Shows
Stellar Work#32 Solo - 1 Year Stellar Work PodcastIn this solo episode, Benjamin reflects on the past year of the Stellar Work podcast, discussing key insights and lessons learned about organizational transformation. He emphasizes the importance of leadership commitment, effective strategies, and understanding organizational dynamics to drive successful change. Benjamin also shares his journey of podcasting, highlighting the learning experiences and connections made along the way.Stellar Work:Check out www.stellarwork.com for more information about how evolutionary agile transformations workMake sure to follow us on your podcast player 🔔 as well as on LinkedIn to never miss out on more content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stellarwork/...2025-05-0519 min
Stellar Work#31 Tom Soderstrom II - Bringing NASA JPL up to speedIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Tom Soderstrom, former CTO at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They discuss the intricacies of working at NASA, the creative processes behind space missions, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the differences between government and commercial space industries. Tom shares insights on fostering a culture of innovation, the importance of data visualization, and the integration of cybersecurity in space missions. He also provides valuable advice for aspiring professionals in the space industry, emphasizing the importance of passion and hands-on experience.Tom Soderstrom Since June 2023, Tom Soderstrom s...2025-04-2147 min
Stellar Work#30 Tom Soderstrom Tech Transformation Learnings from NASA JPL and AWSIn this episode, Tom Soderstrom shares insights from his extensive experience in technology transformation at NASA and AWS. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the mission, making informed decisions, and fostering a culture of experimentation. Tom discusses the critical role of AI and data in driving business success and highlights the need for collaboration between IT and business units. He concludes with practical advice for leaders navigating organizational change, stressing the importance of speed and adaptability.Tom Soderstrom Since June 2023, Tom Soderstrom serves as an Enterprise Strategist helping and coaching executive customers with their t...2025-04-0752 min
Stellar Work#29 Leah Tharin - Product Led Growth and SalesIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Leah Tharin, an expert in product-led growth. They discuss the differences between product-led and sales-led growth, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges of transitioning from one model to another. Leah shares insights on cultural differences in sales approaches, metrics for measuring growth, and valuable resources for learning more about product growth strategies.Leah TharinLeah Tharin is an experienced product leader and serial entrepreneur with over two decades in tech and four startups of her own. She currently serves as the interim...2025-03-2451 min
Stellar Work#28 Markus Andrezak - Product -Management and -StrategyIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Markus Andrezak, a product management expert, discussing the intricacies of product management and strategy. They explore Markus's career journey, the importance of a clear business model, the evolution of tech companies in Europe, and the challenges faced by product managers. The conversation delves into the role of product managers in different contexts, the significance of storytelling, and the strategic frameworks that guide product management. Markus emphasizes the need for education, experience, and effective communication in navigating the complexities of product management.Markus AndrezakMarkus Andrezak...2025-03-1052 min
Stellar Work#27 Al Shalloway - Future of Agile Training and CoachingIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Al Shalloway, a prominent figure in the Agile community. They discuss Al's extensive journey in Agile, the challenges of training and education in the field, and the importance of integrating coaching with Agile practices. Al emphasizes the need for a new type of training that is affordable and ongoing, addressing the capability gap in Agile. The conversation also touches on the flaws in Agile foundations, the impact of AI on Agile roles, and the necessity of systems thinking in the Agile framework. Al shares valuable insights on continuous learning...2025-02-2452 min
Stellar Work#26 Anja Hendel - Transforming the Automotive IndustryIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Anja Hendel, a seasoned expert in digital transformation within the automotive industry. Anja shares her journey from studying computer science to leading digital initiatives at major companies like Porsche and Volkswagen. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by hardware-focused organizations in adapting to software-driven models, the importance of organizational structure in successful transformations, and the future of mobility in an era of autonomous driving. Anja emphasizes the need for a cultural shift in how companies evaluate success and adapt to changing market demands.
Anja Hendel
2025-02-1748 min
🧠 _#25 Niels Pfläging - Organize for Complexity Podcast: Stellar WorkEpisode: #25 Niels Pfläging - Organize for ComplexityPub date: 2025-02-10Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn this episode, Benjamin engages with Niels Pfläging, a thought leader in management and organizational transformation. They discuss the challenges of conventional management practices, the importance of understanding complexity in organizational problems, and the role of consultants in facilitating change. Niels emphasizes the need for effective change management strategies and the significance of learning from successful organizations. The conversation highlights the importance of prin...2025-02-1059 min
Stellar Work#25 Niels Pfläging - Organize for ComplexityIn this episode, Benjamin engages with Niels Pfläging, a thought leader in management and organizational transformation. They discuss the challenges of conventional management practices, the importance of understanding complexity in organizational problems, and the role of consultants in facilitating change. Niels emphasizes the need for effective change management strategies and the significance of learning from successful organizations. The conversation highlights the importance of principles over practices in achieving meaningful transformation.
