Lead Prompt Podcast

Is Artificial Intelligence just another tool, or is it fundamentally changing the laws of economics? In this episode of Lead Prompt, host John Collins argues that AI or specifically commoditized super intelligence, has emerged as the new, fifth factor of production. Moving beyond the classical pillars of Land, Labor, Capital, and Entrepreneurship, John revisits his 2004 theories on the knowledge economy to explain how AI is shifting from a passive asset to an active participant in problem-solving. For technical leaders, this marks a massive shift: the primary bottleneck of production is no longer human cognition, but the architectural and organizational design required to orchestrate digital intellect. Tune in to explore what this means for the future of engineering, the new premium placed on human vision, and why executing from the root now requires building AI-first structures. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/736-AI-as-a-Factor-of-Production-2026w16 Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, AI, Economics, Factors of Production, Super Intelligence, Tech Leadership, Lead Prompt, Leadership, Knowledge Economy, AI First Architecture, Engineering Management, Organizational Design, Future of Work, Tech Podcast, Commoditized Intelligence, Tech Strategy, Software Engineering, Knowledge Based Economy

In this episode of Lead Prompt // executing leadership from the root, host John Collins breaks down the concept of "organizational dementia", the costly reality of how companies unintentionally lose critical institutional knowledge at scale. Grounded in academic research on knowledge depreciation, John shares a raw, behind-the-scenes look at a daunting engineering challenge: successfully migrating an undocumented, 25-year-old Classic ASP and VB6 application from Windows 2003 to Windows 2019 without touching the core code. Discover how his team leveraged advanced LLMs (Claude and Gemini) as a synthetic memory layer to parse legacy syntax, resolve complex infrastructure conflicts, and bridge a quarter-century technical gap. Finally, explore the critical takeaway for technical leaders: why AI must be treated as an elite technical advisor rather than a blind substitute for foundational human systems thinking. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/735-AI-Cures-Organizational-Dementia-2026w15 Keywords: Lead Prompt, technical leadership, organizational dementia, organizational forgetting, institutional knowledge, corporate memory, legacy systems, software migration, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2019, Classic ASP, VB6, Visual Basic 6, technical debt, AI in software engineering, Claude AI, Google Gemini, code modernization, systems thinking, engineering management, software archeology, IT infrastructure migration

In this episode of Lead Prompt, host John Collins breaks down the "Iron Age of AI" and the critical divide between teams using AI as a defensive shield versus an offensive sword. Are your engineers using AI to hide behind "check-box" tasks, or are they using it to slice through technical debt and core architecture blockers? We explore the psychology of reluctant users, the mechanics of "attacker" workflows, and why leadership must shift from rewarding hours spent to rewarding outcomes achieved. Tune in to learn three actionable strategies for dismantling the "defensive moat" and leading your team to swing the sword of AI with precision and speed. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/734-AI-is-a-Sword-not-a-Shield-2026w14 Keywords: AI, Leadership, Engineering Management, Software Engineering, Lead Prompt, John Collins, AI Strategy, Technical Debt, Developer Productivity, AI Adoption, CTO, Tech Management, AI for Developers, Innovation, Leadership Development, Generative AI, Tech Culture, Productivity Hacks, Managing Engineers, AI Tools

Is switching your AI "daily driver" really as simple as opening a new tab and copying a prompt? In this episode of Lead Prompt, John Collins explores the hidden, surprising costs of migrating between LLMs: costs that go far beyond subscription fees. We dive into the "muscle memory" required to master a model’s nuances, the "context moat" built through weeks of domain-specific interaction, and the undeniable impact of an AI’s "vibe" on an engineer's flow. Discover why treating AI as a generic commodity is a leadership mistake and why respecting your team's choice of "intellectual partner" is the key to maintaining high-level productivity. What is your favourite AI model right now, and why? Let’s talk about it in the comments. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/733-AI-Switching-Costs-will-be-Surprising-2026w13 Keywords: Lead Prompt, John Collins, AI switching costs, LLM lock-in, AI model preference, software engineering leadership, engineering management, AI productivity, Claude AI, Gemini AI, Kiro AI, prompt engineering, technical debt, AI strategy for business, developer tools, developer experience, DevEx, AI workflow, context window, RAG, AI for developers, cognitive friction, technical leadership.

Is the state the only entity stealing your sovereignty? In this episode of Lead Prompt, John Collins breaks down the evolution of Technolibertarianism from its 1990s cyberpunk roots to the 2026 reality of the "Attention Tax." While the old guard focused on "Tax is Theft," the modern battleground has shifted. Today, bureaucratic social media giants and algorithmic "slop" are the new rent-seekers, stealing the one resource you can never earn back: your time. We explore the transition from defensive encryption to the offensive architecture of the Sovereign Stack. From the foundational manifestos of Timothy C. May and John Perry Barlow to the futuristic blueprints of Balaji Srinivasan’s Network State, discover why the ultimate libertarian act isn’t voting, it’s Exit. Stop scrolling. Start building. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/732-Technolibertarianism,-The-Sovereign-Stack-and-the-War-for-Attention-2026w12 Keywords: Technolibertarianism, Libertarianism, Cypherpunks, Cyberpunks, The Network State, Digital Sovereignty, Lead Prompt Podcast, John Collins, Tax is Theft, Attention Tax, Sovereign Individual, Cryptography, Decentralized Governance, Timothy C. May, John Perry Barlow, Balaji Srinivasan, Startup Societies, Personal Freedom, Open Source, Bitcoin, Anti-Authoritarianism, Code is Law, Competitive Governance, Data Privacy, Individual Liberty

In many organizations, the "official" process is a myth, and the only way to actually get things done is through a constant state of emergency. In this episode of Lead Prompt, John Collins breaks down the "Escalation Anti-Pattern", a shadow workflow where resources only move when the building is already on fire. We explore the dangerous allure of "shooting from the hip," the psychological trap of Hero Culture, and the "Fireman Sam" syndrome that drives your best talent to burnout. Learn how to spot "pre-escalation" signals, stop the toxic blame game, and shift your leadership focus from rewarding the firefighters to rewarding the fire-proofers. Key takeaways include: Why "chaos" is frequently mistaken for "speed" in leadership. The "Dark Art" of manufacturing emergencies to get budget approval. Three tactical strategies to break the cycle and reclaim your team’s focus. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/731-The-Escalation-is-the-Process-2026w11 Keywords: Leadership, Management, Lead Prompt, John Collins, Business Process, Corporate Culture, Project Management, Burnout Prevention, Hero Culture, Escalation Process, Team Building, Operations, Strategic Leadership, Software Management, Workplace Productivity, Organizational Change, Crisis Management, Firefighting, Workflow Optimization, Effective Communication, Technical Leadership

