Lessons in Leadership and Adaptation | with Darshan Bildikar

Lessons in Leadership and Adaptation | with Darshan Bildikar

Author: Bill December 12, 2025 Duration: 56:32
In this conversation, Darshan Bildikar shares his journey from being an introverted builder to a successful engineering manager. He discusses his early experiences in programming, his transition into management, and his time at Amazon, where he built and led teams. Darshan reflects on his move to a startup environment, the impact of AI on productivity, and the importance of balancing speed and quality in development. He emphasizes the need for human oversight in AI-driven processes and shares insights on adapting to different work cultures and the future of work.

Connect with Darshan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshanbildikar/

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team
Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ 
Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/

Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership

#40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems.

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
The Power of Storytelling in Business | with Steven Puri - Episode 60 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:19
In this conversation, the Bill and Steven delve into the nuances of effective communication, particularly in the context of pitching ideas and building relationships in both the technology and film industries. They explo…
The Art of Servant Leadership | with Mike Auteri - Episode 58 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:04
In this episode, Mike shares his journey to software development and leadership, supporting his people, setting expectations, and why you should do the work before the promotion.We hope you enjoy this episode!Give it a l…
How Team Relationships Drive Success | with Andrew Kumar - Episode 55 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:10
Welcome to the 40% Better Podcast! This conversation explores the unexpected path from web development to engineering leadership. Andrew shares insights on building high-performing teams, the role of solution engineering…
Love The Grind - Episode 54 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:00
I learned this from a decade+ of surfing. Every day is an opportunity to improve, there is no ultimate goal.
A Mental Health Toolbox - Episode 53 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:00
I've had struggles with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and imposter syndrome. Here's a list of tools that make those things not problems today. These tools all have extensive research behind them :-)