Niels Pfläging
Niels Pflaeging is founder of the BetaCodex Network, and partner/associate at Red42, based in Wiesbaden (Germany). He is an acclaimed in...2025-02-1059 min
Stellar Work#24 Adriana & Eduardo - Helping Law Firms through KanbanIn this episode, Benjamin interviews Adriana and Eduardo, experts in Kanban and agile methodologies, focusing on their application in the legal industry in Brazil. They discuss the challenges faced by law firms, the need for agile practices, and how Kanban can transform traditional legal workflows. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the legal context, the cultural barriers to change, and practical steps for implementation. Adriana and Eduardo also share insights on measuring success and provide actionable tips for law firms looking to adopt agile methodologies.
Adriana da Costa Saliba
https://www.linkedin.com/in...2025-02-0340 min
Stellar Work#23 Damian Boeselager - Fixing the EU!In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Damian Boeselager, a member of the European Parliament and co-founder of Volt, a pan-European political party. They discuss the importance of progressive politics in Europe, the challenges posed by right-wing populism, and the need for a unified European approach to economic competitiveness and innovation. Damian emphasizes the role of regulation in fostering innovation, the cultural differences in investment perspectives, and the necessity for political engagement among citizens to shape the future of Europe.Damian BoeselagerDamian Boeselager is best known for his pioneering political career...2025-01-2046 min
Stellar Work#18 Luke Hohmann - Software Profit Streams™In this episode, Benjamin interviews Luke Hohmann, a prominent figure in the Agile product development community and author of 'Software Profit Streams™'. They discuss the critical link between value and profit, emphasizing the importance of understanding profitability within Agile practices. Luke shares insights on how Agile coaches and practitioners can contribute to a company's profitability and the necessity of defining value in order to create sustainable business models. The conversation also touches on the concept of Profit Streams™, the role of cost centers, and the significance of pricing strategies in the software industry.
Luke Hohmann
Lu...2025-01-0657 min
Stellar Work#22 Santa and Rudolph at the Kata ConferenceIn this festive episode of the Stellar wWork Podcast, recorded live from Sweden, Benjamin and his guests discuss the future of organizational structures, the impact of AI, and the importance of visualization in decision-making. They explore the balance between autonomy and direction in the workplace, customer-centric approaches in the automotive industry, and the cultural shifts in management. The conversation emphasizes the need for feedback loops and the role of AI in enhancing human ingenuity, concluding with a call to embrace change and innovation.
Our guests:
Joe Justice:
Joe Justice is an entrepreneur and...2024-12-2355 min🧠 _#17 Jurgen Appelo - The Unfix Model Podcast: Stellar WorkEpisode: #17 Jurgen Appelo - The Unfix ModelPub date: 2024-12-09Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn this episode, Jurgen Appelo discusses his journey from software engineer to agile management expert, emphasizing the importance of pattern libraries over rigid frameworks in organizational development. He explains how organizations can benefit from adopting flexible patterns that allow for adaptability and innovation. Through case studies, he illustrates the successful implementation of these patterns in various companies. The conversation also explores the future of agile ma...2024-12-1944 min
Stellar Work#17 Jurgen Appelo - The Unfix ModelIn this episode, Jurgen Appelo discusses his journey from software engineer to agile management expert, emphasizing the importance of pattern libraries over rigid frameworks in organizational development. He explains how organizations can benefit from adopting flexible patterns that allow for adaptability and innovation. Through case studies, he illustrates the successful implementation of these patterns in various companies. The conversation also explores the future of agile management in the context of AI advancements and the evolving job market for software developers.
Jurgen Appelo:
Jurgen helps organizations survive and thrive in the 21st century. He offers the u...2024-12-0944 min
Stellar Work#16 Marc Sniukas - The better Strategy OSIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews strategy advisor Marc Sniukas, who shares insights on modern strategic planning and the Better Strategy OS framework. They discuss the challenges of traditional strategy, the importance of defining strategy in terms of challenges and ambitions, and the need for a structured approach to strategy that includes testing options and stakeholder value. Marc also provides a case study on Netflix's strategic evolution and offers advice for those new to the field of strategy.
