Quality Talks Podcast

Quality Talks Podcast

Stu & Chris together, have more than 30 years combined experience in the quality, software testing and the general technology industry, and on the Quality Talks podcasts they will be discussing, along with special guests, all the hot topics on everyone minds.....and those that may not be :)

  1. 9 Sept

    The Next Chapter: Shifting Mindsets, Behaviours & How We Need To Be!!

    Stepping into a leadership role isn't just about learning what to do — it's about changing how you think, behave and show up. In this episode of Quality Talks, Chris Pratt and Stu Day explore the shift from technical expert to quality leader, the importance of adaptability, different leadership styles, and why good leaders don't need to have all the answers. They also share real experiences of dealing with pressure, accountability, team empowerment and the challenges of leading when things don't go to plan. Key Takeaways Leadership isn't about having all the answers.Adaptability is essential to effective leadership.Different situations require different leadership styles.Moving from technical leadership to people leadership requires a significant mindset shift.Good leaders enable others rather than becoming the bottleneck.It's okay not to know the answer — leadership is about helping find it.Progress is often more valuable than perfection.Knowing when to step in and when to step back is a key leadership skill.Empowerment and accountability can — and should — exist together.Continuous improvement means continually learning, adapting and challenging ourselvesChapters 00:00 – Intro & Quality Talks Banter 10:33 – The Next Chapter: How Do We Need To Be? 14:14 – What Does It Take To Become A Quality Leader? 17:25 – The Hidden Challenges Of Quality Leadership 20:00 – Strategy Isn't Created In Isolation 22:48 – Why Quality Leadership Never Feels 'Done' 24:34 – The Need For Speed & Pragmatic Quality 29:46 – Change, Learning & Never Having All The Answers 31:42 – You Don't Have To Have All The Answers 33:41 – Why Stu Loves Starting From Scratch 37:05 – The Learning Rabbit Holes 39:00 – From Technical Expert To People Leader 42:58 – Flip The Pyramid: Leadership As Enablement 45:59 – Technical Career Paths vs People Leadership 48:29 – Should Leaders Still Be Hands-On? 51:15 – Expert, Achiever & Catalyst Leadership 55:34 – When Coaching Isn't Always The Answer 56:30 – The Right Leadership Style For The Situation 58:38 – Shark-Infested Custard & The Power Of Starting 01:00:54 – Combining Leadership Styles 01:01:33 – Progress Over Perfection 01:03:04 – You Don't Know Where The Journey Will End 01:05:11 – How Do We Need To Be In The Moment? 01:07:17 – Don't Arrive Thinking You Know Everything 01:09:14 – Titles Don't Matter 01:11:10 – When Things Go Wrong... 01:13:09 – The 'Who's To Blame?' Moment 01:15:00 – Protecting The Team Under Pressure 01:17:07 – Listening, Empathy & Building Trust 01:23:21 – Managing Our Own Reactions 01:26:43 – Passion, Emotion & Constructive Conversations 01:29:23 – Accountability vs Empowerment 01:31:15 – From Testing Accountability To Whole-Team Quality 01:32:21 – Bringing It Full Circle 01:32:50 – That's A Wrap!

  2. 26 Aug

    Quality Talks: The Next Chapter

    Summary Quality Talks enters a new chapter! Stu is joined by new co-host Chris Pratt as they talk about career change, finding the right role and what it really means to start something new. From understanding what you actually want from your career, to building your personal brand, dealing with frustration and imposter syndrome, navigating interviews and making the most of your first 90 days, this episode is packed with honest conversations and practical reflections. And this is just the beginning. The Next Chapter continues in future episodes as we explore the experiences of people navigating change, new opportunities and new directions in their careers. Takeaways Reflect on what is truly important in your role and life.Use exercises like clarity and contrast to define your ideal role.Be proactive in building your personal brand and network.Understand that the first 90 days set the tone for success.Manage frustration by questioning and learning from setbacks.Align your career moves with your core values.Be patient and strategic in your career development.Leverage community and networking for opportunities.Prepare for change by understanding organisational culture.Balance technical skills with cultural fit in new roles. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Chris Pratt 02:00 Chris Pratt shares his background and new leadership role 04:52 Discussing the importance of reflection and defining career goals 10:02 Exercises for clarity and contrast in career planning 15:02 Managing frustration and setbacks in career transitions 20:02 Building a personal brand and leveraging community 24:47 The significance of the first 90 days in a new role 29:56 Approach to onboarding and understanding organisational culture 40:09 Adapting to different company contexts and challenges 50:12 The importance of continuous learning and patience 59:58 Wrapping up and key takeaways for listeners

