanjschmidt Amazing CTO – amazingcto.com 📚 Amazing CTO – ctobook.dev _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/186.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“The three change dimensions of the product operating model are changing how you build, changing how you solve problems, and changing how you decide which problems to solve." Chris Jones, Partner at Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG) and co-author of “TRANSFORMED: Moving to the Product Operating Model,” joins me to discuss how organizations can transform and innovate like top tech companies. Chris introduces the Product Operating Model (POM), a set of principles for building products that prioritize outcomes over outputs. He contrasts POM with traditional IT and project models, emphasizing the importance of empowering cross-functional teams, fostering trust, and aligning stakeholders around a unified product strategy. Chris also delves into the three dimensions of POM, highlighting the need for changing how we build, how we solve problems, and how we prioritize problems to solve. Additionally, he explores the crucial role of the CEO, the product leaders, and the product team’s key competencies in driving successful transformations to POM.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:56] Moving Into Product Management - [00:05:40] Key Theme of “Transformed” - [00:07:13] Product Operating Model (POM) - [00:10:39] Model, Not a Framework - [00:15:52] The Driver’s Seat in POM - [00:19:28] Changing How You Build - [00:23:00] Importance of Instrumentation & Monitoring - [00:26:37] Changing How You Solve Problems - [00:28:27] Product Discovery & Experimentation - [00:32:03] Empowerment & Trust - [00:36:10] Changing How You Decide What Problems to Solve - [00:39:21] Unified Product Vision & Strategy - [00:42:56] The Role of the CEO & Product Leaders - [00:44:45] Product Model Competencies - [00:48:36] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:53:05] _____ Chris Jones’s BioChris has spent over 30 years building and leading product teams that defined new product categories at startups to F500 software companies including Lookout, Symantec, and Vontu. A holder of multiple patents, he has discovered and developed new products in consumer and enterprise mobile, web, data, and platform services. Chris has worked directly with over 200 companies ranging from startups to very large enterprise across a wide variety of technologies, business models and industries. Chris has worked directly with leadership and operational teams at these companies to better align their organization, process, tools, and culture with modern product best practices. Follow Chris: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg Silicon Valley Product Group – svpg.com SVPG Product Masterclass – eventbrite.com/e/svpg-product-masterclass-asiapac-timing-tickets-874015693467 _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/185.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Contract testing is a form of testing where you are verifying two systems have the same shared understanding about the expectations." Lewis Prescott is the coauthor of “Contract Testing in Action”. In this episode, join us to demystify contract testing and its critical role in modern software development. Discover how contract testing ensures reliable software integration, particularly in complex microservice architectures. Lewis explains the core concepts, the difference between consumer-driven and provider-driven approaches, and how contract testing fits into your testing strategy and CI/CD pipeline. We also touch on the practicalities of implementing contract testing, including tool options like Pact, and how it can also be applied in event-driven architectures. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, this episode offers valuable insights to help you level up your software development approach.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:01:56] Problems Contract Testing is Solving - [00:04:57] Contract Testing Use Cases - [00:07:20] Contract Testing Components - [00:09:52] Shared Understanding of the Expectations - [00:11:42] Benefits of Contract Testing - [00:15:02] Contract Testing in Testing Pyramid - [00:18:29] Contract vs Unit vs Integration Tests - [00:19:37] Contract Testing for Public APIs - [00:21:28] Types of Contract Testing - [00:22:46] CI/CD Workflow with Contract Testing - [00:25:33] Provider Workflow - [00:31:55] Getting the Buy-In - [00:33:31] Owning the Broker - [00:36:00] Pact & Other Tooling - [00:37:19] Versioning Contracts - [00:39:34] Consumer-Driven Contract Testing - [00:42:15] Contract Testing for Event-Driven Architecture - [00:46:53] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:49:40] _____ Lewis Prescott’s BioLewis Prescott is a Test Specialist at IBM. He has 9 years experience in software testing, is a recognized champion of Contract Testing and course author at Test Automation University, as well as an active mentor in the testing community. Follow Lewis: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/lewis-prescott-12409a44/ Website – pactman.co.uk 📚 Contract Testing in Action – manning.com/books/contract-testing-in-action Book’s forum – livebook.manning.com/forum?product=cruz2 _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/184.