Tech World Human Skills

Ben Pearce
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Ben Pearce interviews thought leaders in the tech world to learn from their success. In each episode we focus on a topic our guest has learnt about, failed at, course corrected and ultimately succeeded with. We can stand on the shoulders of giants and benefit from their insight. The Tech World Human Skills podcast is a masterclass on building the leadership, professional and human skills that are essential to thrive in the tech world. If you're in Pre-Sales, Consulting, Engineering, Customer Success, Architecture, Tech Leadership or any other tech discipline come and join the party. New episodes every 2 weeks. Listen to The Tech World Humans Skills podcast wherever you listen to your podcast or watch on YouTube. Check out www.techworldhumanskills.com for more details.

  1. APR 1

    What Nobody Tells You About Moving Into Tech Leadership | Malcolm Murphy

    Most technical people get promoted because they're the best at the job. Then they spend the next 18 months quietly struggling. Nobody told them it is a completely different job. Malcolm Murphy has spent his career in technical pre-sales, leading solutions consultant teams across major vendor organisations. His view is blunt: the skills that got you promoted will actively hold you back as a manager. What you'll learn: Identify the three distinct buckets every new tech leader must manage from day one Build a proactive hiring bench before you even have a role to fill Set clear performance expectations without fearing the conversation Delegate outcomes instead of activities to unlock your team's performance Develop your people in a way that drives retention more than any salary increase About Malcolm Murphy: Malcolm Murphy has spent the majority of his career in technical pre-sales, moving from UNIX engineer to leading solutions consultant teams across major vendor organisations. He currently specialises in insider risk and human risk management at Mimecast and runs the Pre-Sales Leaders Forum community in the UK. Episode highlights: [approx. 5 min mark] Malcolm breaks down the three buckets every new manager must own: people, business, and company leadership [approx. 17 min mark] Why hiring is not something you do alongside your job. It is your job. How to build a proactive bench before headcount opens up [approx. 36 min mark] The micromanagement trap and why your personal blueprint for success might be the worst thing you impose on your team Connect with Malcolm: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/Malcolm-Murphy Enjoyed this episode? Here's what to do next: 📩 Get Ben's weekly newsletter — practical ideas for technical professionals, straight to your inbox: https://www.techworldhumanskills.com   🔗 Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts  🌐 Explore the Technical Storytelling Professional Program: https://elevatedyou.live  Tech World Human Skills is the podcast for technical professionals who want to communicate, influence, and lead at the highest level.

    51 min

  2. MAR 18

    EP76: Five Human Competencies Every Modern Leader Needs with Panos Malakoudis

    In this episode, Ben Pearce and Panos Malakoudis discuss the evolving landscape of leadership in the age of AI. They explore the five essential human competencies that modern leaders need: Insight, Integration, Inspiration, Integrity, and Impact.   Panos Malakoudis runs his own company - Citium Solutions.  He spent many years leading Consultancy and Engineering teams at Microsoft.  Then he led coaching programs for the Microsoft leadership community and even got a Guinness World Record for it.    Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Panos Malakoudis Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmalakoudis/ Citium Solutions - https://www.citiumsolutions.co.uk/ Panos Forbes Page-  https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/panosmalakoudis/   Takeaways Leadership is changing due to rapid technological advancements. Empathy has become a crucial competency for leaders post-COVID. 95% of AI pilots fail due to lack of insight and connection to business needs. Leaders must integrate technology into their decision-making processes. Inspiration is key to managing change and addressing team fears. Integrity involves understanding the ethical implications of AI usage. Measuring impact is essential for assessing the success of AI initiatives. Leaders should create a culture of experimentation and support. The fear of becoming obsolete (phobo) affects both leaders and teams. The five competencies are not new but need to be reframed for today's challenges.   Keywords leadership, modern leadership, human competencies, AI, coaching, change management, integrity, impact, technology integration, inspiration

