Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)

Andrew Parker and Mon-Chaio Lo
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Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)

The TTL Podcast is a podcast dedicated to empowering managers and leaders in software companies with practical strategies and insights to navigate the dynamic world of technology. Join us as we explore a wide range of topics, from effective team management and agile leadership practices to fostering innovation and driving organizational change. Each episode dives deep into a specific technique, model, or theory of management and leadership, offering valuable perspectives and actionable tactics tailored to the unique challenges of the tech industry. Transcripts at https://thettlpodcast.com/

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    VacationCast: Rethinking Mentorship

    In this first VacationCast episode of Season 3, with Andy out, Mon-Chaio dives into the complexities of mentorship, particularly within workplace relationships. He explores the differences between peer-to-peer mentoring and manager-direct report mentoring, the potential pitfalls of using the term 'mentorship' for career development or performance feedback, and the impact of these practices on genuine employee growth and leadership development. References Season 1, Episode 13: "The Feedback Fallacy?"Season 2, Episode 41: "Improvement Beyond Podcasts - The Art of Deliberate Practice"Season 2, Episode 16: "Misleader Majority"

    8 min

  2. FEB 4

    Action Science

    Andy and Mon-Chaio explore the dense yet insightful book 'Action Science' by Chris Argyris. They discuss Argyris's method of developing self-knowledge to break existing norms and achieve actionable knowledge. The conversation covers the core principles and propositions of action science, including the importance of understanding one's reasoning, questioning underlying assumptions, and fostering mutual learning. Tune in to discover how self-awareness can transform not just individuals but entire organizations. Transcript - https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/02/04/s3e4-action-science/ References Action Science - https://actiondesign.com/resources/readings/action-science The School of Life - https://www.theschooloflife.com/ Episode on Future Search - https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/01/28/s3e3-future-search/

    44 min

  3. JAN 28

    Future Search

    In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into the concept of Future Search, a powerful methodology for driving organizational change. They discuss the essence of Future Search, its origins from Marvin Weisbord’s book 'Productive Workplaces Revisited,' and explore why it's crucial to involve the whole system in problem-solving. The episode provides insights into the past, present, and future focus essential in the Future Search method and offers actionable tactics for effective implementation in technical organizations. References Productive Workplaces Revisited

    38 min

  4. JAN 21

    A Journey into Differential Diagnosis

    In this episode, Andy and Mon Chiao explore differential diagnosis. They clarify what differential diagnosis truly entails and how it can be applied in technical settings, particularly within software teams. The hosts illustrate its importance through real-world scenarios, emphasizing the balance between gathering information and taking corrective action, the consequences of different types of misdiagnoses, and the significance of judgment in the problem-solving process. Listeners will learn the surprising ways in which multiple causes can coexist and the implications for diagnosis and treatment within teams. References MIT OpenCourseware Lecture - https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-s897-machine-learning-for-healthcare-spring-2019/resources/lecture-11-differential-diagnosis/ Outlining the Design Space of Explainable Intelligent Systems for Medical Diagnosis - https://arxiv.org/pdf/1902.06019

    47 min

  5. JAN 14

    Why Startups Fail

    In this first episode of Season 3, Mon-Chaio and Andy welcome listeners back and dive into the theme of 'The Turnaround'. They analyze reasons why startups fail, discussing both proximate and distal causes. They explore insights from multiple research reports, studies, and personal experiences to paint a comprehensive picture of startup failure scenarios. Topics include common failure reasons like running out of cash, flawed business models, wrong people, false starts, and external factors. Let them know your feedback about which topics you're are most interested in for future episodes! References: Demography of Startup Software Companies: An Empirical Investigation on the Success and Failure Success criteria in high-tech new ventures The Top 12 Reasons Startups Fail 483 startup failure post-mortems Why Start-ups Fail A Study on High-tech Startup Failure Failure of Tech Startups: A Systematic Literature Review Systematic literature review of critical success factors of Information Technology startups Conventional Wisdom Says 90% of Startups Fail. Data Says Otherwise

    38 min
  6. Festive Ferments

    12/24/2024

    Festive Ferments

    In this special end-of-year episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio reflect on the highlights and challenges of 2024, discussing their most memorable podcast episodes. As is tradition on the podcast, the Christmas episode is something different. Mon-Chaio and Andy explain their experiments with fermentation, sharing intriguing recipes and techniques involving shiokoji, hot sauce, and Christmas Kraut. Along the way, they reveal their cooking adventures and hint at exciting plans for the next year. Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/12/24/s2e52-festive-ferments/ References Power of Repeat episode - https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/02/07/s2e6-the-power-of-repeat/ Shiokoji - https://www.seriouseats.com/shio-koji-marinade-recipe Chrismas Kraut - https://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/christmas-kraut-recipe

    35 min

  7. 12/17/2024

    Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 5 of 5)

    This is the last episode in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. In the final installment of 'Scaling Up: From Garage to Global,' Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the complexities of integrating a newly acquired company into a well-established global brand. They discuss the challenges of balancing autonomy with necessary integration, especially when it comes to maintaining core cultural and strategic values. They also explore how to tackle hierarchical changes without disrupting existing processes and morale. Whether it's ensuring safety protocols or managing cross-cutting concerns, this episode offers valuable insights on scalable methods to blend new entities while preserving essential operational integrity. Tune in for a nuanced conversation on managing growth and organizational cohesion. References The Trial of One-Five-Zero (The TTL Podcast S2E10) Aspect-oriented programming

    43 min

  8. 12/10/2024

    Scaling Up: From Garage to Global (Part 4 of 5)

    This is the fourth in a multi-part series that will explore the various stages of scaling a company using a hypothetical startup scenario inspired by ride-sharing services. Mon-Chaio and Andy advance into the next phase of scaling up a hypothetical ride-sharing company, exploring how it might transition to food delivery. They discuss the difference between Explore and Extract phases, emphasizing the need for continuous experimentation. The episode outlines structural changes, such as forming new, separate teams to drive innovation, while leveraging existing platforms. With practical insights for CTOs on managing KPIs and sustaining agile environments, listeners will discover the pitfalls of excessive funding and the importance of maintaining an experimental mindset. Tune in to learn how to balance execution with innovation and prepare for the final part on scaling through acquisitions. Transcript:  ​https://thettlpodcast.com/2024/12/10/s2e49-scaling-up-from-garage-to-global-part-4-of-5/  References Lean Enterprise - https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/lean-enterprise/9781491946527/ Episode: Analysing a Situation Using BART - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/tTJ5eUTl3Ob

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The TTL Podcast is a podcast dedicated to empowering managers and leaders in software companies with practical strategies and insights to navigate the dynamic world of technology. Join us as we explore a wide range of topics, from effective team management and agile leadership practices to fostering innovation and driving organizational change. Each episode dives deep into a specific technique, model, or theory of management and leadership, offering valuable perspectives and actionable tactics tailored to the unique challenges of the tech industry. Transcripts at https://thettlpodcast.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Parker and Mon-Chaio Lo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrew Parker and Mon-Chaio Lo
  • Show Website
    Tactics for Tech Leadership (TTL)

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