The Leadership Exchange

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The Leadership Exchange

This is The Leadership Exchange, where we sit down with accomplished leaders and uncover the secrets of their success. Join us as we delve into their career journeys, discuss the challenges they faced, and explore the solutions they discovered along the way. Whether you're an aspiring leader or looking to enhance your leadership skills, this podcast offers valuable insights and inspiration from those who have navigated the path to success.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The DevCycle Story: Moving Beyond A/B Testing to Smarter Deployments

    In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel talks with Andrew Norris, co-founder and CEO of DevCycle, to explore the challenges of adapting software to mee shifting market expectations. They discuss why feature flagging became a more compelling opportunity than standalone A/B testing, and how the team navigated a complete product transformation Andrew shares insights on making data-driven business decisions, the risks and rewards of rebuilding from the ground up, and how DevCycle is redefining software release strategies for modern development teams.Key Points from This Episode- The Shift from A/B Testing to Feature Flagging – DevCycle recognized that feature flagging was becoming a more essential tool for engineering teams, allowing for safer, more iterative software releases compared to standalone A/B testing.- Data-Driven Decision to Pivot – By analyzing usage trends, the team saw that engineers, not marketers, were the primary users of their product. This insight led to a strategic shift toward developer-first feature management.- Building DevCycle from the Ground Up – Instead of modifying their existing platform, the team took a bold approach—building an entirely new system optimized for scalability, speed, and developer workflows.- The Future of Software Deployment – Feature flagging enables continuous delivery, reduces risk, and allows teams to experiment efficiently. DevCycle’s pivot positions it as a leader in modern software release strategies.Chapters: 0:00 Introduction and the importance of software deployment 0:53 Introducing Andrew Norris and the DevCycle journey 1:29 The origins of DevCycle and transitioning from Taplytics 3:09 Early mobile development and the shift beyond A/B testing 6:16 Challenges in scaling experimentation across platforms 7:34 Recognizing market shifts and changing user needs 10:31 The transition from A/B testing to feature flagging 12:10 Weighing options: improving, rebranding, or rebuilding 16:05 Going all-in on a new platform and DevCycle’s sprint 17:14 Managing team motivation during a major pivot 20:00 Experimenting with dual product lines before full migration 22:42 Early signs that DevCycle was the right move 26:05 Lessons on risk-taking and identifying high-value opportunities 29:21 Merging feature flagging and A/B testing into a single workflow 30:53 The success of DevCycle and its future direction 31:59 Where to learn more about DevCycle and connect with Andrew 32:19 Closing thoughts and sponsor messageFollow Andrew Norris on Social MediaTwitter:https://x.com/AndrewNorrisLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsnorris/🔗 Learn more about DevCycle:devcycle.comSponsored by This Dot:thisdot.co

    32 min

  2. FEB 4

    Building and Scaling High-Performing Engineering Teams: Insights from Hubstaff CTO Alex Yarotsky

