

Engineering Culture by InfoQ
InfoQ
Software engineers, architects and team leads have found inspiration to build better, high performing teams by listening to the weekly InfoQ Podcast. We have achieved that by interviewing some of the top CTOs, engineers and technology directors from companies like Uber, Netflix and more. Over 500,000 downloads in the last 3 years.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 29, 2025 • 26min
Building a Resilient and Inclusive Engineering Culture with Matthew Card
Matthew Card, an Engineering Manager at the BBC, shares his inspiring journey from facing career challenges to building inclusive engineering cultures. He introduces his resilience framework, CAPSS—Confidence, Adaptability, Purpose, and Social Support—which promotes personal growth and empowers teams. Card discusses the importance of vulnerability in leadership and practical strategies for enhancing team dynamics. He also highlights the significance of recognizing cultural 'smells' to maintain a healthy environment, while advocating for a redefined success that includes diverse talent.

Aug 22, 2025 • 29min
Finding Your Engineering Bottleneck: The Hierarchy of Engineering Needs
Explore the fascinating 'Hierarchy of Engineering Needs' and how it mirrors Maslow's framework, guiding engineering leaders in prioritizing impact over complexity. Dive into systems thinking to better understand team dynamics and enhance software delivery processes. Discover how addressing foundational requirements can unlock improvement potential and transform team maturity. This conversation challenges established concepts, urging leaders to reevaluate their approaches for a more effective engineering culture.

67 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 32min
Engineering Leadership: Building Culture, Career Growth, and Ownership
Thiago Ghisi, a tech veteran with 20 years of experience straddling Brazil and the U.S., shares his insights on engineering leadership and culture. He emphasizes the power of leading by example and engaging directly with teams. The discussion highlights the benefits of 'glue work,' often overlooked yet essential for career growth. Thiago also compares the professional landscapes of Brazil and the U.S., touching on work-life balance and career opportunities. He offers wisdom on navigating transitions into management and the importance of self-awareness in career decisions.

12 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 29min
Elisabeth Hendrickson on Systems Thinking for Quality Engineering
Elisabeth Hendrickson, a consultant at Curious Duck Digital Laboratory, is an expert in systems thinking and quality engineering. She dives into how understanding interconnected problem elements can enhance software quality. The conversation emphasizes the critical need for human oversight in AI-driven coding environments. Hendrickson also discusses the importance of a culture that supports shift-left strategies and proactive quality management to balance productivity and value in the age of rapid code production.

10 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 19min
Team Building in the Brave New World: Transforming Software Engineering Culture and Leadership
Duncan Grazier, CTO at BuildOps with a rich background in tech leadership, shares insights on modern software engineering. He discusses how AI is reshaping team dynamics, urging leaders to rethink communication and coaching strategies. Grazier highlights the closing gap between junior and senior engineers due to AI, and the importance of mastering difficult conversations in leadership roles. He also touches on navigating cognitive load and the evolving talent landscape, emphasizing the need for mentorship in this brave new world.

10 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 29min
Building Human-Centered Engineering Cultures with Leadership, Diversity, and Trust
Tara Hernandez, a software development veteran with over 30 years in the industry and currently at MongoDB, discusses the critical importance of human-centered engineering cultures. She emphasizes the need for strong leadership, psychological safety, and diversity rather than just chasing technology for its own sake. The conversation covers building trust through transparency and communication, how 'dogfooding' enhances customer empathy, and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies in an AI-driven future. Tara's insights aim to inspire effective, inclusive, and innovative engineering teams.

50 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 27min
Building a Product-First Engineering Culture in the Age of AI
Zach Lloyd, founder of Warp and former Google engineer, discusses the need for a product-first engineering culture. He emphasizes core values like honesty and user focus in shaping teams. Zach also highlights fostering ownership among engineers and adapting to AI in software development. He stresses the importance of integrating AI tools while maintaining code quality and foundational programming skills. Lastly, he calls for a revised computer science curriculum that balances traditional knowledge with practical skills in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

9 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 30min
GitHub Next: how their research and prototyping team operates
Idan Gazit, leader of GitHub Next and previous core contributor to Django, joins the discussion alongside Eddie Aftandilian. They share how their playful approach to prototyping fuels innovation in AI-powered development tools. The conversation dives into interdisciplinary collaboration within their team, navigating project development challenges, and the importance of user feedback. They highlight the power of demos in creative processes and the role of AI models in simplifying programming learning, inspiring listeners to engage with new software tools.

16 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 29min
Trust-first Leadership and Building Great Teams
Natan Žabkar Nordberg, an Engineering Manager with a passion for people management and team environments, shares his insights on trust-first leadership. He discusses the importance of treating team members as whole humans and the concept of guided autonomy, providing clear boundaries for empowerment. Natan emphasizes the value of diversity in teams and approaches leadership with a focus on individual growth through personalized strategies. He also highlights how constructive conflict and improvisational principles can enhance teamwork and innovation.

6 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 26min
From Code to Strategy: Drive Organizational Impact Through Strategic Conversations and User Focus
Mark Allen, Head of Engineering at Isometric and a leader in climate tech, discusses how engineers can extend their influence through strategic conversations and user-focused development. He shares insights on the dual impact of technology, emphasizing its benefits and challenges in addressing climate issues. Mark highlights the significance of engaging in meaningful dialogues and effective mentoring for professional growth. He also underscores the importance of understanding user needs and the role of incident management in fostering team dynamics.