The Tech Exec Podcast with Aviv Ben-Yosef
243 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsA short discussion of leadership improvements you can start using in your startup today as a technical executive, whether you are a CTO, CIO, VP Engineering, VP R&D, and so on.
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Episodes
Non Binary
April 16, 2024 13:00 - 4 minutes - 8.51 MBIf you want to genuinely become an executive and be viewed as a peer to business partners, you're going to have to stop it with the binary options. The world's not black and white, and those who leverage and create a continuum of options are worth their weight in gold. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me directly: aviv@aviv...
Making Mistakes
April 09, 2024 13:00 - 7 minutes - 14.1 MBMaking mistakes is an essential part of growing as a leader. Letting your people is something you have to live with to accelerate their growth. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean you're going to be in ostrich mode and ignore it all. Check out this week's short episode for three pitfalls to avoid. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out ...
Non Choices
April 02, 2024 13:00 - 4 minutes - 8.46 MBSometimes, when you procrastinate or reject making a choice, that can open up new opportunities. Other times, that's a sign of weak leadership. How do you make the choice to choose? Check out this week's short podcast episode for some meta-thinking on upgrading your own decision-making. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me ...
Tech Team Growth
March 26, 2024 14:00 - 4 minutes - 8.59 MBHiring has changed dramatically. I for one am happy most people aren't spending 50% of their time interviewing and onboarding new hires. Nevertheless, it means that we need a different set of guidelines to handle growth correctly. Check out this week's episode to ensure you're on track to create a profitable product-engineering team as you grow it. Join my free live session: Profitable Engineering 101! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive O...
80/20
March 19, 2024 14:00 - 4 minutes - 7.87 MBThe 10x engineer, the 10x leader, and the 10x strategy exist. However, they are often not easy to spot. Realizing that you don't need to come up with something that feels like someone from the future told you can actually increase your odds of achieving 10x work. For more on doing just that, check out this week's episode! Join my free live session: Profitable Engineering 101! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe ...
No Return
March 12, 2024 14:00 - 6 minutes - 11.6 MBThere are probably right now different issues that you're aware of that are allowed to fester and deteriorate. As you're busy putting out fires, the next wildfire is creeping up. That's what we get when we trade actual leadership for a simplistic greedy algorithm that only addresses things that have gone past the point of no return and must be solved. If you'd like to transition to genuine leadership and be less managed by the events, check out this week's episode. Sign up to atten...
Moving Targets
March 05, 2024 14:00 - 5 minutes - 10.9 MBBoy, the last 4 years have been one hectic decade, am I right? The worst thing you can do is give your team the sense that whatever last crisis you had was the last one. It wasn't. Leadership is about handling these moving targets. Learn more in this week's episode. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me directly: aviv@avivben...
Cleverness
February 27, 2024 14:00 - 5 minutes - 9.97 MBEspecially when teams have waited too long to redo certain parts of their technology, they are way more prone to overshoot and over-engineer the new solution. That's the classic second-system syndrome at play. However, you're only likely to succeed if you know how to keep your team's cleverness at bay. Check out this week's episode about managing cleverness and how to tell whether you're over-doing something. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Execu...
Highly Profitable R&D
February 20, 2024 14:00 - 14 minutes - 27.1 MBHow can you create a product-engineering organization that's profitable? Where growth is aligned with business needs; where engineers don't do tech for tech's sake; where value is the first… value? This week's podcast episode is a quick recap of topics from my four-part series about such organizations. Tune in to create a team worth leading. The articles in the series: Highly Profitable Engineering Teams Making Profitable Software Profitable R&D Structure and Growth R&D Innovat...
Parallel Realities
February 13, 2024 14:00 - 9 minutes - 16.7 MBHow is your team branching out daily, just like in code, and how might you suffer from merge conflicts? Let's peel back the layers of how our individual perceptions shape our professional interactions and decisions. Discover the power of external perspectives and the surprising impact of communication nuances within tech teams. In this episode, we delve into a journey of understanding and connecting our divergent views to foster stronger, more cohesive teams. Grab a copy of my book...
Theory
February 06, 2024 14:00 - 9 minutes - 18 MBWhen you first consider it, you might not realize what "theory" has to do with leading product engineering. However, there is quite a bit you can and should be aware of in order to help your team thrive and operate faster. In this week's 9-minute episode, I share the two levels of thinking required in order to leverage theory and share it across your team. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newslette...
Non Linearity
January 30, 2024 14:00 - 8 minutes - 15.7 MBSome teams punch above their weight. You can see that many organizations are still suffering from too much bloat, and defocused work. This week's episode shares more insights from my recent conversations with over 100 tech leaders globally about leveraging the concept of non-linearity to create profitable eng teams. New offering: I’ve talked to 100+ tech leaders recently about their 2024 plans and got repeating requests to offer help with this. The way you kick off the year has the...