    In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel speaks with Alex Yarotsky, CTO of Hubstaff, about the challenges and strategies of building and scaling high-performing engineering teams. Alex shares insights from his journey leading teams through rapid growth, emphasizing that great teams are built on chemistry, trust, and accountability. They discuss the importance of experience in shaping strong teams, the role of direct and constructive feedback, and how managers can cultivate a culture of mutual respect and mission-driven performance. Alex also breaks down the balance between competitiveness and collaboration, highlighting why a team’s chemistry matters just as much as technical skill. Keypoints from this episode: - Chemistry is the foundation of high-performing teams – Building a great team isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about fostering mutual respect, trust, and open communication. Teams with strong chemistry challenge and support each other, making collaboration more effective. - Feedback is a skill that can be taught – Regular, structured feedback is essential for team growth. Alex emphasizes the importance of both contextual feedback (given in the moment) and structured one-on-ones to build trust and alignment without creating friction. - A-players come in different forms – High-performing teams aren’t made up of just superstars; they consist of people with complementary strengths. Some team members may be ambitious leaders, while others excel through reliability and consistency. A great manager assembles a team like a well-fitting puzzle. - Mission alignment drives long-term success – A winning team isn’t just skilled—it’s aligned around a shared mission. Leaders must set clear expectations, establish a culture of accountability, and ensure every team member understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 1:05 - Guest Introduction 2:43 - The Challenge of Scaling Teams 4:39 - The Complexity of Managing Teams 5:47 - Can Managers Build Great Teams Without Experiencing One? 7:55 - The Exercise of Defining a Great Team 9:04 - Learning from Peers and Avoiding Management Pitfalls 11:10 - The Key to Building Strong Teams: Chemistry 12:44 - What Does Team Chemistry Really Mean? 14:36 - Chemistry vs. Diversity in Teams 16:03 - The “Inappropriate Joke” Test for Chemistry 17:03 - Sponsor Break: This Dot Labs 17:50 - Building Trust Within Teams 19:00 - The Role of Feedback in Team Growth 21:42 - Why One-on-Ones Should Never Be Status Updates 24:53 - The Challenge of Giving Effective Feedback 27:03 - How to Deliver Constructive Feedback Effectively 30:18 - Mission Focus and High-Performance Teams 32:13 - Hiring and Developing A-Players 33:43 - Competitive vs. Clout-Chasing Team Members 35:40 - The Importance of Team Fit Over Individual Talent 36:28 - Where to Find Alex Yarotsky Online 36:54 - Closing and Sponsor Reminder Follow Alex on Social Media Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayarotsky/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    37 min

  3. JAN 31

    Boosting Software Release Velocity: Strategies for Reliable and Efficient Software Delivery

    In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel, VP of Innovation at This Dot Labs, speaks with Josh Tenenbaum, VP of Engineering at First Advantage, about improving release velocity. Josh shares practical strategies for achieving faster, smaller, and more frequent releases, emphasizing automation, intentionality, and robust testing. They discuss overcoming challenges like resistance to change, balancing speed with quality, and fostering happier, more efficient teams. Key Points from this Episode: - Josh Tenenbaum emphasizes the value of smaller, more frequent releases to reduce the risk of failure, improve rollback capabilities, and maintain a steady release cadence that fosters developer confidence and efficiency. - Automation is critical for improving release velocity. Josh describes how his team built automated pipelines for development, QA, and production, enabling smoother and faster deployments while minimizing manual effort. - Frequent releases provide developers with immediate feedback on their work, enhancing satisfaction and productivity. Teams benefit from seeing their impact quickly and iterating efficiently, fostering a sense of accomplishment. - To ensure quality without sacrificing speed, Josh's team prioritizes automation in testing and emphasizes robust code reviews. This approach minimizes bugs, improves collaboration, and builds confidence in the release process, creating a sustainable velocity. Chapters 0:00 - The Misconception About Faster Releases 0:50 - Introduction: Rob Ocel & Josh Tenenbaum 1:34 - Why Release Velocity Matters 2:16 - Team Structure & Scope of Work 3:06 - Migrating a Legacy Platform to the Cloud 4:04 - The Goal: Releasing Twice a Day 5:22 - Making Releases as Simple as Getting a Glass of Water 6:18 - Key Metrics for Measuring Release Efficiency 7:36 - Breaking Down the Release Process into Four Steps 9:10 - Understanding Release Size vs. Velocity 11:09 - The Importance of the Second Release 12:17 - Avoiding the Pitfalls of Chasing Faster Releases 16:35 - Sponsor Break: This Dot Labs 17:19 - How to Improve Release Velocity Sustainably 19:25 - Automating Everything, But Knowing What’s Worth It 21:32 - The Danger of Overcorrecting for Quality Issues 24:16 - Should Teams Test in Production? 27:38 - The Power of Frequent Releases in Reducing Risk 28:43 - Addressing Developer Concerns About Crunch 30:43 - The Role of Code Reviews in Release Quality 32:38 - The Impact of Release Efficiency on Developer Satisfaction 36:14 - The Importance of Intentionality in Engineering Processes 38:00 - Where to Connect with Josh Tenenbaum Follow Josh Tenenbaum on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshtenenbaum/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    39 min

