Leadership Launchpad

Matt Gjertsen - Better Every Day Studios
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Management
  • Semimonthly

Welcome to the Leadership Launchpad where we help technical managers improve themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Host Matt Gjertsen — former Air Force instructor pilot and head of training and development at SpaceX — brings hard-won lessons from the world's most demanding organizations to help new managers lead with clarity and confidence. Each episode cuts through the noise with practical frameworks, real stories, and straight talk on what it actually takes to build high-performing teams in aerospace, defense, and beyond. Whether you're managing engineers, navigating organizational chaos, or just trying not to let your team down, Leadership Launchpad gives you the tools to get better every day.

  1. 3h ago

    Unlocking Team Potential Through Delegation w/ Matt Gjertsen

    In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, listeners are guided through practical strategies for delegation—a skill often cited by technical leaders as particularly challenging. The discussion covers the "Minimum Viable Manager" framework, explaining the importance of building trust, setting expectations, and providing feedback before tackling delegation. Real-life stories, including an example from Tim Ferriss’s 4-Hour Workweek, are used to illustrate how delegation is not simply about handing off tasks but giving team members real authority. Concepts such as levels of delegated authority and Andy Grove's “task-relevant maturity” are explored, helping leaders assess how much responsibility to give based on experience. Listeners are given actionable steps to begin improving their delegation immediately. Matt Jurtsen, the author of Minimum Viable Manager, is featured in this in-depth solo episode. Important Timestamps01:32: Introduction of the "first principles leadership" framework02:42: Delegation highlighted as a top challenge for technical leaders04:09: Tim Ferriss story illustrating ineffective delegation06:06: The distinction between delegating tasks and delegating authority07:05: Four levels of delegated authority explained08:41: Introduction of "task-relevant maturity" concept12:13: The transition from engineer to people manager and delegation difficulties14:25: Actionable advice for practicing delegation immediately15:49: Emphasis on delegating authority, not just tasks

  2. Oct 13

    Build a High-Feedback Team Culture w/ Matt Gjertsen

    In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, the conversation explores why giving and receiving feedback is challenging, especially for technical managers. The discussion focuses on evolutionary and social reasons behind feedback anxiety and emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to feedback. Drawing from lessons in the book Minimum Viable Manager, listeners are introduced to actionable strategies, including the SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact) and COIN feedback models. The episode outlines a three-step plan for building a high-feedback culture: starting by asking for feedback, giving reinforcing feedback, and finally delivering redirecting feedback. Practical examples and phased implementation advice offer a roadmap for leaders to improve team performance and foster trust. Timestamps of Important Moments: 00:00: Introduction to feedback and common challenges01:15: Overview of the First Principles Leadership framework02:04: Evolutionary and social roots of feedback anxiety05:48: The importance of feedback for improvement07:14: Three-step plan for giving and receiving feedback09:45: SBI feedback model example and reinforcing feedback10:54: COIN model for redirecting feedback12:34: Phased approach to building feedback culture13:34: Preview of next episode and conclusion

  3. Oct 6

    Setting Clear Expectations for Teams w/ Matt Gjertsen

    In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Matt Gjertsen delves into the importance of setting expectations for technical leaders and their teams. He explains why clear expectations are vital for productivity, motivation, and engagement, referencing research from Gallup’s Q12 survey and Daniel Pink’s book Drive. The discussion covers practical frameworks such as commander's intent for defining tasks and team working agreements to clarify communication norms. Gjertsen also touches on common challenges new managers face, particularly those transitioning from star individual contributors to leadership roles, and highlights the cognitive science behind how people process complex information at work. This episode is part two of a four-part series based on Gjertsen's book and focuses on the actionable steps leaders can take to cultivate clarity and alignment within their teams. Important Timestamps 00:01: Introduction to the four-part series based on Minimum Viable Manager01:11: Overview of first principles leadership and three key requirements02:07: The role of expectations in employee engagement (Gallup Q12 discussion)03:21: Motivation drivers: autonomy, mastery, and purpose (Daniel Pink’s research)04:34: Why expectations are challenging for new managers06:00: The concept of chunking and memory in leadership08:39: Framework for setting expectations using commander's intent10:12: How to establish a team working agreement11:15: Addressing ambiguity and the risks of unclear norms12:15: Emphasizing outcomes and impact over hours worked13:19: Preview of the next episode on giving feedback

  4. Sep 29

    Creating Trust in Technical Teams w/ Matt Gjertsen

    In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, listeners are introduced to key concepts from the book Minimum Viable Manager. The episode focuses on the importance of building trust within technical teams, emphasizing it as the foundational element for productive conflict and high performance. Drawing on real-world examples such as Ford’s turnaround under Alan Mulally and research initiatives like Google’s Project Aristotle, the episode explains what trust means, why it matters, and actionable ways technical managers can strengthen team connections. Strategies include using connection-building questions in meetings and developing personal user manuals to foster better working relationships. This is the first in a four-part series that breaks down essential management responsibilities and practical steps for new and aspiring leaders. Important Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction to the episode and book structure01:16: Overview of the First Principles Leadership framework02:21: Why trust is essential for technical teams03:12: Google’s Project Aristotle and psychological safety04:30: Ford and Alan Mulally's example of team trust06:46: Defining trust: skills, decisions, and connections08:46: Practical techniques for building trust in teams11:51: Creating user manuals to strengthen manager–employee relationships13:00: Questions managers can ask to assess trust on their team13:41: Preview of the next episode: setting expectations

