In this real coaching session, I talk with John, a developer-turned-manager, who's navigating the messy middle of leadership. He's caught between two teams, two continents, and shifting expectations.

Sound familiar? 

We dig into:

• The difference between managing people and leading culture
• Why growth-stage teams break without intentional leadership
• How to lead without authority (especially when others outrank you)
• The startup → scale-up trap most companies fall into
• Ways to influence product direction by fixing culture first

This is one of the most honest, practical coaching conversations I've had on team culture, dev leadership, and transitioning into management. If you're a senior dev or manager trying to scale impact without losing your soul, you'll get a ton out of this.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 

Visit me at thrivingtechnologist.com