A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world

About Debbie Debbie Levitt, MBA, is the CXO of Delta CX, and since the mid-1990s has been a CX and UX consultant focused on strategy, research, training, and Human-Centered Design/User-Centered Design. She’s a change agent and business design consultant focused on helping companies of all sizes transform towards customer-centricity while using principles of Agile and Lean. She has worked in various CX and UX leadership and individual contributor roles at companies including Wells Fargo, Macy’s, StepStone, Sony Mobile, and Constant Contact. In the 2010s, San Francisco UX and marketing agencies had Debbie on speed dial. She completed projects for Traction, Fjord, LIFT, Rauxa, ROI·DNA, and Fiddlehead. Clients have given her the nickname, “Mary Poppins,” because she flies in, improves everything she can, sings a few songs, and flies away to her next adventure. Her new book, “Customers Know You Suck,” (2022) is the customer-centricity how-to manual. Start investigating what’s holding you back from improving customer-centricity. Learn how to be value-led: how much value we can frequently create for potential and current customers. In 2016, she became an O’Reilly author, but has since chosen to self-publish, and now has her own publishing imprint, Delta CX Media. Outside of CX work, and sometimes during CX work, Debbie enjoys singing symphonic prog goth metal, opera, and New Wave. You can also catch her on the Delta CX YouTube channel. Today We Talk About Delta CX Debbie’s Background Being a Geek Guessing Lasagna Agile Assumptions Start with Research Focus on Quality and Value Research Experience Fake Empathy Accountability Tie customer experience to business metrics Connect with Debbie YouTube LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Tom Tom Bairstow is a Creative Director, Designer & Founder of NorthHouse, a multi-award-winning creative studio focused on video & digital design for music, brands and live shows. NorthHouse are globally recognized as a leading studio within the music and live events industry, working with the likes of Coldplay, Beyoncé, Adele, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes, Lewis Capaldi, Ferrari, GQ, BAFTA, The NFL SuperBowl Half-time Show, The UEFA Euro’s, The Rugby World Cup, and many more. Most recently they projection mapped Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Jubilee and are currently working on shows globally. Tom grew up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, attending Bradford Grammar School, Bradford Art College and Leeds Metropolitan Uni, graduating in 2008 with a BA Hons in Graphic Art & Design where he specialized in moving-image. He pursued a career in music, playing in touring bands between 2006 – 2009 whilst developing a portfolio as a freelance video director and designer, creating live music visuals, music videos and event films. In 2010, he moved to London to continue his freelance video work, which gradually progressed into Tom founding NorthHouse in 2012. NorthHouse have gradually grown as a team over the years, beginning with just one employee in a tiny South London studio beneath a railway arch, into the global creative studio it is today with its UK studio in the heart of London Bridge. Tom is passionate about creative business and helping people to find a path within the creative industry. He is a creative mentor, the ambassador for media at Big Creative Education College, London and gives talks to schools and Universities around the UK. Today We Talk About Tom’s background Live Shows Technologies roles in design AI in design Projection Mapping VR and AR 360 videos Growth mindset Playing to your strengths time blocking Connect with Tom LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

Jon Perl, co-founder and CEO of QA Wolf, dives into the intricate world of quality assurance. He shares his journey from leading engineering teams to tackling automated testing challenges. Jon emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, particularly in high-stakes fields like healthcare. He discusses the transition to automated QA and the necessity of listening to user feedback. Additionally, he explores building a strong company culture in remote teams, stressing the value of personal connections and transparency in fostering success.

About Kasheef As a first-generation American born to parents of Caribbean descent, Kasheef attributes the alignment of his career and purpose to interventions and exposure to educational resources far outside of the community that raised him. With such a dichotomy between the two worlds he grew to know, an unshakeable commitment to be on the frontline of change was born. As the National Director of Dream.Org’s tech program, Kasheef is responsible for the integrity of tech programs, trainings, and materials, ensuring that all offerings align with the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Today We Talked About Kasheef’s background Racial Inequality Justice TECH Train Engage Change Humanize Building Empathy Martial Arts Imposter Syndrome Physical Fitness Discipline Resilience Stress Stay ready so don’t have to get ready   Connect with Kasheef LinkedIn Website   Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!  

About Jim With over two decades of immersive experience in executive development, corporate leadership and human performance, Jim Bishop stands as a beacon of transformative leadership through his business, Conjunction Leadership. Jim’s journey has taken him across the globe, coaching executives, diverse teams and orchestrating the modernization of leadership systems for transforming business units. Having collaborated with industry giants like Eli Lilly, Roche, and Elanco, Jim recognized the pivotal role of a visionary leader willing to first work on themselves while revitalizing their culture. This catalyzed the birth of Conjunction Leadership in 2020, where Jim provides executive coaching and team development solutions. As a certified coach by the International Coaching Federation and a Certified Leadership Facilitator with Blanchard, Jim’s methods are a blend of science and art. He empowers executives through executive coaching, corporate culture consulting, and team effectiveness programs, focusing on holistic development within volatile contexts. At Conjunction Leadership, transformation starts within. The exclusive DISRUPT, BRIDGE, and GROW process guides leaders on a journey of self-discovery, mindset shifts, and measurable growth. Today We Talked About Jim’s background Leadership Remote Leadership Watercooler talk… remotely how the pandemic affected leadership Disruption Phase Bridging Phase Growth Phase One-on-ones Definition of Leadership People Show up differently. Worklife balance… Worklife integration Connect with Jim Website LinkedIn X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!  

