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

154 pieces · 2019–2026

The image depicts a tranquil coastal scene. In the foreground, there's a large stone labyrinth situated on a cliffside overlooking the ocean. The labyrinth has concentric circular patterns that are intricate and detailed. A person stands at the entrance of the labyrinth, looking out towards the water, giving a sense of scale to the size of the structure. Beyond the labyrinth, the coastline is visible with waves crashing onto the shore, and in the distance, there's a rocky outcropping extending into the ocean. The sky above is overcast, with no visible clouds, suggesting a calm day. There are no visible texts or distinctive brands in the image that would require a detailed description. 29 May 2026 · 12 min Rest: Why Stepping Away From the Screen Is Part of the Work

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang's Rest makes the case, backed by neuroscience and history, that rest is not the opposite of work but its …

In the image, a person is holding up a Rubik's Cube in their hands. The cube has multicolored pieces, with each side featuring different colors. The person appears to be indoors with warm lighting and there are out-of-focus objects in the background that suggest a casual, home environment. 22 May 2026 · 11 min The Skill Nobody Taught You: Emotional Intelligence for Tech Team Leaders

Emotional intelligence is the toolkit that makes psychological safety possible. A practical guide for tech leaders on …

This is an image of a rock stack composed of variously shaped and sized rocks. The rocks are balanced precariously atop one another in what appears to be an outdoor setting, possibly near a natural environment with vegetation and rocks in the background. The central focus of the image is on the stacked rocks themselves, which display a range of colors from earthy browns and yellows to greys and white. The rocks are arranged in an irregular pattern with some stacked vertically and others horizontally, creating an unstable yet harmonious balance. There's no text or other discernable objects within the image that would provide additional context or information. 15 May 2026 · 10 min Thinking in Systems: Why the Job Was Never the Typing

Donella Meadows' systems thinking applied to software engineering. Why understanding systems matters more than writing code, …

This is an image of a neon sign featuring two silhouettes of human heads. The sign has a playful or whimsical style, with one head being larger and positioned above the other, as if it's looking down at it. Each head is outlined in white, making them stand out against the blue background. Surrounding the silhouettes are various shapes and lines that appear to be drawn in neon pink and green colors, adding a touch of vibrancy to the sign. The overall impression is one of a fun, decorative piece that might be used to add character or theme to a bar, restaurant, or other establishment with a casual atmosphere. 8 May 2026 · 11 min Your Team’s Silence Is Telling You Something: Psychological Safety in Development Teams

Warning signs that your development team lacks psychological safety, and why the silence in your standups and retros is costing …

In the image, two individuals are engaged in an activity near a glass partition. On the left side of the frame, there's a person holding what appears to be a piece of paper, possibly reviewing or discussing something. This individual is wearing a white top and has short hair. To their right stands another individual with medium-length hair, dressed in a dark top, seemingly pointing towards the same sheet of paper with their finger, indicating they are also part of this discussion. The background reveals a glass partition that separates them from what looks like an office or workshop space. The partition has sticky notes attached to it, which suggests the area might be used for brainstorming or organization. There's a whiteboard or board with writing on it in the backdrop, hinting at more work-related activities taking place in this setting. The overall scene conveys an atmosphere of collaboration and idea-sharing. 1 May 2026 · 11 min Fundamentals of Software Architecture: Lessons for Modern Tech Teams

Key lessons from Richards and Ford's Fundamentals of Software Architecture, from trade-off thinking to escaping memetic bubbles. A …

The image showcases an intricate mechanical pocket watch that is open and being viewed from above. The watch has multiple gears and springs, indicative of its intricate inner mechanism. Prominently displayed on the front face of the watch are two black and red needles that indicate the time. The background is blurred, putting focus on the watch, but it appears to be a dark space with muted colors. There are no visible texts or brands in the image. The style of the watch suggests a vintage design, often associated with luxury or collectors' items. 24 Apr 2026 · 7 min Mechanical Sympathy: The Case for Giving Engineers Time to Optimise

