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Essays on technology leadership, AI adoption, architecture and developer experience, published continuously since 2019.

165 pieces · 2019–2026

The image shows a paper crumpled into a ball and resting on a surface, possibly a table or desk, with visible notepad lines in the background. On top of the paper is handwritten text that reads 'ideas' in a somewhat messy handwriting style. The ball of paper appears to be placed there deliberately, as if it's been crumpled and tossed aside after a brainstorming session or idea gathering activity. There's also a faint reflection of light on the surface beneath the paper. The lighting suggests an indoor setting with ambient artificial light. 30 Oct 2026 · 11 min The Mom Test: Stop Asking People If Your Idea Is Good

Rob Fitzpatrick's The Mom Test for software leaders: why people lie about your idea, and the questions that find out what's worth …

A close-up photograph of a computer screen showing a terminal prompt on a black background. The prompt reads 'ubuntu@ubuntu:~$' in green and blue, followed by the command 'sudo' in white with a text cursor after it. The pixels of the screen are visible, and the left edge of the text is out of focus. 24 Oct 2026 · 18 min Who Is Patching Your Software? Why a Support Contract Matters

Several security incidents in one week, none of them your fault. Why a support contract decides who keeps your software patched.

A brass padlock with the word 'HARDENED' stamped on its steel shackle, resting on a laptop keyboard with Japanese and English key legends. The scene is lit in contrasting red and green light, with the red falling on the padlock's body and the green glowing across the keys. 23 Oct 2026 · 33 min A CA Private Key of 4: What eMudhra Teaches Us About Trust

eMudhra CA key compromise: one key was the number 4. What a CA does, why it keeps happening, and what to check outside browsers.

The image shows a person pointing at a whiteboard with handwritten notes. The whiteboard is divided into sections with various drawings and words. At the top, there's a drawing of a rocket along with text that reads 'Product Roadmap.' Below this heading are three columns labeled 'Q1,' 'Q2,' and 'Q3'. The handwriting suggests a planning session. The person is focused on the content, indicating they might be presenting or discussing the roadmap. 23 Oct 2026 · 15 min Do We Still Need Sprints? Agile in the Agentic Era

Burndown and velocity measured developer effort, and agents have made that meaningless. Which agile ceremonies survive the agentic …

The image depicts a breathtaking nighttime scene at a scenic location, possibly a pier or dock with a view of a lake and snow-capped mountains under a vibrant northern lights sky. The Milky Way galaxy is visible overhead, adding a touch of magic to the image. There are wooden railings visible on both sides of the frame, indicating the presence of a docking area. The water reflects the glow of the lights, enhancing the serene atmosphere of the scene. 16 Oct 2026 · 22 min How to Winter: What Dark Seasons Say About Difficult Quarters

Arctic Norwegians report better winters than people in Oslo, on far less daylight. Nine passages from Kari Leibowitz's How to …

The image shows a desk setup with various items on it. In the center of the desk, there's an open laptop displaying what appears to be a blueprint drawing. Next to the laptop are several small models that resemble pairs of glasses, possibly used as reference for the design on the laptop screen. There's also a pair of measuring calipres laying closed, suggesting some recent activity. In front of the laptop is a pair of folded glasses, which might be used for comparison work or could be the photographer's own glasses. To the right of the laptop, there's an incomplete drawing or sketch on white paper, indicating that someone has been working on it. The desk itself is a simple, light-coloured surface, and the environment around it looks to be a workspace or home office. 9 Oct 2026 · 15 min Stop Estimating Effort: Measuring Value in the Agentic Era

When an agent writes the code and a developer directs it, what does an estimate really measure? Why effort is the wrong metric …

The image features a wooden chair placed in front of a large window. The sunlight filters through the glass panes, casting a warm glow onto the chair and creating a dramatic contrast between the illuminated areas and the shadows. The chair is styled with a curved backrest and armrests, suggesting a sense of comfort and elegance. 2 Oct 2026 · 15 min Thinking on Purpose: Critical-Thinking Lessons for Technical Leaders

Critical thinking is not raw intelligence; it is a decision-making discipline, and the quality of the calls a technical leader …

In the image, you can see an open file cabinet with numerous drawers. The top drawer appears to be filled with files, and there's a white label or tag attached to it, though the text on the label is not fully visible. The cabinet itself has a beige finish and features metal handles for each drawer. The drawers are arranged in three vertical columns, and the cabinet occupies most of the frame from left to right. The setting suggests an office environment where records or documents are stored. 25 Sep 2026 · 18 min The Agent Files Nobody Owns: Auditing Your Agentic Setup

An agent found a skill nobody had reviewed in months and did what it said. How to find the unused Claude skills and slash commands …

The image depicts a woman sitting at a desk in an indoor setting. She is working on a laptop that is open and placed centrally on the desk. In front of her, there's a coffee cup suggesting she might be having a drink while working. There are two windows visible: one near the coffee cup and another to the left. The windows appear to be closed. The room has modern decor; there is a framed picture on the wall above the desk, a plant to the right of the desk, and a wooden side table to the left. Natural light seems to be coming through one window, illuminating part of the room. The overall mood of the image is serene and focused, with the subject engaged in work or study. There is no visible text within the image. 18 Sep 2026 · 15 min Working Alone, Together: What ‘Solo’ Teaches Remote Engineering Teams

Rebecca Seal's 'Solo' was written for freelancers, but it reads like a manual for leading a remote engineering team. Nine quotes …

A close-up of a printed page with the word "Steps:" ringed in yellow highlighter, the surrounding text out of focus. 11 Sep 2026 · 18 min Stop Screening for AI Tools: Hire for Judgement Instead

Engineers are being turned down at interview for using the wrong AI coding tool. The adoption data says that hiring filter expires …

The image depicts an ancient amphitheater under the sun. It's a large, circular structure with multiple levels of seating arranged around a central stage or pit. The audience areas are made up of rows of stone seats, and the walls surrounding the arena show signs of weathering, indicating its historical significance. In the foreground, there is a crowd of people standing in front of the amphitheater, possibly spectators or tourists. Some individuals appear to be engaged in various activities, such as taking photographs or walking around. 4 Sep 2026 · 15 min Into the Arena: Lessons for Tech Leaders from ‘Daring Greatly’

Brené Brown's 'Daring Greatly' predates her better-known leadership books, and it holds hard, practical lessons for anyone leading …

In the image, there is a blacksmith at work. The blacksmith is holding a large hammer in one hand and a piece of red-hot metal in the other. The blacksmith's tools are on anvil, which has been heated to create a glowing ember effect. Sparks can be seen flying from the metal as it is being worked upon, emphasizing the intensity of the process. The setting appears to be a traditional forge with a dark, moody ambiance typical of a blacksmith's shop. 28 Aug 2026 · 22 min Hardening Your Agentic Development Setup: Rules, Permissions, and Tooling

How to harden your agentic development setup with rules-with-reasons, permissions discipline, and disciplined choices about skills …

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