Tech World Human Skills

By Ben PearceBusiness Technology Education Self-Improvement Careers

Tech World Human Skills episodes

January 07EP71: The Hidden Half: ADHD and Neurodiversity in Tech with Sam Bramwell
In this episode we talk about ADHD in tech. We explore what ADHD is, how it shows up in the tech workplace, and provides practical tips for both neurotypical and neurodivergent people to work effectively together.

Our guest Sam Bramwell has been a CEO, Chief of Staff at Microsoft UK and now leads a coaching program for leaders with ADHD.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Sam Bramwell Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bramwell-ac-pcc-3287642/
Additude Website - https://additudemag.com
https://theADHDleader.co.uk

Keywords
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), Interest-based nervous system, Body doubling, Dopamine dysregulation, Neurodivergent, Executive functioning, ADHD coaching, Personalized leadership, Tech Talent Charter, Paint done

Takeaways
50% of tech workers self-identify as neurodivergent, while employers think only 3% are
ADHD is driven by an interest-based nervous system (novelty, urgency, complexity, challenge, passion) and involves dopamine dysregulation
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) means criticism can feel like physical pain for people with ADHD
Learn about your own "operating system" and communicate clearly what you need to perform at your best
"Paint done" - provide clear expectations, context, and break large projects into manageable steps
Always include agendas and context for meetings to reduce anxiety
Practice personalized leadership by asking people how they work best and what they need
Create environments that support different processing needs (flexible working, quiet spaces, body doubling sessions)
Lead with empathy, focus on strengths-based approaches, and use positive reinforcement
Educate yourself about neurodiversity - many "ADHD-friendly" practices benefit everyone
44 min
December 10, 2025EP70: Will AI Eat Consultancy Jobs? with Steve Chan
In this episode we're asking the question "Will AI eat consultancy jobs?". There are so many people using their skills to help businesses deploy the latest tech. So what's the future look like for them.

Steve Chan is the founder of a new company Stealth Labs. He's worked in Digital Intelligence at BAE and been an AI solutions engineer at Microsoft.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Steve Chance Webpage - https://stevechan.ai

Keywords

consultancy, inefficiency, business perspective, profit margins, upskilling, training, organizational roles

Takeaways
Consultancy often operates inefficiently from a business standpoint.
Consultants are frequently sold out to organizations for fees.
There is overwhelming pressure to maintain profit margins in consultancy.
Consultants may spend more time in one organization than intended.
The need for training and upskilling is critical in consultancy.
Profit margins can hinder the ability to respond to new requirements.
Consultants face challenges in balancing multiple organizational roles.
The structure of consultancy can lead to inefficiencies in service delivery.
Effective training programs are essential for consultant development.
Understanding the dynamics of consultancy can improve business outcomes.
42 min
November 26, 2025EP69: Leadership 101 - Building Trust with Ben Caird
In this episode we talk about leadership core skills. Specifically building trust. How do you build trust with a team? We talk through the 5 Ways of Being that help you build trust with a team.

Ben Caird is a seasoned professional leader. He's led teams of all sizes in a variety of tech companies and has years of experience.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Ben Caird Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcaird/

Keywords
Trust, Authentic, Vulnerable, Accepting, Present, Useful, Leadership, Coaching, Results, Team