Most engineering teams care about performance. Most sprint processes don't reward it. This post makes the business case for giving …

In the image, there's a desk set up in what appears to be a cozy room. The desk is made of wood and holds two items: a cup of coffee, which suggests someone might be working or studying here, and a notepad with a pen resting on it, indicating that writing or note-taking is being done. There's also a laptop on the right side of the table, hinting at a blend of traditional and modern work methods. The room has a warm ambiance, with a window in the background letting in natural light. The desk is positioned against a wall, creating a sense of space within the room. The overall setting implies a quiet, comfortable environment conducive to focus and productivity. 17 Apr 2026 · 9 min The Checklist Manifesto: Lessons in Managing Complexity for Modern Tech Teams

This blog post explores key lessons from Atul Gawande's "The Checklist Manifesto", applying its insights to the …

A person is working on a project at a wooden table. The individual is focused on an array of sticky notes attached to a chart, which are arranged in a horizontal line. The table also holds some pens and notepads. The environment suggests a planning or brainstorming session, possibly related to a work or creative project. 10 Apr 2026 · 15 min Too Many Waiters, Not Enough Cooks: Practical Steps For Change

Part 3: Practical steps for reducing management overhead and building more effective software delivery organisations.

The image is a vertical composition with a minimalist design. It features a single lit candle or flame, which occupies the majority of the frame from left to right. The flame appears to have a dynamic shape with swirls and curves, suggesting movement and heat. The background is a plain, dark color that contrasts with the bright flame, highlighting its shape and intensity. The image has a square aspect ratio, and there are no texts or additional objects present, focusing solely on the candle as the subject matter. The style of the image could be associated with abstract art, where the focus is on one element to create an evocative scene. 3 Apr 2026 · 8 min Kill It With Fire: Lessons from Legacy Systems for Modern Leaders

This blog post explores key lessons from Marianne Bellotti’s "Kill It With Fire", applying its insights to the …

The image is a photograph that shows an indoor setting where a group of people are sitting around a large table. They appear to be engaged in a meeting or discussion, as suggested by their focused expressions and the presence of what looks like a presentation or notes on the table. There are multiple laptops open in front of some individuals, indicating a working environment. The background is blurred, but it seems to be an office space with modern decor, including plants, which contribute to a casual yet professional atmosphere. There's no text visible in the image that provides context or information about the people or event taking place. 27 Mar 2026 · 13 min Too Many Waiters, Not Enough Cooks: Finding The Right Balance

Part 2: Understanding healthy ratios, knowing when management presence is justified, and assessing your team structure.

The image shows a wooden table with a laptop on top. The laptop has an open lid displaying a graphical user interface, and there is a mug of coffee next to it. The table appears to be in a café or similar setting, indicated by the presence of other tables, chairs, and decorations. In the background, there's a window with blinds partially drawn, and outside, one can see what looks like an urban environment with buildings and trees. The atmosphere suggests a relaxed, casual workspace. 20 Mar 2026 · 7 min Securing Your Legacy and Future in Software Development: More Lessons from "Alice & Bob Learn Secure Coding"

Explore more essential security principles for software development, drawing wisdom from Tanya Janca's book, 'Alice & Bob Learn …

This is an image of a well-arranged dining area inside a restaurant. There are several wooden tables with chairs, set up neatly and covered with place settings including white plates and napkins, indicating that the establishment is prepared for service. The floor is made of wood planks, adding to the warm ambiance of the room. On the right side of the photo, there's a counter with a glass top, possibly serving as a bar or additional dining area. The ceiling has an exposed structure with beams and ductwork, contributing to the industrial chic aesthetic. The overall setting suggests a casual yet stylish dining environment. 13 Mar 2026 · 15 min Too Many Waiters, Not Enough Cooks: Why Your Software Team Might Be Manager-Heavy

Part 1: Recognising the pattern of management-heavy software teams and understanding the hidden costs of excessive overhead.

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