    45 min

  3. MAR 4

    EP75: Building an AI-Native Engineering Team with Nic Neate

    In this episode Ben Pearce and Nic Neate discuss what it's really like to build and be part of an AI native engineering team.  Nic shares his experiences and insights on how AI is fundamentally changing the way software is developed, the skills required for engineers in this new landscape, and the challenges organizations face in adapting to these changes.    Nic Neate is the CTO of @Nimbus.  He has many years working in the software world and previously worked at Metaswitch and Microsoft.   Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Nic Neate Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-neate-b3515210/ Nimbus - https://www.nimbusmaps.co.uk/     Takeaways AI is fundamentally changing software engineering. Vibe coding is using AI to write code. AI native means riding the wave of AI tooling. Being AI native enables you to do so much more. AI can do it in 10 minutes what you could do in a week. Context engineering is a key skill for engineers. Decision making is crucial in an AI native world. You need to invest in your tool chain. Recruitment processes need to change for AI roles. Maximize value for people working in AI.   Keywords AI native engineering, software development, generative AI, engineering teams, AI tools, context engineering, software productivity, AI integration, engineering leadership, tech transformation

    45 min

  4. FEB 18

    EP74: Leading Through Major Incidents with Richard Baker

    In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills Podcast, Ben Pearce and Richard Baker discuss the critical topic of managing major incidents in the tech industry. They explore the importance of preparation, communication, and the human element in crisis management. Richard shares real-life experiences and insights on how to effectively lead teams through high-pressure situations.   Richard Baker is the CIO of TWC IT Solutions.  He has years of working in the tech world and many battle scars from leading teams through major incidents.    Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com TWC IT Solutions Linked In -  https://www.linkedin.com/company/twc-support Richard Baker Email - richard@twcitsolutions.com TWC IT Solutions - https://twc-it-solutions.com/   Takeaways   The most important part of any business is the team. Companies should practice incident response like fire drills. Keeping calm during a crisis leads to better decision-making. Effective communication with leadership is crucial during incidents. Preparation is key to managing major incidents successfully. Understanding the scope of the problem is essential for resolution. Building trust with clients enhances collaboration during crises. Post-incident analysis helps prevent future issues. Regular updates to clients reduce anxiety during incidents. A good relationship with clients is vital for effective incident management.     Keywords   incident management, crisis management, cybersecurity, communication, preparation, leadership, client trust, human skills, tech solutions, business continuity

    44 min

  5. FEB 4

    EP73: Leadership 101 - Leading Change with Ben Caird

    Leading through change isn't about sending a broadcast email and hoping for the best. In this episode, Ben Caird breaks down why most change initiatives fail and shares the ADKAR framework that actually gets teams moving in the same direction.   Ben Caird is a seasoned professional leader.  He's led teams of all sizes in a variety of tech companies and has years of experience.   Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Ben Caird Linked In -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcaird/   Keywords   change management, leadership, adkar framework, stakeholder buy-in, team transformation, organizational change, effective communication, awareness and desire, change resistance, business impact   Takeaways   If you're not driving change, you're probably not leading. The ADKAR model is a great way to think about driving change. People resist change by default - you need to create genuine desire, not just awareness. Starting with "how to change" before explaining "why change" is where most initiatives fail. Effective change takes time with the right people; efficient change just broadcasts instructions that nobody follows. Change champions who are peers often influence adoption more than senior leaders telling people what to do. You get what you inspect - measuring adoption by team creates healthy accountability. The right executive sponsor can unblock resistance and hold stakeholders accountable when you can't. Sometimes you need to build a pilot and prove value before you can get widespread buy-in. Not every change battle is worth fighting - if you can't get past awareness and desire, question whether it's the right idea.

