Breaking silos

People Driven Development

#Tech #MBA #Business #Eddie Flaisler, Morgan VanDerLeest #Eddie Flaisler #Morgan VanDerLeest

27:29

Gary Sinise is an award winning actor, on the stage, TV and big screen. He is best known for playing Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. Inspired by this role and his family members, Gary is now the head of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which offers support for service members who need help with mental wellness, trauma, physical recovery, and loss. He Also plays concerts worldwide for our nation’s defenders and their families, boosting morale and offering gratitude for their sacrifices as part of the Lt. Dan Band. Jay and Gary discuss the changing needs of American service members and their families, the many services the Gary Sinise Foundation provides, how Gary’s work helped him through personal loss and much more. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters (0:00) intro (1:11) Veterans’ changing needs over the past half century (7:57) Veterans’ appreciation of Gary’s portrayal of Lt. Dan (10:25) By helping others, we step out of ourselves (11:46) The Lt. Dan Band (15:29) How the death of Gary’s son Mac impacts his activism (17:33) Bringing services to American heroes wherever they are (19:45) Accurate portrayals of veterans in film and TV (20:58) How can people get involved with the Gary Sinise foundation (24:24) Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠ .…

about a year ago 37:30

MP3•Episode home

Topics discussed:

Understanding silos in organizations
The human element of silos
When silos might be beneficial
Breaking the addiction to low-hanging fruit
The role of leadership in managing silos
Practical steps to break silos
Knowledge sharing and team dynamics
Handling too many nodes in communication

17 episodes

Breaking silos

People Driven Development

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Topics discussed:

Understanding silos in organizations
The human element of silos
When silos might be beneficial
Breaking the addiction to low-hanging fruit
The role of leadership in managing silos
Practical steps to break silos
Knowledge sharing and team dynamics
Handling too many nodes in communication

17 episodes

#Tech #MBA #Business #Eddie Flaisler, Morgan VanDerLeest #Eddie Flaisler #Morgan VanDerLeest

All episodes

People Driven Development

1
Outnumbered & Outgunned 1:03:56

26 days ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Eddie and Morgan dive into a challenging listener's question about navigating a reverse merger opportunity amidst failing technology due diligence in a small FinTech startup. Special guest Robin Atwood, a seasoned engineering leader at Nuro, joins to shed light on technology due diligence, touching on critical topics like security, operational resilience, and compliance. They discuss prioritization and leadership strategies to balance immediate business needs with long-term technical improvements. The episode dives deep into managing external contractors, leveraging AI, organizational alignment, and maintaining transparency with stakeholders in high-stress situations. (00:00) - Welcome and Introduction (00:08) - Meet Robin Atwood: Engineering Leader at Nuro (01:49) - Listener's Dilemma: FinTech Startup Struggles (04:10) - The Importance of Technology Due Diligence (05:28) - Robin's Advice on Operational Resilience (09:27) - Leadership and Prioritization in Startups (11:57) - The Role of Compliance and Security (23:09) - Collaboration and Context in Engineering (32:02) - API Frustrations and Workarounds (33:22) - Empathy in Leadership (33:44) - Importance of Buy-In and Alignment (35:44) - Simplifying and Prioritizing in Startups (39:18) - Operating Models and Organizational Maturity (51:17) - Managing External Help (55:57) - Handling Urgency and Stakeholder Expectations (59:48) - AI in IT and Innovation (01:03:20) - Conclusion and Listener Engagement…

People Driven Development

1
Is That Ethical? 45:46

10 weeks ago45:46

45:46

Morgan and Eddie delve into the complex topic of ethics in engineering leadership. They explore the four primary goals of ethical tech development: protecting people from harm, treating people fairly, enabling people to understand and challenge decisions, and safeguarding rights and freedoms. They cover frameworks such as IEEE, ACM, and IFIP's codes of ethics, biases in AI, algorithmic fairness, and practical measures like smart data retention, transparency, and accountability. The episode underscores the importance of ethical decision-making in technology and fosters a deeper understanding of how engineering leaders can navigate moral gray areas. (00:00) - Introduction and Episode Overview (00:30) - Listener's Ethical Dilemma (02:21) - Defining Ethics in Engineering (04:27) - Professional Codes of Ethics (06:54) - Ethical Goals in Technology (08:50) - Protecting People from Harm (12:14) - Preventative Measures and Risk Assessment (14:00) - Granular User Access and Auditability (15:00) - Data Retention and User Experience (16:40) - Fail-Safe Defaults and Bounded Autonomy (19:34) - Treating People Fairly and Addressing Bias (21:32) - Understanding Bias in the Workplace (22:56) - The Impact of Bias on Organizational Fairness (23:27) - Managing Bias as a Leader (26:44) - Algorithmic Fairness: Challenges and Solutions (29:16) - Tools and Frameworks for Fairness (31:25) - The Importance of Transparency in AI (32:44) - Enabling Users to Challenge AI Decisions (40:10) - Engineering for the Greater Good (40:56) - Practical Tips for Ethical Enginee…

