Tech Leader Pro

John Collins

Welcome to leadprompt.sh // executing leadership from the root. This is a weekly podcast unpacking the principles, ideas, and approaches needed to successfully lead large teams in the tech industry. We skip the fluff and get straight to the code: actionable leadership lessons you can deploy to your team immediately. Hosted by John Collins, a seasoned tech leader with decades of experience managing large software engineering teams. Expect episodes that are short, sharp, and grounded in stoic philosophy. Hit subscribe to execute the latest episode every week. #techleadership #softwareengineering #stoicism #management #podcast #tech

  1. FEB 4

    The Best Code is the Code You Delete (TLP 2026w4)

    In this episode, I dive into why the most radical act in modern engineering isn't adding more features, but having the courage to take them away. I explore the philosophy of reduction: from the logical foundations of Occam’s Razor to the biological realities of Cognitive Load, to show you why simple systems are inherently more reliable and sustainable. I’ll break down the mathematics of risk in complex processes and share how you can use First Principles Thinking to strip your codebase and workflows down to their "functional marrow." Whether you're an architect, a developer, or a team lead, join me as I discuss why the most mature move you can make is often deleting the code you never should have written in the first place. Key concepts covered: Occam’s Razor: Choosing the solution with the fewest assumptions. Cognitive Load Theory: Designing for the limits of human working memory. First Principles: Deconstructing problems to their fundamental truths. Serial System Reliability: Understanding how every additional step increases the probability of failure. Scoring Framework: How to objectively grade answers from 1-5 to ensure a cultural and behavioural fit. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/724-The-Best-Code-is-the-Code-You-Delete-(TLP-2026w4) Keywords: Software Engineering, Clean Code, System Architecture, Occam's Razor, First Principles Thinking, Cognitive Load Theory, Software Design Patterns, Coding Best Practices, Reducing Technical Debt, Engineering Leadership, Process Optimization, Reliability Engineering, Programming Philosophy, Minimalism in Code, Developer Productivity.

    4 min

  2. FEB 3

    Vibe Coding is the new RAD (TLP 2026w3)

    In this episode, I dive into the "Vibe Coding" phenomenon and why it’s essentially the modern rebirth of Rapid Application Development (RAD). Drawing parallels between the drag-and-drop era of Visual Basic in the 90s and today’s AI-driven natural language prompts, I explore how the core DNA of software development remains the same: prioritizing speed, prototyping, and abstraction over rigid planning. I’ll break down the shared strengths of these approaches like their "Anti-Waterfall" nature, while confronting the familiar pitfalls of "spaghetti code" and unmaintainable architectures. Whether you’re a "grey-haired" veteran or a new developer, join me to see why Vibe Coding isn’t a threat to your career, but rather the latest, most powerful iteration of a cycle we’ve seen before. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/723-Vibe-Coding-is-the-new-RAD-(TLP-2026w3) Keywords: Vibe Coding, Rapid Application Development, RAD, AI software engineering, history of programming, Visual Basic vs AI, Agile vs RAD, future of software development, AI coding tools, natural language programming, spaghetti code AI, software prototyping, creative director coding, tech industry trends 2026, grey haired coder.

    5 min

  3. JAN 24

    How to Interview Team Leads with The 20 Question Scorecard (TLP 2026w2)

    Stop gambling on your leadership hires. Use a data-driven system to find the right fit. When hiring a Team Lead or Tech Lead, technical excellence is only half the story. The real challenge lies in assessing their soft skills: communication, judgement, and the ability to build trust. In this episode, I break down my exact framework for interviewing leadership candidates, including a 20-question behavioural scorecard that removes the guesswork from the hiring process. Key Discussion Points The "80-Point" Rule: Why I don't hire candidates who score below an 80/100. Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills: Why interpersonal skills are the "make or break" for modern engineering leads. The 20-Question Breakdown: A walk through of essential questions covering: Conflict Resolution & Performance Management Technical Strategy & Delegation Feedback Culture & Burnout Prevention Incident Response & Stakeholder Management Scoring Framework: How to objectively grade answers from 1-5 to ensure a cultural and behavioural fit. Key takeaway: An elite coder with poor communication will eventually stall your team. Learn how to identify proactive, high-EQ leaders who can scale your engineering culture effectively. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/722-How-to-Interview-Team-Leads-with-The-20-Question-Scorecard-(TLP-2026w2) Keywords: Team Lead Interview, Tech Lead Interview, Behavioral Interview Questions, Engineering Management, Engineering Leadership, Hiring Software Engineers, Soft Skills for Tech Leads, Leadership Scorecard, Tech Hiring 2026, Engineering Manager Interview, Management Training, Conflict Resolution for Leads, Performance Management Tech, Tech Lead Roles and Responsibilities, How to Hire a Tech Lead, Software Engineering Leadership, Leadership Assessment, Interview Scoring System, Team Lead Soft Skills, Technical Leadership Strategy, Engineering Culture, Tech Recruiting Tips, Mentorship in Tech, Leading Engineering Teams, Engineering Lead Framework, Technical Strategy Interview, Stakeholder Management Tech, Engineering Burnout Prevention, Delegating for Tech Leads, Hiring for Culture Fit.