Is your team drowning in processes that protect the status quo but kill innovation? In this episode of Lead Prompt, John Collins takes aim at the silent killer of enterprise velocity: busy work. Bureaucratic hurdles, endless justification forms, and middle-management bottlenecks are more than just annoying, they are actively wasting your organization's most precious commodity. Discover why blindly following low-trust systems is a failing strategy and learn how to maintain a ruthless startup mentality, no matter the size of your company. John shares real-world strategies for bypassing corporate red tape and breaks down the Subversion Playbook for senior leaders. Learn how to assess the blast radius of ignoring bad rules, starve unnecessary processes, and act as the ultimate shield for your top-tier talent. The outcome matters more than the process: it's time to stop ticking boxes and start clearing the road. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/730-Subvert-Bad-Processes-2026w10 Keywords: Leadership, Management, Productivity, Busy Work, Innovation, Startup Mentality, Tech Leadership, Business Strategy, Agile, Lead Prompt, Subvert Processes, Team Management, Corporate Culture, Executive Coaching, Avoiding Burnout, Process Improvement

In this episode of Lead Prompt, I strip away the safety blanket of "following the process" to uncover what truly drives high-performing teams: a relentless focus on the mission. I explore the "Activity Trap," where teams mistake being busy for being effective, and introduces the high-stakes military doctrine of Auftragstaktik (Mission Command) to demonstrate why human agency must always override a rigid rulebook. Whether you're leading a software sprint or a professional kitchen, learn why reporting outcomes instead of activity is the only way to earn the respect of senior leadership and deliver results that actually matter. Stop managing the checklist and start executing the mission. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/729-Execute-the-Mission-not-the-Process-2026w9 Keywords: Leadership, Management, Mission Command, Auftragstaktik, Business Strategy, Outcome Based Leadership, Productivity, Team Management, High Performance Teams, Professional Development, Leadership Training, Corporate Culture, Executive Coaching, Goal Displacement, Activity Trap

In this episode of Lead Prompt, I tackle the uncomfortable truth about why delegation breaks down and how Artificial Intelligence is rapidly rewriting the rules of management. I explore an eye-opening story about a Senior Vice President who bypassed his massive engineering team to generate code using AI, simply to avoid the "BS" of padded project estimates. It sparks a critical, provocative question for today's tech industry: Are leaders now better off managing people, or managing AI? Beyond the headline-grabbing tech layoffs, I unpack the hidden costs of human overhead and the reality of AI as the ultimate, tireless employee. This episode challenges you to rethink your approach to execution and team building. Whether you are an individual contributor realizing AI is your new baseline competition, or a leader learning to master the AI approach to delegation, this conversation is a wake-up call to adapt your skills before you get left behind. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/728-The-Delegation-Dilemma,-When-AI-Becomes-Your-Best-Employee-2026w8 Keywords: AI Leadership, Tech Leadership, Delegation Skills, Managing AI, Future of Work, Artificial Intelligence, Tech Careers, Management Tips, Software Engineering, Prompt Engineering, Executive Leadership, Tech Layoffs, Business Strategy, Lead Prompt Podcast, AI Productivity

Has the cloud just made us reliant on a new generation of centralized mainframes? In this episode of Lead Prompt, I break down the centralized architecture of AWS, exploring the severe global impact of single points of failure, vendor lock-in, and why modern software engineers need to rethink cloud infrastructure risks. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/727-AWS-is-this-Generation's-Mainframe-2026w7 Keywords: AWS, Amazon Web Services, cloud computing, mainframe, centralized architecture, decentralized computing, IBM, dumb terminal, vendor lock-in, blast radius, us-east-1, AWS outage, software engineering, cloud infrastructure, single point of failure, SPOF, tech history, server outage, backend development, Lead Prompt podcast

In this episode, I take a trip back in time to revisit a blog post I wrote in September 2001 about "The Invisible Web", those vast goldmines of information that standard search engines fail to index. It is fascinating to look back 25 years later at my early predictions regarding the exponential growth of data and my concerns that search engines might eventually lose the race against the pace of internet expansion. I’ll discuss the original tech behind "spider bots," the fate of long-lost tools like InvisibleWeb.com, and reflect on whether the vision of a "hidden" internet still holds up in our modern digital landscape. Key Discussion Points The 2001 perspective: A reading of my original article on the challenges of indexing public databases. The evolution of search: How "Crawlers" have changed and why some sites still fall through the cracks. A prediction put to the test: Evaluating my theory that search engines wouldn't be able to cope with the internet's scale. Digital archaeology: The rise and fall of InvisibleWeb.com. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/726-The-Invisible-Web-TLP-2026w6 Keywords: The Invisible Web, Deep Web vs Dark Web, Internet history, search engine optimization, Google history 2001, web crawlers, spider bots, indexing databases, InvisibleWeb.com, tech predictions, internet growth, digital archiving, IntelliSeek, Nielsen BuzzMetrics, evolution of search engines

Welcome to the upgraded operating system. In this episode, I officially announce the evolution from Tech Leader Pro to leadprompt.sh, stripping away the corporate management fluff to get straight to the source code of what makes engineering teams actually work. I break down the philosophy behind "executing leadership from the root" and demonstrate how to apply pure engineering rigour, specifically The Five Whys framework, to debug human systems, rather than just treating the symptoms of a missed deliverable. Stop applying temporary patches to your team dynamics and learn how to rewrite your management protocols from the ground up. Show notes are here: https://leadprompt.sh/a/725-Welcome-to-Lead-Prompt-2026w5 Keywords: Software Engineering, Clean Code, System Architecture, Occam's Razor, First Principles Thinking, Cognitive Load Theory, Software Design Patterns, Coding Best Practices, Reducing Technical Debt, Engineering Leadership, Process Optimization, Reliability Engineering, Programming Philosophy, Minimalism in Code, Developer Productivity.