People Driven Development

1
The Manager of Managers 50:57

13 weeks ago50:57

50:57

Eddie and Morgan discuss a listener's question about managing managers in engineering. They explore various frameworks and strategies necessary for overseeing managers, touching upon crucial elements like clarity, alignment, and execution. They dig into the potential pitfalls of mismanaging through, and the importance of psychological safety, autonomy, and succession planning. With concrete examples and practical advice, this episode is essential for anyone navigating the complexities of engineering leadership. (00:00) - Introduction (00:07) - Understanding the Role of a Manager of Managers (00:41) - Listener's Question: Transitioning from IC to Senior Director (01:15) - Challenges of Managing Managers (01:51) - Defensible Organizational Design (02:41) - Frontline Managers vs. Managers of Managers (04:45) - The Value of Managers of Managers (05:40) - The Reality of Senior Management (11:28) - Diagnosing and Coaching Managers of Managers (12:12) - Clarity, Alignment, and Execution (17:24) - Measuring Clarity in Management (20:13) - Alignment in Management (26:10) - The Importance of a Writing Culture (27:18) - Transparent Decision Logs (28:17) - Standardized Release Cadence (29:45) - Execution Challenges (35:18) - Managing Through: The Micromanagement Trap (43:37) - Succession Planning and Using Power for Good (49:27) - Final Thoughts and Listener Feedback…

People Driven Development

1
Managing Mistakes 45:36

19 weeks ago45:36

45:36

Eddie and Morgan delve into a listener's question about dealing with costly mistakes at work, particularly focusing on the tension between accountability and blame within engineering teams. They analyze a real-world dilemma faced by a new director of engineering at a series B startup and extend the discussion to include learnings from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. They discuss the difference between meta root causes of mistakes, strategies to create a risk-aware culture, and the importance of psychological safety. They also reflect on the principle of 'move fast and break things' and its relevance to different business models. (00:00) - Listener's Question: Balancing Proactiveness and Reactiveness (01:34) - Meeting the Team Where It Is (02:49) - Introduction to the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster (04:52) - Organizational Barriers and Failures (07:12) - Analyzing Public Postmortems (08:08) - Root Causes of Production Problems (14:35) - Meta Root Causes and Organizational Impact (19:08) - Applying Meta Root Causes to the Columbia Disaster (21:00) - Relevance to Smaller Companies (23:22) - The Importance of Risk Management (23:49) - Meta Root Cause: Prioritization Challenges (24:53) - Psychological Safety in the Workplace (25:51) - DEI Programs and Industry Trends (26:43) - Generational Differences in Work Culture (29:36) - Decision-Making Frameworks (30:31) - Addressing Burnout and Low Drive (35:32) - Handling Mistakes and Accountability (43:35) - The Role of Mistakes in Engineering Cultures…

People Driven Development

1
The ReOrg 54:41

22 weeks ago54:41

54:41

In this episode, Eddie and Morgan dive into the complexities of departmental reorganizations (reorgs). They provide an overview of the motivations and emotions behind reorgs, addressing why they often evoke strong reactions among employees. They different types of reorgs, such as rightsizing and rethinking, and explore the countervailing metrics that should be tracked to ensure the effectiveness of reorgs. They also touch on broader themes like effective communication, inclusivity, and the impact of emerging AI technologies on organizational design. Learn practical strategies for managing reorgs, maintaining team morale, and aligning organizational changes with business goals. (00:00) - Intro (00:22) - Understanding Reorganizations: Definition and Emotional Impact (01:13) - The Fear of Change and Its Consequences (03:57) - Transparency in Reorganizations: Pros and Cons (10:19) - Techniques for Effective Reorganizations (12:56) - Countervailing Metrics: Measuring the Impact of Reorgs (14:11) - Types of Reorganizations: Rightsizing and Rethinking (22:43) - Relocation and Mix and Match Reorgs (26:13) - Diving into Neurodivergent Inclusion (27:28) - Effective Communication During Change (27:58) - Handling Resistance and Skepticism (29:13) - Creating Safe Spaces for Feedback (30:03) - Strategies for Organizational Reorganization (31:11) - Exploring the Spotify Model (32:14) - Challenges with the Matrix Model (36:42) - The Role of Tiger Teams (40:07) - Layoffs and Organizational Defensibility (49:35) - AI Era Organizational Design (54:13) - Closing thoughts…