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Strong teams embrace conflict. They use it as a tool, and they have their great way of handling disagreements." Hari Haralambiev is co-founder of SoftSkillsPills.com and author of the leadership newsletter “A Leader’s Tale”. In this episode, we discuss essential elements of team leadership and dynamics. Hari begins by sharing his insights on what makes a great software development team, emphasizing the importance of creating the right environment for collaboration and sustainable results. He introduces the TReE team model, a framework for assessing team dynamics, which stands for Trust, Results, and Evolution. Our conversation also explores the significance of handling conflicts and disagreements within teams, highlighting the role of leaders in fostering healthy conflict resolution. Hari provides strategies for maintaining team engagement during challenging times, such as layoffs and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of open communication, focusing on controllable objectives, and the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:02:09] What Makes Software Development Team Great - [00:06:14] TReE Team Model - [00:08:40] Team Conflicts and Disagreements - [00:15:28] The Role of Leaders in Conflicts - [00:25:39] Making It Safe to Speak Up - [00:35:16] Maintaining Engagement During Tough Times - [00:43:49] Maintaining Mental Health for Leaders - [00:51:57] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:55:07] Fun Fact About Soft Skills Pills - [00:59:41] _____ Hari Haralambiev’s BioHari started his 20-year career in the IT industry as a software engineer, led dozens of projects as a manager of software teams, and reached the position of Innovation Director before starting his own company. For the past 10 years, he has focused on helping tech people work better together through team coaching and leadership & soft skills training. Hari is co-founder of SoftSkillsPills.com, the platform for dev teams who care about people, co-host of the popular Bulgarian podcast for IT people Radio Tochka 2, and author of the leadership newsletter/comic A Leader’s Tale. Follow Hari: LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/haralambi-haralambiev Soft Skills Pills – softskillspills.com Newsletter – softskillspills.com/aleaderstale _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/183.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“We have 10 different aspects of quality, and testing is just a subset of activities in the overall quality culture. You need to have a good testing practice, but it’s just a tiny part of quality culture." Janet Gregory and Selena Delesie are the co-authors of “Assessing Agile Quality Practices Using QPAM”. In this episode, we discuss how to elevate and improve our organization’s quality culture and practices. Janet and Selena begin by explaining what quality culture truly entails, distinguishing it from a narrow focus on testing. They describe the QPAM model, breaking down its 10 quality aspects and 4 dimensions to provide you with a comprehensive model for assessing your quality practices. Gain insights on why social and sociotechnical aspects of quality are more critical than technical ones, and explore some quality aspects such as feedback loops, development approach, and defect management. Janet and Selena also elaborate on why they consider defect management to be of the lowest priority and provide reasoning for their decision. Whether you’re a seasoned quality professional or a team leader striving for continuous improvement, this episode contains valuable takeaways to help you build a quality-driven culture that delivers high-quality results. Tune in to learn actionable tips for conducting your own quality assessment and driving quality transformation in your organization.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:02:10] Quality Culture - [00:04:58] Quality & Testing - [00:06:42] Quality Assessment - [00:08:37] 10 Quality Aspects - [00:11:00] The Importance of Sociotechnical - [00:13:30] QPAM is Not a Maturity Model - [00:16:11] 4 Dimensions - [00:19:52] Feedback Loops - [00:23:09] Explaining Feedback Loops - [00:25:45] Development Approach - [00:30:18] Defect Management - [00:33:03] Understanding the Problem - [00:37:19] Conducting a Quality Assessment - [00:40:26] Insights from Past Assessments - [00:44:49] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:49:04] _____ Janet Gregory’s BioJanet Gregory is a testing and process consultant with DragonFire Inc. She specializes in showing agile teams how testing activities are necessary to develop good quality products. She works with teams to transition to agile development and has taught agile testing courses worldwide. She contributes articles to publications and enjoys sharing her experiences. Selena Delesie’s BioAs a coach, consultant, and trainer, Selena helps leaders and executives shift into healthy leadership, business agility and to engage the strengths and passions of their team to produce a highly creative, productive and vibrant workforce. She is a published author and invited speaker on agility, quality and leadership practices. Selena is co-author, with Janet Gregory, of the books Assessing Agile Quality Practices with QPAM, and A Guide for Facilitating Quality Assessments, as well as a contributing author to other published works. Follow Janet and Selena: Janet’s Twitter / X - @janetgregoryca Janet’s LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/janetgregory Janet’s Website - janetgregory.ca Agile Tester - agiletester.ca Selena’s LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/selenadelesie  Quality Assessments using QPAM bundle – https://leanpub.com/b/qualityassessmentsusingqpam _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/182.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.