  4. JAN 28

    Shipping Faster: Vercel CTO Malte Ubl on Iteration Velocity, AI Tools, and Scaling Software

    In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, host Tracy Lee chats with Vercel CTO Malte Ubl about shipping software faster, breaking down barriers in development, and fostering collaboration across teams. Malte shares lessons from Google, insights on iteration velocity, and how Vercel’s tools like feature flags and AI-driven prototypes are transforming workflows. They also discuss AI’s role in reshaping how software is built and preview exciting upcoming events.  Key Points from the Episode: Malte Ubl, CTO of Vercel, highlights the importance of iteration velocity in software development. He defines it as the speed and direction of progress, which enables teams to ship better software faster. Tools like HMR (Hot Module Replacement) and Vercel's Preview Deployments accelerate feedback cycles and decision-making. Vercel replaces approval-based processes with veto-based systems, empowering engineers to ship quickly while holding stakeholders accountable for active intervention when necessary. This approach simplifies decision-making and removes unnecessary bottlenecks. Vercel’s v0 tool allows non-developers, such as product managers and designers, to prototype and iterate independently. By minimizing handoffs and fostering collaboration, AI tools like v0 create smoother workflows across roles. Vercel brings foundational practices from Silicon Valley, such as feature flags and A/B testing, to organizations of all sizes. By encouraging scientific decision-making, Vercel helps businesses adopt high-efficiency engineering processes even without large-scale experimentation. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction to Vercel's V0 Tool 0:37 - Welcome to The Leadership Exchange 1:03 - Introducing Malte Ubl, CTO of Vercel 1:09 - Tracy & Malte’s History at Google 1:50 - Vercel’s Viral Billboard Campaign 2:29 - The Philosophy of Shipping Faster 3:10 - Malte’s Background at Google 4:20 - Reviving Google Desktop Search 5:59 - What Holds Organizations Back from Shipping Fast? 7:01 - The Concept of Iteration Velocity 9:21 - Speeding Up Development with HMR & Preview Deployments 10:28 - The Power of Feature Flags in Deployment 12:05 - Differences Between Big Tech & Other Companies in Software Development 14:23 - The Challenge of A/B Testing in Large Organizations 16:44 - The Magic of Silicon Valley & Engineering Culture 18:31 - Vercel’s Mission to Bring Big Tech Practices to All Companies 19:08 - AI’s Impact on Software Development 22:22 - How AI is Changing User Behavior in Search & Beyond 25:07 - The Next Step in AI-Powered Software Development 26:48 - Vercel V0 & Empowering Non-Developers 28:06 - Expanding Roles Across Teams with AI 30:08 - Reducing Friction Between Designers, Developers & PMs 32:07 - The Future of AI-Driven Development Tools 34:49 - Personal Software & The Democratization of App Development 35:41 - Advice for Engineering Leaders to Ship Faster 36:52 - Switching from Approvals to Vetos in Decision-Making 38:36 - Where to Find Malte Ubl Online 38:59 - Upcoming Leadership Event in Dallas Follow Malte Ubl on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/cramforce Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malteubl/ Sponsored by This Dot