In this episode, I dive into why the most radical act in modern engineering isn't adding more features, but having the courage to take them away. I explore the philosophy of reduction: from the logical foundations of Occam’s Razor to the biological realities of Cognitive Load, to show you why simple systems are inherently more reliable and sustainable. I’ll break down the mathematics of risk in complex processes and share how you can use First Principles Thinking to strip your codebase and workflows down to their "functional marrow." Whether you're an architect, a developer, or a team lead, join me as I discuss why the most mature move you can make is often deleting the code you never should have written in the first place. Key concepts covered: Occam’s Razor: Choosing the solution with the fewest assumptions. Cognitive Load Theory: Designing for the limits of human working memory. First Principles: Deconstructing problems to their fundamental truths. Serial System Reliability: Understanding how every additional step increases the probability of failure. Scoring Framework: How to objectively grade answers from 1-5 to ensure a cultural and behavioural fit. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/724-The-Best-Code-is-the-Code-You-Delete-(TLP-2026w4) Keywords: Software Engineering, Clean Code, System Architecture, Occam's Razor, First Principles Thinking, Cognitive Load Theory, Software Design Patterns, Coding Best Practices, Reducing Technical Debt, Engineering Leadership, Process Optimization, Reliability Engineering, Programming Philosophy, Minimalism in Code, Developer Productivity.

In this episode, I dive into the "Vibe Coding" phenomenon and why it’s essentially the modern rebirth of Rapid Application Development (RAD). Drawing parallels between the drag-and-drop era of Visual Basic in the 90s and today’s AI-driven natural language prompts, I explore how the core DNA of software development remains the same: prioritizing speed, prototyping, and abstraction over rigid planning. I’ll break down the shared strengths of these approaches like their "Anti-Waterfall" nature, while confronting the familiar pitfalls of "spaghetti code" and unmaintainable architectures. Whether you’re a "grey-haired" veteran or a new developer, join me to see why Vibe Coding isn’t a threat to your career, but rather the latest, most powerful iteration of a cycle we’ve seen before. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/723-Vibe-Coding-is-the-new-RAD-(TLP-2026w3) Keywords: Vibe Coding, Rapid Application Development, RAD, AI software engineering, history of programming, Visual Basic vs AI, Agile vs RAD, future of software development, AI coding tools, natural language programming, spaghetti code AI, software prototyping, creative director coding, tech industry trends 2026, grey haired coder.

Stop gambling on your leadership hires. Use a data-driven system to find the right fit. When hiring a Team Lead or Tech Lead, technical excellence is only half the story. The real challenge lies in assessing their soft skills: communication, judgement, and the ability to build trust. In this episode, I break down my exact framework for interviewing leadership candidates, including a 20-question behavioural scorecard that removes the guesswork from the hiring process. Key Discussion Points The "80-Point" Rule: Why I don't hire candidates who score below an 80/100. Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills: Why interpersonal skills are the "make or break" for modern engineering leads. The 20-Question Breakdown: A walk through of essential questions covering: Conflict Resolution & Performance Management Technical Strategy & Delegation Feedback Culture & Burnout Prevention Incident Response & Stakeholder Management Scoring Framework: How to objectively grade answers from 1-5 to ensure a cultural and behavioural fit. Key takeaway: An elite coder with poor communication will eventually stall your team. Learn how to identify proactive, high-EQ leaders who can scale your engineering culture effectively. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/722-How-to-Interview-Team-Leads-with-The-20-Question-Scorecard-(TLP-2026w2) Keywords: Team Lead Interview, Tech Lead Interview, Behavioral Interview Questions, Engineering Management, Engineering Leadership, Hiring Software Engineers, Soft Skills for Tech Leads, Leadership Scorecard, Tech Hiring 2026, Engineering Manager Interview, Management Training, Conflict Resolution for Leads, Performance Management Tech, Tech Lead Roles and Responsibilities, How to Hire a Tech Lead, Software Engineering Leadership, Leadership Assessment, Interview Scoring System, Team Lead Soft Skills, Technical Leadership Strategy, Engineering Culture, Tech Recruiting Tips, Mentorship in Tech, Leading Engineering Teams, Engineering Lead Framework, Technical Strategy Interview, Stakeholder Management Tech, Engineering Burnout Prevention, Delegating for Tech Leads, Hiring for Culture Fit.

Kick off 2026 by reclaiming your agency. In this first episode of the year, I explore why waiting for external validation is the ultimate silent killer of leadership momentum. I dive into the psychology of the Internal vs. External Locus of Control, explaining why relying on the "attaboy" makes your vision fragile and your progress slow. While encouragement is a vital tool for mentoring your team, relying on it for your own decisions is a form of consensus-seeking that delays the inevitable. Learn why high-level leadership requires you to stop being a passenger and finally take the wheel of your own career. Key Discussion Points The Locus of Control: Shifting from external permission to internal conviction. Leadership Evolution: Why the need for encouragement should decline as you grow wiser. The 70% Rule: Why acting on "obvious" paths immediately beats waiting for a green light. The Permission-Slip Audit: A practical challenge to jumpstart your bias for action this week. Memorable Quotes "Encouragement is a luxury; conviction is a necessity." "The secret of high-level leadership is that no one is coming to tell you it's time. You decide it’s time." "If the encouragement stops, your progress stops. Don't let your vision be that fragile." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/721-Stop-waiting-for-the-encouragement-of-others-(TLP-2026w1) Keywords: leadership 2026, bias for action, locus of control, internal locus of control, leadership mindset, decision making for leaders, stop waiting for permission, career advancement, executive leadership tips, podcast for leaders, 2026 goals, overcoming hesitation, management advice, mentorship vs leadership, psychological traits of leaders, self-validation, taking initiative, business leadership, professional growth, how to be a better leader, productivity for executives, bias for action framework, permission-slip audit, decisive leadership, confidence in leadership, personal agency, high-level leadership, leadership coaching, career momentum, the lead podcast

