

Better Tech Leadership
Brainhub
Giving you the playbook to lead high-performing engineering teams.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

Apr 29, 2025 • 35min
#132 John Blythe: The Power of Adaptation - Thriving in Dynamic Tech Environments
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 John Blythe, about their role as Head of Engineering at Combined Curiosity.During the conversation they cover:- The Challenges of Moving Between Startups and Enterprises: Insights into how leadership differs in startups versus larger organizations, and the unique challenges in each environment, such as spaghetti code, red tape, and scaling issues.- Building and Scaling Engineering Teams: How to transition a team from a scrappy startup mentality to a more mature, scalable, and sustainable structure, including managing legacy code and technical debt.- Optimizing Tech and Culture: Strategies for aligning the organization's technical needs with its cultural maturity, and how to navigate the influence of founders on the company’s direction and culture.- Decision-Making in Leadership: Practical advice on making difficult leadership decisions, such as prioritizing tech debt versus new features and the importance of taking calculated risks to improve efficiency.- Personal and Team Growth: The importance of personal reflection and knowing your strengths as a leader, as well as helping your team grow by balancing their career development with the company's needs.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.

Apr 22, 2025 • 33min
#131 Stefano Grossi: Unlocking Leadership Potential - Tools and Frameworks That Deliver
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 Stefano Grossi, Founder of Branco.ai about their new startup and their previous role as Chief Product and Technology Officer at FreshBooks. During the conversation they cover:- The Challenges of Moving Between Startups and Enterprises: Insights into how leadership differs in startups versus larger organizations, and the unique challenges in each environment, such as spaghetti code, red tape, and scaling issues.- Building and Scaling Engineering Teams: How to transition a team from a scrappy startup mentality to a more mature, scalable, and sustainable structure, including managing legacy code and technical debt.- Optimizing Tech and Culture: Strategies for aligning the organization's technical needs with its cultural maturity, and how to navigate the influence of founders on the company’s direction and culture.- Decision-Making in Leadership: Practical advice on making difficult leadership decisions, such as prioritizing tech debt versus new features and the importance of taking calculated risks to improve efficiency.- Personal and Team Growth: The importance of personal reflection and knowing your strengths as a leader, as well as helping your team grow by balancing their career development with the company's needs.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.

Apr 15, 2025 • 27min
#130 Sebastiano Armeli: Engineering Culture - The Balance Between Innovation and Execution
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 Sebastiano Armeli, about their role as Head Of Engineering at Upwork.During the conversation they cover:- Engineering leadership at major tech companies – Discussion of the experiences at Spotify, PayPal, Pinterest, and others, with a focus on differences in leadership styles.- Differences in engineering culture – Contrasts between engineering cultures in the U.S. and Europe, and the mutual lessons on work-life balance and execution strategies.- Key management frameworks and OKRs – The use of OKRs and management frameworks within engineering teams to effectively prioritize and achieve goals.- Adapting to different industries – The impact of transitioning between industries (e.g., fintech, media, freelancing) on engineering management, requiring flexibility and domain-specific knowledge.- Challenging decisions in engineering projects – Reflection on difficult decisions such as project pivots or layoffs, and how to maintain team morale and execution efficiency during tough times.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.

Apr 10, 2025 • 60min
#129 AI Without the Hype: Designing AI Products That Users Need and Trust
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 Jakub Wujek, AI Product Designer at STX Next to talk about:- What Does It Mean to Design AI-Powered Products?- Why Should We Use AI? Identifying Real-World Problems AI Can Solve- Who Drives the Evolution of AI-Powered Products?- How Does AI Change the Way We Design Software?- What Makes AI-Powered Products Responsible and Trustworthy?- The Future of AI-Powered Product Design & What We Need to LearnFollow 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.