Episoder
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Matt Biilmann, CEO and co-founder of Netlify, for an in-depth discussion about the company's incredible growth journey—from a bootstrapped two-person startup to a global platform serving over 5 million developers and powering sites for major companies like Unilever and Asana. Matt reflects on the key lessons he’s learned while scaling Netlify, including raising $212 million in venture capital and growing the team to 200 employees. He shares valuable insights on balancing day-to-day operations with long-term vision, navigating the challenges of hiring experienced leaders, and fostering a culture of clarity and focus. Matt also highlights the importance of reducing friction for web development teams and ensuring fast time-to-market for web projects.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - The Origins of Netlify
02:30 - Netlify’s Growth Journey
04:00 - Impact of Netlify on the Web Ecosystem
05:30 - Building the Right Team
07:45 - From Developer to CEO: Evolving as a Leader
10:00 - The Balance Between Vision and Operations
12:00 - Delegating vs. Staying Hands-On
15:30 - Hiring Experienced Leaders
18:00 - Building Diverse Teams
20:00 - Intuition in Leadership
22:30 - Simplifying Goals and Objectives
25:00 - The Shift in Tech Leadership
28:00 - Changing Expectations for Engineers
30:00 - Advice for Startup Founders
32:00 - Where to Find Matt Online
33:00 - Conclusion
Follow Matt Biilmann on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/biilmann
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-biilmann-christensen-a5a3805/
Github: https://github.com/biilmann
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
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In this episode of the Leadership Exchange, host Tracy Lee welcomes Jeremy Edberg, CEO of DeVos and former first employee at Reddit, to discuss leadership, engineering culture, and team building. They review Jeremy's career journey from Reddit to Netflix and beyond, sharing insights on scaling engineering teams, the impact of culture on development practices, and hiring strategies. Jeremy reflects on the evolution of his management style, emphasizing the importance of human connection in leadership, while also sharing lessons learned from his time at companies with strong engineering cultures.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:48 - Jeremy’s Background and Career Journey
01:51 - Introduction to DeVos and Its Founders
02:30 - Throwback: Reddit Meetups and "Chad Berg" Chanting
03:05 - Rebuilding the Reddit Engineering Team
05:16 - Challenges of Scaling and Maintaining Reddit's Culture
07:08 - The Role of Code in Driving Team Culture
08:14 - Differences in Team Dynamics at Reddit and Netflix
09:07 - Working at Netflix vs. Cloudflare
09:38 - The "Sports Team, Not a Family" Philosophy at Netflix
11:21 - Understanding the Keeper Test at Netflix
14:27 - Evolving Netflix's Culture to Support Diversity and Inclusion
16:05 - Misconceptions About Netflix's Work Environment
17:17 - Work-Life Balance at Netflix: High Performance in a Chill Setting
20:28 - Key Elements of a Good Engineering Culture
23:09 - How Jeremy's Leadership Style Has Evolved
24:34 - Advice for Building Successful Engineering Teams
25:26 - Closing Remarks and Sponsor Thanks
26:13 - Where to Follow Jeremy Online
Follow Jeremy Edberg
Twitter: https://x.com/jedberg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedberg/
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In this episode of the Leadership Exchange, Tracy Lee welcomes Anita Ballaney, Founder of MyHealthQ, to discuss the future of healthcare delivery models and the impact of technology. Anita discusses the evolution of care, from its community-driven roots to today's telemedicine and AI-driven advancements, while emphasizing the need for change in payment models that have long been stuck in outdated practices. They explore how AI can revolutionize healthcare by eliminating inefficiencies, improving risk prediction, and reducing costs.