This episode of The Tech Leader Podcast provides a comprehensive look at the shifting tides of the global tech and political landscape as we transition into 2026. After a remarkably accurate set of predictions for 2025 - confirmed by Google Gemini - the host dives into what the "Year of the Correction" might look like. From the cooling of the AI investment frenzy to the strategic retreats of automotive giants like Mercedes-Benz, this episode explores the friction between high-tech ambition and market reality. Key Discussion Points 2025 Retrospective: A 100% "Pass" rate on previous predictions, including the return of US protectionism, the stagnation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the "reality check" for AGI. The AI Investment Bubble: Why OpenAI’s $58 billion in total funding might not see a return for decades, and why the market is overdue for a sharp correction. The End of the "Free" AI Era: Predictions on how Google and other AI providers will integrate paid advertising directly into prompt interfaces to cover massive compute costs. The EV Slowdown: Analyzing why market forces are winning over regulations, leading manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz to pivot back to high-tech combustion engines. Edge AI & Local Models: The rise of the "128 Gig PC" and the shift toward "Agentic AI" that runs locally on your own hardware rather than in the cloud. Germany’s Energy Crisis: How "creeping deindustrialization" and high utility costs are reshaping the political map of Europe's largest economy. Memorable Quotes "AGI is near is the new Singularity is near. While recent growth in generative AI has been remarkable, we are still decades out from AGI." "Google is an ad company that pretends to be a search company... expect to see more ads in your favourite AI prompt interfaces in the near future." "In the low-regulated US market, where demand is driven by market factors rather than regulation, [EV] demand is softening. Market forces will win out in all regions eventually." "The bureaucracy proved too entrenched to be dismantled in the aggressive timeline proposed." (On the dissolution of DOGE in late 2025). Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/720-2025-recap-and-2026-predictions-(TLP-2025w52) Keywords: 2026 Predictions, Tech Trends 2026, AI Investment, OpenAI Revenue, Google Gemini, AGI Reality Check, EV Market Trends, Mercedes-Benz Strategy, German Energy Crisis, Edge AI, Local LLM, Agentic AI, 128GB PC, Tech Leader Podcast, Donald Trump 2025, US Protectionism, DOGE Department of Government Efficiency, Tech Industry Recap, Future of AI Ads, AI Infrastructure Costs, Silicon Valley Economics, Deindustrialization, EU Politics 2026, AfD Germany, EV Sales Decline, Combustion Engines, High-Tech Hardware, Generative AI Bubble, Tech Leadership

A brief channel update for the Tech Leader Pro podcast. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/719-Channel-update-(TLP-2025w49) Keywords: leadership, tech, leader, team, management, podcast, stoic, stoicism

Modern leadership advice is obsessed with psychological safety and encouragement. But in this episode, I argue that this consensus is making future leaders soft. To achieve true excellence and build necessary resilience, you don’t need a cheerleader; you need a "harsh" mentor. We aren't talking about abuse. We are talking about mentors who set an uncompromising standard of excellence and refuse to accept anything less. From scientific geniuses like Michael Faraday to culinary icons like Gordon Ramsay, history proves that the toughest teachers often produce the greatest students. If you want to move past 90% effort and find your authentic voice, you might need someone to tear down your work first. Key Concepts Covered The Flaw in Modern Mentorship: Why the "softly-softly" approach fails to build resilient leaders. Calibration to Reality: How harsh mentors remove social cushioning to expose the brutal truths of your field. The "Impossible" Standard: Why refusing to praise 90% effort forces a student to find levels they didn't know they had. Autonomy via Opposition: How rebelling against a demanding mentor helps you develop your independent voice. Historical Case Studies: The intense (and sometimes humiliating) dynamics that forged Michael Faraday, Gordon Ramsay, and Quincy Jones. The Caveat: Knowing the difference between transactional harshness and useless abuse. Key Quotes "A 'harsh' mentor is not necessarily abusive, but rather one who sets an uncompromising standard of excellence and refuses to accept anything less." "Constant, unvarnished critique forces a mentee to separate their ego from their work. They learn to view criticism as data for improvement rather than a personal attack." "When a mentor refuses to say 'good job' to 90% effort, the student learns to reach 100% - a level they might never have attempted otherwise." On Nadia Boulanger: "She stripped away their vanity and forced them to find their true, authentic voice." "Without that directness, we would have wasted time. Without that honesty, I would not have improved." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/718-The-benefits-of-a-harsh-mentor-(TLP-2025w48) Keywords: Mentorship, Harsh Mentor, Leadership Skills, Resilience, Tough Love, High Performance, Career Growth, Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Michael Faraday, Nadia Boulanger, Constructive Criticism, Management Training, Mental Toughness, Success Mindset, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Dealing with Criticism, Comfort Zone, Growth Mindset, Excellence, Business Leadership, Apprenticeship, Ego Control, Critical Feedback, Podcast, Mentor Mentee Dynamic, Hard Truths, Discipline, Self Improvement

We often believe we are the ones pulling the levers, but how many of those levers are actually connected to anything? In this episode, I explore the concept of the "Placebo Button" - mechanically sound but functionally disconnected controls designed to pacify us. I move from the physical illusion of control at crosswalks and elevators to the psychological illusions present in our workplaces and elections. Are you truly leading, or are you just pressing a button that someone else installed? I discuss how to spot the difference between benevolent deception and manipulation, and how a Stoic mindset is the only true defense. Key Concepts Covered The Placebo Button: A user interface that provides tactile feedback (clicks/lights) but has no effect on the system, existing solely to provide a sense of agency The Illusion of Control: A psychological principle (Ellen Langer) stating that humans tolerate stress and waiting better when they believe they can influence the outcome. Benevolent Deception: The intentional use of harmless illusions by designers or leaders to reduce user anxiety or improve team morale. Action Bias: The human preference for doing something (even if futile) rather than doing nothing during a stressful wait. Stoic Control: The philosophy that while we often only have influence over external systems, we have absolute control over our own reactions. Key Quotes "In pure power dynamics: We are pressing the placebo button, but they installed it." "Most of it is harmless... but occasionally you will be manipulated into pressing 'placebo buttons' unknowingly that do nothing more than pacify you." "Humans generally prefer doing something to doing nothing. Pressing a futile button satisfies the urge to act." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/717-The-Illusion-of-Control-(TLP-2025w47) Keywords: Placebo Button, Illusion of Control, Stoicism, Leadership Psychology, Ellen Langer, Benevolent Deception, Action Bias, Management Strategy, Corporate Culture, Power Dynamics, Organizational Behavior, Workplace Psychology, Human Behavior, Critical Thinking, Mental Models, Cognitive Biases, Leadership Development, Emotional Intelligence, Social Psychology, Philosophy of Life, Control vs Influence, UX Design Psychology, Systemic Control, Personal Agency, Stoic Leadership, Business Leadership, Podcast for Leaders, Hidden Control, Psychology Facts, Self Awareness

