

Developer Tea
Jonathan Cutrell
Developer Tea exists to help driven developers connect to their ultimate purpose and excel at their work so that they can positively impact the people they influence.
With over 17 million downloads to date, Developer Tea is a short podcast hosted by Jonathan Cutrell, engineering leader with over 15 years of industry experience. We hope you'll take the topics from this podcast and continue the conversation, either online or in person with your peers. Email: developertea@gmail.com
With over 17 million downloads to date, Developer Tea is a short podcast hosted by Jonathan Cutrell, engineering leader with over 15 years of industry experience. We hope you'll take the topics from this podcast and continue the conversation, either online or in person with your peers. Email: developertea@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 16min
Work Modes Using Autonomy and Definition Clarity Quadrant - Manager Frameworks and Tools Series
Delve into a fascinating quadrant tool that categorizes work modes based on autonomy and definition. Discover how collaboration thrives in highly exploratory efforts, while defined tasks shine with individual autonomy. Learn why optimization often skews towards the most autonomous processes and how dependency-heavy projects may hold lower value. Explore the potential pitfalls of unguided exploration and consider the balance needed for effective team management.

12 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 14min
Manager Frameworks and Models - Product Lifecycle Governance
Explore the nuances of product lifecycle governance and how it can transform management practices. Discover practical techniques to prioritize backlogs and clarify leadership roles. Uncover the significance of effective decision-making and structural governance models in aligning team efforts. Learn why addressing tech debt and integrating it into your backlog is vital for a healthy product process. The discussion also highlights how documentation and sharing governance models can enhance collaboration and strategic alignment within organizations.

12 snips
Feb 17, 2025 • 25min
Philosophical Frameworks that Inform Your Decisions (Without You Even Knowing It)
Delve into the fascinating world of philosophical frameworks that guide our decision-making. Discover how ontology reveals intrinsic characteristics, while teleology emphasizes purpose and outcomes. Learn about dynamism and its crucial role in adapting to changing environments, especially in management contexts like AI shifts. Understand the concept of 'should' in decisions and how to define criteria for desirable outcomes. This rich exploration equips listeners with practical tools for navigating uncertainty in both personal and professional realms.

21 snips
Feb 8, 2025 • 25min
How Can You Prepare for High-Impact Unknown Events?
Discover how to prepare for unexpected high-impact events by identifying hidden vulnerabilities. Learn about the 'curse question' to envision potential problems and transform them into strategic advantages. Explore the concept of antifragility, turning surprises into growth opportunities. Understand the dangers of medium-confidence assumptions through an 'assumption audit.' Dive into the importance of preparing for a range of possibilities, rather than predicting specific outcomes, and find ways to navigate risks while uncovering opportunities.

6 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 24min
Misconceptions about Exceptions and Cultural Shifts - Invisible Inertia
Invisible inertia can distort our perception of workplace realities. The misconception of seeing our situation as unique can trap us into poor decisions. Cultural change is a slow and unpredictable process influenced by the values of individual team members. Evaluating company culture requires recognizing its current state and understanding that expecting immediate shifts may be unrealistic. Real cultural transformation begins at the individual level, making personal value alignment crucial in organizational dynamics.

31 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 26min
Action Orientation and Making Faster Decisions
Feeling overwhelmed by decision-making? Discover how the RPD model can harness your team’s expertise to make quicker choices. Uncover the 'Rubicon' moment that propels teams from endless debate to action. Learn to recognize when planning becomes counterproductive and how trusting intuition can facilitate speedy, effective decisions. Explore strategies to enhance action orientation and transition smoothly from discussion to delivery, even under tight pressure. It's all about moving faster with confidence!

18 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 23min
Match your Action to Intention - Pairing Five Whats with Five Whys
Discover how aligning your actions with intentions can transform your time management. Explore the Five Whats method to gain clarity on your daily tasks and break free from autopilot. Learn to analyze the real impact of your activities on your professional and personal goals. Effective communication in teams is highlighted as a key to overcoming operational challenges. Plus, hear about the psychological benefits of sharing and supporting your favorite content!

20 snips
Jan 11, 2025 • 18min
Upgrade Your Resolutions
Discover how to make your New Year's resolutions more impactful by adopting a flexible and iterative approach. Learn the importance of understanding your true motivations and measuring meaningful progress, rather than relying on superficial metrics. Celebrate personal and professional growth through milestones while reflecting on a decade-long journey, inspiring listeners to join in and contribute their thoughts.

10 snips
Jan 5, 2025 • 9min
Ten Years of Developer Tea
A decade of insightful conversations is celebrated, highlighting the journey since 2015. The hosts reflect on their mission to support developers with practical advice. They express heartfelt gratitude for their loyal listeners and encourage ongoing engagement. The community's importance is emphasized, offering a platform for shared experiences and growth.

10 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 27min
Better Low-Information Estimates - Putting the "Scientific" in SWAG
Explore how to make better wild guesses when defining work in ambiguous projects. Learn the difference between estimates and deadlines, and the psychological impacts of those deadlines. Discover effective strategies for uncertain work, including affinity estimation and PERT, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Gain insights aimed at engineering leaders to enhance project planning efficiency, all while navigating complexities like dependencies.