The Open Shelf

🎙️ #8 Principles: Adaptability - Culture, Change and Code

In this principles episode of The Open Shelf, Willem and Mehdi tackle how to build systems that get stronger under stress while maintaining clear direction. They share stories from three books they've actually read and used in their careers.

In Episode 8, we explore how organisations can thrive in uncertainty through:

✅ The Lean Startup: Build-measure-learn cycles and validated learning to avoid the "build trap"

✅ Radical Product Thinking: Preventing "Pivotitis" through clear vision and strategic direction

✅ The Mythical Man Month: Why adding people to late projects makes them slower, not faster

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 Intro
🔹 03:13 Book: The Lean Startup
🔹 25:46 Book: Radical Product Thinking
🔹 38:00 Book: The Mythical Man Month
🔹 46:45 Outro

Goodreads Links:
📖 The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10127019-the-lean-startup

📖 Radical Product Thinking by Radhika Dutt

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56705493-radical-product-thinking

📖 The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13629.The_Mythical_Man_Month

#TheOpenShelf #Adaptability #LeanStartup #RadicalProductThinking #MythicalManMonth #Innovation #SystemsThinking #ProductManagement

🎙️ #7 Principles: Human Centered Priorities - Invest in People

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we explore the principle that should guide every leader: "Take care of the people, the products, and the profits, in that order." Through three transformative books, we discover why people-first leadership isn't just good ethics, it's strategic business.

In this deep dive, we explore how to build competitive advantage through human capital investment:

✅ Tony Hsieh's "Delivering Happiness" - the culture-first approach that built Zappos into a $1.2 billion company (acquired by Amazon)
✅ John Kay's "The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century" - why your team's expertise IS your competitive advantage in the digital era
✅ Simon Sinek's "Leaders Eat Last" - the neurochemical science behind why some teams pull together and others don't
✅ Practical strategies for making the business case for training budgets to leadership
✅ How employee happiness directly impacts productivity and organisational success

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Intro
🔹 01:37 - Delivering Happiness
🔹 07:58 - The Corporation of the 21st Century
🔹 13:31 - Leaders Eat Last
🔹 22:17 - Discussion
🔹 33:47 - Outro

Goodreads Links:
📖 Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6828896-delivering-happiness

📖 The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century: Why (Almost) Everything We Are Told About Business Is Wrong by John Kay

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203173539-the-corporation-in-the-21st-century

📖 Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16144853-leaders-eat-last

#TheOpenShelf #TonyHsieh #JohnKay #SimonSinek #Leadership #HumanCapital #Culture #Management

🎙️ #6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #3 - Tracking and Stretching

In this final episode of The Open Shelf's exploration of John Doerr's Measure What Matters, we dive deep into how tracking and stretching create organisational superpowers.

In Chapter 3, we explore with Pedram Rahmati how tracking and stretching transform organisations:

✅ Why stretch goals unlock hidden potential: Real story of interns achieving the "impossible"

✅ How tracking creates alignment without micromanagement: Different perspectives reveal opportunities

✅ The power of data-driven learning: "In God we trust. All others must bring data" - W. Edwards Deming

✅ Bill Campbell's trillion-dollar coaching wisdom: OKRs as organisational nervous system

✅ Reframing failure as learning: Why red metrics indicate opportunities, not just problems

Chapters:

🔹 00:00 - Introduction to OKR Tracking and Stretching

🔹 00:48 - The Importance of Tracking in Data-Driven Organisations

🔹 03:36 - Aligning Team Goals and Individual Aspirations

🔹 06:05 - Learning from Measurement and Reflection

🔹 08:43 - The Role of Stretch Goals in Achieving Ambitious Objectives

🔹 11:52 - Red Metrics: Opportunities for Growth

🔹 15:25 - The Power of Big Hairy Audacious Goals

🔹 17:33 - Challenging Beliefs and Embracing Stretching

🔹 20:42 - CFR: The Sibling of OKR

🔹 21:52 - Bill Campbell: The Trillion Dollar Coach

🔹 24:20 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Goodreads Links:

📖 Measure What Matters by John Doerr

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37702964-measure-what-matters

📖 Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42118073

📖 Good to Great by Jim Collins

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865

📖 Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins, and Jerry I. Porras

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4122

#TheOpenShelf #JohnDoerr #MeasureWhatMatters #OKRs #Tracking #StretchGoals #DataDriven #BillCampbell

🎙️ #6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #2 - Focus and Alignment

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we explore John Doerr's influential book Measure What Matters, focusing on how ruthless prioritisation and alignment create organisational superpowers.