In this episode, I dive into the psychology of high-stakes leadership. When a team is failing to deliver and stress levels are red-lining, a leader’s reaction can either save the project or sink the ship. I share a personal story of a critical delivery where my team was "consumed by stress," and explain why getting angry is the worst possible strategy. I look at the neuroscience behind the "Amygdala Hijack," how stress spreads like a virus through a team, and actionable strategies - like Stress Inoculation Training - that you can use to master your emotions. Learn how to bypass the "fight or flight" instinct and find the only path that matters: Forward. Key Concepts Covered The Amygdala Hijack: How stress physically disconnects your brain from the prefrontal cortex, shutting down logic and problem-solving abilities. Stress Contagion: Understanding how a leader’s body language and heart rate can infect the team via mirror neurons. Stress Inoculation Training: Using simulated high-pressure environments (like martial arts or competitive sports) to train your nervous system to remain calm in a crisis. The "Forward" Mindset: moving beyond paralysis to identify the shortest, safest path to delivery. Key Quotes "Emotion is the enemy of reason." "There is only forward, that is the only option." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/716-Emotion-is-the-enemy-of-reason-(TLP-2025w46) Keywords: Leadership, Management, Stress Management, Amygdala Hijack, Emotional Intelligence, Crisis Management, Team Leadership, Neuroscience, Stress Contagion, Stoicism, Fight or Flight, Leadership Skills, Professional Development, Corporate Training, Team Dynamics, Workplace Stress, Psychology, Emotional Control, Leadership Development, High Pressure, Mental Strength, Stress Inoculation, Resilience, Decision Making, Career Success, Project Management, Leading Teams, Anxiety at Work, Business Strategy, Self Improvement

Are you holding yourself back? In this episode, we explore how ancient survival instincts have morphed into modern "irrational fears." Bias is no longer keeping us safe from predators; it is keeping us from opportunities, business growth, and truth. We discuss why high IQ and introspection are the only defense against the echo chamber, and lay out a specific Anti-Bias Action Plan to help you build while the majority stagnate. Key Topics: The Evolutionary Trap: Why survival instincts fail us in the modern world. The Age of Irrational Fear: How social media amplifies confirmation bias. The Anti-Bias Action Plan: 5 steps to audit your inner circle and reframe complexity. The Builder’s Manifesto: A commitment to prioritizing truth over feeling. Memorable Quote: "Complexity is nothing more than an expression of your lack of understanding yet." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/715-Your-Bias-Is-Ruining-Your-Life-(Here-Is-Why)-(TLP-2025w45) Keywords: Bias, Cognitive Bias, Confirmation Bias, Critical Thinking, Self Improvement, Personal Development, Mindset, Psychology, Irrational Fear, Echo Chamber, Social Media Algorithms, Business Mindset, Success Tips, Leadership, Rational Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Overcoming Bias, Stoicism, Truth Vs Feeling, Mental Models, Introspection, High IQ Habits, Decision Making, Wealth Mindset, Entrepreneurship, The Builders Manifesto, TLP 2025w45, Modern Society, Podcast, Motivation

In this episode, I discuss how all software is vulnerable to supply chain attacks, but I argue that AI is uniquely at risk. I explain that a traditional supply chain attack works by compromising the less-secure "links" in a trusted development process, such as third-party vendors or open-source components—rather than attacking a target directly. This allows malicious code to be delivered through legitimate updates, bypassing standard security defences. I cite the massive SolarWinds breach as a prime example, where attackers inserted a backdoor into a trusted software update, granting them remote access to thousands of secure networks. I then shift focus to AI platforms, identifying their training data as the "weakest link" in their supply chain. I describe "data poisoning," a technique where attackers inject malicious content into the public data sources that AI models scrape for training. This can corrupt a model's knowledge or implant hidden backdoors, namely specific triggers that cause the AI to execute harmful instructions or bypass safety filters. I highlight real-world examples, such as "jailbreak prompts" found on forums and the "Nightshade" tool used by artists to disrupt image generators, concluding that relying on internet data inherently leaves AI models exposed to a "poisoned well." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/714-AI-supply-chain-attacks-(TLP-2025w44) Keywords: AI supply chain attack, Data poisoning, AI security, Cybersecurity, Supply chain attack explained, AI vulnerability, Large Language Model security, LLM security, Model training data, Nightshade tool, AI data poisoning, Software supply chain, TechLeaderPro, podcast, Cyber attack, Information security, Tech news, AI risks, Generative AI security, AI model integrity, Model jailbreaking, SolarWinds attack, Software security, Cloud security, Open source security, AI data quality, Internet scraping, Third party risk, Digital security

Although I typically advocate against micromanagement, I have recently found it necessary to revert to task-based management to support some young leaders on my team who are struggling with end-of-year pressures. Consequently, I have temporarily shifted from delegating autonomy to assigning specific short-term tasks at the start of each week. To keep things on track, I am requiring daily Red/Amber/Green (RAG) status reports, ensuring that I can monitor outcomes closely and push for all tasks to be completed by Friday. I want to emphasize that this is a remedial measure intended only for when a team or individual is overwhelmed, rather than a sustainable long-term strategy. While it is currently necessary to intervene and direct daily operations - such as leading stand-ups - to ensure deadlines are met, I am aware that getting too lost in these tactical details can obscure strategic milestones. My goal is to stabilize the situation enough to step back and trust the team to operate independently again. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/713-Task-based-management-(TLP-2025w43) Keywords: Task based management, Micromanagement, Leadership tips, Management strategies, Tech leadership, Engineering management, Struggling employees, Team performance, Project recovery, Daily standups, RAG status reports, Tactical management, Strategic leadership, Delegation, Situational leadership, End of year deadlines, Management styles, Team leader advice, Corrective action, Employee accountability, Tech Leader Pro, Podcast for managers, Leadership development, Managing underperformance, Software development management, Business productivity, Team turnaround, Short term goals, Management training

I'm happy to announce a new side project called Vom Tag, which is my return to long-form blog writing. The name, which is German for "From the Roof" or "High Guard," comes from an aggressive medieval sword fighting stance, and I chose it deliberately to reflect the tone I plan to take. Unlike my Tech Leader Pro channel, which is purposefully kept free of politics and divisive issues, Vom Tag will feature essays from the "sharp edge of modernity," allowing me to write about my strongly held opinions and challenge prevailing orthodoxies. My core philosophy for Vom Tag is a yearning to return to traditional ways while rejecting progressive modernity - but importantly, NOT to reject technology. I no longer see technology as synonymous with the modern mindset, especially since I believe the "decel" (deceleration) mindset, which views technology as enslavement or a threat, has become the prevailing majority view. I firmly reject that mindset, advocating instead for effective accelerationism (e/acc), and I am happy to live on that sharper edge. I've already launched a holding page at https://vomtag.com/ and secured the X handle @vomtag for updates. Finally, I'm currently debating whether to include audio readings of these essays in a new, separate podcast feed or keep them within the existing Tech Leader Pro feed, and I welcome any feedback on that decision. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/712-Returning-to-long-form-writing-with-Vom-Tag-(TLP-2025w42) Keywords: VomTag, Long Form Writing, Blog Writing, Tech Leader Pro, HEMA, High Guard, Accelerationism, e/acc, Deceleration, Modernity, Technology Philosophy, Tech Essays, New Project, Opinion Writing, Tech Leadership, Future of Tech, Writing Tips, Digital Content, Tech Policy, Critical Thinking, Productivity Tools, Crypto, AI, Podcast Update, Content Creation, Traditionalism, Tech Debate, Long Form Content, The Sharp Edge

