Andrew Lau

Andrew Lau, Co-founder and CEO of Jellyfish and veteran of the Boston startup scene, discusses his journey from engineer to leader. He shares insights on building a startup with a strong culture, emphasizing the importance of founder alignment and core values. Andrew recounts interviewing over 50 engineering leaders to shape Jellyfish’s vision, while advocating for a version of a startup that accommodates life’s responsibilities. He also reflects on the evolving role of CEOs, the significance of customer discovery, and the challenges of scaling a business.

Engaging conversation with Jessica McKellar, Andrew Lau, Samir Naik, and a former VPE at Robinhood about aligning engineering with business goals, team topologies, and strategic thinking in engineering leadership. Insights on metrics tracking, org design during hyper-growth, and optimizing virtual teams for customer focus.

Andrew Lau, an expert in engineering management, discusses key findings from the 2024 State of Engineering Management Report. He reveals a troubling 65% of employees have experienced burnout, especially in hybrid work settings. The conversation also explores the stark contrast between executives' and engineers' views on AI's impact, emphasizing the need for adaptation. Lau underscores the critical challenges of candidate shortages and the essential role of empathy in leadership, highlighting how effective management can drive business success in this evolving landscape.