About Robert Robert Plotkin is a leading expert in leveraging Al to maximize creativity and innovation. His book, The Genie in the Machine, was the first (and still the only) work to address the impact of generative Al on innovation and the patent system. Recognized as a thought leader in human-Al collaboration, Robert empowers individuals with the essential skills they need to harness Al to supercharge their creative abilities. He addresses the common fear of Al replacement by illustrating how embracing Al allows creatives to concentrate on high-level ideation, strategy, and problem-solving, while relegating the routine details to Al. Having a rare, combined expertise as an MIT-educated computer scientist, an educator, and a seasoned patent attorney, Robert boasts over 25 years of specialized experience in guiding leading tech companies in securing intellectual property protection for their cutting-edge Al innovations. Robert is also an adept communicator, hosting nearly 100 podcast episodes and being a frequent podcast guest on the topic of Al-fueled innovation. Today We Talked About Robert’s Background AI Legal Concerns How AI is automating innovation and the implications of this for the patent system Skills that we (especially knowledge workers) need to develop to leverage avoid and avoid being replaced by AI Patent law How to use AI What to be concerned about Accuracy Checking Biases AI for Creative professionals Connect with Robert LinkedIn Website Book X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!  

Oscar Santolalla, author and public speaking expert, shares tips for giving engaging technical talks including avoiding common mistakes, using stories, and interacting with the audience. He emphasizes the importance of passion and practicing, and provides insights on structuring presentations and minimizing buzzwords. Oscar also discusses the significance of recording oneself to improve speaking skills and offers resources for further help with public speaking.

About Jon Jon studied Human Sciences at Oxford University, then stepped sideways into business where he worked in information systems as an applications architect, becoming European IT Director for a market-leading multinational.    This career continued with consultant program leadership roles in major UK companies such as British Airways, BAA, Vodafone and O2.   In parallel he continued to study science and human systems, publishing well-regarded and ground-breaking books “The Science of Possibility” and “Reinventing Capitalism”. Jon is a generalist in an age of specialists, an out-of-the-box thinker, an expert in mindsets, emotional and spiritual intelligence, systemic perspectives and living-systems approaches.   Now, blending his experience across human behavior and business organizations, he is regarded as a world-class trainer and leader in the socio-psychological development theory known as Spiral Dynamics integral.  He is a Director of the leading-edge organizational development consultancy Future Considerations, working recently with Philips, Arup and Shell.   He is also a leadership and personal development coach and mentor, and an accredited SQ21 spiritual intelligence coach.  Jon has published books on science and spirituality (The Science of Possibility) on our money systems and relationships with money (Reinventing Capitalism) and a spiral-inspired book “7-stage parenting”.  For many years he has also been on the Trustee board of a charity providing care and education, officially rated “outstanding”, to young people with special needs. Today We Talked About Jon’s background Leadership from the bottom up The Future of Organizational Change Listening Flow Teamwork Empathy Business Partnerships Transparency Self Managing Organizations   Connect with Jon www.jonfreeman.co.uk www.spiralfutures.com LinkedIn X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!  

About Marga Marga Hoek is a three-time CEO, Chair, and Board Member. Due to her visionary, purpose-driven leadership, Hoek has gained recognition over the years as a global thought leader on sustainable business and capital. She is a multi-golden-awarded bestselling author of the trailblazing titles New Economy Business (2014) and The Trillion Dollar Shift (2018). Fortune praised The Trillion Dollar Shift, which highlights opportunities the UN’s Global Goals hold for business, as “required reading.” Recognized by Thinkers50 for her global management thinking, Marga Hoek coined the slogan “Business for Good” in 2014 to emphasize her mission “to make Business for Good the norm, rather than the exception. Today We Talked About Marga’s background Fear of AI Difficulty with Change Tech for Good Purpose driven technology 4th Industrial Revolution Sustainable technologies and products Food and product waste Carbon emissions Purpose driven work 3D printing parts from waste Trackless trams in China Moonshot Thinker Connect with Marga LinkedIn X Website Tech for Good Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!  

About Ryan Ryan Glasgow is the founder and CEO of Sprig. Sprig is the leading product experience insights platform and works with high-growth companies including Figma, Notion, Loom, and Dropbox. Prior to starting the company, Ryan was Product Manager and early team member at five different companies that he helped scale from startup to successful exit, including Weebly, which was acquired by Square, and Vurb, which was acquired by Snapchat. Today We Talked About Ryan’s background Leadership in general Growing up in the Valley Customer Segmentation Hyper Segmentation Win as a Team Never Settle Acknowledge your success Shared Wins AI Design Patterns Product Roadmap Newsfeed https://sprig.com/getstarted/  Connect with Ryan X LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!