Engineering Culture by InfoQ

In this engaging talk, Austin Vance, CEO of Focus Labs and an active technologist, shares insights on building intentional workplace culture and innovative compensation strategies. He discusses the essential role of structured onboarding to integrate new developers into the company ethos seamlessly. Vance also highlights core values like 'love your craft' and 'learn why' that drive continuous learning. Plus, he advocates for frequent compensation assessments to better align with performance, transforming how companies retain top talent.

Neeraj Mainkar, VP of Software Engineering at Procreo and an expert in medical device software, shares insights on the rigorous processes needed for safe design. He emphasizes the importance of user-centric design and regulatory compliance in improving patient outcomes. The conversation delves into usability challenges, advocating for intuitive interfaces that minimize cognitive load. Neeraj also discusses the impact of AI on medical software, highlighting its potential to enhance usability while managing complexities in data use and software updates.

Olalekan Elesin, a leader at HRS Group and AWS Hero with a diverse background in data engineering and product management, shares his insights on enhancing developer experience through AI. He recounts his personal journey from Nigeria to Germany and discusses the transformative power of generative AI tools in boosting productivity. Elesin highlights the importance of structured implementation and prompt engineering skills, stressing security and privacy. He also emphasizes nurturing curiosity in engineers to better address business needs and collaboration.

David Guttman, a seasoned software engineer and consultant known for his insights into high-performing teams, shares his experiences in fostering effective engineering cultures. He highlights the essential phases of building teams, from recruitment to management, and underscores the importance of tailored solutions for startups. Guttman also challenges the myth of the '10x developer,' arguing for recognizing individual contributions and promoting accountability through transparent communication. His advice is a must for anyone in the tech industry.

This is the Engineering Culture Podcast, from the people behind InfoQ.com and the QCon conferences. In this podcast Shane Hastie, Lead Editor for Culture & Methods spoke to Erez Kaminski about the challenges and importance of developing regulated software for safety-critical systems, emphasizing the need for validated DevOps and AI integration in industries like healthcare and automotive, while highlighting the balance between innovation, safety, and regulatory compliance. Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/3VpqCwL Subscribe to the Software Architects’ Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: QCon London (April 7-9, 2025) Discover new ideas and insights from senior practitioners driving change and innovation in software development. https://qconlondon.com/ InfoQ Dev Summit Boston (June 9-10, 2025) Actionable insights on today’s critical dev priorities. devsummit.infoq.com/conference/boston2025 InfoQ Dev Summit Munich (Save the date - October 2025) QCon San Francisco 2025 (17-21, 2025) Get practical inspiration and best practices on emerging software trends directly from senior software developers at early adopter companies. https://qconsf.com/ InfoQ Dev Summit New York (Save the date - December 2025) The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - Twitter: twitter.com/InfoQ - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/infoq - Facebook: bit.ly/2jmlyG8 - Instagram: @infoqdotcom - Youtube: www.youtube.com/infoq Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq

Maria Apazoglou, Head of AI, BI & Data Platforms at Thomson Reuters, discusses her journey from quantitative analysis to AI leadership. She reveals key strategies for building effective teams, emphasizing diversity and individual ownership. The conversation covers integrating legacy systems with emerging AI technologies, showcasing efforts to train over 12,500 employees in AI tools. Maria also highlights the ongoing importance of human roles in an increasingly automated world, demonstrating how technology can enhance organizational efficiency and creativity.

In this insightful discussion, former FBI agent Eric O’Neill, a bestselling author and cybersecurity expert, delves into the alarming rise of cybercrime, now exceeding $12 trillion. He shares gripping case studies that illustrate the evolution of threats from traditional espionage to sophisticated digital tactics. O’Neill emphasizes the critical need for banks to enhance fraud protection and training while highlighting the dangers AI poses in remote work and education. His expert insights encourage listeners to adopt a 'spy hunter' mindset for better security.

Nick Takavadii, an African-Australian software developer, discusses participatory leadership and psychological safety in the workplace. He shares his journey towards embracing a collaborative culture influenced by a transformative retreat. The conversation highlights innovative decision-making strategies that enhance team involvement and agility. Takavadii emphasizes the need for open communication and unique practices, like rethinking salary discussions. He advocates for redefining value in software engineering to include social and environmental impacts, focusing on the responsibility of engineers to support marginalized communities.

Chris Cooney, Head of Developer Relations at Chorologics, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of software engineering. He discusses the growing backlash against Agile practices, emphasizing the need for effective communication and psychological safety through blameless post-mortems. Cooney highlights the critical role of observability in understanding team performance and company health, and he explores strategies for aligning teams while preserving autonomy. His experiences underscore the importance of innovation in metrics and tool adoption in engineering.

Sheri Byrne-Haber, an accessibility expert with a rich background in computer science, law, and business, dives deep into the world of digital accessibility. She emphasizes that accessibility is more than just high-contrast colors; it’s about creating inclusive software experiences for all users. The discussion touches on the importance of integrating accessibility into design processes, the legal risks of non-compliance, and the challenges of AI bias affecting accessibility. Sheri also highlights the need for community engagement to promote awareness and collaboration in this vital area.