Beyond Coding

"Architects shouldn't try to be the smartest people in the room, they should make everybody else smarter."
In this episode, Gregor Hohpe (ex-Google & AWS, author of "The Software Architect Elevator") breaks down exactly how to transition from software engineer to architect. He shares the mental models used at Big Tech to handle complexity, visualize systems, and navigate office politics without losing your technical edge.

We cover:
- Why "lowering risk" is the architect's real value proposition
- The "Phantom Sketch Artist" technique to visualize unclear requirements
- How to gain "political capital" to push back on bad decisions
- Why simple architectures are often the hardest to build

If you want to move beyond just writing code and start designing systems that scale, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Gregor:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghohpe

00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:15 - How to Spot Bad Architects vs. Great Amplifiers
00:03:44 - Why Architects Are Actually Risk Managers in Disguise
00:06:13 - The Truth About Complexity and Simplicity at Scale
00:09:55 - How to Resolve Technical Disagreements Without Arguments
00:13:57 - Why You Should Use Pen and Paper for Architecture
00:17:24 - Mastering the Left-Right Brain Ping Pong Technique
00:20:42 - The "Architect Elevator": Connecting Code to Strategy
00:23:06 - The Rubber Duck Test: Are You a Good Architect?
00:25:41 - The "Phantom Sketch Artist" Method for System Design
00:30:37 - Stop Being a Cartographer, Start Being a Scout
00:34:47 - How to Keep Your Technical Skills Sharp as an Architect
00:44:37 - Navigating Office Politics using the "Court Jester" Strategy
00:48:08 - How to Earn and Spend Political Capital Wisely
00:53:17 - Why the "Big Ball of Mud" Might Be a Good Architecture
00:57:08 - How Executives Spot Gaps in Your Technical Logic
01:00:00 - Why Using AI for Architecture is a Dangerous Trap

#SoftwareArchitecture #SystemDesign #SeniorDeveloper

Are you waiting for a promotion that never comes? In this episode, we break down why relying on your manager to define your growth is a career-limiting mistake and how you can take full ownership of your professional path.
In this episode, we cover:
Why hard skills get you hired but won't get you ahead
How to create growth opportunities when your company has no clear path
Using RACI to own decisions and increase your visibility

Connect with Zanina:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaninakatira

References:
RACI - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:51 - Why hard skills get you hired but soft skills make you thrive
00:04:17 - How to connect your code to actual business results
00:06:44 - The art of storytelling for technical professionals
00:09:16 - Balancing execution speed with team collaboration
00:11:57 - The problem with forcing engineers into management roles
00:15:13 - Surviving when technology outgrows your current skillset
00:17:59 - Using the RACI method to clarify ownership and decisions
00:21:23 - What to do when your manager has no answers for your growth
00:24:40 - Why you should value scope of work over job titles
00:28:39 - How to pitch and negotiate impactful projects to leadership
00:33:00 - Expanding your perspective by networking outside your team
00:35:35 - Visualizing your ambition and defining what success looks like
00:39:16 - Overcoming the fear of asking for constructive feedback

#careergrowth #softwareengineering #softskills

Software engineers often think adding AI is just a simple API call, but moving from a Proof of Concept to a stable production system requires a completely different mindset.
Maria Vechtomova breaks down the harsh reality of MLOps, why rigorous evaluation is non-negotiable, and why autonomous agents are riskier than you think.