People Driven Development

1
Where's my innovation? 54:38

26 weeks ago54:38

54:38

In this episode, Morgan and Eddie address a question from a newly appointed VP of Engineering at a Series C company who is struggling to foster innovation. The discussion explores the challenges of reinvigorating stagnant growth while maintaining current product stability. They delve into the concepts of balancing immediate business needs with future innovations, employing the Toyota Production System (TPS) pillars—Jidoka and Just-In-Time—and methods such as value stream mapping, cost of delay analysis, and Monte Carlo simulations. The episode underscores the importance of adaptable engineering cultures and data-driven decision-making to unlock the next stage of company growth. (00:00) - Introduction (00:02) - The Challenge of Innovation in R&D (00:33) - A VP's Dilemma: Stagnation and Experimentation (01:19) - The Stakes of Innovation (02:10) - Understanding the Motivation for Innovation (02:46) - The Technology Product Lifecycle (04:39) - Balancing Innovation and Operational Efficiency (07:09) - The Three Horizons Framework (11:21) - The Importance of Adaptability (14:54) - Lessons from the Toyota Production System (16:48) - Implementing Jidoka: Automation with a Human Touch (24:50) - The Role of Decision Making in Innovation (29:55) - Handling Feedback and Authority (32:22) - Introduction to Just-in-Time Management (34:00) - Value Stream Mapping Explained (40:52) - Cost of Delay Analysis (51:02) - Monte Carlo Simulations…

People Driven Development

1
Switching context 39:49

29 weeks ago39:49

39:49

Eddie and Morgan discuss the challenges of productivity and time management in R&D organizations. The conversation delves into the inefficiencies caused by context switching, the value of large blocks of uninterrupted work, effective management practices, and the significance of having well-defined organization and communication norms. They introduce the concept of 'team hours' to improve productivity, and touch upon tools and approaches to minimize disruptions and maintain a focused work environment.Key points include the detrimental effects of instant messaging, the need for a consistent approach across all teams, and the potential of focused time management to enhance overall efficiency. (00:00) - Introduction and Today's Topic (00:51) - The AI Dilemma: Replacing Humans (01:58) - Macro vs. Micro Perspectives on AI (03:07) - Effective Management Strategies (04:54) - Listener's Question: Engineering Team Productivity (08:25) - The Cost of Context Switching (16:04) - Implementing Team Hours for Focused Work (20:19) - The Importance of Team Alignment (20:38) - Challenges of Global Team Coordination (22:09) - The Debate on No Meetings Day (23:52) - Instant Messaging: A Double-Edged Sword (26:07) - Effective Communication Strategies (31:30) - Managing Channels and Reducing FOMO (36:52) - Technical Aspects and Tooling (39:09) - Conclusion and Listener Engagement…

People Driven Development

1
Systemic Imposter Syndrome 39:16

35 weeks ago39:16

39:16

Morgan and Eddie focus on the topic of imposter syndrome in engineering organizations. The discussion centers on the impact of imposter syndrome and associated mindsets—perfectionists, superheroes, natural geniuses, and experts—on team dynamics and productivity. They examine the organizational roles in fostering or mitigating imposter syndrome, including the importance of structured onboarding, inclusive communication, and user-friendly code practices. Additionally, Eddie highlights the crucial need for supporting neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. The conversation aims to provide practical insights and solutions for engineering leaders to foster healthier, more supportive environments. (00:00) - Introduction (00:08) - Grace Hopper Celebration and Listener's Question (01:55) - Understanding Imposter Syndrome (05:12) - Exploring Imposter Syndrome Archetypes (22:19) - The Role of Organizations in Imposter Syndrome (30:18) - Addressing Systemic Causes and Solutions (34:09) - Neurodivergence and Workplace Inclusion (38:29) - Conclusion and Call to Action…

People Driven Development

1
The Productivity Paranoia 1:08:30

40 weeks ago1:08:30

1:08:30

Eddie and Morgan are joined by guest Erin Doyle, a staff software engineer at Lob. Together, they delve into developer productivity, exploring the balance between developer experience and organizational efficiency. They discuss challenges like cognitive overload, psychological safety, and the pitfalls of productivity metrics. The conversation highlights practical steps for fostering a productive engineering environment, focusing on key concepts such as Shift Left, developer joy, and the importance of clear ownership in tackling tech debt. (00:00) - Introduciton (01:23) - Understanding Developer Productivity (02:27) - Challenges in Developer Productivity (08:05) - The Impact of Metrics on Productivity (12:21) - Developer Joy and Its Importance (24:12) - Ownership and Responsibility in Developer Productivity (33:21) - The Importance of Context in Metrics (35:20) - Psychological Safety and Team Performance (37:50) - The Pitfalls of Productivity Metrics (39:19) - Building Trust (49:47) - Organizational Design for Productivity (58:59) - Addressing Technical Debt (01:04:27) - Final Thoughts on Developer Productivity…

