
Better Tech Leadership
Giving you the playbook to lead high-performing engineering teams.
Latest episodes

Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
#141 Anthony Mayer: Automating Success - The Transition from Manual to AI-Driven Testing
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Anthony Mayer, about their role as VP of Engineering at charles.During the conversation they cover:- Differences in Tech Culture: Insights into working in tech in Germany vs. the U.S., including hiring challenges and organizational differences.- Team Structure Clarity: The benefits of separating engineering managers and staff engineers to improve team efficiency and focus.- Automation in Testing: How transitioning from manual to automated testing enhances productivity and reduces repetitive tasks.- AI Implementation: Pragmatic approaches to integrating AI into business processes, including MVP launches and managing safety concerns.- Leadership and Growth: Strategies for dealing with stress, maintaining personal growth, and making controversial decisions that benefit long-term team development.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jun 10, 2025 • 34min
#139 Mark Swaine: From UX Foundations to Venture Leadership - Insights on Innovation
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Mark Swaine, about their role as Founder UX Institute at UX Institute.During the conversation they cover:- The Transition from UX to Product Management: How a background in UX can shape and enhance a product management role, including insights into business models and stakeholder alignment.- Common Pitfalls in Startups: Common mistakes startups make in product design and development, such as inefficiencies in tech stacks and the lack of customer design programs.- AI’s Role in Product Development: The distinction between automation and generative AI, and the challenges of building meaningful AI solutions that deliver value to users.- Effective Roadmapping and Prioritization: Strategies for maintaining a dynamic roadmap, aligning teams, and ensuring that product development efforts focus on growth and customer satisfaction.- Navigating Tech Investment Trends: Insights into current and future trends in the tech industry, including challenges for startups in saturated markets and the evolving role of AI in business.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jun 5, 2025 • 3min
BTL Bite: Lessons on Engineering Excellence with Aniruddha Loya.
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech. In this BTL Bite, host Matt Warcholiński, co-founder of software development agency @Brainhubeu, talks with Aniruddha Loya, Director of Engineering at Plooto, about key lessons in engineering excellence he learned at Amazon and how he has applied them in startups like Plooto and PocketPills, the universally applicable engineering processes developed at Amazon over decades and the importance of adapting tools and processes to fit the specific context of each team. Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/ Website: https://bettertechleadership.com/ We appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comment section below.

Jun 3, 2025 • 39min
#138 Brooks Folk: Leading with Purpose - Building Teams and Software for Success
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Brooks Folks, about their role as Global Engineering Leader at nCino, Inc..During the conversation they cover:- The Role of a Global Engineering Leader: Overseeing engineering teams across regions and product areas. A look at the new role at nCino and what sets it apart.- Challenges of Leading at Scale: Managing large, distributed teams. Balancing team autonomy with global consistency.- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Close cooperation between engineering, product, design, QA, and DevOps. Key to building successful software.- Agile Development Principles: Applying “Elephant Carpaccio.” Delivering small, working pieces for faster feedback and better iteration.- Leadership Decision-Making: Knowing when to seek input, when to make the call. Driving progress without getting stuck in consensus.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

May 27, 2025 • 53min
#137 Frank Schmid: Mastering IT Leadership - From Economics to Technology Transformation
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Frank Schmid, about their role as Chief Technology Officer at Gen Re.During the conversation they cover:- Transitioning to IT Leadership: Insights into leading an IT department without an engineering background, focusing on abstraction, conceptualization, and decision-making principles.- Evolution of IT Cost Structures: Understanding the shift from hardware-driven IT to software, cloud, and AI, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and openness.- Low-Code for Workflow Optimization: Exploring low-code platforms as a solution for legacy system challenges and a tool for enhancing workflow orchestration and collaboration.- Strategic AI Adoption: Approaches to integrating AI into enterprise workflows, focusing on orchestration, governance, and maximizing business value.- Leadership in a Changing Environment: Principles for fostering autonomy, competency, and strategic decision-making to navigate uncertainty and drive long-term success.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

May 20, 2025 • 33min
#136 Vance Rodgers: Balancing Innovation and Efficiency - Strategies for IT and Business Success
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Vance Rodgers, about their role as Director of AI Operationalization at Achieve. During the conversation they cover:- Continuous Feedback: The key to sustained improvement and organizational efficiency through iterative review and refinement.- The Three Levers of Success: A framework for balancing revenue growth, operational efficiency, and risk management.- ROI Simplified: Actionable strategies for assessing project value and driving impactful decisions.- Empowered Teams: The role of delegation and trust in building high-performing, collaborative groups.- API-First Innovation: Leveraging low-code and no-code tools to accelerate growth and scalability.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

May 15, 2025 • 51min
#135 AI Without the Hype: Would You Hire an AI Agent for Your Software Development Team?
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.Join us for a special series in which our host, Mateusz Konieczny (Tech Evangelist at Brainhub), explores practical applications of Artificial Intelligence without the hype. Each month, Mateusz is joined by a different expert from STX Next (a leading provider of artificial intelligence and data solutions) to discuss various aspects of real-world challenges and opportunities of AI adoption.In this episode, Mateusz Konieczny is joined by Bartek Roszak, Head of AI at STX Next to talk about:- What are AI agents, and how far have they come?- Can AI agents redefine software development?- Are AI agents changing how we deliver software?- Is software delivery being reimagined through AI agents?Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know!Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipCheck out STX’s work: https://www.stxnext.com/We appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

May 13, 2025 • 30min
#134 Herman Man: AI in Fintech - Efficiency, Challenges, and Real-World Impact
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Herman man, about their role as Chief Product Officer at Bluevine.During the conversation they cover:- Leadership in Product and Engineering: Strategies for managing cross-functional teams effectively and making swift, localized decisions without unnecessary escalation.- Tailoring Processes to Fit Goals: The importance of adapting frameworks like Scrum and RICE to serve organizational needs rather than rigidly following them.- Applying First Principles Thinking: Techniques for breaking down complex challenges and rebuilding solutions based on core fundamentals.- Navigating Global Team Dynamics: Tips for addressing cultural and time-zone differences in international teams while maintaining clear communication and respect.- Adopting AI in Business: Real-world use cases of AI for productivity and decision-making, emphasizing practicality and outcomes over hype.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

May 8, 2025 • 4min
BTL Bite: Making Strategic Layoff Decisions & Supporting Affected Employees with Adrian Habel.
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech. In this BTL Bite, host Matt Warcholiński, co-founder of software development agency @Brainhubeu, talks with Adrian Habel, Technical Co-Founder about how to strategically approach engineering layoffs by prioritizing projects based on business value, reallocating talent to preserve key roles, and focusing on short-term wins to foster team coherence and strengthen the company's post-layoff position. Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/ Website: https://bettertechleadership.com/ We appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comment section below.

May 6, 2025 • 43min
#133 Patrick Jørgensen: Revolutionizing Financial Management - The Rise of AI in Startups
In this discussion, Patrick Jørgensen, Co-founder and CTO of Scaleup Finance and a member of the Danish national fencing team, shares his unique journey from software engineering to financial tech. He delves into how competitive fencing sharpens his entrepreneurial mindset and correlates with accountability in business. Patrick introduces their groundbreaking AI CFO designed to simplify financial management for startups. He also explores his 'anarchist' leadership style that fosters creativity and empowerment within teams, revealing key lessons from his scaling challenges.