Andrew Parker And Mon-Chaio Lo

Shows

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)So Long, and Thanks for All the FishIn perhaps the final episode of The TTL Podcast, Andy and Mon-Chaio reflect back on their journey, relive favorite episodes, and ponder what the future might hold, for each of them individually as well as the podcast.2025-06-1742 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Beyond the Code: Your Tech & the Bottom Line In this episode of the Tactics for Tech Leadership Podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss common questions that CFOs, CEOs, and other stakeholders should pose to the technical leaders within their organizations. Based on a blog post from payslip.com, the discussion focuses on how CFOs can inquire about tech investments' cost efficiency, agility, flexibility, and security. The conversation emphasizes developing thoughtful questioning processes and the importance of mutual understanding between roles.Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/06/10/s3e20-beyond-the-code-your-tech-the-bottom-line/ReferencesTech Questions a CFO Should Be Asking - https://payslip.com/resources/blog/tech-questions-a-cfo-should-be-asking/2025-06-1040 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Brainstorming Our Future With The Six Thinking HatsIn this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss the future of their podcast as they prepare for significant changes in their professional lives. They explore various ideas for continuing the podcast, including changing the format, inviting guests, or even pausing it. They use the 'Six Thinking Hats' technique to brainstorm and evaluate these options, aiming to find the best path forward.2025-06-0340 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Vacationcast - Reflections on AI's Influence on Software Engineering A vacationcast where Andy ruminates on AI coding assistants. He draws on an article re wrote in 2007 on autonomic computing. Emphasis is placed on the essential roles and responsibilities of software engineers, differentiating them from AI systems. Andy shares personal experiences and observations of using tools like AI coding assistants, highlighting potential pitfalls and benefits. He concludes with some thoughts on a possibly useful pattern to follow when working with the assistants that keeps the software engineer responsible for the engineering.ReferencesAutonomic Computing - https://zaphod42.livejournal.com/45717.html 2025-05-2722 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Systematic Insights: DORA’s Role in Diagnosing In this episode of The Tactics for Tech Leadership Podcast, the hosts discuss personal computer issues (and a missing episode!) before diving into the main topic: the continued search for a system. They review the DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) model, its methodology, and its continuous improvement efforts. Comparing it to other models like CMM and TSP, they conclude that DORA provides a more comprehensive and scientifically-backed system for understanding and improving organizational performance. The hosts also explore DORA's latest insights, including the impact of AI on software delivery, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and mindful interventions based on...2025-05-2041 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast: CTOsWith Andy away, Mon-Chaio dives into the topic of what it means to be a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in today's diverse tech landscape. Inspired by a recent conversation with a venture capitalist, Mon-Chaio reflects on the wide range of skills and experiences that different CTOs bring to the table. He discusses the various types of CTOs, from deeply technical experts to those who primarily manage vendor relationships. This episode questions how well communities designed for CTO networking really serve their members given their vastly different roles and day-to-day tasks. Don’t miss this reflective and thought-provoking episode.2025-05-1405 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Utility of CMMIn this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and its implications for software development organizations. They explore why CMM was chosen for this episode and its connection to previous topics such as the Team Software Process. The conversation delves into the maturity levels defined by CMMI, from 'incomplete' to 'optimizing,' and explores whether the lack of a 'why' behind processes affects the model's utility. The discussion detours into how modern tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) and Copilot can impact software development, highlighting both their benefits and limitations. It ends with reflections on continuous...2025-05-0641 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Vacationcast: An Announcement In this special 'vacation cast' episode, Andy shares an important announcement.Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/04/21/s3e15-vacationcast-an-announcement/2025-04-2203 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Does the Empiricism of TSP Provide a Path Forward?Andy and Mon-Chaio continue their journey into organizational models by discussing the Team Software Process (TSP). They touch briefly on the origins and history of TSP, its relationship with the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) from Carnegie Mellon, and how it helps teams organize their software development processes. The discussion takes a turn to the philisophical as they explore the empirical nature of TSP, its focus on measurement, and the importance of data-driven decisions. They also debate whether TSP qualifies as a true system of knowledge. By the end, listeners will gain insights into the practical applications of TSP and...2025-04-1540 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Chaos and Leadership: Lessons from the Alien Chess PhilosophyIn this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive into the intriguing concept of 'Alien Chess' and its relation to leadership and organizational diagnosis. They reflect on its connection with the four spheres of knowledge discussed in the previous episode and critically analyze its validity as a system within organizations. They draw parallels from the Cynefin framework, extreme programming, and real-world applications, debating whether alien chess is a useful model or leads to high-functioning, learned helplessness. Join the discussion on the balance between strategic planning and adaptable responses in leadership and technology sectors.ReferencesThe...2025-04-0840 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The 4 Spheres of Knowledge for Diagnosis In this episode of Tactics for Tech Leadership, Andy and Mon-Chaio dive into the discipline of organizational diagnosis through the lens of the paper 'Organizational Diagnosis: an Evidence-Based Approach' by McFillen, Balzer, Varney, and O'Neil. They discuss the need for a rigorous approach to diagnosis in organizational design and change. The focus is on understanding the four spheres of knowledge: standards, solutions, symptoms, and systems. These spheres provide a structured approach to making evidence-based diagnoses. The hosts emphasize the importance of coherence in systems and how teams can implement this structured thinking into their practices to ensure organizational health. Th...2025-04-0143 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Value and Validity of Culture SurveysIn this episode of The TTL Podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the world of employee surveys. They discuss whether these surveys truly work, their best practices, and the research behind them. Exploring the role of culture in company performance, they uncover the nuances of implementing and interpreting surveys. The episode provides actionable insights for leaders aiming to diagnose and improve their organizational culture.ReferencesMeasuring employee engagement and interpreting survey resultsEmployee Survey Research: A Critical Review of Theory and PracticeDiagnosing organizational cultures: A conceptual and empirical review of culture effectiveness surveysFollowing...2025-03-2540 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)SWIFTly Understanding Failure Modes In this Tactics for Tech Leadership podcast episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio explore SWIFT (Structured What If Technique). While traditionally seen as a technical tool for failure analysis, the hosts consider its potential applications in leadership and organizational contexts. Listeners will learn how SWIFT can help anticipate system failures even before they occur, from technical systems like Redis caches to social-technical systems like performance reviews and hiring processes. By the end, you'll understand how to adapt this structured method for diagnosing issues and improving both technical and organizational systems.Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/03/18/s3e10-swiftly-understanding-failure-modes/Re...2025-03-1838 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Accountability Without KnowingIn this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve deep into the nuances of accountability at high organizational levels, particularly within the C-suite. They explore the challenges of holding executives accountable for outcomes, especially when their roles and processes are not fully understood by their peers. The conversation includes discussions on the differences between process and outcome accountability and how each can be applied depending on the context. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of team cohesion, shared goals, and trust in building a high-performance, accountable organization.ReferencesRadical CandorWe Hold Ourselves Accountable: A Relational View...2025-03-1140 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)5 Dysfunctions of a Team Andy and Mon-Chaio explore Patrick Lencioni's concept of the five dysfunctions of a team, discussing how absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results interrelate to impact team performance. They reflect on their own experiences and the importance of productive conflict, peer accountability, and commitment to collective success. Listeners will learn how examining organizational structure and culture can address these dysfunctions and improve team dynamics. Andy and Mon-Chaio also stumble upon the topic for the next episode on holding individuals accountable in areas outside one’s expertise.Transcript: https://thet...2025-03-0440 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Decoding Organizational CulturesIn this week's episode of The TTL Podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into Ron Westrom's influential paper, "A Typology of Organizational Cultures." The hosts unpack the compelling insights and frameworks posited by Westrom, which categorize organizational cultures into Pathological, Bureaucratic, and Generative types. Mon-Chaio and Andy also share personal anecdotes and practical examples, such as dealing with software bugs, to illustrate the distinctions between local fix and inquiry-based approaches. They highlight the critical role of leadership and the importance of having a curious and improvement-focused mindset.References A typology of organisational cultures Accelerate...2025-02-2540 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)6 Box ModelAndy and Mon-Chaio explore Marvin Weisbord's Six Box Model, a framework from the 1970s for diagnosing organizational issues. They explain each of the six parts of the model: purpose, structure, relationships, rewards, leadership, and helpful mechanisms, and then illustrate it being used to assess an example software development company. Listeners will learn how to guide investigation into a situation using the model and the advantages they get from it over just winging it.Transcript - https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/02/18/s3e6-6-box-model/ReferencesOrganizational Diagnosis: Six Places To Look for Trouble With or Without...2025-02-1841 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast: Rethinking MentorshipIn this first VacationCast episode of Season 3, with Andy out, Mon-Chaio dives into the complexities of mentorship, particularly within workplace relationships. He explores the differences between peer-to-peer mentoring and manager-direct report mentoring, the potential pitfalls of using the term 'mentorship' for career development or performance feedback, and the impact of these practices on genuine employee growth and leadership development.ReferencesSeason 1, Episode 13: "The Feedback Fallacy?"Season 2, Episode 41: "Improvement Beyond Podcasts - The Art of Deliberate Practice"Season 2, Episode 16: "Misleader Majority"2025-02-1107 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Action ScienceAndy and Mon-Chaio explore the dense yet insightful book 'Action Science' by Chris Argyris. They discuss Argyris's method of developing self-knowledge to break existing norms and achieve actionable knowledge. The conversation covers the core principles and propositions of action science, including the importance of understanding one's reasoning, questioning underlying assumptions, and fostering mutual learning. Tune in to discover how self-awareness can transform not just individuals but entire organizations. Transcript - https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/02/04/s3e4-action-science/ References Action Science - https://actiondesign.com/resources/readings/action-science The School of Life - https://www.theschooloflife...2025-02-0444 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Future SearchIn this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into the concept of Future Search, a powerful methodology for driving organizational change. They discuss the essence of Future Search, its origins from Marvin Weisbord’s book 'Productive Workplaces Revisited,' and explore why it's crucial to involve the whole system in problem-solving. The episode provides insights into the past, present, and future focus essential in the Future Search method and offers actionable tactics for effective implementation in technical organizations. References Productive Workplaces Revisited 2025-01-2838 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)A Journey into Differential Diagnosis In this episode, Andy and Mon Chiao explore differential diagnosis. They clarify what differential diagnosis truly entails and how it can be applied in technical settings, particularly within software teams. The hosts illustrate its importance through real-world scenarios, emphasizing the balance between gathering information and taking corrective action, the consequences of different types of misdiagnoses, and the significance of judgment in the problem-solving process. Listeners will learn the surprising ways in which multiple causes can coexist and the implications for diagnosis and treatment within teams. References MIT OpenCourseware Lecture - https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-s897-m...2025-01-2146 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Why Startups FailIn this first episode of Season 3, Mon-Chaio and Andy welcome listeners back and dive into the theme of 'The Turnaround'. They analyze reasons why startups fail, discussing both proximate and distal causes. They explore insights from multiple research reports, studies, and personal experiences to paint a comprehensive picture of startup failure scenarios. Topics include common failure reasons like running out of cash, flawed business models, wrong people, false starts, and external factors. Let them know your feedback about which topics you're are most interested in for future episodes! References: Demography of Startup Software...2025-01-1437 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Festive Ferments In this special end-of-year episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio reflect on the highlights and challenges of 2024, discussing their most memorable podcast episodes. As is tradition on the podcast, the Christmas episode is something different. Mon-Chaio and Andy explain their experiments with fermentation, sharing intriguing recipes and techniques involving shiokoji, hot sauce, and Christmas Kraut. Along the way, they reveal their cooking adventures and hint at exciting plans for the next year. Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/12/24/s2e52-festive-ferments/ References Power of Repeat episode - https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/02/07/s2e6-the-power-of-repeat/ Shiokoji - https://www.seriouseats.co...2024-12-2434 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 5 of 5)This is the last episode in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. In the final installment of 'Scaling Up: From Garage to Global,' Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the complexities of integrating a newly acquired company into a well-established global brand. They discuss the challenges of balancing autonomy with necessary integration, especially when it comes to maintaining core cultural and strategic values. They also explore how to tackle hierarchical changes without disrupting existing processes and morale...2024-12-1743 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 4 of 5)This is the fourth in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. Mon-Chaio and Andy advance into the next phase of scaling up a hypothetical ride-sharing company, exploring how it might transition to food delivery. They discuss the difference between Explore and Extract phases, emphasizing the need for continuous experimentation. The episode outlines structural changes, such as forming new, separate teams to drive innovation, while leveraging existing platforms. With practical insights for CTOs on managing KPIs and sustaining agile environments, listeners will...2024-12-1049 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 3 of 5)This is the third in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy pick up from where they left off in part two, exploring the transition of a company post-Series B funding, now boasting around 100 engineers. The conversation covers the importance of structuring technical teams into key functional groups, facing new challenges such as competitors introducing new features and dealing with regulatory pressures. Our hosts discuss strategies for maintaining effective leadership and organizational structure...2024-12-0342 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 2 of 5)This is the second in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. Andy and Mon-Chaio continue the discussion on scaling engineering teams, focusing on the transition from a small, scrappy startup to preparing for a Series-A funding round. They examine how to prioritize KPIs, organize teams for efficiency, and manage the growing complexities of a successful product. Along the way, they explore the balance between maintaining a small, nimble team and scaling up responsibly. Listeners will learn strategies for effective team formation, le...2024-11-2648 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 1 of 5)This is the first in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss how to scale a tech startup from its inception stage. They reflect on past experiences, emphasizing the importance of validating market hypotheses before investing heavily in technology. Mon-Chaio and Andy guide listeners through early-stage startup strategies, including conducting market research, proving concepts with minimal tech investments, and maintaining operational efficiency. References Lean Enterprise 2024-11-1942 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)To Friend or Not to Friend Andy and Mon-Chaio tackle the intriguing question: 'Are we friends?' in this episode of the TTL podcast. They explore the significance of workplace friendships, discussing how these relationships impact job satisfaction, organizational performance, and employee behavior. The hosts look into the role of physical proximity and shared experiences in fostering interdependence, and even touch on the potential challenges of managerial relationships with direct reports. Listeners will gain insights from research on the benefits and complexities of workplace friendships and may be surprised to learn about the nuanced effects of friendship on psychological safety and innovative behavior. Tr...2024-11-1242 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast - Is LeSS Scaling SAFe?In this VacationCast episode, Mon-Chaio tackles a listener's question inspired by "Does Your Software Methodology Matter?" about effectively scaling an engineering organization to 120 engineers. Dispelling the notion that scaling is about simple multiplication, he delves into key tactics, including the creation of autonomous, accountable teams with independent KPIs, and the importance of technical strategy. He addresses the common pitfalls and misconceptions of scaling, emphasizing tailored processes and decision-making. Tune in for insights into building adaptable, sustainable engineering teams. References: SAFe LeSS 2024-11-0510 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Assessing the Impact of Peer Code ReviewsIn this engaging episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the topic of peer code reviews. They begin by providing historical context, tracing back code review practices to IBM's research in the 70s and 80s, and examine the efficacy of modern-day peer reviews. The hosts debate the true benefits of code reviews, discussing whether they genuinely enhance quality or merely serve as a process ritual. They also explore alternative methods like pair programming, and propose innovative ideas for improving peer review processes, such as detailed walkthroughs and code review checklists. Listeners are encouraged to...2024-10-2938 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Does Your Software Methodology Matter?Andy and Mon-Chaio question the true impact of various software development methodologies on team performance. They look into whether the research gives any clues about how methodology choice affects team happiness, quality, and speed. The hosts critique the state of software engineering research, discuss effective team dynamics, and highlight the importance of adaptability and interdisciplinary research. Listeners will gain insights into the limitations of plan-driven approaches, the nuanced realities of how software teams work, and why understanding the 'why' behind practices is crucial. This episode offers an overview of the research into the effectiveness of different methodologies and practices.2024-10-2243 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Improvement Beyond Podcasts - The Art of Deliberate PracticeAndy and Mon-Chaio explore the concept of growth and improvement, focusing on technical leadership. They learn about deliberate practice and discuss its role in enhancing skills for leaders. Scrabble players help them identify practices that lead to skill improvements and contrasting methods that don't, such as casual reading or working. The discussion wanders to how these findings relate to NBA coaching and engineering leadership. By the end, listeners will understand why deliberate practice, reflection, and handling high-stakes situations are essential for leaders aiming to improve their skills. Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/10/13/sxey-2/ References The...2024-10-1539 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Defining Technical StrategyWhat is technical strategy? Is it a document explaining how to extend your data platform? A set of wiki articles on how you're tackling technical debt? A forward-looking treatise on how you will integrate generative AI into your tech stack? In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive into the intricacies of creating a tech strategy for engineering leaders. They explore why having a guiding doctrine is crucial for decision-making processes in tech organizations. By discussing concepts like Wardley Mapping and the distinctions between strategy and operational effectiveness, they offer insight into establishing a unique...2024-10-0847 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Living on the Edge of Chaos Andy and Mon-Chaio challenge the traditional notions of root cause analysis and incident reviews within complex systems. They examine how the framing of ensuring errors 'never happen again' can be counterproductive, suggesting a shift towards faster recovery and continuous learning instead. Drawing parallels with After Action Reviews in the military and Netflix's Chaos Monkey, they advocate for embracing controlled chaos and fostering a culture of practice and micro-decisions. Listeners will gain insights into how technical errors and normative errors are perceived, and why focusing on organizational culture can be more effective than strict process adherence. By the end, listeners wi...2024-10-0142 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Mastering Team MoraleMorale: a topic that impacts every team. But how does morale influence organizational effectiveness? And what really makes a morale event impactful? Through humorous banter and thoughtful discussion, Andy and Mon-Chaio offer actionable insights and challenge conventional wisdom. They share personal anecdotes, explore research-backed definitions, and tackle the complexities of boosting team morale effectively. Listen to their creative suggestions and real-world examples that might just redefine how you think about morale and team building. References The Definition and Measurement of Employee Morale Morale: definitions, dimensions and measurement The 7...2024-09-2438 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Remote Work, Boundless Burnout?Is remote work a burnout trap