Marc Sniukas:
Marc Sniukas is a leading strategy advisor helping CEOs and business...2024-11-2542 min🧠 _#9 Mike Lyons - Fixing the Scrum Master Crisis Podcast: Stellar WorkEpisode: #9 Mike Lyons - Fixing the Scrum Master CrisisPub date: 2024-08-05Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn this conversation, Benjamin and Mike discuss the current state of the agile community, particularly the layoffs and job market for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches. They emphasize the importance of understanding project management and how it relates to agile ways of working. Mike suggests that Scrum Masters should focus on showing value by increasing top-line revenue and decreasing bottom-line costs. They also di...2024-11-1845 min🧠 _#13 Simon Wardley - Wardley Mapping Podcast: Stellar WorkEpisode: #13 Simon Wardley - Wardley MappingPub date: 2024-09-30Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn this episode, host Benjamin welcomes Simon Wardley, the creator of Wardley Mapping, to discuss his innovative framework for understanding competitive landscapes. Simon shares the story behind Wardley Mapping, explaining how it started as a personal tool and evolved into a widely used method for strategy development. He also touches on his background in building companies, working in open source, and even his personal life.
...2024-11-1844 min
Stellar Work#19 Klaus Leopold - Flight Levels Case StudyIn this episode of the Stellarwork Podcast, Klaus Leopold discusses the concept of Flight Levels, a framework designed to optimize agility across multiple teams and levels of an organization. He explains the three levels of Flight Levels—operational, coordination, and strategy—and emphasizes the importance of visualizing work and creating focus. The conversation also covers practical steps for starting small with Flight Levels, measuring success through metrics, and the importance of stakeholder engagement.
Klaus Leopold:
Klaus Leopold is a well-known expert in the field of Kanban, Agile, and Lean methodologies. He has made significant contributions to i...2024-11-1151 min
Stellar Work#21 Martin Wanitschke - Wandelbots NOVAIn this conversation, Martin Wanitschke discusses his role at Wandelbots and the company's mission to democratize robotics. He explains the evolution of robot programming, the introduction of the TracePen, and the challenges faced in product development. The discussion highlights the shift towards a software-focused approach with the upcoming launch of Wandelbots Nova, a hardware-agnostic operating system for robots that aims to make robotics accessible to a wider audience. In this conversation, Martin Wanitschke discusses the innovative programming methods for robotics, the transformation of company structure at Vandalbots, and the integration of simulation technologies in automation. He emphasizes the empowerment...2024-11-0555 min
e-movotionEin Troll namens Elon MuskWie Elon irgendwo falsch abgebogen ist
Donald Trump größter Fanboy nennt sich Elon Musk. Der ist eigentlich Unternehmer aber scheint für sich die Politik entdeckt zu haben. Mit seinen Verschwörungstheorien überschwemmt er seinen Dienst X, beschimpft anders denkende, regt seine Follower an doch mal die Vizepräsidentin umzubringen oder verhält sich auf der Bühne einfach nur peinlich. Für viele, die ihn bisher als Visionär und Ausnahmeunternehmer gefeiert haben ist das ein ernsthaftes Problem. Wie soll man mit diesen beiden Seiten von Elon Musk umgehen und was halten wir davon? Christoph Krachten kennt Elon Musk...2024-11-0542 min
Stellar Work#20 Steffen Stammel - Dynamic Shared Ownership at BayerDisclaimer: The views and opinions shared by Steffen are based on his personal reflections and experiences. He is not representing the company's stance or policies.
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Steffen Stammel, Global IT Strategy Director at Bayer, who shares his personal reflections on the company’s ongoing transformation amidst various challenges. They explore the impact of leadership changes, the introduction of a dynamic shared ownership model, and the importance of employee well-being during this transition. Steffen offers insights into the strategies being implemented to foster innovation and agility within the organization, wh...2024-11-0450 mine-movotionDer Absturz: Lilium ist insolventKeine Unterstützung vom Staat!
Lilium wollte buchstäblich hoch hinaus und ist jetzt gnadenlos abgestürzt. Tja, so ist das leider manchmal, wenn man sich mit der Schwerkraft anlegt. Benjamin Igna ist Unternehmensberater und sieht die Bruchlandung, sprich Insolvenz , mit einem lachenden und einem weinenden Auge. Schon seit Jahren beschäftigt er sich mit der Firma und ihn wundert es nicht, dass der Bund die Unterstützung für das Unternehmen verweigert hat. Jérôme hadert unterdessen mit der Entscheidung. Können wir nicht einmal ein bisschen Risiko gehen und solch ein Unternehmen stützen, dass bereits viele Inte...2024-10-2933 min
Stellar Work#15 Rijon Erickson - Riffing with RijonIn this conversation, Benjamin and Rijon "Ryan" Erickson explore a variety of themes ranging from personal experiences and reflections on life to discussions about vacations, childhood memories, and aspirations for the future. They delve into the influence of parents on their lives and the importance of work-life balance, while also touching on the significance of giving back to the community.
