Young Leaders In Technology

What if UX was never about the interface at all?

That’s the question I explored in a recent talk I gave at the Dublin UX meetup, now available as a re-recorded video podcast episode here and on YouTube (or any of your podcast listening locations)In this talk, I go deeper than the usual discussion around UX buttons, spacing and visual polish. Instead, I trace the broader experience - across internal tools, invisible workflows, and the systems that support product development.

The central idea: Good UX starts long before a user clicks a button.

You’ll get some context on my own path - from civil engineering to customer support, and eventually to platform product management. I talk about where I’ve seen UX misunderstood or ignored, and how I’ve learned to practice UX in some of the least expected places.

Why this talk, and why now?

Historically, UX was treated as a design domain. If you didn’t work in Figma or touch the product UI, you most likely weren’t “doing UX”, or being considered to “do UX” even if you were.

With the introduction of AI and the User experience often associated with it (a chat window), I think we’re past that now - or at least, we should be.

This talk makes the case that

Platform PMs, internal tooling teams, ops leads - anyone shaping how work gets done - is also shaping UX.

Whether you’re designing a flow for your customers or a Slack automation for your team, you’re creating an experience. That deserves the same thoughtfulness we give to screens and user journeys.

Inside the talk

The talk is broken into three parts:

* Why UX Is Bigger Than You Think

I kick off by challenging the traditional view of UX as something you “see.” Like many PMs, I started out thinking good UX meant polished interfaces. But through customer support and platform work, I learned that real UX lives in infrastructure, systems and processes - often in places no one’s looking.

* UX in the Unseen Places

This section covers what happens behind the curtain: the messy Jira workflows, duct-taped internal tools, undocumented handovers. I show how internal users (like sales, support and ops) suffer from poor UX - and how fixing their experience makes the entire product better.

* Solving the Right Problems the Right Way

I end by walking through real-world examples - some good, some terrible. A toddler puzzle that teaches the danger of poor feedback loops. An ATM disabled for check lodgements just because it’s out of cash. And a beloved pair of headphones whose invisible UX failures drive me mad.

Through these chapters and the stories within, I explain how to build up a UX mindset, not just for users - but for your team, your process, and your product’s architecture.

NOTE: If you just want the slides, they can be found here.

If you’re in internal product, platform, or ops…

This talk is especially for you.

If you’ve ever been told “UX isn’t part of your job” because you don’t work on the customer-facing side of the product, this talk is my case that you are doing UX - and it matters.

I share the exact templates and processes I’ve used at Toast, from building AI-friendly Miro boards, to mapping internal user journeys, to designing ways of working that reduce burnout and bottlenecks. If you’re curious, check out the QR code in the video or search the blog for the template numbers from the slides.

“So start looking for UX everywhere.

Because the moment you start seeing it,

is the moment you start changing it.”

Other Links From the Talk

Watch on Youtube

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

This episode is a post-recording of a talk I gave at a DesignBrew Meetup in Dublin. After a few requests, I recorded this version so attendees could pass it on to their teams.

I focus on how designers can take the lead in collaborating with product managers, ensuring that design remains central to decision-making. While originally intended for a design audience, the content is relevant to anyone in the tech industry.

You’ll find actionable strategies for structuring communication, improving alignment, and using automation to make collaboration more efficient. Whether you’re working across multiple teams or embedded in one, these insights will help you drive better outcomes in your work.

Key Takeaways & Topics Covered:

✔ Owning the Designer-PM Relationship – Why designers should proactively shape collaboration instead of waiting for PMs to define it.

✔ Effective Communication Strategies – Why threading, structured messaging, and well-timed updates make a difference.

✔ Establishing Clear Ways of Working – How to create and document team norms to prevent confusion and inefficiencies.

✔ The Role of Personal User Manuals – A simple yet powerful tool for aligning expectations and avoiding misunderstandings.