Mousetraps
January 23, 2024 14:00 - 9 minutes - 17.3 MBSometimes, what might seem initially like a needle-in-a-haystack problem is a lot simpler. And when you realize that, you can leverage it so your efforts are more effective. This week's episode is about the connection between mousetraps and making people handle their cheese being moved. New offering: I’ve talked to 100+ tech leaders recently about their 2024 plans and got repeating requests to offer help with this. The way you kick off the year has the potential to set you up for r...
Squeaky Wheels
January 16, 2024 14:00 - 9 minutes - 17.8 MBStop focusing your attention on those who are problematic. Handle those situations quickly and move on. Your focus should be on your top performers. Squeaky wheels, no matter how greased, are not likely to get you past the finish line. Check out this week's episode for more on creating effective rapid coaching. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or co...
Insanity
January 09, 2024 14:00 - 7 minutes - 12.9 MBAre you going to let another year pass by more or less the same? Are you prone to what Albert Einstein described as "insanity"? Life's too short for that. Listen to this week's short episode to get out of the meager loop you've been in and start your path toward a bigger future. And, you just might win the raffle! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or...
Repetitive Strain Injury
January 02, 2024 14:00 - 5 minutes - 9.46 MBI'm sure you've got some big goals, plans, and hopes for 2024. However, you're not likely to reach them by just promising yourself you'll work harder this time. Repeating the same methods and applying more and more force will just result in RSI. This week's five-minute podcast episode is about how you can get better results without burning the midnight oil. Wishing you a fantastic 2024! Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech...
Board Games
December 26, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 18.5 MBEvery executive needs to know how to talk to the company's board and handle it effectively. Don't appease it, don't be subservient, and don't surprise it. In this week's episode, I'm sharing common problems and some guidelines to improve your communication and decrease the odds of you making the board become too tactical. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for t...
Wandering
December 19, 2023 14:00 - 7 minutes - 12.9 MBBeing a tech executive means that things sometimes change. You might be unsure about where you're headed to provide more impact. However, as Tolkien has taught us geeks, not all those who wander are lost. Let's talk about finding your new direction. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me directly: a...
Non-Linear Growth
December 12, 2023 14:00 - 12 minutes - 22.1 MBSomeone quit? A long vacation? A friggin' war? Learn how to embrace disruptions, create shorter and more focused roadmaps, and empower your team to thrive in times of change. Discover how unexpected challenges can be opportunities for exponential improvement. Whether you're leading a tech team or looking for ways to drive innovation, this episode will inspire you to harness the power of non-linear growth. Join my annual wrap-up / yearly kickoff free session: 2024 Launchpad. Join t...
Bad Decisions
December 05, 2023 14:00 - 9 minutes - 17.2 MBDid you make a mistake recently? To err is human, and to futilely try and avoid all possible mistakes is being an engineer. Executives with a tech background seem more afraid than their peers to operate in uncertainty, thus capping their teams. Set out to make some good mistakes next year. Join my annual wrap-up / yearly kickoff free session: 2024 Launchpad. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. ...
Friends
November 28, 2023 14:00 - 8 minutes - 16.3 MBFreddy Mercury famously sang that friends will be friends. That's right. But they shouldn't be your employees. Check out this week's episode for unpopular opinions about hiring and promoting people. Join my year-end/yearly-kickoff free webinar! 2024 Launchpad: Velocity Mastery Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments...
Leadership Procrastination
November 21, 2023 14:00 - 7 minutes - 13.6 MBYou're constantly busy. I mean, you're overwhelmed! No one can blame you for procrastination… or can they? This week's podcast is about the leadership equivalent of cleaning up the house when you've got a deadline. Claim your seat at my year-end/year-kickoff free webinar. 2024 Launchpad: Velocity Mastery. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. ...
Winning
November 14, 2023 14:00 - 11 minutes - 20.3 MBWhat good is amazing innovation and creativity if it doesn't align with a clear path toward winning? What does aiming for a win mean for tech executives? Another quick episode where I draw the line from Israel's strategic failure on October 7, and startup leadership. Because, yeah, those are the two things I'm thinking of right now and it's melding in my brain. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System...
Waste
November 07, 2023 14:00 - 6 minutes - 11.4 MBIn life, shit happens. Just in the past three years, we've been through COVID-19, saw the startup economy almost grind to a halt, and now there's war here in Israel. Good leaders always work to avoid waste. This week's episode is about not wasting the most precious thing you've got. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or com...
