Hey Tech Leads, This is a hard question for a lot of us. Let's dive into tech leads! Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Substact! Only $7 per month: michaelrice.substack.com SEGMENTS - 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:49 - What This Podcast Is All About 1:39 - Our Topic of the Day 12:18 - Thanks ...
Sep 25, 2019•14 min
Hey Tech Leads, Welcome to management work where everything takes more coordination and conversation than you think. Let's commiserate. Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Substact! Only $7 per month: michaelrice.substack.com SEGMENTS - 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:54 - What This Podcast Is Al...
Sep 23, 2019•12 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Hey Tech Leads, Let's wrap up a week on exploring influence as a tech lead. We talked about the Four Core, Prof. Cialdini's book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion , ( here ), and some idea from John C. Maxwell. Let me know how it's going, tech leads!! Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—sam...
Sep 20, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Hey Tech Leads, Let's talk about the famous Prof. Cialdini's six persuasion/influence short cuts and how they apply to tech leads. Prof. Cialdini's book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion , is available here . Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Substact! Only $7 per month: mi...
Sep 18, 2019•17 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Hey Tech Leads, Let's get back to first principles about leadership. John Maxwell says, roughly, that leadership is followership and followership comes from influence. Thus, leadership is followership. We're going to focus on it this week! Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Substac...
Sep 16, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Hey Tech Leads, Hiring is a topic I've stayed away from for a long time. We're focusing on it this week though. Today, I'm proposing what I think will be a workable model for you on your next interview or hiring process. Really want to know what you think of it. Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available...
Sep 11, 2019•11 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Hey Tech Leads, Hiring is a topic I've stayed away from for a long time. This week, let's try to come up with some kind of workable model for hiring as a tech lead that gives you certainty, clarity, and confidence when hiring as a tech lead! Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Subst...
Sep 09, 2019•12 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Hey Tech Leads, Let's wrap up our week long discussion on intention with some specifics. It's been our squishiest and longest topic, so thanks for toughing it out tech leads. It's Friday: FINISH STRONG! Remember : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Substact! Only $7 per month: michaelrice.sub...
Sep 06, 2019•14 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Hey Tech Leads, Let's continue our conversation about intentions. In today's episode, we build on Monday's intro to give an example of how to apply intentions as a tech lead to a hypothetical. We're half way to Friday, tech leads! And this podcast is exactly half a century! *Remember* : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff wil...
Sep 04, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Hey Tech Leads, I’m starting a new job on Tuesday! So top of mind this week is getting things started and shifting your focus from goals to intentions. *Remember* : the new structure of the podcast is to be a place where we can think through some thoughts and be sketchy about stuff. It’s full of hyperbole, half complete thoughts, and other errata. The more polished stuff will be available—same day—on my Substact! Only $7 per month: michaelrice.substack.com JOIN NOW! SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:4...
Sep 02, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Hey Tech Leads, On this episode I go a little hard. I pound on the idea that your team needs to be engaged in meetings . But how? SEGMENTS- 0:03 - Intro 👋 0:31 - What This Podcast Is All About 1:42 - Friday topic: GET YOUR TEAM TO SHOW UP IN MEETINGS 15:04 - Thanks for Listening! FREE RESOURCES- Book: How To Be A Tech Lead ($0) on Leanpub Get on my email list - two or more free emails per month! michaelrice.substack.com Join the free, volunteer based, tech lead coaching network: Tech Lead Coach...
Aug 30, 2019•17 min•Season 1Ep. 48
I've left you hanging for +/- 16 weeks!!!! Let's talk about where we came from, where we're going, and mental toughness. 🧠💪 In this episode I mention the new, paid, email list for tech leads @ michaelrice.substack.com - the good stuff is there! SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:16 - What This Podcast Is All About 1:45 - What the Future Holds 5:01 - Midweek Topic: MENTAL TOUGHNESS FOR TECH LEADS 13:26 - So, In Summary... Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://l...
Aug 28, 2019•15 min•Season 1Ep. 47
It's Monday and you need some motivation. So do I. In this episode, I give you some ideas about why being negative is so lame and an idea about how to improve your psychological capital -- just to scratch the very surface of a BIG topic! Links: https://www.ivyexec.com/career-advice/2014/positively-happy-at-work/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/elenabajic/2014/09/12/how-to-adjust-your-attitude-and-keep-your-job/#138872b0281d Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! http...
Apr 22, 2019•8 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Rambling post today about about what it means to stress out about code as a junior developer as you're refactoring, how you can help as a tech lead, and why it's important that you do! The post I mention in the pod is here: https://dev.to/jnschrag/refactoring-the-worst-code-i-ve-ever-written-42c7 Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoach...
Apr 19, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Hey tech leads: wanna tell you about the Tech Lead Coaching Network: we've got case study workshops. We've got peer to peer coaching network (join!!). We've got the podcast (you know me). And we've got a Tech Lead Tuesday morning conference call. And you can be part of all of it! Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a t...
