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

160 pieces · 2019–2026

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 …

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 colours 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% …

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