Accountability and the Future of Leadership | with Zach Wills - Episode 69

Accountability and the Future of Leadership | with Zach Wills - Episode 69

Author: Bill September 30, 2025 Duration: 1:09:29
In this episode, Bill Lennan and Zach Wills explore the organic journey into leadership, emphasizing the importance of learning from role models and the necessity of a business value orientation in decision-making. They discuss the significance of quantitative thinking in engineering, creating a positive team culture, and the practice of radical candor in feedback. The dialogue also touches on evolving management styles, understanding team dynamics, and the impact of AI on leadership and processes. The speakers advocate for extreme ownership and accountability, highlighting the importance of mindset and personal growth in professional development.

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Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/
Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/
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Hosted by Bill, 40% Better-Engineering Leadership is a conversation for those who build and guide technical teams. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical dialogue focused on the tangible mechanics of morale, motivation, and output. Each episode features a single expert in employee engagement, and together we dissect the specific strategies that lead to measurable leaps in performance. You'll hear detailed explorations into what actually moves the needle for engineers and their managers, translating research and experience into actionable leadership techniques. The goal is straightforward: to provide the insights that can help your team operate at a significantly higher level of effectiveness and satisfaction. Tune in for a focused, deep-dive podcast that cuts through the noise of generic management advice, offering concrete ideas you can apply directly to the unique challenges of engineering leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

40% Better - Engineering Leadership
Podcast Episodes
10x Engineers Don't Exist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:21
but 2x teams doThere's a myth that super-human engineers exist and can outperform 10 "regular" engineers. This is the 10x myth of productivity. It's a lie. And it's a damaging lie on multiple fronts.2x teamsInstead of lo…
Discomfort and Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:26
Rule 1 of leadership is helping the team operate better.Rule 2 is that even if Rule 1 is uncomfortable - you are still responsible to do it.This episode dives into Rule 2.Yes, you can :-)
Leaders Are Not Trusted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:55
This is a sad reality of leadership. So many negative stories (and experiences) about managers/supervisors/leaders who do not take good care of their teams.
Overcoming Introversion with Felix Boecker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
I'm a fan of anyone working on introversion. Felix is doing excellent work.Learn more about Felix at http://brokesurgeon.com#40pb
The Initiative Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:27
How did you do that?I've been asked repeatedly by colleagues and execs. Across all the other mental models and skills - initiative is critical.
Leadership as a System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:21
Smart leadership is a system.It works the same over and over again.And it starts with first level leaders/supervisors/managers.
Talking With Strangers - 40PB Episode 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:55
Every employee engagement journey starts with communication.I spent decades struggling with social anxiety - but now I talk with strangers every day and enjoy public speaking.The difference - learning and practicing skil…

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