    4 min

  4. JAN 8

    Stop waiting for the encouragement of others (TLP 2026w1)

    Kick off 2026 by reclaiming your agency. In this first episode of the year, I explore why waiting for external validation is the ultimate silent killer of leadership momentum. I dive into the psychology of the Internal vs. External Locus of Control, explaining why relying on the "attaboy" makes your vision fragile and your progress slow. While encouragement is a vital tool for mentoring your team, relying on it for your own decisions is a form of consensus-seeking that delays the inevitable. Learn why high-level leadership requires you to stop being a passenger and finally take the wheel of your own career. Key Discussion Points The Locus of Control: Shifting from external permission to internal conviction. Leadership Evolution: Why the need for encouragement should decline as you grow wiser. The 70% Rule: Why acting on "obvious" paths immediately beats waiting for a green light. The Permission-Slip Audit: A practical challenge to jumpstart your bias for action this week. Memorable Quotes "Encouragement is a luxury; conviction is a necessity." "The secret of high-level leadership is that no one is coming to tell you it's time. You decide it’s time." "If the encouragement stops, your progress stops. Don't let your vision be that fragile." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/721-Stop-waiting-for-the-encouragement-of-others-(TLP-2026w1) Keywords: leadership 2026, bias for action, locus of control, internal locus of control, leadership mindset, decision making for leaders, stop waiting for permission, career advancement, executive leadership tips, podcast for leaders, 2026 goals, overcoming hesitation, management advice, mentorship vs leadership, psychological traits of leaders, self-validation, taking initiative, business leadership, professional growth, how to be a better leader, productivity for executives, bias for action framework, permission-slip audit, decisive leadership, confidence in leadership, personal agency, high-level leadership, leadership coaching, career momentum, the lead podcast

    4 min

  5. JAN 4

    2025 recap and 2026 predictions (TLP 2025w52)

    This episode of The Tech Leader Podcast provides a comprehensive look at the shifting tides of the global tech and political landscape as we transition into 2026. After a remarkably accurate set of predictions for 2025 - confirmed by Google Gemini - the host dives into what the "Year of the Correction" might look like. From the cooling of the AI investment frenzy to the strategic retreats of automotive giants like Mercedes-Benz, this episode explores the friction between high-tech ambition and market reality. Key Discussion Points 2025 Retrospective: A 100% "Pass" rate on previous predictions, including the return of US protectionism, the stagnation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the "reality check" for AGI. The AI Investment Bubble: Why OpenAI’s $58 billion in total funding might not see a return for decades, and why the market is overdue for a sharp correction. The End of the "Free" AI Era: Predictions on how Google and other AI providers will integrate paid advertising directly into prompt interfaces to cover massive compute costs. The EV Slowdown: Analyzing why market forces are winning over regulations, leading manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz to pivot back to high-tech combustion engines. Edge AI & Local Models: The rise of the "128 Gig PC" and the shift toward "Agentic AI" that runs locally on your own hardware rather than in the cloud. Germany’s Energy Crisis: How "creeping deindustrialization" and high utility costs are reshaping the political map of Europe's largest economy. Memorable Quotes "AGI is near is the new Singularity is near. While recent growth in generative AI has been remarkable, we are still decades out from AGI." "Google is an ad company that pretends to be a search company... expect to see more ads in your favourite AI prompt interfaces in the near future." "In the low-regulated US market, where demand is driven by market factors rather than regulation, [EV] demand is softening. Market forces will win out in all regions eventually." "The bureaucracy proved too entrenched to be dismantled in the aggressive timeline proposed." (On the dissolution of DOGE in late 2025). Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/720-2025-recap-and-2026-predictions-(TLP-2025w52) Keywords: 2026 Predictions, Tech Trends 2026, AI Investment, OpenAI Revenue, Google Gemini, AGI Reality Check, EV Market Trends, Mercedes-Benz Strategy, German Energy Crisis, Edge AI, Local LLM, Agentic AI, 128GB PC, Tech Leader Podcast, Donald Trump 2025, US Protectionism, DOGE Department of Government Efficiency, Tech Industry Recap, Future of AI Ads, AI Infrastructure Costs, Silicon Valley Economics, Deindustrialization, EU Politics 2026, AfD Germany, EV Sales Decline, Combustion Engines, High-Tech Hardware, Generative AI Bubble, Tech Leadership

    17 min

  6. JAN 3

    Channel update (TLP 2025w49)

    A brief channel update for the Tech Leader Pro podcast. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/719-Channel-update-(TLP-2025w49) Keywords: leadership, tech, leader, team, management, podcast, stoic, stoicism

    2 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    The benefits of a harsh mentor (TLP 2025w48)