I want you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable on a regular basis. Let me explain why. I believe you need to regularly do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, because comfort is a "slow death" that leads to laziness. I compare this to building muscle: to get mentally stronger, you must cope with increasing stress. For me, this means taking on physical challenges I dislike, like running, weightlifting, and a difficult karate class. It's precisely in the discomfort, setbacks, and mistakes of these hard activities that I learn and break new ground, because what's comfortable is already known. I apply this same logic to intellectual growth, consistently seeking out challenging material like technical textbooks or ancient classics to sharpen my mind. I encourage you to pursue difficult tasks, such as learning a language or studying mathematics, which force intense concentration. The episode also stresses the need to stress-test my beliefs by actively seeking opposing views. Quitting is comfortable and easy, so my final advice is to train hard, strive, and ultimately, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/711-Discomfort-fosters-personal-growth-(TLP-2025w41) Keywords: personal growth, self improvement, motivation, mindset, get out of your comfort zone, personal development, self help, mental strength, life lessons, discipline, growth mindset, daily habits, fitness motivation, challenge myself, training, success mindset, overcome obstacles, life hacks, productivity, push yourself, critical thinking, learning, challenging beliefs, self mastery, no excuses, inspiration, life advice, self-discipline, goal setting, be uncomfortable, karate, leadership.

In this episode I will show you how I use Google Gemini to summarize the news headlines for me each morning, so I don’t have to. I was unhappy with the quality of mainstream news in my country, Ireland, and found social media to be an unreliable source. I had also previously been critical of Google Gemini's image generation capabilities. However, I decided to give Gemini another try to solve my news problem. I discovered that Gemini, with its improved capabilities, could use Google Search to get a summary of the daily news from Irish media outlets. I created a prompt for Gemini, "What is the main news from Ireland today?", and found that the results were a "bitesize" summary of the headlines. To make this a daily routine, I automated the process to have Gemini send me a summary every morning at 8:00 AM. This has made getting the news much easier for me, and I am now very impressed with AI's ability to automate aspects of my life. I now see it as a valuable tool. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/710-Using-Google-Gemini-to-summarize-the-daily-news-(TLP-2025w40) Keywords: Google Gemini, AI automation, daily AI, Tech Leader Pro, TLP, AI tools, news app, personal summary, artificial intelligence, AI podcast, tech podcast, Gemini AI, news aggregator, future of news, Gemini update, tech reviews, AI for life, productivity hacks, Gemini, Google AI, smart news, Irish news, AI productivity, tech trends, Gemini usage, AI for news, daily news, automatization, news tools.

In this episode I will explain Conway’s Law, and leadership strategies we can employ to avoid it. Conway's Law is the principle articulated by computer scientist Melvin Conway in 1967, which states that organizations are constrained to produce systems that are copies of their own communication structures. Essentially, the architecture of a system will inevitably mirror the social dynamics of the teams that build it. This is significant because inherent organizational problems, such as departmental silos or political fiefdoms, will manifest as undesirable fragmentation and complex interfaces within the final product. For instance, an organization with separate UI, backend, and database teams will likely produce a system with rigid boundaries between those components, predetermining the technical outcome before a single line of code is written. To address the challenges posed by Conway's Law, this episode will outline several leadership strategies focused on intentionally designing the organization to achieve the desired system architecture. This includes "inverting" Conway's Law by structuring teams to match the intended product design from the outset. Leaders are encouraged to foster a fluid and flexible environment where cross-functional teams can form organically around new features, rather than forcing work into existing, rigid structures. This requires challenging the common anti-pattern of managers hoarding talent and instead hiring for a flexible mindset where people follow project demand. By building the right team structure first, leaders can guide their organizations to produce elegant and effective systems, rather than ones that simply reflect internal dysfunctions. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/709-Understanding-Conway's-Law-(TLP-2025w39) Keywords: Conway's Law, Tech Leadership, System Architecture, Organizational Design, Leadership Strategies, Software Development, Team Structure, Engineering Management, Inverse Conway, Cross-Functional Teams, Organizational Silos, System Design, Melvin Conway, Software Architecture, Product Design, Communication Structures, Agile Teams, Organizational Effectiveness, Tech Podcast, Leadership Podcast, Team Building, Organizational Change, Fluid Organization, Technical Leadership, Product Management, Leadership.

Most content online, including this episode, exists in a Long Tail of unpopular content that contains most of the material online. Let me explain. In this episode, I explore the concept of the "Long Tail," a theory explaining how the internet has shifted focus from mainstream products to a vast array of niche items. I've applied this to my own experience with creating online content, observing that most of what's out there, including my own work, resides in this "Long Tail" of niche content. I've seen this firsthand as I've transitioned from blogging to social media, then to podcasting, and finally to YouTube, with my online traffic declining over the years. Even though it's not the most profitable path, I see real benefits to creating in the Long Tail. With a smaller audience, I'm not beholden to anyone and have more freedom to express myself. I also believe that the most interesting content is found in these less-travelled corners of the internet. That's why I'll continue to create content for my chosen niche. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/708-Life-in-the-Long-Tail-(TLP-2025w38) Keywords: The Long Tail, Niche content, Online content creation, Digital marketing, Content strategy, YouTube strategy, Blogging, Social media, Podcasting, Online business, Entrepreneurship, Chris Anderson, Niche markets, Online audience, Content economics, Creative freedom, Independent creators, Digital media, Online traffic, Audience engagement, Personal branding, Productivity, Tech leadership, Digital trends, Internet culture, Online publishing, Content monetization, Creator economy, Future of content.