Rijon Erickson:
Rijon “Ryan” Erickson is a musician, innovator, and corporate leader with a unique approach to work and leadership. With a background in jazz improvisation, Ryan blends his musical philosophy with corporate experience, advocating for...2024-10-281h 00
Stellar Work#14 Dimitar Bakardzhiev - Measuring the Knowledge GapIn this conversation, Dimitar Bakardzhiev discusses his extensive experience in software development and the concept of knowledge work. He introduces KEDEHub, a tool designed to bridge knowledge gaps in software development teams. The discussion covers the importance of understanding knowledge work, the state of flow, and how to measure and manage knowledge gaps within organizations. Dimitar emphasizes the balance between routine tasks and innovation, and the need for a knowledge-centric perspective in improving efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
Dimitar Bakardzhiev:
Dimitar Bakardzhiev has led teams and companies, developed software products and managed numerous successful...2024-10-1447 min
Stellar Work#13 Simon Wardley - Wardley MappingIn this episode, host Benjamin welcomes Simon Wardley, the creator of Wardley Mapping, to discuss his innovative framework for understanding competitive landscapes. Simon shares the story behind Wardley Mapping, explaining how it started as a personal tool and evolved into a widely used method for strategy development. He also touches on his background in building companies, working in open source, and even his personal life.
Simon Wardley:
Explorer of uncharted spaces. Twice voted in the UKTech50, Judge in Nesta's Open Banking and Netflix's Open Source competitions, Co-Chair of OSCON Europe, Cloud Camp and Map Camp...2024-09-3044 min
Stellar Work#12 Mark Poppenborg - Future LeadershipBenjamin Igna and Mark Poppenborg, founder of Intrinsify, discuss the need for a better world of work and the challenges faced in achieving it. Mark highlights the importance of understanding the root cause of problems within companies and the need for external references to drive change. He also emphasizes the value of theories over frameworks and the need to focus on adapting to a changing environment. Mark also discusses the importance of understanding the backstage of a company and the informal structures that drive value creation. The solutions to problems are often found within the company and its employees...2024-09-161h 05
Stellar Work#11 Ivett Ördog - Lean PokerIn this episode, Ivett shared her journey of bringing continuous deployment practices to engineering teams and how she developed Lean Poker as a workshop to practice CD. Lean Poker is a game where participants develop poker-playing bots and deploy them continuously to compete against each other. Ivett emphasized the importance of immediate feedback and the mindset of continuous learning in software development. She also discussed the challenges of implementing continuous deployment in organizations and the need for proper testing, monitoring, and release processes. Ivett highlighted that Lean Poker can be applied in various agile frameworks and that continuous delivery...2024-09-0244 min
Stellar Work#10 David Anderson - The Future is KanbanIn this conversation, Benjamin and David Anderson discuss the evolution of agile and the principles of Kanban. David shares his background and how he got involved in the Agile movement. He explains that Kanban is an evolutionary approach to achieving agility, focusing on operational and management practices. He emphasizes the importance of starting with the basics and evolving from there, rather than implementing prescriptive frameworks. David also discusses the challenges of scaling agile practices in organizations and the need for an explicit approach to dealing with resistance.
David Anderson:
Anderson studied electronics and computer science...2024-08-191h 13
Stellar Work#9 Mike Lyons - Fixing the Scrum Master CrisisIn this conversation, Benjamin and Mike discuss the current state of the agile community, particularly the layoffs and job market for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches. They emphasize the importance of understanding project management and how it relates to agile ways of working. Mike suggests that Scrum Masters should focus on showing value by increasing top-line revenue and decreasing bottom-line costs. They also discuss the need for context-specific approaches to agile, depending on the size and industry of the organization.
Mike Lyons:
With three decades of hands-on experience, Mike completed 16 agile certifications, and having trained...2024-08-0545 min
Stellar Work#8 Sophie Seiwald Hojer & Matthias Patzak - All Hands on TechThe conversation Sophie, Matthias and Benjamin discuss the the need for a pragmatic approach to evolve, and the importance of understanding the specific pain points in an organization. They also discuss the role of methodologies and frameworks in driving change and the need to focus on value creation rather than just process execution. They highlight the importance of understanding the purpose behind rituals and meetings and the need to adapt them to the organization's context.
