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

157 pieces · 2019–2026

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 …

The image shows an interior setting of what appears to be an office or workspace. The room is well-lit and has large windows with glass panes that allow natural light in. There's a desk in the centre with a laptop open on it, accompanied by some papers and a pen holder. On the desk, there are two items: a lamp and what looks like a small plant or decoration. To the left of the desk is a chair, suggesting a seating arrangement for someone using the desk. 21 Aug 2026 · 22 min Slow Productivity: Why Looking Busy Is Costing You Real Output

Cal Newport's Slow Productivity argues that visible busyness is a poor proxy for real output. Ten quotes from the book, and what …

This is an image of a collection of tools organized in a grid on pegboard. The tools vary in size and type, including pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and possibly other small hand tools. There's a variety of shapes and sizes represented, suggesting that the collection is meant for diverse tasks. The background is neutral, likely a wall or similar backdrop, which makes the colors and details of the tools stand out clearly. The tools are all in good condition and appear to be organized by type and size. There's no text visible in this image. 14 Aug 2026 · 15 min Three Workflows for Agentic Development: Choosing the Right Weight for the Task

Three workflows for agentic development: lightweight plan-and-execute, spec-kit, and BMAD-Method, with guidance on matching the …

A caucasian woman in black tank top sitting on chair in front of microphone. 12 Aug 2026 · 5 min The Podcasting Years

RJJ Software edited podcasts from 2020 until the arm closed in 2025. What the work was, and what it taught the consultancy.

The image shows a close-up of a person's hands working on a piece of paper. The paper appears to be a blank notepad with yellow-golden lines indicating its grid structure. On the desk where this activity is taking place, there are several items including a pair of glasses, a pen, and what looks like an eye patch or perhaps some kind of medical equipment. writing, planning, or note-taking. 7 Aug 2026 · 19 min Make Time: Why Focus Is an Energy Problem, Not a Discipline Problem

Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky's Make Time argues that focus follows energy and design, not willpower. Ten quotes from the book, and …

This image depicts a workspace that appears to be focused on electronics or hobbyist projects. There is a wooden table in the foreground with various items scattered across its surface, including what seem to be electronic components, tools like pliers and wires, and some small electrical devices. On the left side of the table, there's a white box that may contain additional components or supplies. The right side of the image shows a desk with similar items, suggesting that this is a common area for work in this space. In the background, there's a glimpse of a room with a bed and other personal belongings, indicating that this might be a private residence where electronics hobbies are pursued. The setting appears to be casual and lived-in, reflecting a personal workspace rather than an organized or professional environment. 31 Jul 2026 · 16 min Stop Vibe Coding: The Foundations of Agentic Development

Agentic development isn't vibe coding. The CLAUDE.md foundation I use across four years of agent-assisted engineering, with a 75% …

A person sitting at a desk in a bright office, pausing mid-task with a pen resting against their chin, looking thoughtfully at an open notebook and laptop. The expression is one of reconsideration rather than certainty, suggesting someone weighing whether their first conclusion was the right one. 24 Jul 2026 · 14 min Learning to Think Again: Rethinking Lessons from Adam Grant for Technical Leaders

Adam Grant's Think Again makes the case that rethinking is a skill, not a personality trait. Ten quotes from the book, and what …

This is an image showcasing a collection of self-inking stamps. These stamps typically have a mechanical mechanism that allows them to print the same text or mark repeatedly without the need to be recharged or refilled with ink. The stamps vary in size, shape, and design, indicating they may serve different purposes for stamping documents or packaging items. Some stamps are more prominent than others. 17 Jul 2026 · 9 min “Just Throw AI At It” Is Not a Strategy

An open sourced AI screener scored the same CV anywhere from 66 to 99. Why throwing AI at a problem without thinking it through …

Two women sitting at a desk in an office environment. The woman on the left is smiling and leaning forward slightly, while holding a pen and appears to be writing or about to write something. She is wearing a blue top, has dark hair, and is dressed casually. The woman on the right is attentively listening, wearing glasses, and has her hand resting on the desk. There's an open laptop in front of her, suggesting she may be involved in some work or project discussion. Both women are positioned in front of a brick wall with a mirror reflecting part of the room. The space looks professional yet welcoming, with a cozy ambiance. 10 Jul 2026 · 13 min The Willingness to Have Your Mind Changed: Listening Lessons for Tech Leaders

Oscar Trimboli's How to Listen reframes listening as a deliberate, learnable skill. Ten quotes from the book, and what they mean …

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