Chapters
[00:00 - 00:25] Introduction
[00:26 - 01:11] Challenging the Healthcare Status Quo
[01:12 - 03:17] The Evolution of Healthcare Delivery Models
[03:18 - 06:30] Technology’s Role in Revolutionizing Healthcare
[06:31 - 10:19] Breaking Free from Outdated Coding Systems
[10:20 - 12:16] AI and Risk Prediction in Healthcare
[12:17 - 15:36] Enhancing Care Through Technology and Telemedicine
[15:37 - 19:02] The Future of Telemedicine and Sustainable Models
[19:03 - 22:37] Innovating Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability
[22:38 - 26:56] People Problems: The Biggest Barrier to Healthcare Innovation
[26:57 - End] Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Follow Anita Ballaney on Social Media
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitab/
MyHealthQ: https://myhealthq.com/about-us/
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Stacie Frederick, Chief Product Officer at Stanza, discusses how her engineering background informs her work in product management, particularly in understanding user needs and building solutions for Stanza, which focuses on improving reliability engineering for development teams. Stacie shares her approach to balancing the needs of current users with future growth, the importance of clear customer personas, and how friction can arise when product teams misalign with user goals. The conversation also touches on how technologists can develop a product mindset by staying connected with customers, and the unique challenges of working across different industries where technology intersects with non-tech domains. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:00 - Transition from CTO to CPO03:00 - Understanding Users in Product Development06:00 - Role of Personas in Building for Users09:00 - The Balance of Serving Current and Future Users11:30 - Challenges of Startups and Growing with Users14:00 - Product vs. Engineering: The What and the How17:00 - Blending Product and Engineering Roles21:00 - Encouraging Product Mindedness in Engineers24:00 - The Importance of Understanding Users in Tech28:00 - Industry-Specific Challenges for Technologists31:00 - Closing RemarksFollow Stacie Frederick on Social Media:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-frederick/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
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Dr. Mike Saylor, CEO of Black Swan Cybersecurity and professor of cybersecurity at UT San Antonio, shares his journey from starting his first computer business to leading a successful cybersecurity company. He discusses entrepreneurship, the challenges of building and growing a business, and the importance of strong partner relationships. Along with Rob Ocel, he covers strategies for managing client relationships, navigating partner models, and balancing direct sales with partnerships.
00:00 - Introduction of the episode and guest Dr. Mike Saylor
00:41 - Dr. Saylor's journey to becoming CEO of Black Swan Cybersecurity
03:17 - Early entrepreneurial ventures and building his own computer company
04:57 - Challenges in selling cybersecurity services
06:53 - Building reputation and generating leads through various methods
07:50 - Navigating different business models for growth
09:24 - Managing client relationships and the importance of business development
11:17 - Exploring different partner models in the business
13:57 - Working with partners to grow opportunities and manage risks
15:24 - The referral business model and subcontracting challenges
16:20 - Complacency and the need for diversification in sales channels
17:24 - The importance of knowing your business and finding the right partner strategy
18:38 - Developing strong partnerships and managing conflicts
20:38 - Recognizing when a partner has different priorities
22:48 - Risks of over-reliance on partners and how to hedge bets
25:41 - Managing long-term relationships with partners
27:28 - Closing remarks and where to find more information about Black Swan Cybersecurity
Follow Dr. Mike Saylor on Social MediaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misaylor/
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Paul McCollum, author of "Practical Salesforce Architecture", shares his journey from microbiology to tech, discussing his work at Nortel Networks, and his transition into enterprise architecture with Salesforce. They explore the importance of empathy in engineering, how user-centric design motivates developers, and the evolution of agile development. Paul emphasizes solving real user problems over technical tasks and how continuous learning keeps work exciting.
Chapters
1. Introduction – [00:00:00]
2. Early Career & Transition into Tech – [00:00:58]
3. The Evolution of Technology Stacks – [00:03:15]
4. Learning Through Play & Empathy – [00:04:52]
5. Agile Development & Challenges – [00:18:51]
6. Value-Driven Software Development – [00:21:23]
7. Avoiding Burnout in Tech Careers – [00:25:42]
8. Conclusion – [00:36:17]
Follow Paul McCollum on Social Media
Paul McCollum Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realpaulmccollum/
Paul McCollum Twitter: https://x.com/uxaholic
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
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In this episode, Rob Ocel sits down with Gant Laborde, CIO at Infinite Red, to explore Gant's journey in the tech industry, his transition into leadership, and his role as a Chief Innovation Officer. Gant shares insights into the challenges and rewards of innovation within a company, how to manage upward and downward effectively, and the importance of trust in leadership. They also discuss the evolving landscape of AI, the significance of experimentation, and the courage needed to make bold decisions. Chapters1. Introduction and Opening Remarks - 00:002. Gant's Background and Journey in Tech - 02:053. Transitioning to Leadership at Infinite Red - 05:084. Defining Innovation at an Agency - 07:285. The Role of AI in React Native - 09:396. Navigating the Hype and Troughs of Technology - 11:357. The Challenges of Middle Management - 15:128. Building Trust and Managing Upwards - 16:259. Empowering Teams and Passing the Torch - 19:4010. Developing Courage and Taking Risks - 22:3011. Why Leadership is Worth It - 30:2812. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up - 31:53Follow Gant Laborde on Social MediaTwitter: https://x.com/GantLabordeGithub: https://github.com/GantManLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gant-laborde/Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@gantlaborde
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Sam Julien, Director of Developer Relations at Writer, about the evolving role of developer relations. Sam shares insights on understanding developer needs and translating them into business goals, while also discussing the importance of bridging technical and marketing teams effectively. They explore the productivity and efficiency AI brings to Sam's work, showcasing AI tools like Writer, ChatGPT, and Co-Pilot for content drafting and coding. The conversation also covers the challenges of transitioning from prototyping to production in the AI space and the significance of ethical considerations and global access to AI technology.