    49 min

  6. JAN 21

    EP72: Value Engineering 101 with Paul Harris

    In this episode we delve into the concept of value engineering and explore its significance in the tech industry. Paul explains the importance of understanding both the technology and the business needs of customers.  We cover how to effectively bridge the gap between technical solutions and financial outcomes.   Paul Harris has worked in technical pre-sales for many years.  He is the co-host of "The Wandering Tech Podcast" and is Director of Pre-Sales at Loftware.    Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Paul Harris Linked In -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfharris/      Takeaways Value engineering is about understanding customer problems and providing solutions. It's essential to bridge the gap between technology and business. Understanding how a business makes money is crucial for tech professionals. Financial acumen is as important as technical knowledge in pre-sales. Using relatable analogies can simplify complex business concepts. Crafting a business case requires understanding both revenue and costs. Value engineering helps in making technology investments stand out as business projects. Consultants need to help customers articulate the value of solutions to decision-makers. Key financial concepts include revenue, costs, and operating profit. Continuous learning about financial principles can enhance consulting effectiveness.   Keywords value engineering, business acumen, technology solutions, financial concepts, pre-sales, consulting, enterprise sales, ROI, customer success, supply chain

    48 min

  7. JAN 7

    EP71: The Hidden Half: ADHD and Neurodiversity in Tech with Sam Bramwell

    In this episode we talk about ADHD in tech.  We explore what ADHD is, how it shows up in the tech workplace, and provides practical tips for both neurotypical and neurodivergent people to work effectively together.   Our guest Sam Bramwell has been a CEO, Chief of Staff at Microsoft UK and now leads a coaching program for leaders with ADHD.   Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Sam Bramwell Linked In -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bramwell-ac-pcc-3287642/ Additude Website - https://additudemag.com https://theADHDleader.co.uk       Keywords Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), Interest-based nervous system, Body doubling, Dopamine dysregulation, Neurodivergent, Executive functioning, ADHD coaching, Personalized leadership, Tech Talent Charter, Paint done   Takeaways 50% of tech workers self-identify as neurodivergent, while employers think only 3% are ADHD is driven by an interest-based nervous system (novelty, urgency, complexity, challenge, passion) and involves dopamine dysregulation Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) means criticism can feel like physical pain for people with ADHD Learn about your own "operating system" and communicate clearly what you need to perform at your best "Paint done" - provide clear expectations, context, and break large projects into manageable steps Always include agendas and context for meetings to reduce anxiety Practice personalized leadership by asking people how they work best and what they need Create environments that support different processing needs (flexible working, quiet spaces, body doubling sessions) Lead with empathy, focus on strengths-based approaches, and use positive reinforcement Educate yourself about neurodiversity - many "ADHD-friendly" practices benefit everyone

    44 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    EP70: Will AI Eat Consultancy Jobs? with Steve Chan

    In this episode we're asking the question "Will AI eat consultancy jobs?".  There are so many people using their skills to help businesses deploy the latest tech.  So what's the future look like for them.   Steve Chan is the founder of a new company Stealth Labs. He's worked in Digital Intelligence at BAE and been an AI solutions engineer at Microsoft.    Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Steve Chance Webpage -  https://stevechan.ai   Keywords   consultancy, inefficiency, business perspective, profit margins, upskilling, training, organizational roles   Takeaways  Consultancy often operates inefficiently from a business standpoint. Consultants are frequently sold out to organizations for fees. There is overwhelming pressure to maintain profit margins in consultancy. Consultants may spend more time in one organization than intended. The need for training and upskilling is critical in consultancy. Profit margins can hinder the ability to respond to new requirements. Consultants face challenges in balancing multiple organizational roles. The structure of consultancy can lead to inefficiencies in service delivery. Effective training programs are essential for consultant development. Understanding the dynamics of consultancy can improve business outcomes.

    41 min
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About

Ben Pearce interviews thought leaders in the tech world to learn from their success. In each episode we focus on a topic our guest has learnt about, failed at, course corrected and ultimately succeeded with. We can stand on the shoulders of giants and benefit from their insight. The Tech World Human Skills podcast is a masterclass on building the leadership, professional and human skills that are essential to thrive in the tech world. If you're in Pre-Sales, Consulting, Engineering, Customer Success, Architecture, Tech Leadership or any other tech discipline come and join the party. New episodes every 2 weeks. Listen to The Tech World Humans Skills podcast wherever you listen to your podcast or watch on YouTube. Check out www.techworldhumanskills.com for more details.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Pearce
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Elevated You Ltd 2025
  • Show Website
    Tech World Human Skills

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