    40 min

  5. JAN 23

    Reshaping U.S. Manufacturing with AI Software & Robotics

    Rob Ocel sits down with Andrew Tunnell, Vice President of AI at CompuGroup Medical US, to explore the transformative potential of AI across industries. From reshaping U.S. manufacturing with AI-driven robotics to tackling identity challenges in the digital age, Andrew shares his bold predictions and insights on leveraging AI for problem-solving and innovation. The conversation also explore ethical considerations, operational security, and the evolving landscape of hiring in AI. - AI in Manufacturing: Andrew predicts that AI-driven robotics will revolutionize U.S. manufacturing within the next decade, reducing reliance on global outsourcing by enabling cost-effective, modular, and flexible production lines. - AI and Identity Challenges: Advances in AI voice replication and deepfake technologies raise concerns about identity theft and security. Organizations and individuals must adopt new strategies for operational security and data ownership. - AI in Cybersecurity: The arms race between malicious AI and defensive AI will define future cybersecurity strategies. Organizations must leverage AI to proactively identify, counteract, and prevent threats in real time. - Passion Over Credentials in Hiring: Andrew emphasizes hiring for passion and character over formal qualifications, noting that hard skills can be learned but passion and integrity are essential for building high-performing teams in the fast-evolving AI industry. Chapters 0:00 - The Risk-Return Balance in Hiring 0:31 - Ownership in Hiring Outcomes 0:42 - The Art of Reading People in Hiring 1:00 - Current Hiring Challenges for Engineers 1:08 - Welcome to the Leadership Exchange Podcast 1:12 - Introducing Andrew Tunnel, VP of AI at Compy Group Medical 1:27 - Andrew’s Journey: From Startups to AI Leadership 2:00 - First Encounter with AI: Writing Patent Applications 2:24 - Lessons from Building a Fintech AI Startup 2:36 - Transitioning into AI Consulting and Leadership 2:48 - Live from an AI Event: Thoughts on Current Trends 3:03 - The Future of AI Technologies: Problem-Solving and Beyond 3:47 - AI in Healthcare: Potential Applications and Proof of Concepts 4:10 - The Hype and Reality of AI Capabilities 4:29 - Identity Challenges with AI: Voice Ownership and Ethics 5:00 - Educating Yourself on AI’s Impact on Personal Data 5:23 - AI’s Dual Nature: Exciting Features vs. New Threats 5:48 - Protecting Against Voice-Based Cyber Threats 6:22 - Rethinking Operational Security in an AI Era 7:00 - Teaching the Next Generation to Navigate AI Risks 7:59 - Cybersecurity in a World of Advanced AI Tools 8:48 - AI for Defense: Fighting Fire with Fire 9:42 - How AI Can Counter Malicious AI Attacks 10:12 - Real-Time Problem Solving with AI in Cybersecurity 11:12 - AI and Robotics: Revolutionizing US Manufacturing 11:45 - Predictions for AI-Driven Domestic Manufacturing 12:18 - Cutting Costs Through Localized AI Manufacturing 13:25 - The Role of AI in Dynamic and Modular Factories 14:25 - Flexibility in Manufacturing with AI and Robotics 15:25 - Challenges of Transitioning to AI-Driven Automation 16:03 - The New Generation of AI Engineers 16:42 - Shifting Talent from Crypto to AI 17:12 - Identifying Passion and Character in Hiring AI Engineers 18:00 - Indicators of Passion and Honest Character in Candidates 18:56 - Balancing Technical Tests with Cultural Fit in Hiring 20:01 - Flaws in Overemphasizing Perfect Candidates 21:15 - Finding Hidden Gems in the Hiring Process 22:01 - Testing for Persistence vs. True Skills in Hiring 23:07 - Balancing Risk and Return in Building Teams 24:10 - Leveraging Passion as a Predictor of Success 25:25 - Closing Thoughts: Developing AI Teams with Character 26:13 - Andrew’s LinkedIn as a Point of Contact 26:46 - Closing the Leadership Exchange Podcast Episode Follow Andrew Tunnell on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-tunnell-075162b9/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    27 min

  6. JAN 21

    Managing Change Fatigue in Remote Organizations with Leadership Coach Noa Ronen

    In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Tracy Lee chats with her longtime friend and coach, Noa Ronen, co-founder of The Coaching Connection. They explore how organizations can approach change fatigue, balance growth with emotional well-being, and create space for meaningful connection. Noa shares practical advice on fostering collaboration, empowering teams to solve problems, and building stronger relationships in remote work settings. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction: Is Training Still Relevant Today? 0:25 - Welcome to the Leadership Exchange Podcast 0:50 - Meet Noah: Co-Founder of the Coaching Connection 1:45 - The Story Behind the Coaching Connection 2:30 - From the Israeli Army to Coaching Leaders 4:20 - Leading Change: Lessons from Talent Development 5:50 - Change Fatigue: Challenges in Today’s Organizations 7:40 - Balancing Growth and Human Development 9:15 - Why Traditional Training Fails to Drive Behavior Change 10:40 - The Power of Repetition and Short Learning Cycles 12:10 - Collaborative Learning and the Role of Facilitators 14:30 - Building Relationships Through Repetitive Learning 16:20 - Coaching Technical Leaders: From Expert to People Leader 18:45 - Empowering Teams: Letting Go of Being the Problem Solver 21:20 - Coaching and Accountability: Keys to Behavior Change 22:50 - Remote Work: Maintaining Connection in Distributed Teams 24:45 - Rituals for Building Connection in Remote Work 26:30 - The Impact of Missing Social Cues in Remote Leadership 27:40 - Helping Younger Generations Build Relationship Skills 28:45 - Final Thoughts and Thank You Follow Noa Ronen on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/NoaRcoach Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noarcoach/ Website: https://www.coachingconnection-on.com/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    29 min

