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Podcast: Tech Lead Journal (LS 35 · TOP 3% what is this?)
Episode: #229 - The Management System for High-Performing Engineering Organizations - Michi Kono
Pub date: 2025-08-18

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Why do engineering teams slow down as they scale? It’s not the technology—it’s the management systems.

In this episode, Michi Kono, CTO at Garner Health and former engineering leader at Meta, Capital One, and Stripe, shares his battle-tested approach to building scalable engineering organizations. We explore why most teams slow down as they scale and how to build systems that accelerate growth. Our conversation covers everything from designing effective org charts to creating accountability without killing psychological safety. You’ll learn practical strategies for nurturing engineering culture while maintaining high-performance standards.

Key topics discussed:

• The challenges of hypergrowth and the need to constantly reinvent yourself
• How to avoid slowdowns by holding teams accountable for outcomes, not just shipping code
• The art of designing org charts that maximize team autonomy
• Building a culture of accountability and learning from mistakes without blame
• When managers should stop writing code (and why this decision matters)
• The difference between being a people manager and an executive
• Why communication becomes the most critical skill at senior levels

Timestamps:

• (00:00) Trailer & Intro
• (02:10) Career Turning Points
• (03:55) Skills Advice for Engineers
• (06:46) The Challenges of a Hypergrowth Company
• (09:09) Learning and Growing in a Hypergrowth Company
• (12:07) The Slowdown in Engineering as You Scale
• (15:55) Designing Organization Structure Well
• (18:11) Effective Organization Chart Tips
• (21:05) Nurturing a Good Engineering Culture
• (25:37) Nurturing Psychological Safety
• (28:14) Learning from Mistakes & Performance Review
• (30:27) Being a Mission-Driven Company
• (32:11) Aligning Mission and Values in the Day-to-Day Work
• (34:45) The Importance of Management System in Organization
• (41:53) The Importance of Having Good Managers
• (45:30) For Strong ICs: Writing Code or Being a Manager?
• (50:55) The Difference Between a Manager Role and Executive Role
• (56:01) A Unique Thing Learned from Doing Payment Systems
• (58:43) 3 Tech Lead Wisdom

_____

Michi Kono’s Bio
Michi Kono is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Garner Health, a company on a mission to help people get better healthcare. With a unique and extensive career spanning multiple industries, Michi has navigated the entire spectrum of the tech world. He began his journey in startups, one of which was acquired, leading him to a role at Capital One. From there, he gained invaluable experience at tech giants like Meta and financial-tech leader Stripe before taking the helm at Garner Health. Michi is passionate about the art and science of scaling engineering teams, building resilient cultures, and designing effective management systems to drive success in high-growth environments. He believes deeply in empowering engineers, fostering accountability, and the critical importance of clear communication for any leader.

Follow Michi:

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/michikono
• Twitter – x.com/michikono
• Garner Health – getgarner.com

Like this episode?
Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/229.
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Podcast: Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast
Episode: Evo DK #335 - Start With Why - Unlock Innovation In Project Management
Pub date: 2025-08-21

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Host Aodhfin Barbour welcomes two innovation leaders from Hempel A/S to explore how purpose-driven approaches can unlock creativity in project management. Alessandra Esposito, Innovation Project Manager, and Adela Hatic, Innovation Product Manager, share their perspectives on aligning strategy with purpose, fostering innovation, and empowering teams to deliver meaningful outcomes. The conversation delves into leadership, motivation, and organizational culture, offering practical insights for professionals looking to enhance project success and drive innovation by starting with a clear and compelling “why.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast
Episode: Evo DK #336 - Effective Leadership Of Highly Technical Employees
Pub date: 2025-08-21

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Host Jake Stamp is joined by three senior leaders to discuss strategies for effectively leading highly technical employees. Casper Nielsen, Principal Platform Architect at Novo Nordisk, Søren Bruncke Mikkelsen, Senior Director of Engineering at Trackunit, and Henrik Høegh, Senior Manager of Platform Engineering at Velux share their experiences managing complex teams, balancing technical expertise with leadership, and driving innovation. This episode explores how leaders can inspire engineers, cultivate strong engineering cultures, and build organizational success by empowering technical professionals.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast
Episode: Evo DK #338 - Bringing AI From Powerpoint To Production
Pub date: 2025-09-01

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Host Tom Catherwood speaks with three leaders bringing artificial intelligence into real-world applications. Harlyn Nielsen, Portfolio Manager of Data & AI at TDC NET, shares insights on scaling AI within telecom. Mads Galatius, Director of AI and Emerging Tech at KPMG P/S, discusses enterprise adoption and governance. Rune Christensen, AI Strategy Lead and Head of Digital Innovation at KrĂźger A/S, explores how AI drives innovation in engineering. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities of moving AI from ideas to impactful business transformation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast
Episode: Evo DK #341 - Transitioning From Project To Product
Pub date: 2025-09-05

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Sean Thompson hosts a conversation on transitioning from project-based approaches to product-focused strategies with expert guests. Carolina Mera, Global Head of eCommerce and Digital Products at Coloplast A/S, Harkaran Singh, Senior Platform Product Owner at Maersk, and Casper Wittorff, R&D Director at Leica Geosystems Technology A/S, share insights on implementing product thinking, optimizing digital solutions, and driving business impact. Listeners will gain actionable guidance on product management, agile development, digital transformation, and creating value through enterprise product strategies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast
Episode: Evo DK #342 - AI In Practice - Use Cases From Across The Danish Tech Scene
Pub date: 2025-09-12

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Host Tom Catherwood is joined by Mattias Jonsson, Head of Pricing Data – Senior Manager at Maersk, Martin Damgaard Nielsen, Lead Data Scientist at DSV, Martin Michelsen, GenAI Product Owner at Lundbeck, and Jan Johansson, Founder at Johansson Aerospace. Together they share real-world AI use cases from logistics, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace. The conversation highlights practical AI applications, from data-driven pricing and supply chain optimization to generative AI and aerospace innovation, offering insights into how Danish companies are embracing AI in practice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Evolution Exchange Denmark Podcast, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques (LS 60 · TOP 0.1% what is this?)
Episode: 220. Prep Like a Pro: Communication Confidence, Clarity, and Comedy
Pub date: 2025-08-05

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Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication.