✔ The Power of Organization & Automation – How templates, structured communication, and Slack automation can save time and improve collaboration.

✔ Dealing with Difficult PMs – How to protect yourself from political or credit-taking PMs while maintaining strong collaboration.

See Slides Here

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGdUUKNdrI/o_xaXx7rdeOom9tQj1rsbA/view?utm_content=DAGdUUKNdrI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h5e66d814c9

Resources & Links

https://www.youngleaders.tech/p/shaping-effective-ways-of-working-in-engineering

https://www.youngleaders.tech/p/streamline-workflows-with-slack-emojis

https://www.youngleaders.tech/p/creating-a-decision-log-automation

https://www.youngleaders.tech/p/template-uml-customer-journey-map

https://www.youngleaders.tech/p/understanding-your-stakeholder-journeys-event-storming

Call To Action

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your team! If you’re ready to improve your collaboration with PMs, start by implementing a personal user manual or refining your ways of working - and let me know how it goes!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

“Rather than calling it cybersecurity awareness, I would call it a risk-aware culture. This approach makes it clear that everyone in the organization has a role in managing risk, not just the IT team.”

In this episode of Young Leaders in Technology, we have a captivating discussion with Christophe Foulon, a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 15 years of experience. Christophe shares his insights on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the strategies organizations should adopt to mitigate risks, and how to effectively implement these strategies.

We also explore the critical role of leadership in driving cybersecurity initiatives and fostering a culture of security awareness within organizations. This episode digs into the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in cybersecurity, ensuring your digital assets remain protected against the growing threat landscape.

“When you are within a shared environment, whether you are using shared services, developing with code, or operating with code developed elsewhere, you’re inheriting any risk from that code stack, from that application, or from that service provider into your own risk matrix”

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

* Understanding Cybersecurity Threats: Christophe provides an overview of the current cybersecurity threats that organizations face, including phishing, ransomware, and insider threats

* Supply Chain Threats: Learn about the critical nature of supply chain threats, their impact on organizations, and why they are becoming increasingly dangerous.

* Developing a Cybersecurity Strategy: Essential components of a robust cybersecurity strategy, including risk assessment, threat modeling, and continuous monitoring.

* Implementing Security Measures: Practical steps for implementing cybersecurity measures, such as employee training, incident response planning, and leveraging advanced technologies like AI and machine learning.

* The Role of Leadership in Cybersecurity: The importance of leadership in driving cybersecurity initiatives and fostering a culture of security awareness within the organization.

* Addressing Insider Threats: Strategies to identify, prevent, and respond to insider threats.

* The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity: How AI and machine learning are shaping the future of cybersecurity and aiding in threat detection and response.

* Future Trends in Cybersecurity: Emerging threats and the evolving role of cybersecurity professionals.

* Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Tailored strategies and considerations for SMEs to effectively manage cybersecurity risks.

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links

Christophe Foulon

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophefoulon/

* https://cpf-coaching.com/

* http://christophefoulon.com/

* https://www.youtube.com/c/BreakingIntoCybersecurity

Resources Mentioned

* Develop Your Cybersecurity Career Path: How to Break into Cybersecurity at Any Level by Gary Hayslip, Christophe Foulon, Renee Small

* Hack the Cybersecurity Interview: A complete interview preparation guide for jumpstarting your cybersecurity career by Christophe Foulon, Ken Underhill, Tia Hopkins

* The CISO Evolution: Business Knowledge for Cybersecurity Executives” by Matthew K. Sharp and Todd Fitzgerald

* Cybersecurity for Executives: A Practical Guide” by Jennifer L. Bayuk

* Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

This has been one of the Young Leaders in Tech podcasts, and we are looking for more speakers (of all ages!). If you have something you wish to contribute or a topic you want to talk about, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page.

