This episode of Tech Reads features Julia Stegman, a certified career coach, author, and speaker with over 30 years of experience in the tech industry, including roles as a tech executive and executive recruiter.Stegman discusses her new book, "Discover Meaningful Work: A Career Transition Workbook for Professionals in the Tech Industry". She offers her signature system, the five phases of a career transition, designed specifically for people in the tech industry, especially those who feel stuck, unfulfilled, or are navigating a layoff. Julia's goal with the book is twofold: to provide hope and to offer a clear, structured system for navigating meaningful career transitions on their own terms, allowing individuals to define what meaningful is for them.Julia explains that the tech industry, while offering promising income potential (salaries 32% to 85% higher than the national average), can lead to "golden handcuffs," where professionals stay for the money at the expense of other priorities or well-being. Her book addresses the common pitfall of people jumping straight to job searching without self-reflection. Instead, it helps individuals step back and think about their life, offering numerous exercises and assessments in the first phase to clarify their identity, strengths, and values. The five phases of a career transition outlined in her book:This five-phase career transformation framework begins with self-assessment to identify satisfaction gaps and define a personal brand, using tools like colorful wheels to reflect on strengths and values. Next, it guides market research into high-growth industries—including tech-adjacent sectors—and explores side hustles as low-risk entry points. The third phase focuses on setting and documenting career goals across short- and long-term horizons. Phase four helps build a strong personal brand through resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters. Finally, the job search phase emphasizes networking, recruiter collaboration, and strategic interviewing to maximize opportunities and compensation.Julia's conversation with Brian Schwartz and a live studio audience also covers:The concept of "off-ramps" as an interesting niche for career development.The importance of financial flexibility, ideally having a year's worth of personal expenses saved to enable career pivots.The role of AI in career transitions: AI can help identify core job competencies for specific roles and industries, craft "killer cover letters" and strong value propositions by leveraging strength assessments, and assist in tailoring communication to specific companies.The value of knowing and playing to one's transferable strengths across industries, especially when pivoting from tech.The idea that tech has become a utility, not just an industry, permeating nearly every sector.The book provides practical advice and exercises, helping individuals take charge of their careers and find fulfilling, meaningful work.To connect with Julia visit her website at https://discovermeaningfulwork.com/For more information, listeners can visit softec.org.
The Apple Insider on a Mission to Rewire Education: Exclusive Stories from Steve Jobs' Inner CircleWhat does it take to be Apple's 54th employee and survive the company's most turbulent years? In this riveting episode of Tech Reads, we sit down with John Couch—the man who helped birth the graphical user interface, witnessed Steve Jobs' unfiltered genius up close, and later transformed both a failing school and Apple's entire education empire.From Accidental Programmer to Apple PioneerCouch's journey into tech reads like fiction: no formal computer science background, yet he became instrumental in creating the Lisa's revolutionary GUI that would reshape computing forever. But this isn't just another Silicon Valley success story—it's the untold narrative of someone who watched Jobs evolve his "mental bicycle" philosophy and saw firsthand how technology could amplify human potential rather than replace it.The Untold Steve JobsPrepare for revelations. Couch doesn't just share business insights—he opens the vault on never-before-heard stories about his personal friendship with Jobs. These aren't the sanitized anecdotes you've read in biographies. These are raw, intimate glimpses into the mind of a visionary who saw education as technology's ultimate battleground.The Decade That Changed EverythingAfter leaving Apple at its peak, Couch made a shocking pivot: spending ten years resurrecting a dying Christian school. This wasn't corporate charity—it was a laboratory for educational revolution. The lessons he learned there would later fuel his return to Apple, where he built the education division into a multi-billion dollar powerhouse by championing challenge-based learning over soul-crushing standardization.The Education ManifestoIn "Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student's Potential," Couch launches a full-scale assault on our broken educational system. He argues that we're systematically destroying children's natural curiosity through memorization drills and test-prep torture. His alternative? A radical reimagining where creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking become the new fundamentals.Beyond the BoardroomThis conversation ventures into territories most tech interviews fear to tread: Couch's philanthropic philosophy, his surprising views on local governance, and his bold predictions about AI's potential to completely revolutionize how we learn. You'll discover how a man who helped create the personal computer now sees artificial intelligence as education's next great equalizer.Warning: This episode contains stories about Steve Jobs you've never heard anywhere else. Consider yourself forewarned—and fortunate.
