SE01E80 - Curiosity, AI, and Psychological Safety: Modern Technology Leadership | with Suresh Mani

SE01E80 - Curiosity, AI, and Psychological Safety: Modern Technology Leadership | with Suresh Mani

Author: Bill December 5, 2025 Duration: 1:02:42
40% Better - Engineering Leadership
BusinessManagement
Join Bill Lennan on the 40% Better podcast as he welcomes Suresh Mani, a seasoned technology executive, to share his remarkable journey from technician to industry leadership. Suresh unpacks the non-negotiables of success in modern tech, emphasizing how curiosity, effective mentorship, and fostering deep team cohesion are paramount. He delves into critical topics like the transformative role of AI in boosting productivity, the necessity of measured risk management, and the foundational power of psychological safety for encouraging diverse ideas. This episode is a masterclass in balancing constant innovation with stability and driving personal growth through challenge.

Key Chapters:

01:42 Navigating Early Career Challenges
11:13 Evolving Leadership Perspectives
29:25 Adapting Leadership in the Age of AI
42:59 Risk Management in Leadership


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

Official website RSS
instagramyoutubelinkedinspotifymedium
40% Better - Engineering Leadership
Podcast Episodes
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…
Persuasion Wins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:11
Being friends with your boss is nice - but often times ineffective for making change happen. What you need are the models and skills for persuasion. Persuasion means translating what you know into language that resonates…

«1...678910