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

In this captivating episode of the podcast, we delve into the dynamic world of supply chain management and innovative problem-solving with Dr. Michael Needham, an expert whose career spans continents, cultures, and cutting-edge technological transformations. From his roots in Ireland to the bustling metropolis of New York City, Michael shares his journey through the realms of academia and industry, shedding light on the pivotal moments and insights that have shaped his approach to navigating global supply chains and fostering innovation.

Some of the topics covered in this episode:

* The transformative power of technology in supply chain management

* Michael's international career and lessons learned from living in six countries

* Insights into Michael's academic journey, including his PhD in organizational transformation

* The inception and purpose of Stratadice, a game designed to foster creative solutions

* The significance of building and maintaining professional relationships and networks

* Strategies for navigating and implementing change within organizations

* The role of integrity in negotiations and maintaining sustainable business practices

* Personal reflections on work-life balance, resilience, and the pursuit of meaningful goals

* An in-depth discussion on the potential and challenges of artificial intelligence in enhancing user experiences

* The importance of self-awareness and actionable steps in overcoming personal and professional barriers.

Join us as Dr. Needham shares his wisdom, experiences, and the innovative approaches that have propelled him to the forefront of his field, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to make an impact in the world of business and beyond.

To cap it all, we were treated to a live demonstration of Michael's invention, Stratadice, showcasing its utility in generating creative solutions to personal and professional challenges—a truly enlightening experience that underscores the power of innovative thinking in driving transformational change.

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

Dr. Michael Needham

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-k-needham-phd/

Stratadice

https://www.stratadice.com/

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This has been one of the Young Leaders in Tech podcasts, and we are looking for more speakers (of all ages!). If you have something you wish to contribute or a topic you want to talk about, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page.

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

In this podcast I recorded with Mastercard Payment Gateway Services, I spoke about how Support Driven Development in the early stages of product deployment can give support teams the key tools they need for efficient product scaling with customer-centred satisfaction.

Many of the topics that came up in this podcast are covered in my past blog posts on Support Driven Development, or will be covered on an upcoming blog post.

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

Intro To Support Driven Development

Automated Responses

Creating an impact analysis

The Importance of a support UI

Correlation IDs: The key to customer support

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

Mastercard Payment Gateway Services

https://www.mastercard.com/content/mastercardcom/gateway.html

https://anchor.fm/mastercardgatewayunlocked/episodes/Optimizing-product-development-with-early-stage-intervention-e18b6me

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWCYa1CHwpoH-aDCMmnTCxQ

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mpgs/

https://twitter.com/Mastercard_PGS

Young Leaders in Tech

Website | My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

On this episode on Young leaders in tech, we have Luke Rynne Cullen, who is the founder of TuneRelease and Applaud.live. TuneRelease is a media pitching platform that secures coverage for the latest song releases, and Applaud.live is a bookings platform for the live music industry.

Luke is also the Marketing, Communications & Community Lead at Scale Ireland, an independent not-for-profit organisation which supports, represents and advocates on behalf of Ireland’s tech start-up and scale-upa companies. Aside from all of this, Luke is also a Freelance violinist and former president of the Trinity Orchestra in Dublin.

We talked about the startup culture in Ireland, the common problems seen by startups and what you can do to solve them. We also discussed No Code solutions, what they are and how they can be very beneficial for startups and new development in general.

“Essentially what you can do is that you can build your product in days or weeks, rather than months or years. ”

“Just go for it, the biggest regret I would have had would have been stagnating or not doing what I wanted to do”

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

-What help is available for entrepreneurs in Ireland

-The challenges he faced trying to solve problems in the music industry-What you need to get your company off the ground

-Focus on product development or customer growth?