Takeaways
Be Authentic: Work in line with your values, own your feedback directly, be the same person at work and outside
Be Vulnerable: Lead with your mistakes, make it safe for others to fail, encourage challenge even publicly
Be Accepting: Delegate outcomes not activities, coach people to improve in their style not yours, accept different approaches
Be Present: Put your phone away, give full attention, show up physically when possible, consider if you give or drain energy
Be Useful: Stop doing the work, coach and open doors instead, pass the pen and let others own the plan
Ask "What do you think?": It's powerfully empowering and helps people feel heard
Efficiency vs Effectiveness: The fastest way (just telling people what to do) is often the least effective
Build diverse teams: Don't hire clones of yourself - different approaches strengthen the team
Leadership isn't looseness: Know what's going on, stay close enough to coach and drive results
Results through people: You can be a nice human AND achieve great results - it's not either/or
42 min
November 12, 2025EP68: So You Want To Be A CTO with David Crawford
In this episode we're talking about being a CTO. People listening might have CTO career aspirations. A lot might report into a CTO, and others might be selling to CTO's. So we talk to David about all things CTO.
David Crawford has spent many years as a CTO. He's also been a CTO advisor and non-executive director. He often hosts London Tech Leader panels, and also hosts the "CTO Lens" podcast.
Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
David Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-crawford-13679a/
CTO Lens Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5aT2XrO7CTOCLPqKZmcnT9
Takeaways
The role of a CTO is complex and varies by organization.
CTOs are responsible for technology vision and strategy.
Understanding finance is crucial for technology leaders.
Soft skills in leadership are essential for success.
Performance management is a critical aspect of the CTO role.
Engaging with the business is vital for a CTO.
Career development requires curiosity and mentorship.
Fractional CTO roles are becoming more popular.
CTOs must balance technical knowledge with leadership skills.
Communication with non-technical stakeholders is key.
Keywords
CTO, CIO, technology leadership, fractional CTO, skills, career development, performance management, stakeholder management, communication, technology strategy
45 min
October 29, 2025EP67: First Recall = First Call - Neuroscience of Memory, Time and Persuasion with John K Coyle
In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills Podcast, Ben Pearce and John Coyle explore the concept of becoming more memorable and the science behind how to do it. John shares insights from his experiences as an Olympic athlete and how understanding the nature of time can enhance our lives.

John is an Olympic silver medallist, best-selling author, keynote speaker and expert in Chronoception.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
John Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkcoyle1/
John's Website - https://johnkcoyle.com/

Takeaways
Memories are the currency of time.
The nature of time is not linear; we experience human time, not clock time.
Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.
Tiny moments often determine the trajectory of your future.
Routine is the enemy of time; break it to create memories.
To be memorable, recognize heightened circumstances as opportunities.
Design experiences that leverage risk, uniqueness, and emotional intensity.
Emotions drive human behavior; engage them to influence others.
When you have trouble, you might be solving the wrong problem.
Time and money are fungible; invest in creating memorable experiences.

Keywords
chronoception, memorable experiences, time perception, emotional engagement, storytelling, influence, personal growth, professional development, memory creation, human connection
41 min
October 15, 2025EP66: Speaking At My First Big Conference with Felicity Nyan
In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills Podcast, Ben Pearce speak to Felicity Nyan, a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft. She shares her journey from being a hesitant public speaker to successfully presenting at SQLBits, one of the largest data conferences in the UK. Felicity discusses why she wanted to speak at a conference, the challenges she faced, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Felicity Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/
Oxford Microsoft Data Platform Group - https://www.meetup.com/oxford-microsoft-data-platform-group/
SQLBits - https://sqlbits.com/

Takeaways
Felicity Nyan shares her journey from a hesitant speaker to presenting at SQL Bits.
SQL Bits is a community-led conference that offers opportunities for all levels.
Preparation is key, but life can often get in the way.
Having a co-presenter can ease the pressure of presenting.
Start early on proposals and keep a record of ideas.
Practice makes perfect, but balance is important to avoid sounding scripted.
User groups are great platforms for practicing public speaking.
Engaging the audience is crucial for a successful presentation.
Technical issues can arise, so have backup plans in place.
Confidence can be built through small challenges outside of public speaking.

Keywords
public speaking, SQL Bits, data platform, conference presentation, Felicity Nyan, Microsoft, user groups, tech conferences, presentation tips, career growth
41 min
October 01, 2025EP65: Rethinking Goals. The Must Be a Better Way with Radhika Dutt
In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills podcast, Ben Pearce speaks with Radhika Dutt, a product leader and author of 'Radical Product Thinking.' They discuss the limitations of traditional goal setting and the negative impact of performance metrics on collaboration and motivation. Radhika introduces a new approach.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Radhika Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/
OHL Toolkit - https://www.radicalproduct.com/toolkit/#OHLToolkit

Takeaways
Goals create a burden and hinder curiosity.
Traditional goal setting is outdated and ineffective.
Puzzle setting and solving can drive better results.
Performance metrics can lead to 'performance theater.'
A clear vision is essential for effective goal setting.
OHLs (Objectives, Hypotheses, Learnings) provide a framework for problem-solving.
Collaboration is eroded by competitive goal setting.
Feedback should focus on learning and adaptation.
Real-world examples demonstrate the effectiveness of puzzle solving.
Accountability should be based on problem-solving, not just metrics.