In Chapter 2, we explore with Pedram Rahmati how focus and alignment transform organisations:

✅ Why saying "no" unlocks innovation: Real examples from Monster vs HotJobs competitive strategy
✅ The critical difference between KPIs and OKRs: Dashboard vs destination analogy
✅ How aspirational OKRs drive breakthrough thinking: 90% cost reduction case study
✅ Crisis management with aligned teams: Natural self-organisation during disasters

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Focus and Prioritisation in Organisations
🔹 02:40 - Saying No to Innovate
🔹 05:38 - The Role of OKRs in Prioritisation
🔹 13:19 - KPIs vs OKRs: Understanding the Difference
🔹 18:24 - Types of OKRs: Commitment vs Aspirational
🔹 27:38 - Crisis Management and Communication

Goodreads Links:
📖 Measure What Matters by John Doerr

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37702964-measure-what-matters

📖 The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/255127

#TheOpenShelf #JohnDoerr #MeasureWhatMatters #OKRs #Focus #Alignment #Prioritization #Innovation

🎙️ #6 Measure What Matters: Chapter #1 - Culture Makes or Breaks OKRs

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we explore John Doerr's influential book Measure What Matters, focusing on why organisational culture determines OKR success.

In Chapter 1, we explore with Pedram Rahmati how culture creates the foundation for effective OKRs:

✅ Why leadership must use OKRs themselves: "they measured themselves using OKRs" vs devaluing team efforts
✅ How decoupling from compensation enables aspirational goals: "OKR need to be decoupled from compensation"

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Navigating Economic Headwinds in Tech
🔹 04:57 - Chapter 1: Culture Makes or Breaks OKRs
🔹 21:16 - Chapter 2: Prioritisation and Focus in OKRs

Goodreads Links:
📖 Measure What Matters by John Doerr

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37702964-measure-what-matters

📖 How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything by Dov Seidman

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1142408

📖 Good to Great by Jim Collins

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865

#TheOpenShelf #JohnDoerr #MeasureWhatMatters #OKRs #Culture #Leadership #TechManagement

🎙️ #5 Principles: Honest Communication - When Truth Builds Trust

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we launch our new principles series with an exploration of honest communication, focusing on how transparency builds trust and enables collective problem-solving in professional environments.

In this deep dive episode, we explore how honest communication shapes workplace dynamics:

✅ Why transparency about challenges builds trust when delivered with empathy
✅ Techniques for delivering difficult feedback with respect and clarity
✅ Creating psychological safety as a prerequisite for honesty
✅ Balancing transparency and tact in professional relationships

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Introduction to Honest Communication
🔹 02:27 - The Importance of Trust and Transparency
🔹 05:05 - Frameworks for Honest Communication
🔹 11:04 - Balancing Transparency and Information Overload
🔹 19:59 - Transparency and Accountability in Organizations
🔹 22:10 - Navigating Difficult Conversations
🔹 33:25 - Building Trust Through Honest Communication

Goodreads Links:

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18176747-the-hard-thing-about-hard-things

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939161-radical-candor

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15014.Crucial_Conversations

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7959557-teach-yourself-to-think

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/866222.Winning

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36072.The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23848190-extreme-ownership

#TheOpenShelf #Principles #RadicalCandor #CrucialConversations #HardThingsAboutHardThings #Winning #HonestCommunication

🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter #3 - Competition & Crisis Management

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we continue our deep dive into Jack Welch's influential book Winning, focusing on competitive advantage, crisis management, and career development.