  3. 14 Jul

    The Invisible Leader: Why Great Leadership Doesn't Need The Spotlight

    Summary In this episode, Stu Day explores the true meaning of leadership recognition, emphasising that leadership is about enabling others and finding fulfilment in their success rather than seeking personal accolades. He shares insights on shifting mindset, building environments for success, and the importance of humility and peer recognition. Key Topics Leadership mindset shift from self to teamRecognition as a byproduct of enabling othersBuilding environments for team successThe importance of humility in leadershipPeer recognition vs. personal awardsThe role of feedback in leadership growthLeadership as a privilege, not a rightThe loneliness of leadership and peer support Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Recognition 01:01 Challenges for New Leaders 02:01 Leadership Is Not About Immediate Recognition 03:00 Recognition Comes from the Role Itself 03:58 Success Through Others as True Recognition 04:52 Influence on Others' Success 05:52 Creating Environments for Success 07:08 Seeking Feedback on Enabling Others 08:08 The Power of Invisible Leadership 09:10 Humility and Sharing Success 10:10 The Impact of Leaders Who Don't Seek Credit 11:08 Leadership Can Be Lonely 12:05 Recognition Beyond Awards 13:04 Shift Focus from Self to Team 14:03 Leadership Is About Enabling Others 15:00 Peer Recognition and Support 15:56 Final Thoughts and Reflection

  4. 30 Jun

    Picking Your Battles with Ben Dowen

    Summary In this episode - Picking Your Battles - Stu Day is joined by Ben Dowen to explore the evolving landscape of quality engineering, the impact of AI, and strategies for scaling quality practices in fast-moving teams. They share insights on mindset shifts, automation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key  topics Impact of AI on quality engineeringScaling quality practices in fast-paced teamsMindset shifts from traditional to modern quality engineeringAutomation and feedback loops in SDLCSupporting multiple teams with limited resourcesMaturity models for quality improvementUsing AI tools for debugging and release managementCultural shifts in quality practices Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Quality Engineering Challenges 06:09 The Evolution of Quality Engineering Mindset 12:17 Shifting Responsibilities in Testing 18:12 Building the Right Thing vs. Building Things Right 24:03 Understanding Customer Needs in Quality Engineering 30:00 Leveraging Internal Feedback Loops 31:01 Aligning Teams on Goals and Quality 33:50 Choosing Battles: Prioritising Work Effectively 36:18 Automating Release Processes for Efficiency 39:38 Context Switching and Team Collaboration 42:49 Scaling Quality Engineering Through Enablement 46:36 Understanding Maturity Models in Quality Engineering 50:19 Continuous Improvement and Quality Levels 53:26 Building Feedback Loops and Metrics 57:19 The Value of Automation in Feedback Loops 01:00:06 Exploring AI in Engineering Practices 01:03:01 The Impact of AI on Quality Engineering 01:06:09 Navigating Change and Embracing AI 01:09:53 The Commoditisation of Technology and AI 01:14:06 Maintaining Quality in an AI-Driven World 01:17:59 Final Thoughts on Quality Engineering and AI 01:23:33 End

    Picking Your Battles with Ben Dowen

  5. 17 Jun

    The Human Connection: What Neurology can Teach Us About systemic Quality

    Summary After a short break, Stu Day returns with a personal story that sparked a new perspective on quality. Drawing parallels between the human nervous system and software delivery, this episode explores how quality isn't about finding defects—it's about understanding the flow of information, feedback, and signals across an entire system. From root cause analysis and observability to AI governance and systemic thinking, discover why the best quality professionals focus on the health of the whole system, not just the symptoms. A thought-provoking episode on continuous systemic quality, feedback loops, and the human connection behind how complex systems work. Takeaways Understanding systemic quality requires looking at the entire system, not just individual parts.Effective feedback loops are crucial for system health and quick issue resolution.Root causes often lie deeper than surface defects; addressing them prevents recurring issues.Analogies from the human body can help visualise and improve software systems.Incremental improvements over time lead to better system health and performance. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:09 Health Challenges and Discoveries 06:36 Connecting Health to Systemic Quality 12:15 Understanding Root Causes in Quality 18:38 The Importance of Systemic Connections 22:26 Conclusion and Call for Engagement 24:12 The Real Human Connection - End

