The Engineering Leadership Podcast

Dhruv Parthasarathy, CTO at Commure and expert in healthcare AI, shares insights on optimizing decision-making in tech. He highlights the need for rapid prototyping to foster innovation, especially in fast-paced startups. Dhruv discusses structuring teams for efficiency, emphasizing the value of clear roles and independence. He also explores the unique challenges of building effective healthcare engineering teams, advocating for passionate hires. Plus, he offers a creative perspective on personal growth and the importance of meaningful engagement in life and leadership.

Loïc Houssier, an engineering executive with 20 years of experience, currently leads engineering at Superhuman, optimizing productivity in email applications. He discusses building high-velocity engineering teams and the evolving playbook for achieving speed, particularly in the AI era. Loïc emphasizes the importance of a product mindset and strategies for adapting organizational culture. He also shares insights on enhancing user experience in product design and the role of effective communication in leadership during challenging decisions.

Nissim Lehyani, Vice President of Product at Life360, shares insights from over two decades in product strategy, emphasizing the blend of technical depth with business acumen. He explores the shift to rapid prototyping and AI-driven development, allowing for quicker iterations and enhanced collaboration between teams. The discussion highlights the innovative 'lightning pods' for agile teams, the significance of empathy in resolving conflicts, and the transformative potential of no-code solutions to empower small businesses.

Discover the exciting launch of a new forum dedicated to engineering leaders! This innovative space encourages discussion on real challenges and fosters peer support. Engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and look forward to upcoming AMAs with expert guests. It's a vibrant community where leadership and collaboration unite!

Prashant Ramarao, SVP of Engineering & Head of AI at Yahoo, discusses his journey from technical contributor to engineering leader while retaining his tech expertise. He shares insights on scaling leadership and effectively communicating with non-technical stakeholders. Prashant emphasizes the importance of humility and adaptability in leadership and explores personal learning strategies, like podcasts and AI tools, for ongoing education. Additionally, he delves into the concept of 'ambient AI' and its transformative potential, particularly in healthcare.

Craig McLuckie, Co-founder and CEO of Stacklok and Kubernetes co-creator, delves into the transformative role of AI in the startup landscape. He discusses the reduced barriers for innovation and the need for startups to pivot quickly in this evolving environment. McLuckie highlights community engagement as key to developing unique products and strategies. He reflects on the societal implications of automation, offering a hopeful perspective on the future of work. Emphasizing mistakes as learning opportunities, he champions a renewed spirit of innovation in entrepreneurship.

Anush Elangovan, Corporate VP of AI at AMD, shares his extensive experience in AI and software solutions. He discusses AMD's innovative approach to integrating hardware and software for a robust AI ecosystem. Anush highlights the importance of community engagement in software development and effective communication within tech teams. He shares insights into how AI is transforming healthcare, enhancing patient experiences, and speeding up drug discovery. Personal anecdotes further illustrate AI's impact on daily life and industry innovation.

Farnaz Azmoodeh, CTO at Linktree, shares her journey from Google to leading substantial projects at Snap. She discusses the necessity for engineering leaders to shift mindsets from delivery to discovery. Farnaz emphasizes the power of data-driven decision-making over anecdotal evidence and the art of pivoting strategy for fast, efficient cross-functional teams. She also highlights how AI is reshaping the collaboration between product, design, and engineering, and the emergence of trends in technology and proactive medicine that enhance user engagement.

Wade Chambers, an engineering leader with over 25 years of experience at companies like Twitter and Amplitude, shares insights on empowering engineering teams. He discusses the importance of fostering true ownership to boost innovation and performance. Wade highlights common traps leaders fall into and provides strategies for effective coaching and feedback. He delves into the dynamics of ownership, emphasizing the role of candid conversations and trust in restoring accountability. Listeners will learn how to align individual goals with organizational vision for transformative success.

Funmi Oludaiye, a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, and Sasha Hall, an Engineering Manager at Planitar Inc, share valuable insights on engineering leadership. They delve into building authentic partnerships between engineering and business, overcoming departmental silos, and navigating complex stakeholder relationships. The discussion also highlights aligning technical debt with business value and the importance of strategic communication. Funmi and Sasha emphasize thoughtful decision-making and the need for a supportive community among engineering leaders.