or a path to freedom? There are good reasons to suspect that remote work may be highly correlated to increased burnout and many may be reinforced by our own experiences or that of our friends and colleagues. But is this hypothesis supported by research and, if so, what does it mean for designing human-centric remote work policies? Join co-hosts Andy and Mon-Chaio as they delve into the complexities of remote work and burnout. They explore how personality traits influence burnout and tackle the paradox of designing work environments...2024-09-1734 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Surviving the Peter Principle In this episode of the TTL podcast, Andy and Mon-Chaio answer a listener's question regarding the Peter Principle and how to avoid its effects. They explore the origins of the Peter Principle from the 1969 book by Lawrence J. Peter and Raymond Hull, discussing its implications for organizational hierarchies. The hosts examine various examples and research findings that both support and challenge the existence of the Peter Principle, including a detailed look at a study on sales organizations. They also provide actionable insights for leaders on how to recognize the symptoms of this principle in themselves and their teams, and sh...2024-09-1045 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Vacationcast - Iterate! Andy discusses the importance of iteration and feedback in the development process. He emphasizes the difference between iteration and incremental progress, sharing a story from Kent Beck's 'Extreme Programming Explained' to illustrate the concept. Mon-Chaio returns next week when they will discuss the Peter Principle. Stay tuned! References Extreme Programming Explained - https://archive.org/details/extremeprogrammi00beck 2024-09-0308 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Unmasking BurnoutBurnout transcends mere feelings of being overwhelmed; it's a profound state that can drastically affect personal well-being and the productivity of organizations. Despite its significance to individuals and their workplaces, it remains a concept often enshrouded in mystery and misinformation. Leveraging validated academic research and personal insights, Andy and Mon-Chaio present practical strategies for engineering leaders to foster healthier work environments. They explore over five decades of burnout research and discuss its application in contemporary engineering organizations. This episode is a treasure trove of advice for both experienced leaders and those aspiring to management...2024-08-2738 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Can you Remove Punishment?In this episode of the Tactics for Tech Leadership podcast, the hosts, Andy and Mon-Chaio, explore the concept of removing punishment from organizations. They discuss the implications of eliminating punishment, the role of corporate culture in employee motivation, and the potential obstacles such as untrainable employees and economic downturns. Through a philosophical lens and practical frameworks, they aim to spark thought on how organizations can be more humanistic. Not to be confined to just one experimental format, they also have recorded this episode as a video, so you can watch Mon-Chaio and Andy furrow their brows as they think...2024-08-2038 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Addressing Wicked Problems: Clumsy Solutions and the Role of UncertaintyIn episode 29, Andy and Mon-Chaio explored Grint's taxonomy of tame, critical, and wicked problems and how different problem categories required different leadership tactics. However, Grint had a lot more to say about the tactics necessary to adequately address wicked problems. In this episode, our hosts delve deeper into Grint's paper and introduce his concept of elegant and clumsy solutions. They discuss how the two solutions differ, what role uncertainty plays in dealing with wicked problems, and how egalitarian practices of empathy and community of fate are necessary to truly address the most challenging problems...2024-08-1341 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Vacationcast - Some stats on the show With Mon-Chaio travelling from Taiwan to Seattle, Andy provides an overview of the podcast's stats. He shares insights into listener demographics, reveals the most popular episodes, and discusses the community engagement they've experienced. Tune in for some interesting statistics and a heartfelt thank you to the audience. References Analysing a team situation using BART - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/8JfI8SL7MLb Method and Madness in Storytelling - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/I1cNIUN7MLb Team Topologies - Interactions and Triggers - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/LUgO4RQ7MLb 2024-08-0604 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)MX (not the DNS records!) In this episode of the TTL podcast, the hosts, Andy and Mon Chiao, discuss the concept of 'Management Experience' and its distinction from 'Employee Experience.' They explore the importance of management surveys, the challenges of delegation, and ethical implications in a hierarchical setting. They debate the effectiveness of the proposed four pillars for Management Experience and propose their own set of principles. Listeners will learn about the roles of ethical leadership, alignment of work with organizational goals, and the importance of recognizing employees as individuals. References Introducing MX - Management Experience (TM) - https://yanivpreiss.com/20...2024-07-3046 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Critical, Tame, and Wicked ProblemsOne way of categorizing problems faced by engineering organizations is Keith Grint’s framework of wicked, tame, and critical problems. These problem types, each with their unique characteristics and challenges, require distinct approaches to effectively address them. Join Andy and Mon-Chaio as they provide practical insights and real-world examples to illustrate how engineering leaders can effectively switch between leadership, management, and command roles depending on the nature of the problem at hand. They also share strategies for developing the flexibility and discernment needed to identify the type of problem and apply the appropriate approach. Tune in...2024-07-2335 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Making better hiring decisions with Edward Morgan In this episode of the TTL podcast, the hosts welcome Ed Morgan, founder of Gordian Knot, to discuss enhancing the hiring process for software engineers. Ed highlights the concept of 'sensemaking' and its impact on interview outcomes, stressing the importance of structured versus unstructured interviews. The trio touches on creating effective rubrics, the surprising resistance to change in hiring practices despite evidence, and the role of psychometrics. Listeners will learn practical steps to improve hiring accuracy and discover why structured interviews are statistically superior. Edward Morgan is the founder of Gordian Knot, a consulting firm that helps co...2024-07-1645 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Evaluating Leadership ExcellenceIt's something that all companies do and yet it's still a very misunderstood topic: evaluating the performance of people managers. The majority of methods regularly used for measuring managers rely heavily on superficial metrics and outdated practices that fail to capture the true essence of effective leadership. Join Andy and Mon-Chaio as they explore the complexities of leadership evaluation, shedding light on the nuanced and multifaceted nature of managerial success. They discuss the pitfalls of traditional assessment techniques and introduce evidence-based approaches that provide a more accurate and holistic view of a manager’s im...2024-07-0941 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Out of the wartime crisis trap In this episode of the Tactics for Tech Leadership podcast, hosts Andy and Mon-Chaio explore where leaders should spend their time, touching on the importance of signaling dedication, performance, identity, and power through time management. They discuss the contrast between crisis, wartime leadership, and peacetime stability, emphasizing the Eisenhower Matrix as a tool to prioritize urgent and important tasks. The hosts share insights from their experiences, including how leaders often misidentify crises and the impact of time use on organizational culture. Listeners will also learn about the surprising benefits of sometimes letting things fail to improve overall system resilience....2024-07-0242 