April 28, 2025

Lessons in Leadership from PowerShell Pioneers Jeffrey Snover and Don Jones

1 hour 8 minutes

In this very special episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with two legends of the PowerShell world: Jeffrey Snover, the inventor of PowerShell, and Don Jones, bestselling author, teacher, and longtime PowerShell community builder. Recorded live at the PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit, this conversation is packed with personal insights, impactful moments, and the kind of storytelling that only Snover and Jones can deliver.

Key topics in this episode include:

The origin stories of PowerShell and how Jeffrey and Don’s paths crossed at a pivotal moment.

The evolution of PowerShell as a scripting language, community, and ecosystem.

The importance of storytelling in tech, from teaching to team-building to leadership.

The shift from individual contributor to leader and how both hosts navigated that path with intention.

The power of community: real stories from users whose lives were changed by learning PowerShell.

Career advice for the next generation of IT professionals and community contributors.

Along the way, we hear hilarious stories from the early days of PowerShell development, honest reflections on growth and failure, and powerful reminders that vulnerability, repetition, and kindness are core to success in any career. Whether you're new to PowerShell or a long-time community member, this episode is a true masterclass in leadership, learning, and legacy.

Bio and links:

Jeffrey Snover is the inventor of PowerShell, Microsoft Technical Fellow, and a legendary figure in the IT and DevOps communities. With a background in distributed systems, Jeffrey led the development of PowerShell to revolutionize system management and automation on Windows. Known for his visionary leadership and storytelling, Jeffrey has played a pivotal role in shaping modern IT practices. His work continues to inspire technologists around the world to build, share, and lead with intention and clarity.

Don Jones is a bestselling author, speaker, educator, and one of the most influential figures in the PowerShell community. With decades of experience in IT, Don has written numerous foundational books on PowerShell, including Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches. He co-founded the PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit and has mentored countless professionals through his teaching, writing, and leadership. Don is a passionate advocate for storytelling in tech, career development, and building inclusive communities that empower the next generation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreysnover/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/concentrateddon/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewplatech/

https://www.powershellsummit.org/

The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ooyO8GsHVTs

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