Tech Council

Duncan Mapes, Jason Ehmke

Are you a tech leader, architect, or engineer navigating the intricacies of building within the enterprise? Tech Council delivers the strategies and insights you need to succeed. Hosted by Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke, experienced leaders from the startup and banking tech arenas, this podcast dives deep into technology strategy and enterprise dynamics. Learn how to drive innovation, understand the bigger picture, and build impactful solutions from the ground up. Subscribe to Tech Council and gain the knowledge to shape the future of your enterprise, no matter your role.

  1. Blameless Postmortems: The Secret to Better Engineering Teams | Episode 17

    -4 J

    Blameless Postmortems: The Secret to Better Engineering Teams | Episode 17

    A critical incident hits. Systems go down. Deadlines slip. Fingers point. Sound familiar? In this episode, Duncan and Jason break down how high-performing engineering teams recover differently. Instead of assigning blame, they focus on learning, adapting, and improving. Through stories and insights, they explore how leadership sets the tone for accountability, why feedback loops are essential for growth, and how creating psychological safety helps engineers move faster without fear. If you’ve ever been in the middle of a postmortem wondering how to make your team stronger, this conversation will change the way you think about engineering culture. Top Takeaways: Building a resilient engineering culture requires overcoming fear and blame.Incident responses reveal the underlying culture of an organization.Blameless postmortems focus on accountability, not punishment.Leaders must model accountability to foster a healthy culture.Creating a culture of trust involves open communication and vulnerability.Accountability should be balanced with support and understanding.Influencing culture starts with individual actions and leadership.Navigating niceness in leadership requires setting clear expectations.High standards lead to better team dynamics and accountability.Low accountability results in wasted resources and ineffective teams. Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    32 min
  2. Freedom vs. Centralization: Engineering’s Biggest Dilemma | Episode 16

    28 AOÛT

    Freedom vs. Centralization: Engineering’s Biggest Dilemma | Episode 16

    Every engineering leader has been there. Your team wants the freedom to try new tools, adopt new frameworks, and build in ways that make sense to them. But leadership needs consistency, security, and cost control. So… who’s right? In this episode of Tech Council, Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke unpack how to balance developer autonomy with organizational alignment. It’s not about locking everything down, nor is it about letting every team go rogue. It’s about knowing where freedom fuels innovation and where centralization prevents chaos. Whether you’re managing three engineers or three hundred, this episode delivers actionable insights for engineering leaders looking to optimize for both speed and stability. Top Takeaways:  Freedom in engineering can lead to significant efficiency gains.Centralization can improve decision-making and reduce costs.A standardized stack allows for quicker onboarding of developers.Decentralization can lead to increased operational risk and inefficiencies.The balance between freedom and centralization is context-dependent.Quick decision-making is crucial for organizational efficiency.Too much freedom can result in stagnation and missed deadlines.Centralized decision-making can help maintain security and compliance.Empowering developers with context can lead to better decision-making.Finding a middle ground is essential for effective engineering management. Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    46 min
  3. Surviving Your First Leadership Transition in Technology | Episode 15

    18 AOÛT

    Surviving Your First Leadership Transition in Technology | Episode 15

    Most advice about leadership transitions is sugarcoated: “Trust the process, be patient, focus on people.”  While that’s not wrong, it’s not the whole story. In this candid episode, Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke break through the noise to talk about what actually matters when you step into a new role: defining success metrics, proving yourself with early wins, and building credibility fast.  Leadership transitions are less about theory and more about execution, and the way you handle those first 90 days can set the tone for years to come. Top Takeaways: Transitioning from a large enterprise to a smaller organization can be intimidating.In smaller companies, accountability is more direct and personal.The first few months in a new role should focus on learning and absorbing information.Assessing team dynamics and architecture is crucial for effective leadership.Early wins are important for building credibility and trust.Defining success criteria is essential for aligning team goals with organizational objectives.Fresh eyes can provide valuable insights into existing processes and team dynamics.Avoid making snap judgments about team members; assess their skills fairly.Planning should be done in phases, focusing on short-term and long-term goals.Continuous self-improvement is vital for effective leadership. Mentioned in the Episode: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif BabinThe Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen CoveyHigh Output Management by Andy Grove Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    35 min
  4. Metrics in Software Engineering: Friend or Foe? | Episode 14

    11 AOÛT

    Metrics in Software Engineering: Friend or Foe? | Episode 14

    Metrics aren’t the problem. You are. For years, engineers have hated metrics, but what if the real issue isn’t the numbers… it’s how they’re used? In this episode, Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke dig into why many engineers roll their eyes at metrics, the traps leaders fall into when measuring productivity, and how to shift the conversation toward continuous improvement. They challenge conventional thinking, arguing that metrics can transform engineering culture if leaders stop using them as surveillance tools. They break down how to measure without micromanaging, why team-level data beats individual stats, and how metrics can expose, not punish, weak spots in your delivery process. Top Takeaways: Metrics in software engineering are often misunderstood and misused.Engineers typically resist being measured due to a fear of scrutiny.Effective metrics should focus on outcomes, not just activity.Continuous improvement is essential for enhancing team performance.Team-level metrics are more valuable than individual metrics.Data should be used to identify bottlenecks and improve processes.Transparency in metrics fosters trust and collaboration within teams.Asking the right questions can uncover valuable insights.Metrics should drive conversations about improvement, not blame.A culture of measurement can lead to better outcomes and happier customers. Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    40 min
  5. How AI Is Changing Engineering Management | Episode 13