Keywords
goals, productivity, radical product thinking, performance management, puzzle solving, business results, vision, OKRs, objectives, hypotheses, learnings
51 min
September 17, 2025EP64: The Customer Connection Formula with Liping Huang
In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills podcast, Ben Pearce and guest Liping Huang discuss the importance of technical folks building rapport and relationships with customers. We chat through practical tips for establishing strong connections, the significance of empathy, effective communication, and that technical skills alone are not enough.

Liping Huang has huge experience working with customer in tech roles. She has been a solutions architect at Microsoft, solutions architect at Databricks and now runs Dataleaps.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Liping Linktree - https://linktr.ee/liping_dataleaps

Takeaways
Building rapport is crucial for success in customer interactions.
Technical knowledge is essential before engaging in pre-sales.
Empathy helps in understanding customer challenges and needs.
Effective communication involves making complex topics easy to understand.
Being likable and helpful fosters strong customer relationships.
Self-assessment is key to identifying areas for improvement.
Follow up on commitments to build trust with customers.
Creating reusable content can streamline customer interactions.
Understanding different audiences is vital for effective communication.
Continuous development is necessary to adapt to changing technologies.

Keywords

rapport, relationships, customer service, empathy, communication skills, technical skills, pre-sales, business relationships, customer interactions, professional development
41 min
September 03, 2025EP63: From Proposal To Podium: Speaking At Big Tech Conferences with Renuka Jhalli
In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills Podcast Ben Pearce and Renuka Jhalli discuss the importance of speaking at events, and how to get chosen as a speaker. Renuka shares insights from working with high-profile speakers and offers tips for delivering engaging sessions.

Renuka is a Senior Content Manager for Tech Show London. She has produced shows for years and has some amazing insight to share.

Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Renuka Jhalli Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/renuka-jhalli-28a9a846/
Tech Show London - https://www.techshowlondon.co.uk/

Takeaways
Big tech conferences are valuable for learning and networking.
Tech Show London is a large, inclusive event showcasing various tech disciplines.
Speaking at events allows individuals to share knowledge and support their community.
Authenticity and vulnerability are key to engaging presentations.
Unique perspectives and real-world experiences resonate with audiences.
The call for papers is open to anyone with a compelling idea.
AI can assist in writing, but authenticity is crucial.
Main stage speakers often share their passion and stories.
Engaging with the audience creates a memorable experience.
New speakers bring diversity and fresh perspectives to the stage.

Keywords

Tech Show London, conference speaking, technology events, networking, speaker tips, career development, storytelling, audience engagement, professional growth, community support
38 min
August 20, 2025EP62: Building High Performance Teams in Tech with Sean O'Shea
In this episode, we chat through the challenges and dynamics of building high-performance teams in the tech industry. . Sean shares insights on individual coping strategies, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the necessity of strong relationships within teams.
Sean O'Shea is the founder of Craft Your Culture. He's spent years in the tech industry and now helps organisations build high performance cultures.
Show Links
Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/
Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com
Sean O'Shea Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/soshea7/
Craft Your Culture - https://craftyourculture.co.uk
Exclusive Discount Count Labs2025

Takeaways
Being part of a great team is fulfilling.
The tech landscape is experiencing constant change.
AI is creating noise and pressure in organizations.
Teams are feeling disoriented due to constant change.
Emotional intelligence is crucial in navigating uncertainty.
Reframing challenges can help individuals cope better.
Strong relationships are essential for effective teamwork.
Leaders should focus on building connections within teams.
Defining clear goals helps teams prioritize effectively.
Mistakes and failures should be normalized in team culture.

Keywords
team dynamics, high performance culture, tech industry, uncertainty, emotional intelligence, relationship building, leadership, workplace culture, AI impact, team improvement
45 min

About Tech World Human Skills

From the publisher's feed

Ben Pearce interviews thought leaders in the tech world to learn from their success. In each episode we focus on a topic our guest has learnt about, failed at, course corrected and ultimately succeeded with. We can stand on the shoulders of giants and benefit from their insight.