The Cupid of Computer Science | with Rodrigo D. A. Senra

The Cupid of Computer Science | with Rodrigo D. A. Senra

Author: Bill December 9, 2025 Duration: 1:06:44

In this powerful episode of the 40% Better podcast, host Bill Lennan talks with educator and professor Rodrigo Senra about his groundbreaking philosophy on teaching and education.
Rodrigo argues that a teacher's job is not merely content delivery but a mission of inspiration. He emphasizes that true learning and success in computer science come from cultivating passion and a love for computing in students. He reveals that his personal role is akin to that of a Cupid, whose goal is to make students fall in love with the subject, leading to much better long-term learning outcomes.
If you are a student, teacher, or leader, this conversation is a masterclass in the value of mentorship and how creating a deep, emotional connection to a subject is the most valuable tool for igniting intrinsic motivation and driving future generations to excel.


Find Rodrigo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodsenra/


✨ Key Takeaways & Inspirational Insights:
Inspiration Over Content: Why fostering a passion for computing is more valuable than just delivering curriculum content.
The Cupid Role: Rodrigo's perspective that his job as a teacher is to be a "Cupid" who makes students fall in love for computing.
Mentorship: The crucial role of mentorship in enhancing a student's learning experience and overall success in education.
Connection is Key: How creating a strong connection with students leads to better learning outcomes and helps them achieve higher success.
Driving Excellence: Understanding how passion can become the fuel that drives students to excel in their studies.
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: 50

40% Better - Engineering Leadership
Podcast Episodes
From Engineer to Leader I Justin Ryburn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:20
Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about continuous learning, building strong relationships, and helping others grow. In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Justin Ryburn,…
Leadership Is Coaching I Craig Hunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
Leadership is more than managing people. It's about coaching them to grow. In this episode of 40 % Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Craig Hunt, Chief Technology Officer at Sagecrest Solutions, to discuss what separates…
Leadership Lessons That Actually Work I Matt Delacour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:40
What does it really take to become a great engineering leader? In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Matt Delacour, Chief Technology Officer at CoinList, to explore the leadership lessons…
Lead Without a Title I Natalie Renee Parker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:15
Leadership is not about a title. It is about seeing a problem, taking initiative, and helping people succeed. In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Natalie Renee Parker, Founder | Organiza…
Scaling Teams With Great Leadership I Ben Van Every [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:30
What does it actually take to get real business value from AI? Jimi Li, CTO at ALM Media, has spent the last three years running AI initiatives inside a company that just went through a successful private equity exit — a…
Stop Managing, Start Leading I Jonathan Domsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:56
40 Percent Better Podcast with Bill Lennan featuring Jonathan Domsky, Founder and Coach at Untangled Coaching. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from accidental entrepreneur to leadership coach and explains ho…
Becoming a Corporate Gargoyle I Dominic Vogel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:04
40 Percent Better Podcast with Bill Lennan featuring Dominic Vogel, President of Vogel Cyber Leadership & Coaching. In this episode, Dominic shares his journey from cybersecurity leadership to entrepreneurship, the lesso…
The Future of Construction AI I Victor Augusteo, [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:20
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Victor Augusteo, CTO @ Boon, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, decision-making, artificial intelligence, construction technology, and the ment…
Building Trust Through Leadership I Dave Bair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Dave Bair, Operations Executive: Certified Change Management Professional; Collaborative Design & NLP Practitioner, to explore the leadership principles th…
Leadership, AI, and Cybersecurity I Craig Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:03
In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Craig Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of CyberHoot, to talk about leadership, cybersecurity, communication, and the power of positive reinforcement in workplace…