Over the last decade, Leszek has developed several successful businesses, among them a software development agency that supports Fortune 500 companies. With the challenges a growing business brings, he observed that stepping out of a tech role into a leadership one brings the need for a different approach. As a host of the Better Tech Leadership podcast, Leszek is focused on bridging the gap between tech and people skills.
Working for many years with software engineering and architecture I forged skills that allowed me to cross the different layers in the organisation to communicate, align and inspire people to build the right thing. While focusing on customer success, I also strive to create better engineering experiences.I'm working with the amazing people behind the Zalando Partner Program, most specifically the Partner Growth and Optimisation pillar, where I lead a team responsible for providing insights for companies to understand how they are performing and seize growth opportunities while using our platform.
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In this episode, Matt interviews Robert O’Farrell about the intricate interplay of data, technology, cultural considerations, and security within the energy sector. They discuss the challenges large enterprises face, such as outdated forecasting methods and the massive data processing demands, alongside strategies like operating in gray areas and incremental decision-making. The conversation also covers topics like the role of a CTO in fostering a culture of information security, regulatory challenges posed by the EU AI Act, and the need for Europe to adapt its AI regulations to stay competitive.
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In this episode, Matt and Alex Akimov discuss Alex's experiences in fintech, exploring the dynamics of working in startups versus large organizations, with insights from his time at Adyen and Monite. They delve into topics such as strategic scaling, maintaining company culture, API management, and the impact of different work cultures, like the Dutch and US approaches, on innovation. The conversation also covers challenges like GDPR, managing international teams, and the evolving role of a CTO, with references to influential books on leadership and decision-making.
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In this podcast episode, Matt interviews Yariv Hasar, discussing how his military background has shaped his work ethic, management style, and approach to daily planning. Yariv emphasizes the importance of adaptability, effective communication, and teamwork, drawing parallels between military strategies and business operations. He also advocates for continuous learning and role adaptation within teams to enhance efficiency and resilience, sharing insights from his tech leadership experience and recommending resources for leadership development.
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In the 100th episode of the podcast, Matt and James Trunk explore the transition from agile methodologies to Basecamp’s Shape Up framework in product development, emphasizing the 5%, 30% feedback rule for enhanced collaboration and psychological safety. They highlight the importance of job stories, retrospective reviews, and the “stabilize” phase in managing technical debt, especially within regulated industries like banking. The discussion also contrasts Fintech’s regulatory demands with startup practices, while reflecting on maintaining company culture and the value of open-source community engagement.
