This is the very last episode of the LEAD Podcast.

Rene and Geert use the House of Change as a lens to reflect on whether to continue or close this chapter, and ultimately, why it's time to say goodbye.

Thank you to all our listeners, guests, and everyone who helped shape this podcast! It's been an incredible journey ❤️

Many companies waste time and resources on infrastructure and internal tools that don’t set them apart. In this episode, Geert and Rene explore core versus context through the lens of engineering culture. They break down why core work—the things that drive competitive advantage—should be the focus, while context, though necessary, should be streamlined or outsourced where possible. Using the pillars of engineering culture, they examine how organizations can align their teams, platforms, and investments to maximize impact. The takeaway: invest in what makes you unique and stop reinventing the wheel.

In this episode, Geert and Rene explore the rapid evolution of GenAI and its impact on developers and the software development life cycle. They discuss how tools like co-pilot are transforming developer productivity and speculate on the future, where AI might not only assist but also replace certain aspects of development. They discuss to the broader implications of AI, touching on product ownership, low-code platforms, and how organizations can use AI to increase efficiency while considering ethical concerns. 

The Dutch government is increasingly adopting cloud services, but what are the risks and challenges that come with it? In this episode, we examine the findings of the recent report Het Rijk in de Cloud to understand how ministries are using public cloud, where the biggest risks lie, and what lessons can be learned from the government’s cloud strategy.

We discuss key concerns such as sovereignty, data protection, and vendor lock-in, as well as the fragmented approach to cloud adoption across ministries. Instead of focusing on the usual headlines or speculation, we take a detailed look at the actual research, breaking down the facts, findings, and recommendations from the report itself.

link to the report from the Dutch "Rekenkamer" https://www.rekenkamer.nl/publicaties/rapporten/2025/01/15/het-rijk-in-de-cloud

In this episode, Geert and Rene sit down with Marcel de Vries, global managing director and CTO at Xebia, to explore the future of IT leadership. Marcel shares key insights from his many years of experience, drawing parallels between past technological revolutions—like electricity, cars, and cloud computing—and today’s rapid changes, such as generative AI. They discuss the psychological barriers to change within organizations, emphasizing how fear and fixed mindsets hinder innovation and Marcel highlights the importance of shifting from rigid, policy-driven models to trust-based, enabling models. It is a fast paced episode with a lot of insights on how IT leaders can prepare their organizations for a fast-evolving future.

As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the LEAD Podcast, Episode 27 serves as a special intermezzo to mark this milestone. While René and Geert take a well-deserved holiday break, we’re keeping our commitment to releasing an episode every second Thursday—so this shorter episode launches as planned on January 2nd. Join us as we reflect on the incredible guests, insightful topics, and defining moments of the past year, while offering a glimpse into what’s ahead for 2025. Thank you for listening and being part of our journey over the past year!

In this episode, Geert and Rene wrap up a year of the LEAD Podcast. They welcome Rob Heckel from Toyota Connected, who shares insights into transforming Toyota's North American division into a tech-forward organization. Rob discusses the challenges and opportunities of building internal developer platforms and the balance between standardization and innovation. He emphasizes starting small, understanding user needs, and leveraging open-source tools for impactful results. Again an inspiring and insightful conversation to close the year. Happy holidays, and see you next year!

In this episode, Geert and Rene explore the latest State of DevOps report from DORA, diving into key trends shaping the industry. They discuss the impact of AI, the rise of platform engineering, the importance of developer experience, and the role of transformational leadership. Along the way, they share their own insights and perspectives, making this an engaging conversation for anyone passionate about the future of DevOps.

DORA Accelerate state of DevOps Report: https://cloud.google.com/resources/devops/state-of-devops 

Puppet State of DevOps Report: https://www.puppet.com/blog/state-devops-report-2024  

State of Platform Engineering Report: https://platformengineering.org/state-of-platform-engineering-vol-3 

In this episode, Geert and Rene explore the complexities of becoming cloud-native, addressing why companies are drawn to Kubernetes and whether it’s always the right solution. They discuss the origins of Kubernetes, its evolution into a standard for container orchestration, and its role as the “OS for the cloud.” Joined by cloud-native consultant Chris van Sluijsveld from Xebia, they unpack the considerations for adopting cloud-native practices, from containerization to hosting models, and highlight the importance of aligning technology with people and processes. 

In this episode of the LEAD Podcast, Geert van der Cruijsen and Rene van Osnabrugge explore how cultural issues like misalignment, siloed work, and lack of trust prevent companies from executing their digital vision. Inspired by Patty McCord’s Powerful, they discuss building a culture of trust and alignment to drive success.