    5 AOÛT

    How AI Is Changing Engineering Management | Episode 13

    “Should junior devs still learn the fundamentals if AI can write the code for them?” That’s one of the real questions Duncan and Jason tackle in this episode of Tech Council. They get honest about what AI is actually changing in engineering management, and what’s just hype. They dive into how teams are adapting, what mentorship looks like when everyone has an AI assistant, and why outcomes matter way more than implementations. If you manage a team or work on one, this episode will shift how you think about leading in a tech space that’s moving fast. Top Takeaways: AI tools are changing the expectations for junior developersMentorship remains crucial in developing good habits in junior developersEffective communication is key in managing teamsEvaluating work now requires deeper understanding beyond surface-level qualityThe importance of outcomes is heightened in the age of AISetting clear expectations is more challenging yet essentialJunior developers can now contribute to higher-level discussionsDocumentation and formal practices are becoming more importantThe role of a manager is to guide teams towards achieving outcomesTechnical skills can be taught, but attitude and engagement are critical  Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    45 min
  6. Monoliths or Microservices: Making the Right Call for Your Context | Episode 12

    28 JUIL.

    Monoliths or Microservices: Making the Right Call for Your Context | Episode 12

    Monoliths or microservices? It’s one of the most hotly debated decisions in software engineering, and in this episode of Tech Council, Duncan and Jason lay it all out. They challenge the hype around microservices and explain why monoliths should be the default starting point for most teams. With Conway’s Law as a backdrop, they show how internal team communication patterns shape your system’s architecture, whether you like it or not.  You'll also hear when it's actually time to break things up, and why Service-Oriented Architecture deserves a second look. It’s a must-listen for anyone scaling tech systems while trying to keep complexity under control. Top Takeaways: Context Matters: The decision between microservices and monoliths depends heavily on the organizational context and size.Microservices Complexity: While microservices offer flexibility, they can introduce significant maintenance overhead and complexity.Monoliths' Simplicity: Monoliths can be simpler to manage, especially for smaller teams or when local installations are required.Scalability Considerations: Both approaches have their scalability challenges, with microservices offering more granular control.AI and Future Trends: AI advancements may influence the balance between microservices and monoliths, potentially leading to more consolidation. Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    34 min
  7. Admin Tax is Killing Your Engineering Team | Episode 11

    21 JUIL.

    Admin Tax is Killing Your Engineering Team | Episode 11

    Every engineering team pays a tax. The question is: how much? In this episode of Tech Council, Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke spotlight the unspoken, underestimated cost of audit prep, compliance checklists, and spreadsheet-driven project tracking - the administrative tax.  Administrative tax is the accumulation of compliance requirements, audit demands, spreadsheet sprawl, and redundant manual workflows that keep smart people from doing the work they were actually hired to do. If you’re a CTO or engineering leader aiming to operationalize strategy while scaling cleanly, this episode offers a data-driven roadmap. Top Takeaways:  The administrative tax is a significant burden on organizationsRegulatory pressures have intensified in recent years, impacting operational efficiencyPerverse incentives can lead to inefficiencies and increased workloadApp managers are often the most affected by administrative taxMaintaining a clear inventory is crucial for effective managementAutomation can help alleviate the administrative tax burdenOrganizations need to measure their progress and define what 'good' looks likeThe Cobra effect illustrates how poorly designed incentives can worsen problemsEffective governance is essential for managing administrative taxSmart people in organizations want to improve processes but face limitations Mentioned in the Episode: Internal Tech Emails on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/TechEmails Internal Tech Emails post on X about Mark Zuckerberg’s memo about Strategy Tax - https://x.com/TechEmails/status/1944451283236303184   Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    45 min
  8. 10x Engineers Are Overrated | Episode 10

    14 JUIL.

    10x Engineers Are Overrated | Episode 10

    “10x engineers? Probably jerks.” Jason and Duncan aren’t mincing words in this episode of Tech Council. They’re calling BS on the myth of the superhuman engineer and making a case for the everyday professionals who care deeply, collaborate well, and raise the bar for everyone else. This one’s for team leads, CTOs, and senior devs who want to build organizations where great work doesn’t depend on unicorns. Hit play and rediscover the power of normal engineers. Top Takeaways: The concept of the 10X engineer is often exaggerated and can be counterproductiveSystems and teams are more important than individual talentDecentralizing responsibility can lead to a healthier team dynamicCaring about the right things can help shape a better engineering cultureDesigning an ecosystem for talent is crucial for organizational successAI tools are changing the expectations of engineering rolesSpecialization will still exist, but versatility will be increasingly importantCreating an attractive work environment can help draw in top talentGreat engineers are made through mentorship and support Mentioned in the Episode: In Praise of “Normal” Engineers by Charity Majors - https://charity.wtf/2025/06/19/in-praise-of-normal-engineers/  Charity Majors - https://charity.wtf/about/  Charity Majors on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charity-majors Connect with us: Duncan Mapes Jason Ehmke DevGrid.io DevGrid on LinkedIn DevGrid on X

    42 min
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À propos

Are you a tech leader, architect, or engineer navigating the intricacies of building within the enterprise? Tech Council delivers the strategies and insights you need to succeed. Hosted by Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke, experienced leaders from the startup and banking tech arenas, this podcast dives deep into technology strategy and enterprise dynamics. Learn how to drive innovation, understand the bigger picture, and build impactful solutions from the ground up. Subscribe to Tech Council and gain the knowledge to shape the future of your enterprise, no matter your role.

Informations

  • Création
    Duncan Mapes, Jason Ehmke
  • Années d’activité
    2 k
  • Épisodes
    18
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2025 DevGrid, Inc.
  • Site web de l’émission
    Tech Council