Being quick on your feet isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a communication necessity. And for Peter Sagal, longtime host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, it’s a craft he’s honed over more than two decades in front of a live audience. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking series, Sagal shares what it really takes to communicate with presence, flexibility, and confidence when the script goes out the window.

“My job was no longer to be funny — my job was to make funny possible,” Sagal explains, reflecting on the shift from performer to facilitator. He opens up about how structure and ritual prepare him to embrace chaos, why listening matters more than cleverness, and how he defines success not by what he says, but by what others are able to say because of him. “Preparation is key,” he notes, “but being willing to let go of that preparation and follow what’s happening in the moment is really important.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sagal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to navigate speaking on the spot—whether you're managing meetings, leading teams, or handling high-stakes conversations—and offer a powerful reminder: the best spontaneous communicators don’t control the moment—they connect through it.

Episode Reference Links:

• Peter D Sagal 
• Ep.197 Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)
• Ep.198 Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)
• Ep.199 Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)
• Ep.203 No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

********
Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques (LS 60 · TOP 0.1% what is this?)
Episode: 227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation
Pub date: 2025-09-04

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Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.

Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick.
For more than 15 years, Prezi has been reimagining the way we share information, helping communicators move beyond static slides and into dynamic, memorable experiences. In the first episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Szafranski about why visuals are so powerful for retention, how non-linear storytelling can make presentations more engaging, and the role AI now plays in shaping the stories we tell.
In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jim Szafranski
• Prezi 

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

*******
Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Try Prezi today and get 25% off exclusively at prezi.com/thinkfast.

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques (LS 60 · TOP 0.1% what is this?)
Episode: 228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling
Pub date: 2025-09-09

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Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake.

Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, it’s a daily discipline built on empathy, self-regulation, and intentional listening. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking miniseries, Voss offers a rare window into the mindset and methods that helped him show up calm, focused, and adaptable when the pressure is sky-high.
“Emotional intelligence is an insane accelerator to outcomes,” Voss shares, explaining how empathy, tone, and timing can shift the direction of any conversation. He breaks down techniques like labeling and mirroring, explores how to use silence and word choice strategically, and explains why overthinking can be just as risky as acting too fast. From gut-level pattern recognition to tactical use of voice, Voss shows how communication becomes more impactful when we’re not trying to control — but to connect.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Voss and host Matt Abrahams dive into how negotiation techniques developed for life-or-death situations can be applied far beyond them — offering powerful takeaways for anyone who needs to think clearly under pressure, stay agile in the moment, and communicate effectively when it matters most.

Episode Reference Links:

• Chris Voss 
• Chris’s Book: Never Split the Difference 
• Ep.197 Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)
• Ep.198 Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)
• Ep.199 Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)
• Ep.203 No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

********
Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Den Agile Agenda
Episode: Kanban i den virkelige verden. Hør hvad der sker, nür teorien bliver ført ud i livet.
Pub date: 2025-08-19

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Jeg kan tale meget lÌnge om teorien i Kanban fra enhver tÌnkelig vinkel, men dÊr hvor det for alvor bliver interessant er, nür teorien møder virkeligheden. Hvad vinder man ved at bruge Kanban, nür man fører teorien ud i livet? Er det svÌrt, og kan det betale sig?

Det er præcis, hvad denne episode i ”Den Agile Agenda” handler om, og det bedste af det hele er, at jeg har en gæst med. En gæst som har stor erfaring med at få Kanban til at virke ude i den virkelige verden.

Jeg har glĂŚdet mig sĂĽdan, og er stolt over denne gang at kunne prĂŚsentere Pia Kjellerup, der er Product Owner i Sydbank. Hun har mange ĂĽrs erfaring med at arbejde med Kanban, og hun og jeg tager en tilbundsgĂĽende snak om, hvordan Kanban virker helt konkret i hendes teams og i hendes organisation, og hvordan hun har grebet implementeringen an.

Vi dykker ned i en rÌkke perspektiver, som ikke kun handler om Kanban-metoden, men i høj grad om de dynamikker, der sÌttes i spil, nür man gür ind i en forandringsproces. For det er jo dÊr, det kan vÌre svÌrt. Pia deler gavmildt ud af sine erfaringer om:

• Hvad hun og hendes teams konkret får ud af at bruge Kanban.

• Hvorfor man ikke altid kan bruge Scrum, selvom de fleste andre gør det.

• Hvad hendes teams siger til at bruge Kanban.

• Hvad Pias stakeholders og ledelsen synes.

• Hvordan hun og hendes teams kom i gang, og om det var svært.

Lyt med og hør hvad en super-erfaren Kanban-praktiker kan fortÌlle om Kanban ude i virkeligheden. Der er meget inspiration at hente, bl.a. hvis du ogsü har en uforudsigelig hverdag, hvor Scrum bare ikke kan virke. Og hvis du gür med tanker om, hvad du kan gøre i stedet, sü für du svaret serveret pü et sølvfad af Pia lige her.

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