Our guest, Dr. Mary Lippitt is the author of 'Leadersheep: Saving the Herd' - A fable and framework for successfully executing change.What can we learn from a dedicated sheepdog about successfully executing change in an era of complexity and uncertainty? Dr. Lippitt will discuss the five-component framework for executing complex change she developed from over 40 years of leadership experience.Key Takeaways:🔥 Why do so many change efforts still fail? Despite improvement, 50% of change initiatives fail due to a lack of focus on implementation beyond just setting a vision. Failed change is costly in terms of resources, credibility, and even organizational survival.🚀 What's the secret to actually implementing change? Successful change requires a framework with five levers: vision, skills, incentives, resources, and action planning. Without attention to all these areas, even a clear vision will likely fail.🎯 What's the biggest mistake leaders make with their vision? Leaders often articulate a vision that is vague and lacks specific actions. A true vision needs clarity and must translate into concrete steps; otherwise, it's just a "hallucination".👂 How can you spot hidden resistance to change? Watch for quiet rooms followed by booming hallway conversations. This "covert" or "B team" passive resistance, where people don't voice concerns but don't engage, is more dangerous than overt objections.🌱 Is change a constant now for organizations? Yes, in today's fast-paced environment, change is a constant, like "death and taxes". Even successful organizations must continuously adapt with new products, markets, or partnerships to avoid stagnation.🧠 How do different perspectives hinder change? Individuals have different "situational mindsets" or priorities, leading to conflict over change initiatives. Recognizing these different perspectives (like innovation vs. structure) is crucial for finding common ground.💡 Why can't organizations just copy what successful companies do? Replication of another company's strategy is rarely successful because each organization has a unique talent pool, resources, and context. Over-relying on single "fads" or solutions ("Brilliant or Blender") blindsides organizations to their own specific needs.⏳ Why are older individuals sometimes more resistant to change? Older individuals often have more experience with the failure of change initiatives, leading to a sense of disenchantment and lower trust in new promises. A history of poorly managed or excessive change ("piling on") also contributes to this resistance.🗣️ What crucial feedback do organizations often overlook? Actively seeking and truly listening to customer feedback is a key early indicator of potential problems and the need for change. Additionally, understanding and addressing employee concerns, even seemingly small ones, is vital.🤝 Is disagreement within a team always bad? No, professional conflict and divergent thinking are valuable as different roles bring unique perspectives to problem-solving. The danger lies in "group think," where a lack of diverse viewpoints can lead to less effective decision-making.***To learn more about Dr. Lippitt, visit https://enterprisemgt.comTo learn more about Softec, visit: https://softec.org
Featuring author Harpreet Ghumman discussing her book, Living and Loving Unapologetically.Our discussion explores themes of female leadership, overcoming biases in the corporate world, and the importance of self-awareness. Ghumman shares her personal journey and insights on empowering women to find their voice and lead authentically. Brian Schwartz and guests contribute their perspectives, touching upon concepts like alpha personalities, societal conditioning, and the role of self-validation. Ultimately, the conversation recognizes the book's universal appeal, extending beyond gender to encompass leadership and personal growth for all.Learn more about Softec at Softec.org.The creator and host of Tech Reads is Brian Schwartz. Learn more at SelfPublish.org.