People Driven Development

1
Unit Economics is a thing 50:18

43 weeks ago50:18

50:18

Morgan and Eddie explore the often-taboo topic of money in engineering organizations by tackling listener questions about explaining layoffs and budget cuts to a team. They break down how SaaS businesses operate, the factors influencing engineering budgets, and practical strategies for managing finances as an engineering leader. (00:00) - Introduction and Listener's Dilemma (01:13) - Understanding Corporate Finance (01:48) - Challenges of Discussing Money (02:50) - SaaS Finance 101 (04:36) - Financial Decision Making in Tech (08:59) - Engineering Budget Scrutiny (17:39) - Overhiring and Layoffs in Tech (21:07) - Strategies for Managing Budget Cuts (25:42) - Alignment of Values in Leadership (27:47) - Defensible Organizational Design (31:56) - Investment Allocation Strategies (33:28) - Build vs. Buy Decisions (35:34) - Importance of Fundamentals in Engineering (39:31) - Cost Consciousness and Budget Management (43:52) - Communicating Budget Changes to the Team (47:52) - Final Thoughts and Feedback…

People Driven Development

1
People analytics 54:01

47 weeks ago54:01

54:01

In this episode, Morgan and Eddie pivot from their usual Q&A format to discuss the crucial topic of individual performance assessment, particularly timely during mid-year reviews. They explore the complexities introduced by recent economic shifts, the significant role of perceived performance in career trajectory, and the challenges in achieving fairness and transparency. Key discussion points include the impact of luck on performance, how to consider proper sample sizes, providing actionable feedback, and the importance of regular, transparent communication. They also dive into practical solutions like separating reward and punishment from the performance cycle, fostering a team composition strategy, and considering the 'how' as much as the 'what' in evaluations. Finally, they offer strategies for just-in-time performance review preparations. (00:00) - The Importance of Performance Assessment (01:00) - Challenges of Performance Conversations (03:15) - The Role of Luck in Performance (07:31) - The Importance of Sample Size in Evaluations (11:00) - Feedback and Its Pitfalls (13:53) - Effective Performance Management Strategies (21:26) - Consistency and Avoiding Bias in Evaluations (26:56) - Growth Opportunities and Mitigating Failure (27:35) - Challenges with Staff Plus Roles (28:22) - Promotion Transparency and Organizational Honesty (30:27) - Role-Based Staff Plus Jobs (36:33) - Performance Calibration and Engineering Personas (41:41) - Addressing Tech Debt and Engineering Efficiency (44:13) - Strategies for Performance Evaluation Season (50:55) - The Importance of Transparency and Trust…

People Driven Development

1
Breaking silos 37:30

50 weeks ago37:30

37:30

Morgan and Eddie address a listener's concern about navigating silos in a rapidly growing engineering team. They discuss how silos form, their impact on productivity, and various strategies to break them down, such as encouraging a culture of shared responsibility, emphasizing succession planning, and proactive knowledge transfer to mitigate silo formation and promote long-term team health. They also explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of having silos and emphasize the importance of alignment and organizational design in promoting efficient knowledge sharing and team productivity. Topics discussed: Understanding silos in organizations The human element of silos When silos might be beneficial Breaking the addiction to low-hanging fruit The role of leadership in managing silos Practical steps to break silos Knowledge sharing and team dynamics Handling too many nodes in communication…

People Driven Development

1
How predictable can software engineering be? 36:58

1 year ago36:58

36:58

In this episode, Morgan and Eddie respond to a listener who is struggling to deliver an AI-based internal product for customer support on time. The discussion covers potential reasons for project delays, with a focus on local and global issues affecting predictability. They provide insights on proper effort estimation, managing expectations, the importance of psychological safety, and key metrics such as cycle time and cycle time variance to understand bottlenecks. They also emphasize the value of collaborative work, adaptable processes, and effective communication to improve project outcomes. (00:00) - Introduction (00:56) - Understanding the Predictability Problem (01:28) - Local Issues Affecting Predictability (10:18) - Global Issues and Organizational Challenges (16:31) - Strategies for Improving Predictability (33:27) - Final Advice for Listener (36:41) - Conclusion…

People Driven Development

1
Valuation of Values 36:21

1 year ago36:21

36:21

In this episode, Eddie and Morgan discuss the significance and impact of company values, focusing on how to ensure they are effectively implemented and upheld within an organization. They explore the importance of aligning values with actions, integrating them into decision-making processes, and addressing potential pitfalls like value weaponization. Topics covered: The purpose of company values Bridging the gap between values and actions Integrating values into decision-making Building systems that support values The role of transparency in value implementation Measuring the effectiveness of values Preventing value weaponization…

People Driven Development

1
Creating owners 42:36

1 year ago42:36