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What is it like to transition from technologies to Fractional CTO? How much do systems matter when operating at the C Level? Ankur Jain, Fractional CTO and Founder at Sprout discusses the transition from being a technologist to a fractional CTO, and how to define and meet engineering KPIs. Ankur emphasizes the significance of systemizing and design thinking in problem-solving, stressing the need to understand customer needs and deliver effective solutions. He also highlights the value of data-driven decisions, cautioning against biased data, and emphasizes the importance of ensuring product-market fit by closely collaborating with early customers.
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Jimmy Jacobson, CTO at Codingscape, sits down with Tracy Lee to discuss engineering consultancy management and team organization. They talk about professional development, hype cycles, and the benefit of investing in social media and marketing both as an organization and as an individual.
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Ivan Barajas Vargas, CEO and Co-Founder, at MuukTest discusses his journey from QA expert to engineering leadership, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes in QA and effectively utilizing resources. Along with Rob Ocel, Ivan highlights the impact of AI technologies on effective QA testing, and the limitations of AI in understanding user experiences.
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Jan Zirnstein, Senior Data Science Director at Honeywell, talks about data governance, generative AI, and AI education with Rob Ocel. They discuss the importance of transparency and considering ethical considerations in AI applications like bias, while also highlighting the value of data quality, visibility, and understanding various AI mental models.
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On this episode of the podcast, Rob Ocel and AD Slaton discuss agile software development and the importance of thorough documentation. They discuss the benefits of clear communication between technical teams and stakeholders, emphasizing the use of white papers, design documents, and user journeys. The conversation highlights how detailed documentation can enhance communication, reduce errors, and foster innovation. They also stress the need to strike a balance between flexibility and solid documentation for better project outcomes. Finally, they emphasize the value of involving team members in documentation efforts to promote effective collaboration and efficiency within teams.
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On this episode Rob Ocel and Tracy Lee interview Scott Budman, the Business and Technology Reporter at NBC Silicon Valley. They cover the state of the tech industry in Silicon Valley, exploring the cyclical nature of innovation and the impact of AI on search technology. They weigh the challenges of regulating rapidly advancing technology and the need for a balanced perspective on tech advancements. Additionally, they touch upon the evolving role of tech leaders, the unique ecosystem of Silicon Valley, and the significance of journalism in tech.
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Krystal Smith-Moore, Engineering Manager at Spotify, discusses the key elements of empathetic leadership and creating a supportive work environment. Krystal shares her journey from a non-traditional background to management, highlighting the importance of leadership skills, self-care, and seeking support. Along with Tracy Lee, she discusses the complexities of leadership in the tech industry, touching on hiring processes, emotional investment in building a team, and aligning personal values with management. Krystal emphasizes the need for honesty about pursuing leadership roles, setting boundaries to prevent burnout, and creating psychologically safe workplaces.
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Rob Ocel and Brandon Tolbert explore the importance of employee engagement and talent retention in the telecom industry. They discuss the challenges of finding skilled personnel and the value of involving employees in decision-making. They also discuss an age-old hiring question: is it better to recruit new engineers and train them, or search for those with industry experience? Discover the benefits of continuous learning, mentorship, and employee development in fostering innovation and growth within organizations, especially those with distributed infrastructures.
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Joni Roylance and Jean Roberts discuss the complexities of implementing AI in organizations with Rob Ocel. They emphasize the importance of understanding cultural shifts, human context, and user perceptions for successful AI initiatives. From trust-building to interdisciplinary collaboration, they discuss key factors like alignment with organizational values and user-centric design as well as the significance of transparency, engagement activities, and early strategic planning in driving effective technological transformations.
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Daniel Chopson, Co-Founder of Cove.Tool discusses the importance of conducting productive retrospectives to drive team improvement and communication, while also highlighting the balance between planning and agility in a startup environment. Along with host Rob Ocel, Daniel covers Cove.Tool's transition from a sustainability-focused software company to a tech-powered consultancy, focusing on their AI-driven solutions for architects and engineers.
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Leon Revill talks about how to build a culture of trust and collaboration among teams in an organization. They explore the idea of viewing mistakes as learning opportunities, stress the importance of open communication and collective accountability, and offer tips on combating blame culture and other phenomena that challenge organizational growth.
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Revathi Pillai, Chief Engineering Officer of Mutualink shares her journey from engineer to manager and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy for women in the workplace. She discusses the key elements of effective leadership in engineering, including clear communication, collaboration, and transparency. Revathi also explores the differences between product and engineering roadmaps, highlighting the need for balancing new features with maintenance for scalability and security, and the importance of artificial intelligence in operations.
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