Join us for a truly inspiring episode of TechReads as we welcome JC Chamberlain, author of "Antidote: A New Emotional Wellth™ Framework to Build Resilience," a groundbreaking new emotional wealth framework for building resilience. In this episode, JC shares his incredible personal journey, revealing how a life-altering bicycle accident, where he was hit by a car, led to the development of his unique framework. This framework helped him recover from paralysis, learn to walk again, and even get back on a bike. He also used the framework to cope with and recover from an aggressive form of prostate cancer.JC's story is not just about overcoming physical challenges; it's about cultivating inner strength and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.Here's a glimpse into what you'll discover in this episode:The "Antidote" Framework: JC explains his emotional wealth framework, which includes seven key elements: health, learning, earning, giving, love, spirit, and dreams. He explains how these elements act as a network of resources to help people navigate life’s inevitable setbacks. He discusses how these elements were present in his life, even before he recognized them.The Power of Resilience: Learn how JC's mother instilled in him the importance of resilience from a young age, teaching him to be "overprepared" for life's challenges. His mother taught him to "not worry, nothing is going to be okay," which helped him embrace the reality that life will not always go his way.Turning Setbacks into Strengths: JC shares how his personal setbacks, including a severe bicycle accident and cancer diagnosis, led to the discovery of his emotional wealth framework. He emphasizes the importance of a positive balance in each of the seven emotional bank accounts.The Importance of Dreams: JC shares how his mother stressed the importance of dreams as the foundation of his framework. She said, "Without your dreams and your aspiration, you have nothing,". She taught him that aspiration leads to inspiration and then to perspiration.A Life Satisfaction Quiz: JC has developed a quiz to assess how you're doing in each of the seven areas of the emotional wealth framework. This quiz, which is in the shape of a wheel, is a tool for radical self-kindness and helps you see where you're doing well and where you have deficits.The Innovation Cycle: JC discusses the innovation cycle in business that allows you to fail fast, find a new solution, test it out in the marketplace, and integrate elements of the new solution into a new product.JC also shares his ongoing ambition to break the world record for the most distance cycled in one hour in his age group. He has ridden over 437,000 miles since 1970, with a third of those miles on velodromes.This episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiring stories that will leave you feeling empowered to build your own emotional wealth and face life's challenges with greater resilience.Don't miss this opportunity to learn from JC's incredible journey. Listen to Episode 24 of TechReads now!Visit antidotethebook.com to learn more about JC's work and to access additional resources. Visit Softec.org to learn more about TechReads and SelfPublish.org to learn more about Brian Schwartz.
Recorded LIVE at ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo, this episode of the Tech Reads podcast features Captain George Dom, a former Blue Angel pilot and author of the book High Trust Leadership: Building High Performance Teams.The episode covers Dom's 26-year Navy career, his transition to the private sector, and his philosophy on leadership. Dom's impressive military background includes over 1,000 aircraft carrier landings (400 at night), and active combat duty in Libya, Iraq, and the Adriatic Sea serving as airwing commander to lead nine squadrons from the carriers Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.Dom has experienced firsthand the transformative power of training and preparation “You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your training”. The mantra 'Train Hard, Fight Easy' not only allows the US Military to retain its superiority, but is the key to improving productivity, agility, innovation, and resilience within teams and organizations.Dom emphasizes that his experience in the Navy, especially as a Blue Angel pilot, taught him invaluable leadership lessons. He believes that the most important leadership skill is earning high levels of trust, which leads to increased productivity, agility, innovation, and resilience.In High Trust Leadership, Dom identifies five key areas that leaders must focus on to earn the unconditional trust of their teams:Character: Walking the talk and living up to obligations and shared valuesCommitment: Being present and supportive during difficult timesCompetence: Continuously improving and demonstrating expertiseConnection: Understanding team members' challenges and perspectivesCommunication: Transmitting messages clearly and ensuring they are understoodDom shares specific examples and anecdotes from his time with the Blue Angels to illustrate these principles, including the importance of:Controlling emotions during high-pressure situationsDebriefing after every flight to analyze performance and identify areas for improvement.Acknowledging the contributions of all team members, not just the pilots.Dom also discusses his transition to the private sector, noting that the fundamental leadership principles remain the same despite differences in culture. He reflects on the importance of his father's influence, who instilled in him a philosophy of "service above self." This philosophy, combined with the discipline and teamwork he learned in the Navy, has guided Dom throughout his career.This episode provides listeners with a unique perspective on leadership, drawing on the extraordinary experiences of a former Blue Angel pilot. Dom’s insights on building trust, fostering connection, and prioritizing service offer valuable lessons for leaders in any field.Learn more about George Dom at https://hightrustleader.comLearn more about Softec at https://softec.org
