It Depends: Lessons in Technology Leadership

In this episode of the "It Depends" podcast, host Kevin Goldsmith delves into the complexities of decision-making in management and its implications on organizational policy. Titled "Every Decision Creates a Policy," this chapter is particularly significant, highlighting common managerial pitfalls and their long-term effects on company culture and consistency.

Kevin shares his extensive experience to illustrate how seemingly simple approvals can set precedents, inadvertently shaping future policies. He explains scenarios where inconsistent decisions led to perceived favoritism and ultimately necessitated the imposition of strict, rigid policies that curtailed previously enjoyed freedoms. The episode emphasizes the importance of consistency and transparency in managerial decisions to maintain trust and morale within the team.

Listeners will gain insights into the nuanced impact of their decisions and learn practical strategies for aligning individual managerial actions with broader organizational values. This episode is crucial for managers, leaders, and anyone interested in understanding the ripple effects of their choices in a corporate environment.

Links:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The newsletter
• LeadingEng 2024

This chapter discusses what you can do as a manager to protect your team from layoffs: Ensure the team is aligned with company goals. Raising the visibility of the good work of the individuals on the team. Managing performance. All of these things will help when someone is trying to decide if anyone from your team should be laid off. This episode adds more information for individuals and talks about how managers are judged more by the work of their team and less by their own individual contributions.

Links:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The newsletter
• LeadingEng 2024

Politics! The word has such a negative connotation when discussing work and corporate culture. Political tactics or maneuvers aren't inherently bad. It is the intent behind them that makes them so. You can leverage those same tactics for good instead of evil.

In this episode, Kevin delves into 'The P Word' and discusses the good and bad sides of politics in the workplace based on his own experiences. Whether you're navigating corporate hallways or startup pathways, this one's packed with insights you don't want to miss.

Links:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The newsletter

Teams create their own languages organically, which is essential to team bonding and belonging. Understand this and use it to improve how your team works together and to make it easier when onboarding new members.

Links:

• The newsletter with the text of the chapter: https://kevingoldsmith.substack.com/p/building-a-vernacular-with-your-engineering
• "It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012-2022" https://itdependsbook.net
• It Depends newsletter: https://kevingoldsmith.substack.com
• Questions/comments: contact@itdependsbook.net

If you are on the technology management track, the final role is Chief Technology Officer. Still, the path to the role is not obvious because the role itself differs greatly from company to company. The episode includes chapter 10 from "It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012-2022," "Becoming a CTO." This chapter discusses the common skills needed for the CTO in almost any company and how the role differs between early-stage and mid-stage companies.

More information about the book is at itdependsbook.net
Questions/comments? contact@itdependsbook.net
The newsletter: kevingoldsmith.substack.com
Your Host: Kevin Goldsmith

Once again, two shorter chapters in this podcast from the book.

How I get my focused work done:
When you are a manager, constantly interrupted, how can you get focus time to devote to your projects?

The Known Unknowns:
Understanding the mastery curve.

Links:
Book/Podcast/Newsletter website: https://itdependsbook.net/
Questions/Comments/Suggestions contact@itdependsbook.net

Two chapters from the book this week! Discussing a deliberate approach to managing your calendar and tracking how you actually are using your time, and then how to approach your work with thoughtfulness and decisiveness instead of just making decisions based on instinct.

More information about the book: https://itdependsbook.net/

Ask a question or request a signed copy: contact@itdependsbook.net

The newsletter: https://kevingoldsmith.substack.com/

Taking a day, once, twice, or even four times a year to reflect on how things are going and think about where you want to go next is a valuable practice. This episode includes how to approach this practice and get value from it. This episode also includes Chapter 5 of the audiobook "It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012-2022" by Kevin Goldsmith. 

It Depends Book website: https://itdependsbook.net/

CTO Podcast link: https://pod.link/1356275803/episode/7a88eac00279eb4bd3172b9a59d21ab7

Jason Cavness Experience Podcast Link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoUR0bj9BGQ&list=PLh4aquRHsHCZfVVGNO7IY9-5Z0IF8XgwZ

Have a question you'd like me to answer? Send it to: contact@itdependsbook.net

Buy the book on Amazon or bookshop.org