Talking With Strangers - 40PB Episode 5

Talking With Strangers - 40PB Episode 5

Author: Bill October 17, 2023 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 skills in tiny increments (baby steps).

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: 109

40% Better - Engineering Leadership
Podcast Episodes
3 Mental Models and 1 Lie - Episode 49 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:51
These mental models (beliefs) were taught to me well before my first leadership role. And the lie was one I started leading with - but dumped in a few months
Being Lucky - Episode 48 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:19
I've been outrageously lucky in this life. And looking back, there's a consistent pattern for how I made luck my friend.Initiative + Optimism -> LuckClover thanks to: Umberto Salvagnin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Steven Puri and Sukha - Episode 47 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:39
Software engineer to Hollywood powerhouse and back to software.Raised $21M to fund startups and was a senior executive in Hollywood studios. Independence Day, Transformers 1/2, Star Trek, Eagle Eye, Wolverine, etc - all…
Jeff Hancher - Episode 46 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:40
Jeff's journey began as a child growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania.After serving in the United States Army, Jeff began a career as a blue-collar worker at a large corporation.Since that start, he was promoted 10 tim…
Imposter Syndrome- Episode 45 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:36
Oh boy, have I heard stories!!Team leads and managers who were sure any day they'd be discovered as frauds. And yes, I've been that person. Convinced that my team's performance was amazingly lucky hires. And in hindsight…
Above Your Pay Grade - NOT!! Episode 44 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
People regularly tell me some version of "that's above my pay grade". But that is not true. The real problem is people don't have a system to bring issues up the org chart and get executive attention, approval, and budge…
Brian Maggi - Episode 43 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:06
Brian Maggi has an impressive list of accomplishments. From building medical education websites to Desktop Technology Manager at Apple to live entertainment and now AI - diverse experience is an understatement. You can l…
ExecutiveBlindSpots - Episode 42 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:54
Executives are talking but the rank and file are not responding. This is not a language barrier problem - it's a blind spot problem. Execs think their audience understands them - but they don't. What to do?
Ernesto Gomez - it's all about the people - Episode 41 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:04
Ernesto is a lifelong learner.He studied social communications and has completed executive programs at leading institutions, including Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan School of Management, Wharton Business School, Kellogg School…
Why Leadership Training Fails - Episode 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:25
Applying critical thinking to the obvious problem: with all the leadership books and training out - why aren't we seeing better engagement and performance?