Cowardice
October 31, 2023 14:00 - 8 minutes - 15.5 MBLeaders cannot be cowards. I don't care if you think you're prioritizing your efforts or being politically correct. And, of course, it's related to the war. This week's podcast shares five examples of cowardly leadership and how to avoid it. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me directly: aviv@aviv...
Structure
October 24, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 13.1 MBEven at times of confusion and stress—perhaps even more so—it is important to create your organization's structure intentionally and thoughtfully. This week's short episode is again about some wartime lessons you can apply in your company even without going through war! Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach ...
Resilience
October 17, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 7.65 MBThis week's shorter-than-usual episode is about resilience. This is based on what I've been talking about with my clients here in Israel: How to create teams that are more resilient and how to take care of yourselves as leaders. 🇮🇱 Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me directly: [email protected]...
Stupid Inputs
October 10, 2023 13:00 - 3 minutes - 6.4 MBA short episode due to circumstances with a quick lesson about communicating and collaborating with stakeholders. Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me directly: [email protected]
Evaluations
October 03, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 11.9 MBLet's delve into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of startup culture - evaluations. However, I'm not talking about the prevalent discussions surrounding startup valuations, but rather the core values that define your organization's ethos and guide its trajectory. As a tech executive or a founder, understanding and articulating these values is not only essential for your own alignment but pivotal for attracting the right talent and fostering a culture that resonates with authen...
Experience Pressure Cookers
September 26, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 7.86 MBYou can count on "years of experience" or you can create an environment where the theory of relativity acts in your favor and people grow faster. It's up to you. Let's talk about immersive cultures, growth opportunities, and detaching ourselves from the calendar. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to ...
Best Practices
September 19, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 8.65 MBSometimes, the best thing you can do for your team is to disregard "best practices." I've yet to come across a practice that works in 100% of situations. You might be feeling bad for not going with the trend du jour or forcing one upon your team needlessly. Let's talk about knowing when you can skip one out. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives...
Outgrowth
September 12, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 7.88 MBYour best people are often those who get the least attention. Thus, you're effectively directing them to outgrow the organization and bail on you. Instead, you can be proactive and ensure these precious force-multipliers get the coaching and guidance they need. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any questions or comments, reach out to me...
Low Season
September 05, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 9.06 MBSeveral times a year, if we're lucky, we have a "low season." Are you leveraging these to come out of them stronger and better, or are you squandering a precious opportunity? This week's short episode is all about a difference in attitude that sets some of the best teams apart. Check out Workshop Palooza! I’ve just announced two workshops, the Engineer Excellence Accelerator and the Executive Evolution workshop. Triple impact-per-engineer and become the leader your team deserves. U...
Sock Puppets
August 29, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 10.3 MBEver noticed how some executives unintentionally turn their managers into "sock puppets," overriding their decisions and limiting their autonomy? In this episode, I delve into a dangerous phenomenon that many leaders may not even realize they're perpetuating. Let's understand how this stifling behavior can cripple your team's growth and innovation. Want to discover how to empower your managers and transform them from mere placeholders to real leaders? Join me, and let's unpack this ...
Backward Motivation
August 22, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 10.2 MBEver felt like your team's motivation is in reverse? In this episode, I explore a counterintuitive concept of backward motivation. It's all about understanding the underlying forces that drive your team and how conventional wisdom might be leading you in the wrong direction. Curious to discover a fresh perspective that could transform the way you lead? Tune in! Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Executive Operating System...
Proxy Leadership
August 15, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 12.7 MBAre you guilty of using "proxy leadership" in your team? In this episode, we dive into a common but potentially damaging leadership practice that might be undermining your authority without you even realizing it. Through real-world examples, I'll uncover how this habit can send mixed signals to your team and how to avoid it. Want to become the kind of leader people genuinely look up to and follow? Create career highlights? Then this episode is a must-listen. Join me, and let's grow ...
The One Problem
August 08, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 9.15 MBTo be an effective leader, you have to choose where you are focusing your efforts. Instead of letting your days be decided by your calendar, happenstance, or merely following the path of least resistance, let's take a couple of minutes to find out the lever that will provide you with the most leverage. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology & The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newsletter for tech executives. For any...
Articulation Superpower
August 01, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 9.82 MBIt's no coincidence that some of the companies most known for their ability to move fast have writing things down deeply ingrained in their cultures. In an era where the concept of writing down a six-pager feels like composing War and Peace, those precious few leaders who take the time to get better at articulating their thoughts become dramatic force-multipliers. Learn how to take your first step towards this superpower in this week's episode! Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a co...