In this episode, Bill Canady, author of The 80/20 CEO, shares his expertise on turning businesses around in 100 days, drawing from his 30+ years of experience leading global companies and developing the profitable growth operating system.My co-host was Bob Dumouchel who recommended Bill to me after he read (and enjoyed) Bill's book.Learn more about softec at: https://softec.orgLearn more about Bill Canady at https://billcanady.com
Enjoy the latest episode of TechReads! Hear past episodes at: https://rss.com/podcasts/techreads Learn more at: https://meetup.com/softec The book we are discussing: https://amzn.to/4dMQdHf Summary: This episode of Tech Reads brings together publishing professionals Thad McIlroy and Brian Schwartz for a lively discussion about the intersection of artificial intelligence and the ever-evolving landscape of book publishing. McIlroy, a prolific author and expert in both publishing and technology, shares his experiences writing and self-publishing a book about AI using the iterative platform Leanpub. This platform allows him to constantly update his book with new information and reader feedback, ensuring its relevance in a rapidly changing field. Schwartz raises concerns about the potential impact of AI on the overall quality of books, given the ease with which content can be generated. McIlroy acknowledges this concern, pointing to the emergence of "junk books" on platforms like Amazon. However, he argues that discerning readers and Amazon's review system, which he sees as a generally reliable indicator of quality, can help filter out poorly written books, whether AI-generated or not. Both agree that AI should be viewed as a powerful tool for authors, not a replacement for human creativity and expertise. McIlroy highlights the value of AI in generating ideas, assisting with research, and streamlining workflows, citing Perplexity as a particularly useful tool for research that, while not perfect, offers a starting point for authors. He emphasizes the importance of human oversight in evaluating and editing AI-generated content, as it is prone to inaccuracies and "hallucinations"— instances where the AI generates false or nonsensical information.About Thad McIlroy (https://thefutureofpublishing.com): Thad McIlroy is a leading voice in the publishing industry, with decades of experience as a consultant, analyst, and author. His latest book, "The AI Revolution in Book Publishing," Thad provides an essential roadmap for writers and publishers navigating the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. About Brian Schwartz (https://selfpublish.org): Schwartz is the CEO of SelfPublish.org, a full-service concierge author services firm based in San Luis Obispo. He is the event director of the Central Coast Writers Conference and past president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. #techreads #ai #publishing #authors #artificialintelligence #bookpublishing
Does the idea of retirement seem like a far-fetched impossible dream? What if I could change your point of view? Early retirement isn’t exclusively for Dave Ramsey aficionados (who started saving in their 20s) or the independently wealthy few. Are you worried about your financial future? Confused by conflicting retirement advice?If you're seeking a secure retirement, whether you're nearing retirement age, in your 40s, 50s, or aiming to join the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, Steve Selengut wrote a book that offers a comprehensive investing system developed over four decades. In Retirement Money Secrets, he provides step-by-step guidance on generating sufficient retirement income, enabling you to achieve your financial goals sooner and more safely, regardless of market conditions or your current stage in life.Unlock the secrets to financial freedom with a 40+ year investment pro! Steve Selengut reveals how to generate more spending money than you need, quarter after quarter, year after year. Learn why market corrections and rising interest rates could actually boost your portfolio income.Steve's approach is revolutionary. Imagine saying: "Neither a stock market correction nor rising interest rates will negatively impact my portfolio income. In fact, either condition will help me grow my income even faster." Whether you're planning for retirement, already retired, or an investment professional looking to better serve your clients, this interview is a must-listen. Steve will reveal strategies from his latest book, Retirement Money Secrets, and provide insights that could transform your financial future.Connect with Steve at https://theincomecoach.net.Connect with Softec at: https://softec.orgConnect with host Brian Schwartz at: https://selfpublish.orgSpecial Thanks to Doug Garland and Janet Martinez for joining us!