-Whats the most important thing to focus on as a startup

-What common problems that startups face

-What is a No-Code solution

-How they can speed up your go-to-market

-What industries are becoming more popular with new startups

-Why you should be careful when choosing investments in the early days

-What No-Code apps are available

-The benefits to implementing a No-Code solution

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

Luke Rynne Cullen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-rynne-cullen/

https://www.lukerynnecullen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lukerynnecullen/

https://twitter.com/LukeRynneCullen

TuneRelease & Applaud.Live

https://www.tunerelease.com/

https://twitter.com/tunerelease

https://www.applaud.pro/

https://twitter.com/ApplaudLive

Other Notable Links

https://scaleireland.org/

https://www.newfrontiers.ie/

https://www.trinityorchestra.com/

https://webflow.com/

https://bubble.io/

https://www.squarespace.com/

This has been one of the Young Leaders in Tech podcasts, and we are looking for more speakers (of all ages!). If you have something you wish to contribute or a topic you want to talk about, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

This is a recording of a lightning talk I gave recently at the SISTEM Tech Conference in Ireland. SISTEM stands for the Student, Inter-society Tech and Enterprise Meetup and was founded in 2018. As a group, they bring together Computing and Netsoc societies from Universities across the island of Ireland to put on the only student-led conference in Ireland.

My talk was one of three lightning talks on the day and I explained how I started my meetup, how I got into the podcasting side of things, the difficulties I had in the process and the things I learned that I could bring over and use in my professional career.

The aim of this was to let the students know how they can get into this side of things themselves, and the benifits that they may not be aware of.

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

Where started with your podcast or meetup

How to find and book venues

How to find and book speakers

The importance of keeping all of your notes documented

What tools and equipment you need to get started

Where to look for help and support

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

SISTEM

https://sistemconf.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sistemconf/

SISTEM Organisers

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

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-teehan/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-thompson

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This has been one of the conferences I have been involved in as speaker, but I also host panel events. If you wish for me to do either in an event you are hosting, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page.

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

“All I knew was I had a month, month and a half to make something or else I was completely screwed”

“Keep it simple. If you over-complicate things you don't know what you're talking about. Keep it simple and you do”

Joining us on this episode of the podcast is James Blake. James is the founder and managing director of Vindicta Digital - an SEO, Digital marketing and web design agency.

Aside from founding companies, he is the owner of Black Holdings Group, which is an investment firm for online projects and property management and he has recently become a council member in Forbes agency council.

One of the standout points to his career so far is that James has done all of this and more and is yet to have his 30th Birthday.

Throughout the course of the chat, we talked about his motivations and the trials and tribulations he has encountered throughout his career so far. We focused specifically on how he has managed to do so much at such a young age as well as the complications and challenges that come with being such a young CEO.

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

- How getting promotions at a young age can cause animosity and how to deal with it

- Why it can't hurt to reach out to your idols

- How to treat all of your early positions as stepping stones to your eventual goals

- The importance of digital marketing in today's economy

- Why are the most important traits to have in marketing

- Where people can find inspiration for their careers

- The benefits of not being tethered to a single location for hiring

- How companies are adapting their online marketing during the pandemic

- The challenges that come with being very young manager trying to work with other businesses

- Why a pandemic shouldn't get in the way of your goals

- How to deal with the harsh criticisms that can come with success at a young age

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

James Blake

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

https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesblake/

https://twitter.com/MrJamesBlake

Vindicta Digital

https://vindictadigital.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vindicta-digital/

https://www.instagram.com/vindictadigital/

https://twitter.com/VindictaDigital

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This has been one of the Young Leaders in Tech podcasts, and we are looking for more speakers (of all ages!). If you have something you wish to contribute or a topic you want to talk about, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page.

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

On this episode of the Young Leaders in Tech Podcast, we spoke to Errol Doebler. Errol is the founder of Leader 193, a leadership consulting firm, and the author of “the Process, Art, and Science of Leadership”.

Errol is also a former Navy SEAL, former FBI Special Agent, and he uses all of these experiences to help teach business leaders around the world.

Throughout the course of this podcast, we focused on one area of leadership in particular and that is around accountability – how you can instil initiative and autonomy in yourself and your team while still holding people accountable.