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast - Stories from the Plato Elevate ConferenceWhile Andy is away, Mon-Chaio shares anecdotes and stories from his time at the Plato Elevate conference, snippets that didn't make their way into the prevous episode.2024-06-2508 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Leadership Insights from the Plato Elevate Conference In this episode of the TTL podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy review the recent Plato Elevate Conference in San Francisco. As a unique gathering focused on engineering leadership, Mon-Chaio shares his key takeaways from sessions on effective reorgs, experiments in culture engineering, and the innovative EngOS. The duo also explores the broader value of conferences, particularly the networking opportunities and on-the-ground experiences that often eclipse formal talks. Mon-Chaio highlights the significance of continuous learning for leaders and the practical applications discussed in various roundtable sessions. References Plato Elevate - https://www.platohq.com/events/elevate-2024 LeadDev - ht...2024-06-1840 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Doing What is ImpossibleFrom pair programming to NoEstimates, the industry brims with creative minds proposing new ideas and methodologies to tackle longstanding challenges. The issue, however, isn't the scarcity of innovative concepts, but rather the failure to implement them, often dismissed with the notion "it won't work" ... or, in other words, "it's impossible." In this episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio delve into the psychology behind the significant hesitation to consider provocative yet potentially beneficial new ideas. To illustrate this resistance in a practical context, they discuss two longstanding processes that, despite their potential, are seldom utilized. They dissect...2024-06-1140 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Making Use of the Theory of Constraints In this episode of the TTL Podcast, hosts Mon Chaio and Andy delve into the Theory of Constraints, an approach developed by Eliyahu Goldratt. They discuss how this methodology applies to various systems, including technical, people, and cultural systems, emphasizing its importance in software leadership. The hosts explain the core principles of the theory, such as identifying and elevating constraints, and explore its practical application through examples in both technical and organizational contexts. They highlight the necessity of continuous improvement and systems thinking, noting the challenges of aligning this approach with personal and organizational goals. References Th...2024-06-0442 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast - A Small Story of Language DiversityJoin Mon-Chaio in this VacationCast episode where he recounts an anecdote from his past involving collaboration, inclusion, and using diverse language in a business environment. 2024-05-2807 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Ascending the Tower of Techno-BabelIn both popular literature and media, we've all seen the clichéd portrayal of the brilliant engineer spouting indecipherable jargon to explain a situation ... and, inevitably, the main character uses a simple analogy to demystify the message. In the real world, however, things rarely mirror those stereotypes, but miscommunication or poor communication of technical messages is still one of the biggest and often hidden problems for engineering leaders and organizations. In this episode, hosts Andy and Mon-Chaio tackle the challenge of technical communication in the workplace. They offer practical advice for engineering leaders on h...2024-05-2139 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Zoom got you down? Mon Chaio and Andy explore the concept of Zoom fatigue, investigating its existence, potential causes, and its ramifications for both extroverts and introverts. They delve into personal anecdotes, research findings, and theories such as media naturalness theory to understand the cognitive and somatic exhaustion associated with video conferencing tools. They discuss how Zoom fatigue is defined, its link to increased brain fatigue, and how it disproportionately affects women and introverts. The hosts also offer potential solutions and adjustments to mitigate the effects of Zoom fatigue, raising questions about the long-term implications of video conferencing on workers' productivity and well-being....2024-05-1443 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Leadership Beyond ExtroversionBoth conventional wisdom and widespread anecdotes point to the conclusion that extroverts make better leaders. But is there any evidence of this, or is this another belief with little basis in fact? In this episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio examine the misconceptions around introversion and extroversion and dive into the research around the relationship between extroversion and leadership acumen. They then shift the conversation to the practical implications of these findings for engineering organizations, discussing how leaders, regardless of their place on the extroversion spectrum, can leverage their innate strengths to build and maintain high-performing...2024-05-0739 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Exploring the Territory with Douglas Squirrel This episode of the TTL podcast features Douglas Squirrel, an expert in making tech teams insanely profitable. The discussion delves into David Snowden's Cynefin framework and the concept of entangled trios for navigating complex situations by leveraging diverse perspectives. Mon-Chaio, Andy, and Squirrel cover various tactics for tech leadership, including encouraging exploration within product design and the importance of external communication for generating novel ideas. By drawing parallels with historical explorations like Lewis and Clark's expedition and examining modern examples like Roblox and LEGO, the episode elucidates ways in which tech leaders can foster an environment of innovation and ex...2024-04-3050 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Misleader MajorityThe lack of exceptional leadership in tech companies is far from ideal, and this issue is exacerbated by the widespread presence of poor leaders. The situation becomes particularly troubling when these inadequate leaders believe they are competent or even exceptional. Join Andy and Mon-Chaio in their conversation as they explore the reasons behind the prevalence of ineffective leaders, how current perceptions of leadership contribute to this imbalance, and the ways in which we, as leaders of individuals and organizations, can contribute to changing this trend. References: How To...2024-04-2340 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Vacationcast - Holidays and Getting a Different ViewA short vacationcast from Andy about taking time away to decompress, find a different view on things, and enjoy the company of others (somtimes). References: CITCON - https://citconf.com/ 2024-04-1605 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Tactics for Remote Work (Remote Work Series - Part 3 of 3) This episode marks the third and final part of a series focusing on remote work, where Andy and Mon-Chaio delve into tactics that you can use when working with remote teams. Specific topics include maintaining company values and culture through computer-mediated interactions, the role of rituals and symbols like custom emojis and the importance of maintaining weak relations for innovation and career development. Additionally, the episode emphasizes transparency, manager roles in fostering connections, and the necessity of in-person interactions for remote teams. The conversation is rich with tactics, including promoting asynchronous communication, ensuring information transparency, and the critical role of...2024-04-0947 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Research on Remote Work (Remote Work Series - Part 2 of 3) In this second part of a three-part series of the TTL podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive into what research has to say about remote working. They explore various aspects including the impact of remote work on mental health, performance, synchronous vs. asynchronous communication, and team cohesion. Highlighting a study published in Nature titled 'Virtual Communication Curbs Creative Idea Generation', they discuss how virtual settings can limit creative idea generation compared to in-person settings due to narrowed visual fields and cognitive focus. However, they note that virtual communication might have a small positive effect on