Wonder what it takes to succeed in real estate? Our special guest, Sonny Moyers has honed his masters degree in Psychology (Human Behavioral & Interpersonal Communications Theory) to design a real estate practice that incorporates psychological insights, communication strategies, and business acumen.To excel in a crowded market, real estate agents should strive to be perceived as trusted advisors rather than traditional salespeople. Building genuine relationships with clients and focusing on addressing their needs is crucial. By prioritizing client satisfaction and providing exceptional service, agents can foster long-term relationships and generate referrals.The Architecture of the Real Estate Practice: The Psychology & Art of the Real Estate Profession is a revolutionary guide for new agents, focusing on the overlooked art of building relationships and emotional intelligence to achieve lasting success in the industry. It's a journey that will challenge you to rethink everything you thought you knew about succeeding in real estate. From managing client relationships to building a thriving practice, Sonny Moyers covers it all with fresh ideas and practical solutions.Join us as we delve into the secrets to becoming a true real estate professional. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.Special thanks to Softec for sponsoring this podcast and Office Hours for providing the venue.Hosts: Brian Schwartz and Rosemary RussoGuest: Sonny MoyersSpecial thanks to Jennifer Foster.
Tap into Your Innate Intuitive Intelligence.Links mentioned in the podcast: The Book: First Intelligence: https://amzn.to/3x4reiE Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@techreadsSimone Wright: https://simonewright.com/ Softec: https://softec.org/ About the Podcast:Hosted by Blake Beltram and Brian Schwartz with a live studio audience, we interview with Simone Wright to learn how we can strengthen our intuitive muscle (aka First Intelligence) to improve the quality of our decisions, align ourselves with our true nature, and discover more peace, love, and joy in our lives. In today's fast-paced, information-saturated world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and struggle to make effective decisions. We're constantly bombarded with data, yet our rational minds alone cannot process it all effectively. This leads to analysis paralysis, stress, and suboptimal choices in our careers, relationships, and overall well-being. By embodying these tactics, you can join the 5% who actively cultivate their intuitive intelligence, achieving greater happiness, health, joy, and success in all areas of life. Don't be a sissy – face the challenges of intuitive growth with courage and reap the profound rewards. We all possess an innate intuitive intelligence – a profound guidance system that operates beyond the conscious mind. By tapping into this intuition, we can navigate the complexities of modern life with greater clarity, creativity, and wisdom. Intuition is not a mystical force but a natural capacity that can be systematically developed and applied. Special Thanks to Bob Dumouchel, Courtney Coleman, and Troy Thomas for joining us live! I hope you this as much as we did! ~ Brian Schwartz
Victoria Pelletier is the author of Influence Unleashed: https://amzn.to/4dWRFHHSpecial thanks to Bob Dumouchel, Courtney Coleman, and Blake Beltram for joining me for this lively and informative episode!By implementing Victoria's framework and tactics, professionals can develop a compelling personal brand that sets them apart, builds trust with their audience, and aligns with their authentic selves, ultimately positioning them for greater success and fulfillment in their careers.Many professionals struggle to build a strong personal brand that authentically represents who they are and what they stand for. They often focus solely on their subject matter expertise or industry experience, neglecting other crucial elements that make them unique and relatable. Without a well-defined personal brand, they may struggle to connect with their target audience, build trust, and achieve their professional goals.Tactics:1. Conduct a personal brand audit: Evaluate your current online presence, content, and messaging to identify areas