snackable Leadership - Tech, Culture & Personal Growth

Adrian Stanek

Welcome to Snackable Leadership, the podcast where technology, leadership, and personal growth come together, one bite-sized conversation at a time. Hosted by a seasoned engineering leader, this show delves into the realities of building exceptional tech teams, fostering healthy company cultures, and growing personally along the way. Whether you’re a CTO, engineering manager, or an aspiring leader in tech, you’ll get actionable insights, reflections from the trenches, and fresh perspectives to help you lead with confidence in today’s fast-changing world. Short episodes. Real stories. Practical wisdom. Perfect for your coffee break — or your next big career step. blog.adrianstanek.dev

  1. Sustain as a Tech Founder

    SEP 9

    Sustain as a Tech Founder

    The last six months have been some of the hardest I’ve gone through in years. Days that start at 7 am and stretch until midnight. Weekends are disappearing into work. The constant tension of trying to keep businesses alive and moving forward while still being present for my family and two kids. I’m not new to this; I’ve been building and running businesses for 16 years, but every time I go through an intense launch phase, it reminds me how much it costs. Bootstrapping means we don’t have a boss, but it also means there’s no safety net. The pressure doesn’t go away. And here’s what I’ve learned: it’s not ideas, or markets, or strategies that keep you going when the grind is real. It’s something much more basic. Fitness and nutrition. A year ago, I wasn’t fit at all. I was heavily overweight, constantly exhausted, and often drifting into procrastination just because my body couldn’t keep up with what my mind demanded. Since then, I’ve lost 20kg. I started running almost every day — nothing crazy fast, but consistent, five to eight kilometers at a time, six days a week. I improved my diet, focused on protein, supplements that work for me, and avoided the endless sugar spikes and “Fressattacken” (binge eating) that stress used to trigger. The effect has been transformative. Not just physically, but mentally. Running resets my brain. It cuts through the noise of meetings, messages, and stress, and br ings me back to focus on the signal, the things that actually matter. Good nutrition helps me recover, stay sharp, and not burn out halfway through the day. Founders love to talk about discipline and consistency. But discipline isn’t about posting every day or working late every night. It’s about sustaining your purpose over years, not weeks. It’s about keeping yourself alive, strong, and clear-headed enough to make the journey possible. That’s why I believe sustaining as a founder is less about output and more about building the baseline habits that allow you to keep going — through exhaustion, through pressure, through the unknown length of the road ahead. In today’s Builder’s Diary vlog, I share more of my personal journey — the struggles, the fitness routine, the lessons that help me keep moving even when the days feel impossible. And one small note: I’ve recently started using Bearly Fit by @James Mahy. It’s a simple, thoughtful app built with love, and it helps me stay on track with the habits that matter most. If you’re building something of your own, whether it’s a company, a project, or a personal mission, I hope this reminds you: You don’t need more hacks. You need to sustain yourself. —Adrian This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    11 min

  2. AUG 19

    Stop Using AI in Secret — Make It a Team Strategy

    Many developers are already using AI. But here’s the thing: most of them do it in secret. They test it in side projects, use it quietly to get through tickets, and then draw conclusions—without ever bringing it into the open with their team. That’s a mistake. When I’ve been disciplined in my own work, I noticed something: I was faster, could work longer, and felt less drained, because I stayed focused on high-level thinking instead of every small detail. That’s precisely the kind of shift AI can support. But here’s the danger: if you let AI turn into a lazy habit, if you’re just vibing with it instead of working with intention, the outcomes get worse. You’ll ship sloppy code, misunderstand problems, and create more cleanup work later. At scale, that kills quality and trust. And if AI use stays a private habit, it doesn’t scale anyway. Worse, it creates hidden workflows, uneven quality, and mistrust inside the team. The solution is simple: treat AI as a team strategy. Not a secret shortcut. Not a personal experiment. A shared challenge. Align on how to use it, where it makes sense, and what it should not do. Explore it together. That’s when AI becomes valuable: when it creates space for humans to do what we’re best at—thinking, designing, and solving problems—without burning out on the repetitive parts. —Adrian This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    9 min

  3. JUL 28

    Why AI Doesn't Build Viable Businesses

    Why Building an App Isn't Enough: Solving Real Problems for Business Success In this episode, we tackle the common misconception that an app alone can create a successful business. We discuss the importance of identifying true pain points and solving real problems as the foundation of any sustainable business. Using examples like Canva and lessons from the SaaS market, this video emphasizes that domain knowledge, not just tools, is critical for success. We also explain how AI can accelerate the process but cannot replace the need for a solid business idea and expertise. Finally, we address the challenges and realities of building a viable product and securing reliable revenue. 00:00 Introduction: The Misconception About Building Apps 00:46 Identifying the Real Problem: Business Idea vs. App 01:54 Understanding the Market and Solving Pain Points 03:13 The Role of AI in Business 04:47 Sustainable Business Practices 07:22 The Reality of Building a Functional App 09:48 Conclusion: The True Challenge in Business This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    10 min

  4. JUL 20

    They Don’t Follow You. They Follow the Mission.