selecting the best idea from a...2024-04-0241 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Stories of Remote Work (Remote Work Series - Part 1 of 3)In part one of this three part series, Andy and Mon-Chaio tell stories of remote work, both from their own experiences as well as those they've heard from their colleagues and the public at large. From those stories, they try to find themes to help answer a burning question: four years in, how are engineering organizations and their people adapting to remote work?2024-03-2639 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Performance Management, What Is It Good For? Have you had performance reviews where you thought, "What is the point of this?" Mon-Chaio and Andy examine the concepts and implications of performance management systems. They swap experiences and insights on the challenges and inefficacies of performance management practices and cover the inconclusive evidence of their effectiveness. Mon-Chaio raises alternative perspectives on employee performance, including Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), and Andy brings up the difference between relational and transactional approaches. The conversation also touches on expectancy and reinforcement theories, questioning their applicability in motivating employee performance. Find out what they think you can do to h...2024-03-1943 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Trial of One-Five-ZeroA core foundation of business, online communities, and social networks is the concept of Dunbar's Number: the suggested cognitive limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships. But recently there have been critiques in the scientific community as to the validity of the theory behind the number, as well as the number itself. In this episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio delve into the research around Dunbar's Number, both Dunbar's original papers as well as the recently published critiques. They explore the possibility that Dunbar's Number does not exist and...2024-03-1236 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Do Leaders Have to Be Technical? In this episode of the TTL podcast, Andy and Mon-Chaio delve into the importance of technical skills and mindset in leadership roles, particularly as individuals transition from technical to management positions. Their discussions are anchored by research findings, such as an article hypothesizing technical competence loss in Boeing's leadership contributing to quality issues, and an HBR article highlighting that 24 of the 100 best-performing CEOs have engineering degrees. Mon-Chaio and Andy argue that while the technical execution may become less critical at higher leadership levels, a technical mindset plays a crucial role in problem-solving and decision-making. They also look at some jo...2024-03-0539 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast - Technical Due DiligencesMon-Chaio summarizes some common red flags that surface during a company's technical due diligence investigation. References: A Dive into Technical Due Diligence and Common Hurdles Impacting Investment 2024-02-2707 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Next Best Leadership StyleEven if we don't know it by name, we all know the attributes of the best leadership style, don't we? Humble, collaborative, curious, people-centric, etc. But how do we know, and what evidence to we have, for those attributes making up the best style? And what if we've been led astray about what the best leadership style is? Join Andy and Mon-Chaio as they summarize the academic research around leadership styles, apply it to a couple situations from their experience, and reveal impactful tactics around how to think about and use leadership styles in...2024-02-2040 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Resolving the Leader's Dilemma: Coaching vs. Directing In this edition of the TTL podcast, hosts Andy Parker and Mon Chaio Lo bring in their first guest, Ethan Fryer-Ressmeyer, an executive coach from Seattle, Washington. Ethan is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Coach with a background in Fortune 50 Aerospace Engineering Leadership. He helps leaders discover and implement their own, unique leadership approaches to achieve results with authenticity. He believes that we too often tolerate less than incredible circumstances and his approach helps people create environments that others want to be a part of. The discussion centers around executive coaching, leadership coaching, and the inherent te...2024-02-1348 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Power of RepeatAre you a "one-and-done", "measure-twice, cut-once" type of leader? If so, you may be overlooking the untapped potential of doing the same thing twice ... or more! In this episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio unravel the delightful dance of repetition, proving that it’s not just a merry-go-round of monotony but a secret handshake with efficiency. Join us as we uncover the science, skip through time loops, and discover that déjà vu is basically productivity’s winking emoji. 😉🔄 References: Helpful or Harmful? How Frequent Repetition Affects Perceived Statement Credibility The effects of repetition fre...2024-02-0642 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Cracking the Code on Collaboration"Just collaborate": the favorite guidance of many a leader to solve any challenging group dynamic problem. And often when collaboration doesn't work well, the blame is placed upon the individuals and teams involved in the collaboration. Can we as leaders do better? Join Andy and Mon-Chaio as they explore the research around collaboration, dive into what good collaboration really looks like, and build a model for enabling effective collaboration from the very top on down. References: Etymology of "collaborate" Reconciling perspectives: A grounded theory of how people manage the process of software development En...2024-02-0639 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Method and Madness in Storytelling In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into the essential role of storytelling in implementing change and leading an organization. They share examples of effective storytelling and reference theories ranging from Aristotle to environmental sciences. While facts are important, emotional connection, or pathos, is key to persuasive storytelling. They also discuss the dimensions of logos (the logical argument) and ethos (personal character) in storytelling, and reflect on the balance between truth and fiction in narrative creation. The well-crafted story not only motivates change but can improve mental health and support a positive work culture. Re...2024-01-3044 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Team Topologies - Interactions and TriggersLet's put Team Topologies to use. What can it tell us about why some team structures work out, why some struggle, and when we should switch our organisations to be more effective? Mon-Chaio and Andy scrutinise a software project through the lens of the interaction modes, sensing, and triggers for change that the book introduces. They find that it provides a rich vocabulary to talk about the ills and strengths of your tech organisation. References Team Topologies: https://teamtopologies.com/book TTL Podcast BART episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app...2024-01-1649 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Sabotaging LearningEvery organization wants to be a learning organization, but stories abound of employee skill gaps and stunted development despite expensive training programs. In this episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio utilize research on learning along with their own leadership experiences to reveal the blind spots that cause engineering leaders to unintentionally sabotage the ability of their organization to learn. References: The impact of workplace learning on job satisfaction in small US commercial banks Pair programming Communities that Undermine Learning The Importance Of Practice – And Our Reluctance To Do It The Relationship Between Deliberate Practice and Perfor...2024-01-0952 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Christmas EggnogHo ho ho! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! To end the year we are taking a break from our usual discussions and instead are delving into the culinary world of Eggnog, that classic, American Christmas cocktail. This is a drink that has been part of Mon-Chaio's and Andy's winter-time traditions for almost two decades and gives them a chance to geek out about cooking and food chemistry. While eggnog is the focus of attention, we also delve a little into egg handling, woodworking, and pasteurization. Eggnog I...2023-12-2643 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Continuous Improvement (Building Your Engineering Organization - Part 5 of 5)Let's imagine that you are just taking on an engineering organization. Maybe it is new to you or maybe it is completely new. What should you do to set yourself up for success? What are some of the important, or critical, aspects to think through, write down, nail down, or get agreement on? In a five-part series, Mon-Chaio and Andy look back over the long, and sometimes rambling, episodes of The TTL Podcast and try to condense them down to something more digestible. In episode one you learned about defining your cultural and structural...2023-12-1924 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Smooth Operation (Building Your Engineering Organization - Part 4 of 5) Let's imagine that you are just taking on an engineering organization. Maybe it is new to you or maybe it is completely new. What should you do to set yourself up for success? What are some of the important, or critical, aspects to think through, write down, nail down, or get agreement on? In a five-part series, Mon-Chaio and Andy look back over the long, and sometimes rambling, episodes of The TTL Podcast and try to condense them down to something more digestible. In episode one you learned about defining your cultural and structural no...2023-12-1924 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Weaving Your Team Fabric (Building Your Engineering Organization Series - Part 3 of 5) Let's imagine that you are just taking on an engineering organization. Maybe it is new to you or maybe it is completely new. What should you do to set yourself up for success? What are some of the important, or critical, aspects to think through, write down, nail down, or get agreement on? In a five-part series, Mon-Chaio and Andy look back over the long, and sometimes rambling, episodes of The TTL Podcast and try to condense them down to something more digestible. In episode one you learned about defining your cultural and structural no...2023-12-0532 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Building on the Foundation (Building Your Engineering Organization Series - Part 2 of 5)Let's imagine that you are just taking on an engineering organization. Maybe it is new to you or maybe it is completely new. What should you do to set yourself up for success? What are some of the important, or critical, aspects to think through, write down, nail down, or get agreement on? In a five-part series, Mon-Chaio and Andy look back over the long, and sometimes rambling, episodes of The TTL Podcast and try to condense them down to something more digestible. In episode one you learned about defining your cultural and structural...2023-11-2819 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Laying The Foundation (Building Your Engineering Organization Series - Part 1 of 5) Let's imagine that you are just taking on an engineering organization. Maybe it is new to you or maybe it is completely new. What should you do to set yourself up for success? What are some of the important, or critical, aspects to think through, write down, nail down, or get agreement on? In a five-part series, Mon-Chaio and Andy look back over the long, and sometimes rambling, episodes of The TTL Podcast and try to condense them down to something more digestible. This episode will guide you to laying the foundation on which ev...2023-11-2128 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Psychological Whatchamacallit?What is safe about psychological safety? Do you really want everyone to feel comfortable all the time? Research tells us that psychological safety is a key component of effective teams and organisations. This week Mon-Chaio and Andy dig into the whats and wherefores of psychological safety. They dive into how it is measured, how it fits together with other concepts researched, tell some stories of their own about psychological safety, and debate how it interacts with accountability. Opening quote from "Psychological Safety: The History, Renaissance, and Future of an Interpersonal Construct" 2023-11-1450 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Vacationcast - Feelings and SwordfightingWhat has Andy been reading recently? Where is Mon-Chaio? In this quick vacationcast you'll find out the answer to both of those questions. Andy studied kendo for several years at the University of Washington and at the Highline Kendo Kai in Seattle under Marsten Sensei. He hasn't practiced for many years, but hopes to get his life setup so that he can get back to kendo at some point and is always happy to talk to people about it. If you have questions about these books, kendo, or anything...2023-11-0704 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Building a Better (Hiring) MousetrapYou are a hiring manager and your organization has given you the green light to hire more people. What do you do next? Many people might feel the answer is obvious but for a surprisingly large number of companies, their hiring processes actively impede them from building great teams. Andy and Mon-Chaio pull apart conventional hiring practices to separate the wheat from the chaff and provide tactics to help guide the creation of a truly impactful hiring process. Opening quote from Job interviews are a nightmare — and only getting worse. Re...2023-10-3150 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)How many ways are there to structure teams?What is the right way to have dev and ops work together? Is that different for data science? We look into ways these different specialities can be organised to foster collaboration. Development and operations has a lot of literature from the DevOps movement that gives us guidance for how to structure teams but data science has less written about it. Still, we have found some articles that shed light on things, and those articles appear to be based on reality, which we discover as we talk about our experience of working with data science and operations. 2023-10-2445 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)We Need More Heads ... or Do We?A new project comes down the pike and Engineering asks for more heads to ship said project. Is this a reasonable request or are there other tactics we can use to "do more with less"? Mon-Chaio and Andy explore this common situation from both sides and offer specific diagnostic techniques to move the business forward, whether that's with additional headcount or without. Opening music from Flight of the Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros References Cost center Slack time Pair-programming Horse trading SaaS OKR Sunk cost fallacy Hiphopopotamus 2023-10-1747 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Developer Productivity?Can you measure developer productivity? Prompted by an article by McKinsey and already reacted to by many, we ask if McKinsey is telling us to measure something that is at all useful, how to think about the problem McKinsey raises, and what you, as a technical leader, can do to address that problem better than what McKinsey suggests. Opening quote from The Psychology of Computer Programming by Gerald M. Weinberg. References: Mckinsey article - https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/yes-you-can-measure-software-developer-productivity Kent Beck's response part 1 - https...2023-10-1055 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast - My Current Reading ListMon-Chaio gives a rundown of leadership books he's read in the past few months and pulls out interesting nuggets from each selection. References: Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow by by Matthew Skelton, Manuel Pais, and Ruth Malan 2023-10-0311 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Undeserved Malignment of BureaucracyFrom stodgy corporate boardrooms to glacial civil-service offices, fast-moving technical organizations have long thumbed their noses at bureaucracies in their quest for speed and innovation. In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy unearth the forgotten power of bureaucracies and discover how they are still surprisingly relevant and impactful for software companies today. Opening quote from "Structure and Learning in Self-Managed Teams: Why “Bureaucratic” Teams Can Be Better Learners". References: Civilization bureaucracy quote Structure and Learning in Self-Managed Teams: Why “Bureaucratic” Teams Can Be Better Learners Bureaucracies Remember, Post-Bureaucratic Organizations Forget? ...2023-09-2633 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Feedback Fallacy?Is your feedback counterproductive? Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss a thought provoking article that says we've been giving feedback wrong. They tease out some truths, some tactics, and some insights into what it means to give useful feedback. References: The Feedback Fallacy - https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-feedback-fallacy Cynefin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework Confirmation Bias - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias Plato's Ideal Forms - https://philosophynow.org/issues/90/Plato_A_Theory_of_Forms Learning is horrible - https://blog.jeffreyfredrick.com/2015/10/22/thats-what-learning-feels-like/ Ray Dalio Management - https://fs...2023-09-1948 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)VacationCast - A Socio-Technical Critique of Scientific ManagementAndy introduces you to a paper on socio technical systems and muses about how it connects to the early days of software development. This is our first try at a quick format for when one of us is away on vacation. Please, tell us what you think! A Socio-Technical Critique of Scientific Management: http://moderntimesworkplace.com/archives/ericsess/sessvol2/37TRASOC.pdf 2023-09-1207 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Building Sustainable Culture (Culture Series - Part 3 of 3)In the final part of this three-part series on Culture, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into the forces that promote as well as resist cultural change. They share one of their own failed cultural change initiatives and uncover what Egyptian pharaohs and Spanish fire walkers can teach us about creating long-lasting cultural change. Opening quote from "Rituals are important to human life — even when they seem meaningless". References: Two Views of Communication: Transmission & Ritual Rituals are important to human life — even when they seem meaningless Kurt Lewin's Force Field Anal...2023-09-0550 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Toward a Better Culture (Culture Series - Part 2 of 3)In part two of this three-part series on Culture, Andy and Mon-Chaio wrangle with the question "Is there 'better culture' to aim for?" Along the way they delve into bad culture, focusing on values or on outcomes, differences between what people say and what people do, burnout, and pillars of a good tech culture. Opening quote from "A Strong Market Culture Drives Organizational Performance and Success". References: Joy at Work: https://dennisbakke.com/joy-at-work/ Espoused Theory and Theory in Use: http://www.aral.com.au/resources/argyris.html ...2023-08-2948 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Demystifying Corporate Culture (Culture Series - Part 1 of 3) In part one of this three-part series, Andy and Mon-Chaio attempt to provide a research-supported answer on whether culture is important for your tech organization. They also dig into the details of whether a company should hire for cultural fit. Opening quote from "A Review Paper on Organizational Culture and Organizational Performance". References: A Review Paper on Organizational Culture and Organizational Performance - https://ijbssnet.com/journals/Vol._1_No._3_December_2010/4.pdf Some Social and Psychological Consequences of the Longwall Method of Coal-Getting - https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675100400101 Kurt Lewin's Fo...2023-08-2238 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Setting Challenging GoalsGoals. We all have them, but should we? Mon-Chaio and Andy examine the literature on goal setting and discuss how to set good, challenging goals. Opening quote from "Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey". References: Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705 The High Performance Cycle: Standing the Test of Time: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/0470013419.ch10 Participative Goal Setting in Self-Directed Global Virtual Teams: The Role of Virtual...2023-08-1551 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Who are We and Why Should You ListenAndy and Mon-Chaio give some background on their professional experiences and talk about how the TLL podcast is unique and why that's a good thing.2023-08-0827 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Navigating the Challenges of Building TrustMon-Chaio and Andy explore the research on trust and how to translate that into successful tactics for building trust in technical organizations ... including situations when strong trust may not be necessary for high-performing teams. References Harvard Buisness Review's trust articles - https://hbr.org/topic/subject/trustworthiness Indian Matchmaking on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/80244565 Trust and distrust as separate entities - https://www.jstor.org/stable/259288 Calculus-based trust vs. identification-based trust - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285976980_Trust_trust_development_and_trust_repair Dunbar's number - https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...2023-08-0142 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Untangling the Metrics RequestAndy and Mon-Chaio talk about the dreaded request for team performance metrics. Rather than simply agreeing to start measuring, we explore a different approach. Opening quote from "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Compassion" References Explore, Expand, Extract - https://medium.com/@kentbeck_7670/fast-slow-in-3x-explore-expand-extract-6d4c94a7539 Commandos, Infantry, Police - https://blog.codinghorror.com/commandos-infantry-and-police/ SPACE Metrics - https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=3454124 DevEx metrics - https://www.infoq.com/articles/devex-metrics-framework/ NVC - https://www.cnvc.org/training/resource/book-chapter-1 2023-07-2548 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)The Why and How of DelegationWe explore delegation: why to do it and how to do it. The discussion ranges widely between the approaches the Prussian military used to command its forces to the ideas of the situational leadership model. Opening quote from page 189 of the book "The Art of Action" by Stephen Bungay. References The Art of Action - https://www.stephenbungay.com/Books.ink Briefing and Backbriefing - https://availagility.co.uk/2021/03/10/what-is-backbriefing/ also the book "The Art of Action" Curse of Knowledge - https://availagility.co.uk/2021/06/09...2023-07-1846 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Organizing to LearnIn this episode, we explore the ideas from the book Teaming about how to organise to learn. Organising to learn takes framing to learn, psychological safety, learning from failure, and crossing boundaries. The opening quote is from chapter one of the book "Teaming" by Amy Edmonson. References: Google 20% time - https://builtin.com/software-engineering-perspectives/20-percent-time Praiseworthy/blameworthty chart - https://hbr.org/2011/04/strategies-for-learning-from-failure Teaming - https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Teaming%3A+How+Organizations+Learn%2C+Innovate%2C+and+Compete+in+the+Knowledge+Economy-p-9780787970932 2023-07-1151 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Longevity of Team BoundariesAndy and Mon-Chaio contemplate how often team boundaries should change, what impacts changing boundaries has, and some tactics for making boundary changes easier. References Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuckman's_stages_of_group_development Amy Edmundson, Teaming - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teaming-Organizations-Innovate-Compete-Knowledge-ebook/dp/B007MF3BRA Dunbar’s number - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number Matrix management - https://www.liveabout.com/matrix-management-2276122 XP central tenant - https://martinfowler.com/bliki/FrequencyReducesDifficulty.html Gore - https://www.fastcompany.com/51733/fabric-creativity 2023-07-0450 min

Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)Analysing a team situation using BARTIn this inaugural episode of the Tactics for Technical Leadership (TTL) podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss the BART (Boundary, Authority, Role Task) framework for analysing group dynamics and apply it to a situation that Mon-Chaio encountered with two teams. Referenced materials: The BART System of Group and Organisational Analysis: https://www.it.uu.se/edu/course/homepage/projektDV/ht09/BART_Green_Molenkamp.pdf 2023-06-2741 min