The conversation explores the concepts of agile software development, domain-driven design, and Wardley mapping. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the why...2024-07-2258 min
Stellar Work#7 Alex Smith - StrategyIn this conversation, Benjamin interviews strategy expert Alex Smith. They discuss the concept of strategy and its importance in business. Alex emphasizes the need for businesses to focus on delivering unique value rather than competing for market share. They also touch on the strategic approaches of companies like Apple and Tesla. Alex provides insights into his book and shares resources for further learning.
Guest:
Alex is an award winning strategist known for his work with his company, Basic Arts where he aims to make companies without competitors. Alex is a responsible for the direction of...2024-07-0839 min
Stellar Work#6 Jose Casal - Kanban and future of AgileIn this conversation, Benjamin and Jose discuss the future of agility and the challenges it faces. They touch on the role of certifications in the Agile space and the potential impact of AI on Agile practices. They caution against overreliance on AI and emphasize the importance of independent thinking and creativity in the knowledge work domain. In this conversation, Benjamin and Jose discuss the different approaches to transforming companies and agile methodologies. They emphasize the importance of understanding the unique context of each organization and not blindly copying the practices of successful companies like Spotify or Tesla.
G...2024-07-0149 min
Stellar Work#5 Joe Justice - Operating like a Musk CompanyIn this conversation, Benjamin and Joe Justice discuss the importance of having a clear goal and key performance indicators (KPIs) for companies to drive innovation. They emphasize the need for a thousand-year goal that motivates employees and creates a mission-driven workforce. They also highlight the concept of the Justice Board, which helps identify bottlenecks and child KPIs to drive innovation. The conversation touches on the modularity and simplicity of architecture, the role of teams in innovation, and the future of electric cars.
Guest:
Joe Justice is a prominent figure in the fields of agile management...2024-06-2438 min
Stellar Work#4 Sonya Siderova - Flow Kanban Dashboards (getNave)Benjamin Igna and Sonya Siderova, the founder and CEO of NAVE, discuss the importance of data-driven decision making in improving workflows and delivering better products faster. She emphasizes the need for solutions tailored to each team's specific problems, rather than blindly following processes. Sonja explains how NAVE's Kanban Analytics suite helps teams optimize their processes and make reliable decisions based on objective flow metrics. They also highlight the value of maintaining stability in the system and the mindset shift required to prioritize finishing work over starting new work.
Sponsors:
😅 Well, making a podcast ain't cheap, so...2024-06-1754 min
Stellar Work#3 Peter Stevens - Working like Tesla with AIIn this conversation, Benjamin and Peter discuss the principles and practices that companies like Tesla and SpaceX use to achieve speed and innovation. They explore the challenges faced by traditional automobile manufacturers in adapting to the fast-paced innovation of companies like Tesla. They also touch on the challenges of applying these principles to legacy companies. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of implementing agile methodologies in hardware development.
Sponsors:
😅 Well, making a podcast ain't cheap, so this could be you.
Guest:
Peter B. Stevens is an Executive, Coach, Author, and Cer...2024-06-1058 min
Stellar Work#2 Chris Jones - Product Operating ModelChris Jones, partner at Silicon Valley Product Group, discusses the concept of a product operating model and how it helps companies align with modern product practices. He explains that being product-driven or product-led is more than just a power structure within the company, and it involves principles, competencies, and roles beyond product management. Chris highlights the importance of empowering teams to solve problems rather than just building features, and the need for a coherent product strategy. He also shares an example of Trainline, a company that successfully transitioned to a product-centered organization. In this conversation, Chris Jones and Benjamin...2024-06-0351 min
Stellar Work#1 Paolo Sammichelli - Agile HardwarePaolo Sammicheli, a Scrum trainer, discusses the application of Scrum in hardware development projects. He highlights the importance of visualizing and challenging the decisions made during the development process. He emphasizes that every project, regardless of the domain, involves making and embedding decisions. Paolo shares examples of hardware projects he has worked on, including IoT platforms, industrial machinery, and civil engineering projects. He also addresses the challenges of implementing Scrum in construction and production environments. Paolo emphasizes the need for effective coaching and rapport-building to encourage teams to embrace retrospectives and continuous improvement. He explains that Scrum helps mitigate...2024-05-2058 min
Stellar WorkTrailerHey everyone, welcome to Stellar Work. The podcast that explores the art of creating exceptional products and services that not only inspire their customers but also ignite the passion of the developers behind them. Each episode, we shine a spotlight on incredible individuals who are pushing the boundaries and reshaping the landscape of product development. From groundbreaking strategies to innovative solutions, our guests share their experiences and insights on what it takes to make a mark in these dynamic fields. I'm your host, Ben, and I invite you to join us as we explore these fascinating topics and learn...2024-05-1300 min