Shows
The Open Shelf#8 Principles: Adaptability - Culture, Change and Code🎙️ #8 Principles: Adaptability - Culture, Change and CodeIn this principles episode of The Open Shelf, Willem and Mehdi tackle how to build systems that get stronger under stress while maintaining clear direction. They share stories from three books they've actually read and used in their careers.In Episode 8, we explore how organisations can thrive in uncertainty through:✅ The Lean Startup: Build-measure-learn cycles and validated learning to avoid the "build trap"✅ Radical Product Thinking: Preventing "Pivotitis" through clear vision and strategic direction✅ The M...
2025-09-1047 min
The Open Shelf#7 Principles: Human Centered Priorities - Invest in People🎙️ #7 Principles: Human Centered Priorities - Invest in PeopleIn this episode of The Open Shelf, we explore the principle that should guide every leader: "Take care of the people, the products, and the profits, in that order." Through three transformative books, we discover why people-first leadership isn't just good ethics, it's strategic business.In this deep dive, we explore how to build competitive advantage through human capital investment:✅ Tony Hsieh's "Delivering Happiness" - the culture-first approach that built Zappos into a $1.2 billion company (acquired by Amazon)✅ John Kay's "The Corporation in the Twenty-Fi...
2025-07-0934 min
The Open Shelf#6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #3 - Tracking & Stretching🎙️ #6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #3 - Tracking and StretchingIn this final episode of The Open Shelf's exploration of John Doerr's Measure What Matters, we dive deep into how tracking and stretching create organisational superpowers.In Chapter 3, we explore with Pedram Rahmati how tracking and stretching transform organisations:✅ Why stretch goals unlock hidden potential: Real story of interns achieving the "impossible"✅ How tracking creates alignment without micromanagement: Different perspectives reveal opportunities✅ The power of data-driven learning: "In God we trust. All others must...
2025-06-2526 min
The Open Shelf#6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #2 - Focus and Alignment🎙️ #6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #2 - Focus and AlignmentIn this episode of The Open Shelf, we explore John Doerr's influential book Measure What Matters, focusing on how ruthless prioritisation and alignment create organisational superpowers.In Chapter 2, we explore with Pedram Rahmati how focus and alignment transform organisations:✅ Why saying "no" unlocks innovation: Real examples from Monster vs HotJobs competitive strategy✅ The critical difference between KPIs and OKRs: Dashboard vs destination analogy✅ How aspirational OKRs drive breakthrough thinking: 90% cost reduction case study✅ Crisis management with aligned teams: Natural self-organisation during disastersChapters:
2025-06-1830 min
The Open Shelf#6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #1 - Culture Makes or Breaks OKRs🎙️ #6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #1 - Culture Makes or Breaks OKRsIn this episode of The Open Shelf, we explore John Doerr's influential book Measure What Matters, focusing on why organisational culture determines OKR success.In Chapter 1, we explore with Pedram Rahmati how culture creates the foundation for effective OKRs:✅ Why leadership must use OKRs themselves: "they measured themselves using OKRs" vs devaluing team efforts✅ How decoupling from compensation enables aspirational goals: "OKR need to be decoupled from compensation"Chapters:🔹 00:00 - Navigating Economic Headwinds in Tech🔹 04:57 - Chapter 1: Culture Makes or Breaks OK...
2025-06-1126 min
The Open Shelf#5 Principles: Honest Communication - When Truth Builds Trust🎙️ #5 Principles: Honest Communication - When Truth Builds TrustIn this episode of The Open Shelf, we launch our new principles series with an exploration of honest communication, focusing on how transparency builds trust and enables collective problem-solving in professional environments.In this deep dive episode, we explore how honest communication shapes workplace dynamics:✅ Why transparency about challenges builds trust when delivered with empathy✅ Techniques for delivering difficult feedback with respect and clarity✅ Creating psychological safety as a prerequisite for honesty✅ Balancing transparency and tact in professional relationships...
2025-05-1438 min
The Open Shelf#4 Winning: Chapter #3 - Competition & Crisis Management🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter #3 - Competition & Crisis ManagementIn this episode of The Open Shelf, we continue our deep dive into Jack Welch's influential book Winning, focusing on competitive advantage, crisis management, and career development.In Chapter 3, we explore with Vladimir Greavu how organizations maintain a competitive edge while effectively managing crises and fostering career growth:✅ Building and maintaining competitive advantage✅ Effective crisis management and strategic decision-making✅ Embracing personal career ownership and growth✅ Learning from both victories and setbacksChapters:🔹...
2025-04-2327 min
The Open Shelf#4 Winning: Chapter # 2 - Company Mechanics & Leadership🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter # 2 – Company Mechanics & Leadership 🚀In this episode of The Open Shelf, we turn our attention to one of the most impactful business leaders in history—📖 Jack Welch and his book Winning. We had the honour of speaking with Vladimir Greavu, who sheds light on Welch's core principles and how they shaped organisations worldwide. In Chapter 2, we dive into Company Mechanics & Leadership and delve into topics like:✅ Company mechanics from the inside ✅ The shift from contributor to leader ✅ Vision, energy & feed...