    Modern leadership advice is obsessed with psychological safety and encouragement. But in this episode, I argue that this consensus is making future leaders soft. To achieve true excellence and build necessary resilience, you don’t need a cheerleader; you need a "harsh" mentor. We aren't talking about abuse. We are talking about mentors who set an uncompromising standard of excellence and refuse to accept anything less. From scientific geniuses like Michael Faraday to culinary icons like Gordon Ramsay, history proves that the toughest teachers often produce the greatest students. If you want to move past 90% effort and find your authentic voice, you might need someone to tear down your work first. Key Concepts Covered The Flaw in Modern Mentorship: Why the "softly-softly" approach fails to build resilient leaders. Calibration to Reality: How harsh mentors remove social cushioning to expose the brutal truths of your field. The "Impossible" Standard: Why refusing to praise 90% effort forces a student to find levels they didn't know they had. Autonomy via Opposition: How rebelling against a demanding mentor helps you develop your independent voice. Historical Case Studies: The intense (and sometimes humiliating) dynamics that forged Michael Faraday, Gordon Ramsay, and Quincy Jones. The Caveat: Knowing the difference between transactional harshness and useless abuse. Key Quotes "A 'harsh' mentor is not necessarily abusive, but rather one who sets an uncompromising standard of excellence and refuses to accept anything less." "Constant, unvarnished critique forces a mentee to separate their ego from their work. They learn to view criticism as data for improvement rather than a personal attack." "When a mentor refuses to say 'good job' to 90% effort, the student learns to reach 100% - a level they might never have attempted otherwise." On Nadia Boulanger: "She stripped away their vanity and forced them to find their true, authentic voice." "Without that directness, we would have wasted time. Without that honesty, I would not have improved." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/718-The-benefits-of-a-harsh-mentor-(TLP-2025w48) Keywords: Mentorship, Harsh Mentor, Leadership Skills, Resilience, Tough Love, High Performance, Career Growth, Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Michael Faraday, Nadia Boulanger, Constructive Criticism, Management Training, Mental Toughness, Success Mindset, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Dealing with Criticism, Comfort Zone, Growth Mindset, Excellence, Business Leadership, Apprenticeship, Ego Control, Critical Feedback, Podcast, Mentor Mentee Dynamic, Hard Truths, Discipline, Self Improvement

    6 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    The Illusion of Control (TLP 2025w47)

    We often believe we are the ones pulling the levers, but how many of those levers are actually connected to anything? In this episode, I explore the concept of the "Placebo Button" - mechanically sound but functionally disconnected controls designed to pacify us. I move from the physical illusion of control at crosswalks and elevators to the psychological illusions present in our workplaces and elections. Are you truly leading, or are you just pressing a button that someone else installed? I discuss how to spot the difference between benevolent deception and manipulation, and how a Stoic mindset is the only true defense. Key Concepts Covered The Placebo Button: A user interface that provides tactile feedback (clicks/lights) but has no effect on the system, existing solely to provide a sense of agency The Illusion of Control: A psychological principle (Ellen Langer) stating that humans tolerate stress and waiting better when they believe they can influence the outcome. Benevolent Deception: The intentional use of harmless illusions by designers or leaders to reduce user anxiety or improve team morale. Action Bias: The human preference for doing something (even if futile) rather than doing nothing during a stressful wait. Stoic Control: The philosophy that while we often only have influence over external systems, we have absolute control over our own reactions. Key Quotes "In pure power dynamics: We are pressing the placebo button, but they installed it." "Most of it is harmless... but occasionally you will be manipulated into pressing 'placebo buttons' unknowingly that do nothing more than pacify you." "Humans generally prefer doing something to doing nothing. Pressing a futile button satisfies the urge to act." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/717-The-Illusion-of-Control-(TLP-2025w47) Keywords: Placebo Button, Illusion of Control, Stoicism, Leadership Psychology, Ellen Langer, Benevolent Deception, Action Bias, Management Strategy, Corporate Culture, Power Dynamics, Organizational Behavior, Workplace Psychology, Human Behavior, Critical Thinking, Mental Models, Cognitive Biases, Leadership Development, Emotional Intelligence, Social Psychology, Philosophy of Life, Control vs Influence, UX Design Psychology, Systemic Control, Personal Agency, Stoic Leadership, Business Leadership, Podcast for Leaders, Hidden Control, Psychology Facts, Self Awareness

    4 min
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About

Welcome to leadprompt.sh // executing leadership from the root. This is a weekly podcast unpacking the principles, ideas, and approaches needed to successfully lead large teams in the tech industry. We skip the fluff and get straight to the code: actionable leadership lessons you can deploy to your team immediately. Hosted by John Collins, a seasoned tech leader with decades of experience managing large software engineering teams. Expect episodes that are short, sharp, and grounded in stoic philosophy. Hit subscribe to execute the latest episode every week. #techleadership #softwareengineering #stoicism #management #podcast #tech

Information

  • Creator
    John Collins
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Tech Leader Pro