“Engineers make this mistake of thinking that if they just do the work, they’re going to be rewarded. But it’s just not how it happens. Be heads down, add the value, do great work, but don’t forget to make the noise." Louie Bacaj is a software engineer and engineering leader who turned entrepreneur. In this episode, Louie shares his unique career journey and valuable insights for aspiring tech professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. Louie reveals the secrets behind his rapid career progression, sharing the key differences between working in a big corporate versus a nimble startup, and the challenges and rewards of wearing multiple hats. He offers practical advice on self-upskilling, embracing more senior management roles, and excelling at people management. He also shares timeless career advice for engineers at all stages of their journey. Louie then opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of taking small bets and learning from the small wins, and embracing freedom and independence by building your own business. Plus, discover why strong writing skills are a secret weapon for success at any stage of your career. This episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiration for anyone navigating the tech industry – whether you’re a seasoned engineer or an aspiring entrepreneur.   Listen out for: Career Journey - [00:02:14] Big Corporate vs. Startup - [00:03:36] Wearing Multiple Hats - [00:06:02] Self-Upskilling Rapidly - [00:08:18] Louie’s Rapid Career Progression - [00:10:56] Getting Comfortable with More Senior Roles - [00:16:00] Tips on People Management - [00:21:55] Timeless Career Advice for Engineers - [00:25:41] Going Into Entrepreneurship - [00:31:24] Sense of Freedom & Independence - [00:38:59] Small Bets - [00:45:10] Learning from Small Wins - [00:49:12] The Importance of Writing Skills - [00:54:24] 3 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:59:18] _____ Louie Bacaj’s BioLouie Bacaj is a Software Engineer and Engineering Leader who turned Entrepreneur. Over the last decade, he has helped build multiple engineering teams and systems that scaled to millions of users. But he decided to leave that career behind for entrepreneurship. Since quitting, he has realized that building an audience is an asset to entrepreneurship. It’s a great way to help people and to have them help him. But as an awkward engineer, he had no idea where to start. So he started writing and Tweeting his story. And everything he has learned so far. Since starting this entrepreneurial journey in September 2021, he has built multiple SaaS apps with his brother. He created two courses that have sold over 1500 times. And he has grown a sizeable audience. Follow Louie: Twitter / X – @LBacaj LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/louiebacaj Website – louiebacaj.com Small Bets – smallbets.com _____ Our Sponsors Enjoy an exceptional developer experience with JetBrains. Whatever programming language and technology you use, JetBrains IDEs provide the tools you need to go beyond simple code editing and excel as a developer.Check out FREE coding software options and special offers on jetbrains.com/store/#discounts.Make it happen. With code. Manning Publications is a premier publisher of technical books on computer and software development topics for both experienced developers and new learners alike. Manning prides itself on being independently owned and operated, and for paving the way for innovative initiatives, such as early access book content and protection-free PDF formats that are now industry standard.Get a 40% discount for Tech Lead Journal listeners by using the code techlead24 for all products in all formats. Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/181.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.