Tech Leadership Unplugged: Team Management, Insights & Strategies ft. Ranjan Sakalley | SCALER POD 17

In this episode of Scaler Pod, we have Ranjan Sakalley, who takes us on a captivating journey through the world of tech leadership and team management. With over two decades of industry experience, including stints at esteemed tech giants like ThoughtWorks, Gojek, and as the former CTO of Vedantu, Ranjan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this insightful podcast. He delves into various facets of tech leadership, sharing invaluable insights gained from his extensive career. Drawing from real-world examples, he offers practical strategies and actionable advice to help CTOs and tech teams scale and grow effectively. Also, he discusses the art of scaling, revealing the key factors that contribute to successful growth and expansion. From hiring strategies to fostering a positive work culture, he dives deep into the intricacies of building high-performing teams. With his experience at ThoughtWorks, Ranjan sheds light on the benefits and best practices of pair programming, an approach that fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among developers. Additionally, he provides guidance on onboarding new team members smoothly, enabling them to quickly contribute and thrive within the organization. Cost management is another crucial aspect that Ranjan explores, offering insights into effective budgeting and resource allocation. He demystifies the role of a CTO or manager, shedding light on their responsibilities and how they can drive productivity and increase efficiency within their teams. Ranjan shares his perspectives on organizational structures and how they impact team dynamics and success. He offers valuable advice on navigating challenges associated with growth, addressing common pitfalls, and fostering an environment that promotes continuous learning and adaptability.

Also, check out other Scaler Pod Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLhBy6YSIT0DjPC-a9j-Alz21GHOjzrVe

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction

00:25 Day in his Life during Sabbatical

01:48 His Journey - ThoughtWorks, Gojek and more

05:56 ThoughtWorks Culture, Tech Team and Scientific Temper

12:17 Explaining Benefits of ThoughtWork's Pair Programming

16:17 Long Term vs Short Term View

19:07 Arnav's Insights from Zomato, Reviews and Managing Effectively

23:41 Breaking Down Scaling and Team Growth

28:53 Best Practices for Onboarding New People in Team

33:57 Building Trust with New Joiners

36:29 Micro Management and Handling Fires

41:50 Role of CTO/ Top Leadership in a Company

49:15 Failure Rate, Team Structure and PODs

54:52 Organization Design and Defining Objectives

01:01:47 Constructive Mentoring and Managing

01:05:54 Emphasising over Security and its Importance

01:08:38 Product Engineering, Managing Cost and Team Productivity

01:15:38 Decision-Making Framework and Risk Analysis

01:19:07 Observability Measures and Preventing Productivity Falls

01:23:07 Individual Growth, Setting Goals and Managing Time

01:28:50 Measuring Productivity/ Efficiency and Advise for Managers

01:33:12 Journey from Individual Contributor(IC) to Manager

01:37:11 Cross-Organization Culture

01:42:00 Issues with Middle Management and Functional Setup

01:43:48 Parting Note

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