Apr 18, 2019•12 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Not all conflict has to be bad and not all conflict has to turn toxic. Let's discuss stepping into that moment tech leads! Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:15 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 0:52...
Apr 17, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Your engineers will forget the vision, no matter how compelling it is. So it's ok if you have to repeat yourself! DO IT! Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:15 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 0:49 -...
Apr 16, 2019•6 min•Season 1Ep. 42
It's Monday and it's Tax Day and there's nothing you can do about it. Focus on what you CAN control tech leads! Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:15 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 0:52 - Our Topi...
Apr 15, 2019•5 min•Season 1Ep. 41
You are going to get results no matter what you do. The question is what kind are you going to get? Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:13 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 0:54 - Our Topic of the Day...
Apr 12, 2019•8 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In today's episode I want you to consider joining the coaching network--no matter where you are! Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:16 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 0:52 - Our Topic of the Day: S...
Apr 11, 2019•8 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Let's talk about what's better: real life meetings or Slack based meetings? And when is which one better? Blogs I mentioned: Meetings that work (and don’t) in Slack Office Hours: Slack vs. Email vs. Meeting Get off Slack and go talk to your teammates Don't forget to download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech lead is hard! We're here t...
Apr 10, 2019•15 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Let's do another deep dive on crafting compelling visions by exploring the WHY of the vision - even for something as mundane as a Redis upgrade to the (currently) mythical version 6. I even talk about Simon Sinek. Don't forget that today is Taco Tuesday 🌮🌮 and that you can download our free new book, How To Be a Tech Lead now ! https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ And don't forget to share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Being a tech ...
Apr 09, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Our book is now available for download! Years in the making, we hope this is a useful guide for new and experienced tech leads. If it's not, share your feedback with the author, Michael Rice, directly at michael@techleadcoachine.com Download the book here: https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead/ Seriously, please share your feedback. We're a pretty small community right now, so I'd love to know what you think! Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey...
Apr 08, 2019•6 min•Season 1Ep. 36
As a new tech lead (or even an experienced one), there are lots of moments of uncertainty. In this short episode, we talk about frankly about it and propose two ways of finding certainty in an uncertain role. Part of the content for this episode came from a post written by Michael Rice in 2017: https://medium.com/@techleadcoach/next-weeks-focus-certainty-letter-1-103c0aed2a1e Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:...
Apr 05, 2019•5 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Being clear about the vision you have for your project or initiative is a key tech lead capability. Bonus points for making it compelling. Let's explore an example and some ideas about what you should include in a clear and compelling vision. This idea for this particular topic came from the forthcoming FREE book, How to be a Tech Lead. Get notified when we publish it on Leanpub here: https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're o...
Apr 04, 2019•7 min•Season 1Ep. 34
The best tech leads bring a lot of energy to the role. This is the first time I've really emphasized it to you so give it a listen and let me know what you think. This one got recorded while I was on spring break with my family in Palm Springs, CA, so listen for the pool at the end and my kid's editorial. This idea for this particular topic came from the forthcoming FREE book, How to be a Tech Lead. Get notified when we publish it on Leanpub here: https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead Being ...
Apr 03, 2019•6 min•Season 1Ep. 33
You aren't going to see "tracking and adjusting" on any tech lead job descriptions, but it's a critically important capability. Let's spend a few minutes exploring it today. This one got recorded while I was on spring break with my family in Palm Springs, CA. This comes from the forthcoming FREE book, How to be a Tech Lead. Get notified when we publish it on Leanpub here: https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey...
Apr 02, 2019•8 min•Season 1Ep. 32
It's been a long weekend of writing, but we're excited to announce that our new book, How to be a Tech Lead, will be available within a few days. Totally free. Get notified on Leanpub here: https://leanpub.com/how-to-be-a-tech-lead Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:14 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 1:09 - Our Topic of the Day: Introduction to our new book, How to be a Tech Lead 8:25 - Conclusion 8:37 -...
Apr 01, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode, we continue Anand's story. Anand is a fictional first time tech lead, and these are his first few weeks. In this episode (2/2), Anand talked to his coach and turns the project around. Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:14 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 1:07 - Our Topic of the Day: Anand's Story (2/2) 8:31 - Conclusion 9:02 - How to Get Involved 9:32 - It's a Wrap! Let me know your feedb...
Mar 29, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, we explore Anand's story. Anand is a fictional first time tech lead, and these are his first few weeks. Warning: gonna leave you hanging until tomorrow to hear how it turns out! Being a tech lead is hard! We're here to support you. 🏅 Glad you're on the journey with us. SEGMENTS- 0:05 - Intro 👋 0:15 - About the Tech Lead Coaching Network 1:10 - Our Topic of the Day: Anand's Story 6:51 - Conclusion 7:06 - How to Get Involved 7:35 - It's a Wrap! Let me know your feedback by reach...
Mar 28, 2019•8 min•Season 1Ep. 29