    Overcoming Resistance: Motivating Your Dev Team for Change In today’s episode, we tackle the challenge of motivating a development team to embrace change. You'll hear about common resistance scenarios, the psychological forces at play, and practical strategies to highlight the value of change. Learn how to foster a culture of trust and motivation, making your team more adaptable over time. 00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Motivating Developers 00:42 Facing Resistance: Common Developer Reactions 02:25 Understanding the Forces of Resistance and Assistance 03:17 The Importance of Value and Trust in Leadership 04:30 Building a Culture of Trust and Change 05:00 The Basics of Motivation and Resistance 05:58 Conclusion: The Mission and Persistent Motivation This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    7 min

  5. JUN 3

    Why Discipline is Your First Leadership Tool

    The Role of Habits in Leadership Development In this episode, we delve into the importance of developing habits for personal and leadership growth. The discussion outlines four pillars essential to becoming a credible and effective leader: credibility, role modeling, vision-sharing, and the ability to challenge others. By consistently practicing these habits, individuals can cultivate virtues that enhance their leadership skills. The episode emphasizes the necessity of maintaining discipline and a mindset conducive to habitual development to achieve credibility, become a role model, and effectively lead others. 00:00 Introduction to Habits 00:02 The Importance of Habits 00:10 Becoming a Leader 00:15 The Four Pillars of Leadership 00:49 Developing Discipline and Baseline 02:30 Leadership and Training 03:11 Credibility and Role Modeling 05:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    5 min

  6. MAY 26

    The Dos and Don’ts of Growing Junior Developers

    How to Keep Junior Developers Motivated and Loyal In this video, a vocational trainer with extensive experience shares insights on how to keep junior developers motivated and loyal to your company. The discussion covers the importance of clear career plans, realistic expectations, and long-term learning for junior developers. The narrator also warns against frequent job-hopping and emphasizes the value of stability and domain expertise for career growth. By nurturing junior developers and providing a clear path to grow, companies can ensure a committed and skilled workforce. 00:00 Introduction: Keeping Juniors Motivated 00:36 Understanding the Junior Developer Role 01:09 The Importance of Career Development 01:52 Avoiding the Job-Hopping Trap 03:12 Becoming a Domain Expert 05:04 Guidance for Trainers and Companies 05:58 Long-Term Career Planning 06:37 Marker 07:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    8 min

  7. MAY 23

    When Is the Right Time to Step Into Leadership?

    When is the Right Time to Become a Leader? Insights for Software Engineers In this video, we explore the right moment to step into a leadership role, particularly in software engineering. We discuss the importance of building personal credibility, being a role model, and motivating others before taking on responsibility. The speaker advises against prematurely assuming leadership roles without sufficient experience, emphasizing the need for step-by-step growth and the guidance of a mentor or coach. Key points include mastering your craft, the risks of early leadership burnout, and the delicate balance of technical and human skills necessary for effective leadership. Watch for vital insights and practical advice on how to prepare for and succeed in leadership roles. 00:00 Introduction: When is the Right Moment to Become a Leader? 00:02 The Basics of Leadership: Credibility and Motivation 00:52 The Role of a Manager in Software Engineering 01:03 Challenges of Early Leadership 01:46 The Importance of Mastering Your Craft 02:17 Real Talk: Facing Opposition as a Leader 03:30 Step-by-Step Approach to Leadership 04:28 Avoiding Burnout: The Reality of Leadership Roles 05:07 Starting Small: Building Leadership Skills 06:55 The Human and Technical Aspects of Leadership 07:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    8 min

  8. MAY 5

    Keep Building Your Saas – AI Won't Kill It

    In this episode, we unpack the recent hype suggesting that AI agents will replace SaaS products. Adrian shares why that narrative is misleading—and why SaaS is still thriving. You’ll hear Why AI agents still depend on SaaS infrastructure The real needs of everyday users and businesses How psychological and economic factors continue to drive SaaS adoption Why convenience still beats complexity If you’re building software people rely on, this one’s for you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe

    3 min
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About

Welcome to Snackable Leadership, the podcast where technology, leadership, and personal growth come together, one bite-sized conversation at a time. Hosted by a seasoned engineering leader, this show delves into the realities of building exceptional tech teams, fostering healthy company cultures, and growing personally along the way. Whether you’re a CTO, engineering manager, or an aspiring leader in tech, you’ll get actionable insights, reflections from the trenches, and fresh perspectives to help you lead with confidence in today’s fast-changing world. Short episodes. Real stories. Practical wisdom. Perfect for your coffee break — or your next big career step. blog.adrianstanek.dev

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