2025-04-1642 min
The Open Shelf#4 Winning: Chapter #1 - The Philosophy of Winning🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter #1 - The Philosophy of Winning🚀In this episode of The Open Shelf, we turn our attention to one of the most impactful business leaders in history—📖 Jack Welch and his book Winning.We had the honour of speaking with Vladimir Greavu, who sheds light on Welch's core principles and how they shaped organisations worldwide. Tune in as we delve into topics like: ✅ Leadership as a tool for growing others rather than focusing on personal success. ✅ Why candour and differentiation drive honest feedback and performance. ...
2025-04-0947 min
The Open ShelfThe Open Shelf - Update 202504🎙️ The Open Shelf is entering a new chapter!In this short in-person episode, Mehdi and Willem share what’s changing behind the scenes, what’s staying true, and where the podcast is headed next.Expect more principle-driven conversations, a mix of deep-dive episodes and practical insights, and a growing lineup of thoughtful guests from tech, business, and beyond.📅 New episodes will drop every second Wednesday of the month—with more if time allows.Big thanks to Tobias for helping shape the podcast from day one. We’re excited for what’s next—and hope to h...
2025-04-0707 min
The Open Shelf#3 Radical Candor: How to Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity🎙️ Radical Candor: How to Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity | The Open Shelf Podcast 🚀In this episode of The Open Shelf, we dive into one of the most influential books on leadership and management—📖 Radical Candor by Kim Scott.We had the honor of speaking with Amy Sandler, Principal Coach and Podcast Host at the Radical Candor Foundation, who has trained thousands of leaders worldwide. She shares invaluable insights on how to: ✅ Give feedback effectively without being obnoxious or overly empathetic. ✅ Create a culture of open communica...
2025-03-121h 20
The Open Shelf#2 Stop Working In Your Business, Start Working On ItAre you building a business—or just creating a job for yourself? In this episode, we discuss The E-Myth Revisited and its timeless advice for entrepreneurs who want to build lasting businesses. Blending insights from classics like Built to Last and The Lean Startup, we share a roadmap for making your business work for you, not the other way around.
Books:
03:13 The E-myth Revisited https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81948.The_E_myth_Revisited
15:20 Built to Last https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4122.Built_to_Last
23:11 The Skeptics’ Guid...
2025-02-0141 min
The Open Shelf#1 Audiobooks vs. Annotations: The Great Reading DebateDo you prefer the soothing voice of an audiobook or the tactile joy of a highlighter gliding over a favorite quote? In this episode, we pit audiobooks against traditional reading and uncover the strengths (and struggles) of each. Discover tips for maximizing your reading style, whether you’re a multitasker or a note-taking perfectionist.
We’ll also tackle big questions: How do you retain more from books? How come a book can be loved by some and hated by others? And what are the best books to challenge yourself in the new year? Tune in for fresh insi...
2025-01-0155 min
The Open Shelf#0 Introducing The Open ShelfWe're excited to launch The Open Shelf! Learn what it's all about and what's coming next.
Books mentioned:
The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson
Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius
Total Recall, by Arnold Schwarzenegger
2024-12-2305 min
Evolution Exchange Nordics PodcastEvo Nordics #395 - How To Create A Leadership Meetup EventJoin Abi Stokes in a special episode of Evo Nordics as she explores the process of creating a leadership meetup event. Our distinguished guests, Tobias Sjosten, Head of Software Engineering at STIM, and Mehdi Mokhtari, Software Architect & Product Manager at Flowbox, share their insights and experiences in organizing successful leadership meetup events. Discover the strategies, challenges, and benefits involved in bringing leaders together to foster networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Tobias Sjosten and Mehdi Mokhtari, representing their respective organizations, provide valuable insights into the creation and execution of impactful leadership meetup events. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with experts in...
2023-06-0245 min
Evolution Exchange Nordics PodcastEvo Nordics #387 - Growing your Career in Tech LeadershipIn this episode, our host Abi Stokes leads an engaging discussion with a panel of distinguished guests. Joining us today are Tobias Sjosten, the Head of Software Engineering at STIM, Mehdi Mokhtari, a Software Architect/Product Manager at Flowbox, Johan Norrman, the Engineering Director at Tink, and Ignacio Cabrera Bywaters, a Consultant at Netlight. Together, they delve into fascinating topics and share insights from their respective roles and companies, offering valuable perspectives on the ever-evolving world of technology. Tune in for an enlightening conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-05-121h 00
Evolution Exchange Nordics PodcastEvo Nordics #379 - How To Create A High Performing TeamJoin Rachel Owen on Evo Nordics #379 as she explores the topic of creating high-performing teams with an expert panel of guests. In this episode, you'll hear from Kakul Gupta, CTO at Your Beet, Werner van Ghent, Engineering Manager at Volvo Cars, Viktor Sahlström, Interim CTO at Droppa, and Mehdi Mokhtari, Product Manager at Flowbox. Together, they share insights and strategies for building teams that deliver exceptional results, including the importance of diverse skill sets, effective communication, and a culture of continuous improvement. Don't miss this engaging and informative discussion on the art of team building. Hosted on Acast. S...
2023-04-2050 min