In Chapter 3, we explore with Vladimir Greavu how organizations maintain a competitive edge while effectively managing crises and fostering career growth:

✅ Building and maintaining competitive advantage
✅ Effective crisis management and strategic decision-making
✅ Embracing personal career ownership and growth
✅ Learning from both victories and setbacks

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Navigating Competition and Crisis Management
🔹 11:09 - Crisis Management Insights from Jack Welch
🔹 19:50 - Career Management and Personal Growth

Goodreads Links:
📖 Winning by Jack Welch

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/866222.Winning

📖 Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939161-radical-candor

📖 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865.Good_to_Great

#TheOpenShelf #JackWelch #Winning #Leadership #CompetitiveAdvantage #CrisisManagement #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy #LeanSixSigma

🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter # 2 – Company Mechanics & Leadership 🚀

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we turn our attention to one of the most impactful business leaders in history—📖 Jack Welch and his book Winning.

We had the honour of speaking with Vladimir Greavu, who sheds light on Welch's core principles and how they shaped organisations worldwide.

In Chapter 2, we dive into Company Mechanics & Leadership and delve into topics like:

✅ Company mechanics from the inside

✅ The shift from contributor to leader

✅ Vision, energy & feedback in leadership

✅ Balancing people and business needs

✅ Hiring for success, not just credentials

Chapters:

🔹 00:00 – Understanding Company Mechanics and Leadership

🔹 04:28 – Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Leadership

🔹 10:02 – The Role of Vision in Leadership

🔹 14:31 – Creating Positive Energy in Teams

🔹 21:15 – Establishing Trust Through Candor

🔹 23:27 – The Importance of Timely Feedback

🔹 25:56 – Making Unpopular Decisions as a Leader

🔹 30:45 – Empowering Teams Through Questions

🔹 35:54 – Navigating Paradoxes in Leadership

🔹 40:10 – Hiring for Success: Key Attributes

Goodreads Links:

📖 The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael D. Watkins

📖A Seat at the Table: IT Leadership in the Age of Agility by Mark Schwartz

📖 Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott

📖 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

#TheOpenShelf #JackWelch #Winning #Leadership #Candor #CareerGrowth #CompanyCulture #BusinessBooks #VladimirGreavu #MehdiMokhtari #WillemMyburgh

🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter #1 - The Philosophy of Winning🚀

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we turn our attention to one of the most impactful business leaders in history—📖 Jack Welch and his book Winning.

We had the honour of speaking with Vladimir Greavu, who sheds light on Welch's core principles and how they shaped organisations worldwide. Tune in as we delve into topics like:

✅ Leadership as a tool for growing others rather than focusing on personal success.

✅ Why candour and differentiation drive honest feedback and performance.

✅ The power of vision, values, and healthy competition to keep a company thriving.

Chapters:

🔹 00:00 Introduction to Jack Welch and 'Winning'

🔹 05:07 Philosophy of Winning: Leadership and Management

🔹 11:54 The Importance of Vision and Values

🔹 16:48 Candor: The Key to Open Communication

🔹 22:00 The Power of Differentiation in Performance Management

🔹 28:05 Challenging Perspectives in Leadership Discussions

🔹 29:01 Navigating Performance Metrics and Potential

🔹 31:22 Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma Principles

🔹 31:58 The Value of Individual Voice and Dignity

🔹 38:25 Workouts and Idea Generation in Leadership

🔹 43:36 Mission Statements and Business Realities

Goodreads Links:

📖 Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott

📖 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

📖 Ask Your Developer: How to Harness the Power of Software Developers and Win in the 21st Century by Jeff Lawson

📖 The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the LIKE button 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more leadership insights, and share your thoughts below! Do you think candour is essential in building high-performing teams? Let’s discuss!

#JackWelch #Winning #Leadership #Management #Podcast #TheOpenShelf #Candor #Differentiation #Vision #Values

🎙️ The Open Shelf is entering a new chapter!

In this short in-person episode, Mehdi and Willem share what’s changing behind the scenes, what’s staying true, and where the podcast is headed next.

Expect more principle-driven conversations, a mix of deep-dive episodes and practical insights, and a growing lineup of thoughtful guests from tech, business, and beyond.

📅 New episodes will drop every second Wednesday of the month—with more if time allows.

Big thanks to Tobias for helping shape the podcast from day one. We’re excited for what’s next—and hope to have him back when the time is right!