Category
Leadership & Culture
Engineering leadership, organizational culture, interviewing, mentoring, and career decisions.
Choosing the Right Mentor: Building Lasting Relationships
I often find myself drawn to a company of older, wiser individuals—people who have faced and overcame life’s challenges and are open to sharing the lessons they've learned. This inclination towards meaningful relationships started in my childhood, when my father would bring me to informal meetings with his bosses and colleagues. Those early experiences taught me a valuable lesson: how to listen carefully and discern which conversations carried good morals, integrity, and wisdom, and which did no
12 Principles to Build a Culture of Innovation
Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to experience both ends of the spectrum: working in rigid engineering cultures, such as Sutter Health, and highly innovative environments like Jet.com, Amazon, Assurance IQ, and Facebook. These experiences have given me firsthand insight into what it takes to either destroy or nurture a culture of innovation.In this blog post, I’ll share some of the key principles that have helped keep innovation alive on teams, even in the face of challenges like h
Cultivating a Thriving Organizational Culture
Embarking on a journey to cultivate a thriving organizational culture and foster exemplary leadership requires more than just defining values and principles. It necessitates a deep understanding of their significance and a commitment to living them out in every facet of the organization. This article explores the importance of leadership principles and technical skills, alongside actionable guidance on establishing, embodying, and practicing core principles that resonate across the entire organi
Establishing the Culture in Tech Organizations
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology organizations, establishing the right culture is critical to achieving sustainable success. The cultural attributes required vary significantly depending on the maturity level of the organization and the unique challenges it faces. This article explores the cultural imperatives for technology startups, middle-stage technology companies, and mature technology companies, and outlines the leadership characteristics needed at each stage.Technology Startup
How to Pick a Team at Amazon
Quick guide on what to look for when deciding what team to join at Amazon.How to Pick a Team at Amazon #amazoninterview #amazontech #amazoninterviewpreparationJoin our CommunitySkool Tech CommunitySubscribe to my YouTube channel
Practice with ChatGPT Voice
Interviews are tough, especially at the top tech companies. Learn how to interview with ChatGPT.Prepare for interviews with ChatGPT #chatgpt #interview #amazoninterviewpreparationBelow is a sample template for practicing interviews on the principle of Ownership, you can get access to this and other templates for practicing and creating your responses from my Skool course. Ownership - Chat GPT PromptBelow is the prompt for Chat GPT for real-time voice interactions. It requires 4o model, which is
What is Your Organization's Culture?
Do you truly understand what your organization’s culture is? This question becomes particularly pertinent in organizations where cultural and leadership principles are not yet firmly established. In such environments, I often encounter claims that a candidate was not "a good cultural fit." This prompts me to ask, "What defines a 'good cultural fit'?" Surprisingly, the answer can vary significantly depending on whom you ask. Such ambiguity often results in inconsistent hiring practices, misaligne
Mastering Offer Negotiations with Big Tech Companies
Negotiating an offer with a big tech company can be both exciting and daunting. While compensation is a significant factor, it’s crucial to focus on more than just the financial aspects. This guide will walk you through the key steps in negotiating a job offer, ensuring you get a fair deal that aligns with your career goals and personal values.1. Don’t Commit Too EarlyBefore discussing any specific numbers, take the time to learn more about the role. Understand the responsibilities, team dynamic