  5. Sep 22

    Driving Results Through Better Team Alignment w/ Susan Stone

    In this episode, Susan Stone, CEO of Blue Current, discusses the company's journey in developing high-performance, silicon-based solid-state batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage. She shares insights on the technical and cultural challenges of scaling from R&D to commercialization, emphasizing the importance of communication, cross-team collaboration, and creating flexible feedback loops. Stone also addresses leadership development, sharing practical advice for new managers on the value of context, over-communication, and being open to asking questions. The conversation covers strategies for navigating rapid organizational change, aligning teams during key transitions, and balancing the needs of individual contributors with leadership paths. Important Timestamps 02:21: Susan Stone explains Blue Current’s unique battery technology05:42: Blue Current achieving development milestones ahead of schedule08:03: How unexpected battery performance opened new markets09:19: The importance of integrated teamwork and avoiding silos in scale-up11:24: Impactful mentorship from Amazon board member on improving cycle times13:44: Susan Stone’s early leadership lessons about the critical role of context17:02: Communicating context and customer impact in technical organizations20:25: Leadership and communication challenges during commercialization23:54: Strategies for company-wide communication and decision-making29:48: Advice for frontline leaders and importance of seeking guidance

  6. Sep 15

    Balancing Chaos and Control in Teams with Matt Gjertsen

    This episode of Leadership Launchpad delves into the leadership principle known as "the line," a concept discussed by Travis Kalanick, founder of Uber, during his conversation on the David Senra podcast. The episode explains how leaders can find the balance between too few and too many rules within their teams and organizations. Drawing from real-world examples at companies like Uber, City Storage Systems (now Atoms), and Netflix, the discussion breaks down the dangers of both chaos and excessive control, and offers insights into how leaders can foster innovation while maintaining necessary structure. Listeners will also hear practical advice for technical managers on communicating expectations, building effective processes, and developing leadership skills that influence where "the line" is drawn in their teams. Important Timestamps 00:00: Introduction to "the line" leadership principle01:02: Background on Travis Kalanick and City Storage Systems02:25: The dangers of chaos in organizations03:10: Pitfalls of excessive rules and bureaucracy05:59: Defining the line: minimum viable rules08:35: The impact of hiring and team diversity on rules12:45: Three levels of skill and understanding organizational rules14:39: Uber’s city launch playbook and practical application of the line18:40: Multi-dimensional nature of the line in scaling organizations20:09: Setting clear expectations and the link between leadership and innovation

  7. Sep 8

    Mastering Organizational Development w/ Gabrielle Rufrano

    In this episode, Gabrielle Rufrano, a doctoral candidate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Clemson University, shares insights from her experiences in both large organizations like NASA and fast-paced startups in the energy sector. She discusses the fundamentals of industrial and organizational psychology, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices and organizational culture. Gabrielle compares the structured, mission-driven culture at NASA with the more flexible but less unified environment of a startup, highlighting how organizational maturity and resources impact the implementation of research-backed development practices. She also explores the gap between academic research and practical application in industry, and how both sides can improve collaboration for better workplace outcomes. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Gabrielle Rufrano and discussion of organizational culture02:17 – Explanation of industrial and organizational psychology03:17 – How research is conducted and validated in the field06:08 – Example of experimental research with workplace bias10:14 – Comparison of NASA and startup cultures14:21 – Details of organizational development work at NASA19:54 – The value of organizational culture and its real-world impact22:25 – Challenges in applying research in fast-moving industries27:02 – Key lessons for bridging academia and industry

  8. Sep 1

    Empowering Teams in Fast-Growing Startups w/ Shan Mohta

    In this episode, Shan Mohta, co-founder and CEO of Vendra, discusses his journey building a manufacturing platform aimed at streamlining the process of ordering custom parts in the US, with a focus on aerospace and defense. Shan Mohta shares how Vendra leverages software to match customer designs with the best-fit suppliers, improving supply chain resilience and reducing lead times. He provides insights into his leadership style, shaped by experiences at major tech companies and startups, emphasizing accessibility and decision-making empowerment for his team. The discussion also covers the early pivots in Vendra’s product direction, the value of direct and constructive feedback, and lessons learned from collaborating with both large and small manufacturing customers. Important Timestamps 00:00: Shan Mohta shares how brutal early feedback shaped Vendra.00:45: Introduction to Vendra’s mission and customer base.03:00: How Vendra streamlines custom parts manufacturing.04:19: The importance of supply chain resilience.06:16: How Vendra scales from prototypes to large production runs.10:24: Lessons from large companies vs. startups and impact on Vendra’s culture.13:32: Empowering teams to make decisions and developing a coaching mindset.18:30: Creating clear decision-making constraints for team members.23:33: What inspired Shan to found Vendra.25:50: The importance of honest feedback and Vendra’s pivotal moments.30:00: Building a culture of customer feedback and continuous improvement.

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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to the Leadership Launchpad where we help technical managers improve themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Host Matt Gjertsen — former Air Force instructor pilot and head of training and development at SpaceX — brings hard-won lessons from the world's most demanding organizations to help new managers lead with clarity and confidence. Each episode cuts through the noise with practical frameworks, real stories, and straight talk on what it actually takes to build high-performing teams in aerospace, defense, and beyond. Whether you're managing engineers, navigating organizational chaos, or just trying not to let your team down, Leadership Launchpad gives you the tools to get better every day.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Gjertsen - Better Every Day Studios
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Better Every Day Studios - Matthew Gjertsen
  • Show Website
    Leadership Launchpad

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