  7. JAN 21

    Data Optimization, Quality, and Governance: Aligning Innovation with ROI

    In this episode of the Leadership Exchange Podcast, host Tracy Lee speaks with Sam Raghavachari, Head of Technology at Cabot, about the evolving role of technology in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. They discuss the challenges of modernizing legacy systems, leveraging AI for administrative tasks and data optimization, and the critical importance of data quality and governance. Sam shares insights on integrating technology with business goals, the untapped potential for startups in CRE, and strategies for aligning innovation with ROI. Key Points - Modernizing CRE Technology: Sam shares challenges in updating legacy systems and scaling technology for global operations. - AI in Commercial Real Estate: AI's potential to streamline tasks like leasing, investment analysis, and administrative work is explored. - Data as a Foundation: Clean, well-managed data is critical for successful AI implementation and operational efficiency in CRE. - Startup Opportunities in CRE: The industry offers numerous areas for innovation, from document management to building optimization. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction: The Importance of Data 0:43 - Welcome to The Leadership Exchange 1:08 - Sam’s Role and Background 2:24 - The Challenges of Legacy Systems 3:29 - AI in Commercial Real Estate 6:48 - Real-World Examples of Automation 7:50 - Quick Wins with AI in Real Estate 9:02 - Top Technology Upgrades in Real Estate 13:26 - Fixing Outdated Processes 15:10 - Startup Ideas and Innovation 19:54 - Building Optimization and Small Players 22:41 - Caution Around AI Hype 23:40 - Final Thoughts on AI Strategy 24:41 - Closing and Where to Find Sam Follow Sam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samraghavachari/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    24 min

  8. JAN 14

    Cultivating Startup Success: Jeremy Edberg on Vision, Motivation, and Dev Community Growth

    In this episode of the Leadership Exchange Podcast, Tracy Lee welcomes back Jeremy Edberg, co-founder of DBOS, former Chief Architect at Reddit, and veteran startup investor. Together, they look into the realities of building and scaling startups, from the myth of "overnight success" to practical strategies for maintaining motivation through the slog of slow growth. Jeremy shares valuable insights on how to communicate a long-term vision, celebrate small wins, nurture developer communities, and stay focused while navigating market trends. Key Points: - The myth of overnight success: Startups like Cloudflare may seem like instant hits, but real success takes years of consistent effort.   - Keeping teams motivated: Learn how to communicate a long-term vision and celebrate small wins to boost morale during slow growth periods.   - Building developer tools: Insights on creating a standout developer experience and why simplicity is key to adoption.   - Riding market trends: Hear how startups can strategically lean into emerging trends like AI without losing focus.   - Staying resilient as a founder: Practical advice on managing expectations, tracking growth without stress, and navigating the ups and downs of startup life. Follow Jeremy on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/jedberg Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedberg/ Github: https://github.com/jedberg thisdot.co

    27 min
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About

This is The Leadership Exchange, where we sit down with accomplished leaders and uncover the secrets of their success. Join us as we delve into their career journeys, discuss the challenges they faced, and explore the solutions they discovered along the way. Whether you're an aspiring leader or looking to enhance your leadership skills, this podcast offers valuable insights and inspiration from those who have navigated the path to success.

Information

  • Creator
    This Dot Labs
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © This Dot Labs
  • Show Website
    The Leadership Exchange

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