In this episode, we cover:
The essential MLOps principles every software engineer must learn
How to bridge the gap between a demo and a production-grade solution
Strategies for evaluating agents and detecting model drift
The security risks of customer service agents and prompt injection
Practical tips for using AI tools to boost your own productivity

Connect with Maria:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vechtomova

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:25 - Why the AI Hype Was Actually Good for Monitoring
00:03:07 - Real-World AI Use Cases That Deliver Actual Value
00:05:16 - MLOps Basics Every Software Engineer Needs to Know
00:08:08 - The Hidden Complexity of Deploying Agents to Production
00:12:02 - Minimum Requirements for Moving from PoC to Production
00:15:41 - Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating AI Features Before Launch
00:18:08 - How to Handle Data Labeling and Drift Detection
00:21:55 - Why You Likely Need Custom Tools for Monitoring
00:24:56 - Why Engineers Build AI Features They Don't Need
00:26:01 - How Software Engineers Can Learn Data Science Principles
00:31:36 - The Dangerous Security Risks of Autonomous Customer Service Agents
00:34:44 - Why Human-in-the-Loop is Essential for Avoiding Reputational Damage
00:36:18 - Boosting Developer Productivity with Opinionated AI Prompts
00:39:20 - Using Voice Notes and AI to Organize Your Life

#MLOps #SoftwareEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence

Are your technical skills actually holding your career back? In this conversation with Anand Sahay, Global CEO of Xebia, we explore the controversial reality that "mediocre" engineers often climb the corporate ladder faster than technical wizards. And what you need to do to change that trajectory.

In this episode, we cover:
Why simplicity and business value beat complex code every time
The specific mindset shift required to move from Senior Engineer to Executive
How to maintain technical intuition and manage risk without micromanaging
The hidden arrogance that stops great engineers from becoming great leaders

This discussion is essential for software engineers, architects, and technical managers who want to break through the "tech ceiling" and understand how decisions are really made at the top.

Connect with Anand:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansahay

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:28 - How to Pitch to Executives (And Not Get Rejected)
00:03:42 - The #1 Trait of Elite Engineering Leaders
00:06:15 - Why AI Answers Destroy Your Credibility
00:10:11 - Why Mediocre Engineers Get Promoted Over Great Ones
00:14:15 - The Truth About the "Individual Contributor" Track
00:16:16 - The Arrogance Trap: Why Devs Fail at Business
00:22:08 - Stop Being a "One Man Army" (Unless You Do This)
00:25:32 - From Developer to CEO: The Uncommon Path
00:29:07 - Why Most Engineering Teams Are Structured Wrong
00:32:17 - How to Spot a Toxic Tech Culture
00:34:44 - Will AI Replace Senior Engineers?
00:38:40 - Maintaining Technical Intuition Without Coding Daily
00:41:53 - When to Approve "Bad" Ideas for Team Morale
00:48:41 - The "Hard Part First" Rule for Innovation

#SoftwareEngineering #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth

Tools change and frameworks die, but your career doesn't have to. Marijn Markus joins the show to explain why "Don't be a fool with a tool" is the single most important piece of advice for modern software engineers and data professionals.
In this episode, we cover:
The "Meta-Skill" of learning how to learn new technologies
Why real innovation often originates in "dark" industries like crime and warfare
How to future-proof your career against AI agents and automation
Why understanding the business problem is more valuable than writing the code
This conversation is essential for engineers who want to move from memorizing syntax to mastering the skills that actually last.

Connect with Marijn Markus:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijnmarkus

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:01 - Realizing That Data Science Can Actually Save Lives
00:04:36 - Predicting Refugee Movements With Hamburger Prices
00:07:05 - Why You Should Try Different Roles Early in Your Career
00:12:37 - Learning in Banking to Eventually Help Non-Profits
00:15:38 - Why Certifications Are Compensation for Lack of Experience
00:18:36 - The Single Most Important Skill in the Tech Field
00:21:39 - "If They Understood the Problem, They Wouldn't Hire You"
00:25:48 - Why Innovation Comes From War, Crime, and Adult Industries
00:31:16 - The Danger of AI Agents and Automated Social Engineering
00:35:03 - Focus on Skills That Do Not Have Expiration Dates
00:39:47 - How to Navigate Truth in the Era of Deepfakes
00:41:30 - Don't Be a Fool With a Tool (The Selenium Trap)
00:45:25 - Rising Above the Tools to Become an Expert
#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #Technology