The greatest threat to widespread adoption of AI is human users witnessing AI hallucinations. Let me explain what this is, and how we might prevent it. This episode identifies AI hallucinations as the most significant threat to the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. These are instances where an AI generates incorrect or untruthful information, which can be likened to a trusted human expert providing a falsehood. A single such event can cause users to lose trust and credibility in the AI system, posing a major hurdle for its integration into various industries. To address this issue, this episode highlights a shift in perspective among researchers, who now view hallucinations less as a simple bug and more as a "feature" inherent to the probabilistic nature of large language models (LLMs). Mitigation strategies are being developed, including refining evaluation metrics to reward truthful responses, employing agentic AI for self-correction, and improving Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems. The episode concludes that while eliminating hallucinations entirely may not be feasible, the focus is on managing and minimizing their impact, emphasizing that AI should be used to augment, not replace, human reasoning. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/707-The-greatest-threat-to-AI-adoption-is-hallucinations-(TLP-2025w37) Keywords: AI, AI hallucinations, Artificial Intelligence, LLMs, large language models, AI trust, AI adoption, technology trends, machine learning, deep learning, tech leadership, OpenAI, RAG, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, future of AI.

While noble in intent, story point estimates from Scrum have been a failure in our industry. Let me explain why. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/706-Scrum-story-point-estimates-are-a-failure-(TLP-2025w36) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #estimates #scrum #story #points

In this episode I will review the list of leadership principles published by Amazon. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/705-A-critique-of-the-Amazon-Leadership-Principles-(TLP-2025w35) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #corporate #culture #amazon #principles #values

In this episode I will aim to convince you that every outcome from you team is downstream of culture. Let me explain. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/704-Outputs-are-downstream-of-culture-(TLP-2025w34) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #culture

I often see young leaders being attacked without even realising they are in a fight. Let me explain how you can spot this. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/703-Knowing-when-you-are-in-a-fight-(TLP-2025w33) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #conflict #resolution #passive #aggressive #behaviour #behavior #psychology

As I predicted in a previous episode, VPN usage in the western World is exploding. Let me explain why. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/702-VPN-usage-is-exploding-(TLP-2025w32) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #vpn #onlineprivacy #freespeech #freedom #speech

As a leader, you must never allow yourself to be led by fear. Let me explain. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/701-Never-be-led-by-fear-(TLP-2025w30) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #fear #dune #frankherbert

The exchange of physical cash involves physical interactions with fellow people. But with cashless, those interactions reduced dramatically. Let me explain why this is a bad outcome. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/699-Cashless-societies-are-deeply-impersonal-(TLP-2025w27) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #cashless #society #iceland #payments #technology #loneliness

At the beginning of my software engineering career, the threat was being replaced by offshore engineers at outsource firms. Now the new threat for both parties is AI. Let me explain. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/698-AI-is-the-new-outsourcing-(TLP-2025w25) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #LLM #AmazonQ #SoftwareEngineering #Development #Coding

Throughout my career I have worked with many Product Managers, few of which have impressed me. Let me explain why. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/697-The-failing-of-Product-Management-(TLP-2025w24) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #productmanagement #roadmaps

Ignoring a fire alarm does not put out the fire. As leaders, we must never ignore an alarm. Let me explain why. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/696-Leaders-must-not-ignore-alarms-(TLP-2025w23) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #risk #monitoring #alarms

We usually think of aggression as a negative emotion, but for leaders it can be a positive driver for change. Let me explain. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/695-Leaders-need-positive-aggression-(TLP-2025w22) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #motivation #rugby #karate

This week I want to explain to you the differences between leadership and management, and why it is rare for one person to master both. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/694-Leadership-versus-management-(TLP-2025w21) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #manager #teamlead #techlead #software #stoic #stoicism #risk #ceo #elon #musk

Leadership comes at great personal cost, and a career in leadership should not be entered into lightly. Let me explain. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/693-The-price-that-leaders-pay-(TLP-2025w20) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #software #stress #mentalhealth #burnout #pressure #stoic #stoicism #karate #martialarts

This week I am going to share with you the ultimate status report format, and explain why it works so well. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/692-How-to-write-the-ultimate-status-report-(TLP-2025w19) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #software #development #product #communications #logic #logical #fallacy #fallacies #reason #reasoning #decisions #reports #status #template #projectmanagement

Some lies are so big, the participants are left with no choice but to double down on them. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/691-The-big-lies-(TLP-2025w18) #leadership #tech #leader #team #management #software #development #product #communications #logic #logical #fallacy #fallacies #reason #reasoning #decisions #geopolitics

Opinions that are stated confidently do not magically become facts. Let's talk about the fallacy of arguments from authority. Notes: I am endlessly fascinated by logical fallacies, they are everywhere once you become aware of them. Wikipedia even has an entire list of such fallacies, which states the following: "A fallacy is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning in the construction of an argument. All forms of human communication can contain fallacies.". Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies As I work with all kinds of domain experts, one such fallacy I encounter daily is the "Argument from authority". According to the Wikipedia entry for that fallacy, "An argument from authority is a form of argument in which the opinion of an authority figure (or figures) is used as evidence to support an argument. The argument from authority is a logical fallacy, and obtaining knowledge in this way is fallible. A common cognitive bias is that it is a practical and sound way of obtaining knowledge that some presume to be correct when the authority is universally accepted, though some consider this to be an obvious circular reasoning and repetition of an argument from authority and others consider to be a very weak defeasible argument or an outright fallacy.". Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defeasible_reasoning It is important to remember that opinions stated confidently are not facts, instead they are still opinions. In the wider media, especially in politics or economics, we see this appeal to all kinds of experts. Experts will always speak with confidence on their chosen area of expertise, but that confidence can lead to blind spots including the dismissal of new evidence that conflicts with their existing mental models. More sinister than that, some people will lie with such confidence that they will convince their audience. This is the basis of all "confidence tricks" employed by scammers and conmen. According to Wikipedia, "A scam, or a confidence trick, is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust.". Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scam It is much easier for a conman to gain such trust when they are speaking from a position of authority. So how to we solve this? As a leader, you need to ask your team to validate facts via evidence from multiple sources, then present their findings. Such validates become especially crucial if you are making a strategic decision based upon such evidence. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/690-Opinions-stated-confidently-are-not-facts-(TLP-2025w17)