The Chessboard
July 25, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 10.7 MBThere's a simple habit that helps you make sure you are actively forming a team that will be impactful instead of letting things be shaped by happenstance. By doing so, you won't suffer from the dreaded patchy org charts that make little sense or have to combat a flood of requests from your team. Check out this week's episode to learn how to treat your organization as a chessboard. Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my books, Capitalizing Your Technology and The Tech Execut...
Rear View Mirror
July 18, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 10.1 MBSometimes, your best improvement engine is being aware of the things you've already done. You can also learn to move much more quickly when you can assess whether something is genuinely a crisis or just the fire du jour. Check out this week's quick episode to learn how to reassess your mess. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is out! Check out Amazon (currently 45% off for Kindle version!!), or get 20% off at the Routledge site directly ...
Cost vs. Value
July 11, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 9.22 MBWhen we fail to consider things correctly, we just might end up like those cliché characters in movies that waste time and let opportunities slip by as they keep waiting for something that'll never happen. Are you aligned with what really matters when making important decisions? My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is out! Check out Amazon (currently 45% off for Kindle version!!), or get 20% off at the Routledge site directly with code SMA...
Vulnerability for Growth
July 04, 2023 13:00 - 4 minutes - 8.64 MBSometimes, the burden of all you've accomplished can hold you back from what you have to do next. What got you here won't get you there, and being vulnerable is required. This week's episode is about freeing yourself to improve yourself. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is out! Check out Amazon (currently 45% off for Kindle version!!), or get 20% off at the Routledge site directly with code SMA35. Join the Leading Edge Club! Subscribe...
The Pool Principle
June 27, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 10.8 MBIt's sometimes hard to realize that things have to change just to keep going, but that's actually a sign of healthy progress. Nothing in life is static, and in the long term you're either getting better or worse. The lesson of the pool principle in this week's episode will help you strike the right balance. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is available for preorder. Check out Amazon (currently 45% off for Kindle version!!), or get 20% ...
Celebrating Consistency
June 20, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 12.5 MBSometimes, you don't need to do anything grand. You just need to do something small but consistently and well. Before you know it, you'll be positioned ahead and others will be left wondering what happened. This week's episode is about consistency and a couple of celebrations. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is available for preorder. Check out Amazon (currently 45% off for Kindle version!!), or get 20% off at the Routledge site direc...
Profitable Growth
June 13, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 10.9 MBA classic sign of success at startups is when the business growth goes "up and to the right." However, we seem to have gotten confused and many tech teams are scaling the same. This was always important, but is currently more relevant than ever: you should drive for profitable R&D growth. Are you there? How can you unlock it? Find out more about it in this week's episode. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is available for preorder. Chec...
Fluff Roles
June 06, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 11.9 MBWelcome to the easy-money tech industry where roles are made up and org charts don't matter. Oh, what was that? We're no longer in easy-money mode? Then it's about time you learn how to judge when a new role is justified and when it's just a sign of your own laziness. Check out this week's episode for more! My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is available for preorder. Check out Amazon (currently 45% off for Kindle version!!), or get 20% ...
One-to-Many
May 30, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 13.2 MBFind your equilibrium in communication as your company scales. In this episode, we delve into the pivotal task of restructuring one-on-ones to maintain connection without consuming all your time. You have to maintain the value of time with leadership and I describe some alternatives for sharing information and the need for adjusting frequency and duration as your company grows. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is available for preorder...
Capitalizing Your Technology
May 23, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 11.7 MBTo celebrate my new book being available for preorder, in this week's episode, I share some of its core tenets. Grasp how technology can become the driving force in your organization! We debunk startup myths, foster innovation, and inspire you to create a memorable, impactful organization. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets, is available for preorder. Check out Amazon, or get 20% off at the Routledge site directly with code SMA35. After y...
Annoyingly Candid
May 16, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 9.39 MBIn this episode, I invite you to explore a less-traveled path in communication: being annoyingly candid. Together, we'll dissect the pivotal role of unvarnished honesty in tech leadership, the pitfalls of 'failure work', and how frank dialogues can revolutionize the very fabric of our organizations. So join me, and perhaps you'll discover the boldness to voice what's truly needed in your company. My new book, Capitalizing Your Technology to Disrupt and Dominate Your Markets is avai...
Suffering Imperfections
May 09, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 9.83 MBEmbrace imperfection and watch your team flourish! What my bad Italian skills taught me in Rome about how we treat imperfections. In this episode, we explore how allowing employees to learn through trial and error can transform your organization's growth and success. Tune in for powerful insights on nurturing talent and fostering a culture of healthy imperfection! Join the Leading Edge Club! Grab a copy of my book, The Tech Executive Operating System. Subscribe to the best newslett...