Coffee Journeys Show

Piotr Zagorowski

The Coffee Journeys Show is a podcast hosted by Piotr Zagorowski, author of the Coffee Journeys blog. In this show, Piotr will be sharing his journey from being a technical person to a leader, and will be discussing topics such as leadership, technology, and intentional life. Join Piotr as he shares his unique perspective and insights, and offers guidance on how to develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed in today's world. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a technology enthusiast, or simply looking to learn more about the world around you, this podcast is for you.

  1. 04/04/2025

    #049 From Linux Admin to People Engineer: My Professional Journey

    Welcome to episode nr 49 of The Coffee Journeys Show: From Linux Admin to People Engineer: My Professional Journey Today’s episode is a little different—what you’re about to hear is a recording from Cisco’s Share IT Solutions Huddle back in 2020. I had the privilege of talking about techniques to help those working from home and the importance of creating habits—something that’s still just as relevant today. The format of these meetings allows to the broad range of topics and you will hear about me accidentally infuriating my brother by installing Linux on his computer to leading distributed teams across continents, because my journey in technology has been anything but conventional. What began as curiosity about simple network pings evolved into a lifelong passion for connection--both digital and human. Through data centers in the UK, acquisitions by tech giants, and the global shift to remote work, I've transformed from a command-line Linux administrator to what I now call a _people engineer._ Along the way, I've had my fair share of pivotal moments, hard-earned lessons, and unexpected detours--including that one time when a colleague dramatically dove across a Nando's table to save me from volcano-level spicy chicken. All of that shaped my approach to leadership and remote work, and today, I'm excited to share some of those insights with you. So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let's jump into the recording. Chapters 00:02:47 - Journey into Networking00:04:19 - Transition to Management00:07:24 - Embracing Remote Work00:12:32 - The Importance of Routines00:19:15 - Challenges of Distributed Teams00:27:37 - Reflections on Remote Work00:31:46 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links 🗞️ Newsletter 🎙️ Podcast URL Your host 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski🔗 All my projects and links Stay tuned 🟣 Apple Podcasts🟢 Spotify🔵 Google Podcasts🟠 Overcast.fm☕️ RSS🪄 Magic link Have a great day!

    35 min
  2. 28/03/2025

    #048 Ten Mindset Shifts When You Become a Manager

    Welcome to episode nr 48 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Ten Mindset Shifts When You Become a Manager Stepping into a management role for the first time is exciting—but also full of unexpected challenges. What got you here won’t necessarily make you successful in this new role. In this episode, I break down 10 essential mindset shifts every new manager must make to lead effectively. Inspired by Daniel Idaszak’s insightful thread on X, I share my own experiences and hard-learned lessons on: ✅ Why your team’s success is now your success✅ The balance between being friendly vs. being respected✅ How to shift from problem-solving to problem-preventing✅ The art of managing up and positioning your team for success✅ Why embracing a generalist mindset is key to thriving in leadership If you're stepping into leadership—or want to refine your approach—this episode will give you the perspective shift you need to lead with confidence. 🎧 Grab your coffee, tune in, and let’s navigate leadership together! Chapters 00:01:04 - Leadership Mindset00:02:46 - Team's Success = Your Success00:03:51 - Friendly Not Friends00:05:25 - Respect Over Likability00:06:36 - Lead By Example00:07:51 - Anticipate Problems00:09:34 - Remove Barriers00:10:19 - Focus On The Big Picture00:11:42 - Promote Your Team00:13:03 - Understand Your Role00:14:00 - Embrace Being Generalist00:15:34 - Lessons Learned Links 🗞️ Newsletter 🎙️ Podcast URL🎯 The First 90 Days – Leadership Framework for Success🎓 My First 90 Days – What I Learned the Hard Way👉 Tech Lead Toolkit | Daniel Idaszak Your host 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski🔗 All my projects and links Stay tuned 🟣 Apple Podcasts🟢 Spotify🔵 Google Podcasts🟠 Overcast.fm☕️ RSS🪄 Magic link Have a great day!

    18 min
  3. 21/03/2025

    #047 My First 90 Days What I Learned the Hard Way

    Welcome to episode nr 47 of The Coffee Journeys Show: My First 90 Days What I Learned the Hard Way Stepping into leadership is exciting—but it’s also a reality check. In this episode, I’m sharing the hard lessons I learnedin my first 90 days as a leader. From letting go of the “expert” mindset to navigating team dynamics, dealing with leadership loneliness, and redefining what success looks like—this episode is packed with real experiences, honest reflections, and practical advice for anyone transitioning into leadership. Tune in to hear:✅ What I expected vs. what really happened✅ The biggest challenges I faced (and how I overcame them)✅ What I wish I had done differently✅ Key takeaways for new leaders stepping into their first role And if you’re looking for a structured framework for success, don’t miss my previous episode: The First 90 Days – Leadership Framework for Success. Chapters 00:01:04 - My First 90 Days00:02:27 - Expectations Vs Reality00:03:10 - Expert Hat00:04:43 - Different Rythm00:06:00 - Different Role Different Skills00:06:53 - Politics And Bureaucracy00:07:59 - What Team Is Your Team00:09:05 - Leadership Loneliness00:10:01 - How Success Looks Like00:10:58 - What Would I Do Different00:12:10 - Conclusions Links 🗞️ Newsletter 🎙️ Podcast URL Your host 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski🔗 All my projects and links Stay tuned 🟣 Apple Podcasts🟢 Spotify🔵 Google Podcasts🟠 Overcast.fm☕️ RSS🪄 Magic link Have a great day!

    14 min
  4. 14/03/2025

    #046 The First 90 Days – Leadership Framework for Success

    Welcome to episode nr 46 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The First 90 Days – Leadership Framework for Success The transition into leadership is one of the most exciting yet challenging career moves. The habits that made you a great individual contributor won’t necessarily make you a successful leader. So, how do you navigate this shift effectively? In this episode, I break down key strategies to help you thrive in your first 90 days, drawing from both proven leadership frameworks and my own personal experiences transitioning into leadership. ☕ What you’ll learn in this episode: ✔️ Why promoting yourself mentally into your new role is essential ✔️ How to accelerate your learning and avoid common pitfalls ✔️ The STARS model and why every new leadership role isn’t the same ✔️ The importance of securing early wins and building trust ✔️ My personal challenges and lessons learned from stepping into leadership Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or transitioning into a bigger role, this episode will equip you with the mindset and strategies to lead with confidence from day one. 🎧 Grab your coffee, tune in, and let’s make those first 90 days count! Chapters 00:01:04 - The First 90 Days00:02:39 - Mental Transition00:04:00 - Accelerate Learning00:05:32 - Different Strategy For Different Transition00:07:18 - Secure Early Wins00:08:44 - Find Ways To Collaborate00:10:06 - Conclusions Links 🗞️ Newsletter 🎙️ Podcast URL Your host 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski🔗 All my projects and links Stay tuned 🟣 Apple Podcasts 🟢 Spotify 🔵 Google Podcasts 🟠 Overcast.fm ☕️ RSS 🪄 Magic link Have a great day!

    12 min

About

The Coffee Journeys Show is a podcast hosted by Piotr Zagorowski, author of the Coffee Journeys blog. In this show, Piotr will be sharing his journey from being a technical person to a leader, and will be discussing topics such as leadership, technology, and intentional life. Join Piotr as he shares his unique perspective and insights, and offers guidance on how to develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed in today's world. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a technology enthusiast, or simply looking to learn more about the world around you, this podcast is for you.