  6. 20 May

    The Future of Quality Engineering with Jagrit Gyawali

    Summary In this episode, Stuart Day hosts Jagrit Gyawali for a conversation on the evolving role of quality engineering, leadership, and cultural change within tech organisations. Together, they explore the importance of soft skills, team dynamics, and fostering a shared sense of quality across teams. They also discuss the growing impact of AI on QA, practical ways to understand and measure quality within different organisational contexts, and how teams can embrace continuous improvement in an ever-changing technology landscape. Key Topics The evolution from “testing” to quality engineeringWhy soft skills are massively underrated in techBuilding quality as a shared team responsibilityGrowing junior talent and creating opportunitiesLeadership, influence, and cultural changeAI, automation, metrics, and measuring what really matters Chapters 00:00 Mental Health Awareness and its Importance 02:34 Introduction to Jagrit Gyawali and His Journey 05:16 Jagrit's Origin Story and Career Path 09:36 The Value of Practical Training in Quality Engineering 14:22 Evolution of Quality Engineering 20:20 The Holistic Approach to Quality Engineering 25:07 The Importance of Diverse Skills in QA 28:48 The Future of QA and Embracing Change 29:00 Diverse Backgrounds in Quality Assurance 32:36 The Importance of Soft Skills 36:51 Proactive Capability Building 39:31 Influencing Cultural Change in Leadership 44:20 Understanding Context and Empathy in Quality 49:54 Measuring Value and Quality in Teams 56:38 Understanding Test Coverage and Confidence 59:00 Feedback Loops and Quality Assurance 01:01:11 Technical Debt and Bug Clusters 01:04:05 The Role of AI in Software Development 01:10:04 Investing in People vs. Technology 01:12:21 The Future of QA in an AI-Driven World 01:23:14 Closing things out

  7. 6 May

    The Power of Community: We Are In This Together with Drew Pontikis

    Summary In this episode, Stu Day and special guest Drew Pontikis explore the essence of communities, their value, and how to build and nurture them within organisations and beyond. Drew shares insights from his extensive experience in community building, social learning, and leadership, offering practical tips for fostering inclusive, engaging, and meaningful communities. Key  topics What is community? How communities evolve and their valueDrew's journey from testing to community leadershipSocial learning and its role in community engagementStrategies for building inclusive and sustainable communitiesThe value creation model in community developmentPractical tips for starting and growing communities within organisations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Community Building 05:11 Transitioning to Engineering Management 09:57 Defining Community 19:25 Creating Value in Communities 26:51 Value Creation Model in Community Learning 38:31 Reimagining Panel Discussions 45:00 Facilitating Inclusive Conversations 52:01 Building Community Connections 58:57 The Role of Vulnerability in Community Building 01:05:12 Encouraging Participation in Communities 01:11:02 Learning Beyond Comfort Zones 01:17:13 Closing Credits Resources: Drew Pontikis: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drew-pontikis-21aab060 Website: https://by-people-for-people.beehiiv.com/ Books: Belonging: Unlock Your Potential with the Ancient Code of Togetherness https://amzn.eu/d/0c4LJiOT Learning to Make a Difference: Value Creation in Social Learning Spaces https://amzn.eu/d/08GpZiiW Building Successful Communities of Practice https://amzn.eu/d/0dgOehUt

  8. 22 Apr

    You're Not Ready For Quality Engineering with Callum Akehurst-Ryan

    Summary In this episode, host Stu Day welcomes Callum Akehurst-Ryan to the show to discuss the uncomfortable truths about the quality engineering profession, the need for testers to evolve into generalists, and the impact of AI on the industry.  Callum shares insights from his keynote talk at PeersCon, emphasising the importance of addressing long-standing issues in quality engineering and the necessity for professionals to broaden their knowledge base to remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Key Topics Industry challenges in quality engineeringThe impact of AI on testing rolesThe importance of systemic thinking in quality assurance pragmatism in Quality EngineeringWorking with uncertainty and ambiguityThe power of language and terminologyBuilding trust and influencing changeIncremental approaches to organisational Improvement Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 04:30 Uncomfortable Truths in Quality Engineering 12:15 The Role of Quality Engineering in Modern Development 19:45 The Need for Generalists in Quality Engineering 28:48 Developing a Broad Knowledge Base in Quality Engineering 30:07 Inquisitiveness and Team Collaboration 32:36 Continuous Learning and Skill Development 35:39 Embracing a Growth Mindset 40:09 The Shift in Testing Roles 42:48 Defining Quality and Value 46:18 Working with Uncertainty and Influence 54:14 Navigating Terminology in Testing 56:41 The Role of Quality Coaching 01:00:24 Building a Collaborative Mindset 01:05:28 Reframing Quality Gates 01:10:18 The Impact of Memes on Perception 01:13:07 The Future of Quality Engineering 01:19:23 End Resources: Callum’s Website: https://cakehurstryan.com/ Callum’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cakehurstryan

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About

Stu & Chris together, have more than 30 years combined experience in the quality, software testing and the general technology industry, and on the Quality Talks podcasts they will be discussing, along with special guests, all the hot topics on everyone minds.....and those that may not be :)

Information

  • Creator
    Quality Talks Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Quality Talks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Quality Talks Podcast