that need improvement or alignment with your authentic self.2. Develop your personal brand story: Craft a compelling narrative that weaves together your professional achievements, personal experiences, values, and aspirations. Share this story across various platforms to engage your audience.3. Create a content strategy: Develop a plan for consistently producing and sharing valuable content that reinforces your personal brand message and resonates with your target audience.4. Build a trusted circle: Identify a group of trusted individuals who can provide honest feedback on your personal brand and help you identify blind spots or areas for improvement.5. Embrace evolution: Understand that your personal brand will evolve over time, and be transparent with your audience about pivots or shifts in your brand as they occur.Key Takeaways:- A strong personal brand encompasses more than just professional expertise; it should reflect your authentic self, values, and aspirations.- Crafting an authentic personal brand requires introspection, storytelling, and a willingness to be bold and vulnerable.- Consistency, relevance, and a commitment to ongoing growth and evolution are essential for maintaining a compelling personal brand.- Seek external feedback and guidance from trusted individuals to identify blind spots and ensure your personal brand resonates with your target audience.Resources:https://victoria-pelletier.comhttps://selfpublish.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-coleman-63893a12/https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakebeltram/https://www.linkedin.com/in/googleadwordexpert/#techreads #speaker #branding #influence #lgbtq #sanluisobispo #softec
Sponsored by Softec.orgA meaningful discussion on how to activate our inner activist and help save our planet.Episode 16 of the Tech Reads podcast features author and entrepreneur, Don Maruska. Don has authored several successful books, including How Great Decisions Get Made, Take Charge of Your Talent, and Grow and Enjoy Your Business. His most recent book is Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet.In Solve Climate Change Now, Don takes an unconventional approach to climate change, whereby he encourages readers to tap into their passions and interests, guiding them to find their own unique "climate sweet spot" - the intersection of what they love and where they want to make a difference - and providing practical tools to engage family, friends, and communities in creating a sustainable future.Special thanks to Eric Sargeant and Samantha Joule Fow for joining us live! Visit our meetup page to find out when our next episode will be recorded.If you'd like to connect with the host of Tech Reads, you can reach Brian Schwartz through is website at SelfPublish.org.
Unveiling the "Golden Rule of Agile."Our special guest was Larry Apke, author of Apke's Golden Rule of Agile: A Focus On Value Delivery.What is the Apke’s Golden Rule of Agile, you ask? It's a simple yet powerful principle that emphasizes delivering optimal value to customers in the shortest possible time. Drawing inspiration from the universal "Golden Rule," Apke's rule focuses on three crucial elements: the customer, the value, and time. Larry will also elaborate on why he’s become an evangelist for the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) approach to agility.During our podcast discussion, Larry discusses:The genesis of the Golden Rule of AgileHow this rule revolutionizes Agile practicesPractical applications in backlog management and estimationThe potential impact on Agile teams and their successA special thanks to Softec, and all of our sponsors for making this episode possible.
Me-To-We: The Shift Every Business Leader Must Make for Lasting Success is available at: https://amzn.to/3TXyt55 Our podcast page is at: https://rss.com/podcasts/techreads and is available on all the major podcast directories. Tech Reads is sponsored by Softec (https://softec.org) and hosted by Brian Schwartz (https://selfpublish.org) and friends. We are extremely grateful to Michael Gunther (https://www.collaboration-llc.com/) who shared his perspectives on what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur and make the shift from 'Me' to 'We.'