Recently I delved into a topic that was escalated to me, that turned out to be far worse than I thought. Let's talk about leadership blind spots. Notes: As a leader, you cannot be everywhere at all times. Instead, you rely on your team to tell you if there are any issues that you need to be aware of. Like many leaders, I assume that everything is fine if I am not hearing about issues. That optimism is done largely for mental health issues, as there is no point in worrying about unknowns, but the flip side is that you will have blind spots. Recently, I had a Product Manager that escalated to me about the performance of one of my engineers. He complained that the engineer had poor communication skills, poor availability, and also questioned the quality of his work. Obviously I took that seriously, but decided to firstly speak with the engineer in question to get his side of the story. When I did, I discovered many more problems existing in the team, including: The PM cancelled the sprint retrospectives because the actions identified in previous retros were never actually actioned. Pull requests were left open for way too long, resulting in long-lived branches causing merge conflicts. The PM was running the stand-ups, and controlling the agenda there. The engineers had little say. Tickets being brought into the sprint were consistently poorly define. I think you get the picture: there is a lot going wrong in the team that needs to be fixed at a process level, but instead of fixing that, the PM was too busy blaming one of the engineers. It's a great example of how scratching at the surface of a problem can reveal layers of compounded problems underneath. So what can a leader do to handle such blind spots? Encourage your team to report issues to you, safe in the knowledge that you won't "shoot the messenger". Don't freak out! Don't blame! Instead, solicit feedback from everyone involved, identify the actions, and assign owners. In essence, do a retrospective. Solicit regular status reports from your team, and encourage them to flag issues there and not just present good news. A great format for such reports is to have dedicated highlights, lowlights, and blockers sections to encourage your team to cover all of the bases. Sadly however, you will inevitably be blind-sided even with great reporting: the key thing is to control your reaction, and drive the conversation based on the facts rather than an emotional reaction. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/689-Leadership-blind-spots-(TLP-2025w16)

I am convinced that we are witnessing the death of critical thinking in modern times. Notes: I am convinced that we are witnessing the death of critical thinking in modern times, let me explain. Recently I got piled on in a thread on that bastion of free speech, Hacker News, and it got me thinking about the demise of critical thinking again. The thought crime that I committed was to question the source of some data, which was produced by an NGO that was privately funded by vested interests, at least it seemed that way to me based on my initial research. So I asked that question on Hacker News, to see if anyone could reassure me that I was wrong, and they were a trustworthy source. Big mistake. Rather than providing me with evidence that I was wrong, the hive mind on Hacker News instead demanded that: I provide evidence that the basis of my question was valid, given how apparently outrageous it was. I provide alternative sources of evidence that were better. Apparent when you ask the question, you take full ownership of the solution (go figure). I was also accused of being a troll, suffering from various logical fallacies, and "arguing in bad faith" which is the most amusing. Repeatedly I reminded people that nobody had addressed my actual question, because they were too busy attacking me. Again, nobody addressed my actual question seriously. Ever. Are these the smartest people on the Internet? If so, we are in big trouble. Perhaps I should post a link to this episode to Hacker News, and then read the comments to learn some new highbrow insults. Truthfully, the core issue that I wanted to discuss was the following: should we not question the source of information, before we accept it? One hypothetical example I gave in that thread was the following: "Would you trust a report on the impacts of fracking by a pro-fracking NGO, with private funding? Even if their data looked ok on face value?". But yet I was being asked to accept environmental study results, from an NGO that is pro-environmentalist with private funding. Fundamentally your response to that is emotional and dependent upon your own personal bias: you are either pro-fracking, or pro-environmentalist, but it's hard to be both. It's a blind spot that most people suffer from: they will blindly accept "evidence" that aligns with their bias, but dismiss evidence that is not aligned with their bias. It is just confirmation bias all the way down. It becomes a faith argument: you should just accept this, because it is good. Arguing against it is bad, making you bad. Critical thinking should mean questioning the source of any evidence, the leadership of the organization produced that evidence, and the funding of such organizations. Without that, we are accepting "evidence" on blind faith. I will link to the Hacker News thread in the show notes of this episode if you really want to read it, but honestly you will come away dumber. Ref: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43668227 Questioning is how we learn. Questioning is how we challenge bias. Questioning is valid. Never stop questioning, and never let anyone shut you down for asking the right questions. Certainty of conviction is for the faithful, but the path to learning is full of doubts. And certainty of purpose is for worker ants. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/688-The-death-of-critical-thinking-(TLP-2025w15)

Where are all of the hackers now, and is that culture still alive? Notes: When I first got into computer networks in a big way in the 1990s, the coolest thing you could be was a hacker. Now in 2025, I am left wondering where did all of those hackers go? Perhaps like me they got married, had kids, and took a steady job at a corporation or even a start-up? In the beginning of the usage of the term "hacker", is was used to describe someone who used their technology skills to explore networks and other systems out of a strong sense of curiosity, not bad intent. Instead "cracker" was used to differentiate someone who used their skills for personal gain, or to actively harm the systems they were cracking into. Somehow "cracker" did not stick, and instead we ended up with the following terms: Hacker became Whitehat hacker. Cracker became Blackhat hacker. This inevitably led to some people describing themselves as "Greyhat hackers", further muddying the intent of the original term. Today's "hackers" are just as likely to be Silicon Valley founders or investors: honestly the term has lost its meaning. So where have the original hackers gone, the guys driven by intellectual curiosity and not personal gain? Many founded open source projects, and still maintain them. These guys are legit. Some have no doubt moved into crypto, driven as they are by a deep distrust of authority, and a deeper need for anonymity. While I still had an X account in 2024, I briefly became excited about the e/acc movement as it appeared to capture some of the original hacker ethos, until I realized that many of the self-styled leaders of that movement were self-promoters who were perfectly fine with stepping into the limelight once they were "doxxed" by the media. Now I am left searching my old haunts: Slashdot, Hacker News, 2600, IRC...since I left X recently, to try to find my online tribe. Please hook me up in the comments, I am still curious. Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/687-Where-are-the-hackers-now-(TLP-2025w14)

Early in my life I was exposed to an excellent example of Stoic leadership, but I was too young to recognize it. Notes: One regret I have in my life is not discovering Stoic philosophy earlier. If there is one thing that has improved my mental well-being as a leader, it is discovering Stoicism. While I was too young to understand it at the time, I was exposed to an excellent example of Stoic leadership when I was a 19 year old trainee in the army. Let me tell you the story of Prendergast, via a read of a blog entry I wrote back in 2020: https://techleader.pro/a/530-Prendergast You can find that blog entry on my website techleader.pro. I found myself thinking about Prendergast during a very difficult week, full of conflict, production outages, and tight deadlines. I think we all need such a mental image, to center our thoughts on during stressful times, and bring about some mental calm. Secondly, please buy yourself a copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, and Letters from a Stoic by Seneca, and read a little each day, especially when you feel stressed. Leadership is hard, take care of yourselves! Notes and subscription links are here: https://techleader.pro/a/686-Stoic-leadership-(TLP-2025w13)