“We start with the pain around awareness and self-reflection, and then we identify the behaviours that we need”

“If you give me that initiative and autonomy to make my own plan and act on it the way I best see fit… what other motivation does anybody need?”

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

- What is the definition of accountability

- Why and when people need to be held accountable for their actions

- Using accountability to build autonomy in the workplace

- How accountability is a two-way street

- How it can be used to fuel creative thinking in the workplace

- Why it is critical to establish behavioural guidelines for your team/organisation

- How to plan properly

- Resolving conflicts in the workplace

- By allowing autonomy how you can build initiative

- How to avoid hypocrisy with your employees/co-workers

- Building cohesion between employees

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

Errol Doebler - Leader 193

https://www.linkedin.com/in/errol-doebler/

https://twitter.com/Leader_193

https://leader193.com/

https://www.instagram.com/leader_193/

https://www.facebook.com/leader193/

The Process, Art, and Science of Leadership: How Leaders Inspire Confidence and Clarity in Combat, in the Boardroom, and at the Kitchen Table

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Process-Art-Science-Leadership-Confidence/dp/0578708973/

Young Leaders in Tech - Other Links

This has been one of the Young Leaders in Tech podcasts, and we are looking for more speakers (of all ages!). If you have something you wish to contribute or a topic you want to talk about, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youngleadersintech.substack.com

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech

This is recording of a Live Panel Discussion we had on the Scale X Stage at the Virtual Dublin Tech Summit. Our main focus was finding out how innovation and pivoting the direction of your business in the face of adversity is necessary to survive and overcome obstacles of growth.

Regardless of size, all businesses need to be agile and quick to react to market challenges. Over the course of this talk we explored this with our two speakers looking at learnings from their own industries, their own experiences and how these can be applied across the board.

Joining me on the panel was Jean-Christophe Tauney-Bucalo, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at TravelPerk and Saranya Babu, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Wrike.

 

“First there was the shock - we lost, within a week, 98% of our revenue...”

“It would be much easier to hibernate, but that would be the biggest mistake. It is in a period like this that leaders are built.”

“How do we be useful and help our customers during this time so that we can build loyalty versus building revenue, because this is a time to build loyalty”

 

Some of the topics covered on this episode:

How to react when your product or solution is no longer viable in the market

The importance of retaining existing customers and keeping them happy

What you should and should not focus on in a crisis

How to make sure your product offering is going to still be relevant after a crisis

How to know if what you are developing will actually have a market suitable for it

Why it is important to stay aggressive and motivated during a crisis

Is it possible to focus on both product development and customer growth

What should be important to you when working in a startup

The importance of your own support network

Different tactics for hiring staff

Keeping and maintaining a list of tasks to keep on track

How using key metrics per team can help with tracking performance

How the pace of change has accelerated in the past few years

https://youngleaders.tech/ready-set-pivot/

Referenced Reading and Speaker Links:

Dublin Tech Summit

https://dublintechsummit.tech/

https://twitter.com/dubtechsummit

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dublin-tech-summit/

https://www.instagram.com/dublintechsummit/

Jean-Christophe Taunay-Bucalo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-christophe-taunay-bucalo-56282b22/

https://twitter.com/TaunayBucalo

TravelPerk

https://www.travelperk.com/

https://twitter.com/travelperk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/travelperk/

https://www.instagram.com/travelperk/

Saranya Babu

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

https://twitter.com/saranyababu

Wrike

https://www.wrike.com/

https://twitter.com/wrike

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrike/

https://www.instagram.com/wriketeam/

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This has been one of the Young Leaders in Tech podcasts, and we are looking for more speakers (of all ages!). If you have something you wish to contribute or a topic you want to talk about, feel free to contact me using the details below.

If you think anyone you know might like this content, please feel free to also share the page.

My own Linkedin | Linkedin for the page | Twitter/X.com | Instagram

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.youngleaders.tech