The Spring of Sight is available at: https://amzn.to/45w9FDP You can view a video recording of our session with Rob on our youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@techreadsTech Reads is sponsored by Softec (https://softec.org) and hosted by Brian Schwartz (https://selfpublish.org) and friends. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and to Rob Boscacci (https://robertboscacci.com/) who shared insights from his new book: The Spring of Sight: An Inflection Point for Computer Vision and Society. Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images, videos and other visual inputs — and take actions or make recommendations based on that information. If AI enables computers to think, computer vision enables them to see, observe and understand. Author Robert Boscacci is a Cinema technician and data engineer. He wrote The Spring of Sight: An Inflection Point for Computer Vision and Society to bring attention to the potential pitfalls and perils of CV along with all of its promise to improve our lives. Like something straight out of Popular Science, we are part of an experiment that will permanently change the future. The Spring of Sight speaks to futurists and activists at the forefront of image-based automation and mass surveillance. #techreads #softec #technology #computervision #ai #surveillance #cv #artificialintelligence
Now available at https://amzn.to/44GLDWE. In this episode of Tech Reads, we discuss Tom Kemp's new book which exposes the consequences of Big Tech's digital surveillance, exploitative use of AI, and monopolistic and anticompetitive practices. Tom offers actionable solutions to these problems and a clear path forward for individuals and policymakers to advocate for change. By containing the excesses of Big Tech, we will ensure our civil rights are respected and preserved, our economy is competitive, and our democracy is protected. Coming from an extensive background building Silicon Valley-based tech startups, Tom Kemp eloquently and precisely weaves together the threats posed by Big Tech:the overcollection and weaponization of our most sensitive datathe problematic ways Big Tech uses AI to process and act upon our datathe stifling of competition and entrepreneurship due to Big Tech's dominant market positionLINKS:Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy, and DemocracySoftec.orgTom Kemp (Guest)Brian Schwartz (Host)Bob Dumouchel (Co-host)
Neil's Book: https://amzn.to/46bzKJe. After one too many failed presentations, Neil Thompson, an engineer, knew he had to improve. He did so, and now he works with technical professionals like himself to improve their communication skills. He hosts the "Teach the Geek" podcast, interviewing technical professionals about their public speaking journeys. He is also the author of "Teach the Geek to Speak: a No-Fluff Public Speaking Guide for STEM Professionals." Connect with Neil at https://teachthegeek.com/ Tech Reads is sponsored by Softec. Learn more at https://softec.org
Dr. Paul G. Stoltz has built an impressive life’s work and career as a multi-national bestselling author, speaker, coach, and corporate trainer. He's the CEO of PEAK Learning, a global firm that teaches individuals and organizations how to engineer resilience and thrive on adversity. Over 40 years ago, Paul discovered that like IQ, each of us has an AQ (Adversity Quotient) number. Now widely referenced, Paul was the first to coin the term 'AQ,' ushering a new word into our lexicon. We can't improve what we can't measure and Paul's mission is to show each of us that we have an AQ number, and once we know it, we can work to improve it. Having a 'growth mindset' (as compared to a limited mindset) is key to reaching our potential and AQ gives us an objective metric to avoid falling into the comparison trap.Improving your AQ is accomplished through his honed AQ Tools and GRIT, the title of a subsequent bestseller for Paul. Rather than recoil and retract, those with grit persevere and overcome - building strength to face greater challenges ahead. Check out GRIT: The New Science of What it Takes to Persevere, Flourish, Succeed and Paul's website. Softec website. Host's website: https://selfpublish.org
The science of effective communication using the agile method. This is a replay of our 'live studio audience' podcast with the authors of 'Agile Conversations: Transform Your Conversations, Transform Your Culture.' Learn about applying the concept of agile practices in an unconventional way: to transform how we communicate with one another. Free book preview at: https://amzn.to/3GxJhPO Author Bios: Douglas Squirrel (UK) has been coding for 40+ years. He's worked in fintech, biotech, music, and everything in between. His co-author, Jeffrey Fredrick (California) is an internationally recognized expert in software development and has over twenty-five years of experience covering both sides of the business/technology divide. He was an early adopter of XP and Agile and is considered a pioneer in the open-source movement. Learn more about Douglas & Jeffrey at https://agileconversations.com Visit Softec at https://softec.orgConnect with the Tech Reads host, Brian Schwartz at https://selfpublish.org