The People Stack Podcast

For this episode, I interviewed Marc Prine who is an I/O Psychologist with the management advisory firm MIP Consulting.
We talked about:

• The good, …

There are no quick answers to complex problems - including career problems.

It’s never - “You just have to update your resume” or something similar.

For this episode, Rob and I interviewed April Wensel, founder of Compassionate Coding.

We talked about:

• What her mission at Compassionate Coding is

It’s back-to-school time so let’s talk about books and online courses.

Let’s get serious about what they can and cannot do.

In this episode, I …

In this episode of the People Stack Podcast, Rob sits down with author and consultant Avi Ben-Yosef to talk about:

• smaller teams with smaller egos

• …

For this episode, Rob and I interviewed Josh Doody, a self-employed Salary Negotiation Coach who specializes in helping high earners get paid what …

What’s your career worth?

In this episode, I crunch some numbers to show why it’s worth way more than $5M.

And more importantly, I address why this is so important.

Spoiler alert: Many of you are not giving your …

For this episode, Rob and I interviewed Roy Rapoport, a people-oriented people leader with decades of experience working for marquee tech companies …

Want to be able to access confidence on demand?

Confidence even when - especially when - things aren’t the way you want?

Then this is definitely a …

In this episode, I want to get into a tricky topic that a lot of our clients deal with.

It’s this idea that being paid more is somehow bad or evil. That wanting bigger paychecks and a higher quality of life means …

This interview was super fun to do and I hope you find it super fun to listen to!

Rob and I interviewed Joe Meyer, an NLP researcher at Erudit, an AI-based HR company.

In addition to his expertise in AI, Joe is also …

What are you tolerating in your career and at work?

What are you settling for?

Because we get what we tolerate.

If you’re tolerating an asshole …

The People Stack Podcast interview series is back!!!

And what better way to re-launch than to have our friend and trusted mentor Micheal Lopp back on.

Please consider this episode a master class in tech leadership …

What’s in your way of creating your dream career & dream life?

It’s NOT the economy, the job market, your workplace, your boss, or anyone else …

We all beat ourselves up from time to time.

What does this look like, why is it bad, and what do you do instead?

I share this b/c I want ALL of you to be able to create your dream careers from a pure place of joy, …

Many tech leaders believe that in order to create your dream life, you have to do it on your own.

They follow in the footsteps of people who say, …

Stop setting goals that you think are reasonable, achievable, or attainable.

In other words - SMART goals often set you up on a path toward failure!

In this episode I talk about why…

Are you confused about your tech career? Do you desperately want to make a decision but you can’t?

Maybe it’s deciding whether you stay or go on the job market?

Maybe it’s deciding whether or not to ask for a raise?

…

Many of you wish you had more time.

If only you were given 1, 2, 3 more hours each day…

Is your career working for or against you?

Do you feel like your career is driving the bus?
Because as leaders, we want our careers working FOR us!

We drive the bus!

Check out this micro-podcast for guidance on …

When you follow traditional problem-solving advice, you create more problems!

In this episode, I invite you to shift away from focusing on problems …

What’s the ONE action you can take to make a PROFOUND difference in your career and the rest of your life?

Our tech leader clients have created …

Do you have your current job because you think you should have one?
Because you believe you need it?
Because there’s something external that you need …

From time to time, well all feel like we can’t trust our gut.

For example…

You deserve more money.

Yes, you do!

And for many of you, this is very timely because it’s performance-review / how-much-is-my-raise season.

It’s also an evergreen topic because we know that so many tech leaders are …

Many of you feel like something is missing in your life…but you can’t put your finger on it.

There’s a level of pain, suffering, or discomfort that you feel - and you can’t describe it.

And you don’t know how to fill …

This is the first in the series of micro-podcasts designed to inspire you in BIG ways in 10-ish minutes or less.

In this episode, our client Andrew shares his career journey. Pay attention to what he says about how he …

Some marketing sounds like SHOUTING! And it’s extremely ineffective.

And, it’s possible YOU’RE doing this when you’re networking to find your next job.

It’s possible YOU’RE doing this when you’re trying to influence …

Forget about making New Year’s Resolutions!

I’m not saying this to be contrarian. I’m saying this b/c it’s the truth.

Why? I give you 5 reasons in …

Many tech leaders believe that as you level up in your career, your time freedom goes down.

In other words, in order to be a super successful CEO, …

Who do you surround yourself with and what is their energy?

This is a critical question to ask yourself, especially if you want to create a tech …

The bold truth is that we all feel stress. And particularly for badass leaders, you might experience stress every day.

And that doesn’t need to lead …

There’s so much doom and gloom lately about layoffs, the massive recession coming our way, and whatever else the Cult of Fear wants to spew at us.

…

If you want to move into another dimension career-wise, you cannot keep relying on Old Thinking.

What got you here will not get you there.

In this episode, I invite you to make Quantum Shifts in the way you’re …

Time is even more valuable than money because time is not renewable.

So, many tech leaders like you want more time.

How do you create luxurious amounts of time freedom while you continue to add immense value?

Give …

“How do I build my confidence?”

Our clients ask us this all the time - whether they realize it or not!

So many challenges you face as a tech leader require confidence.

You want to ace that interview, inspire your …

If you want to get to the next level in your tech career, you have to be a match for it.

Whether that next level is $200k/year or $1M/year…

Prospective clients often ask us, “How much is it?”

And, because of the human condition, your brain often goes to, “Can I afford to do it?”

I understand why you think that’s a great question.

But I’m going to turn …

I’ve talked with hundreds of tech leaders about what’s next in your careers.

And most of you know - at least generally - what you want.

What’s …

Why am I stuck at $150k/year or less?

Why have I not gotten that promotion?

Why have I not landed that new job yet?

I know a lot of you are asking, and if you’re open to hearing the truth, I’ll tell you.
It’s because …

A lot of you are stuck in your tech career right now.

And a lot of you want to keep waiting. You want to keep thinking about taking action.

I say …

You know how body odor works, right?

You’re always the last one to know when you have it.

Having a lack of leadership skills works the same way.

In this 5-minute quick shift, I help you to ask yourself if YOU have …

Should you be working with a recruiter to help you land a new job as a tech manager?

Our answer will probably surprise you. It’s a firm “No.”

At …

“The sun is in my eyes!”

This is what my son was complaining about the other day. After some gentle coaching (Mom Win!) he realized he couldn’t move …

This episode is inspired by a question we received from a new client:

“What do you mean stop applying for jobs? That doesn’t make sense to me. How am I supposed to find one?”

Pay very close attention to this one …

In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I reveal the REAL reason why every single one of our clients was looking for expert career help.

It’s not to have an accountability buddy.

It’s not to pick our brains for more information.

We ALL procrastinate. It’s part of the human condition.

The key is being honest with yourself that you’re doing it…

In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I talk about the #1 skill that is essential to develop if you want to advance in your tech career.

And it’s not communication, leadership, mentoring, marketing, listening, strategic …

Shifting your beliefs is critical if you want to up-level your technical career.

And one of the areas where we see the most shifting potential is MARKETING!

In this episode, I reveal three areas where your negative …

You’re reading this because you’re a tech manager who is committed to transforming your career…

We all know that fear of failure can hold us back from achieving what we want.

But what about the fear of success? Could that be holding you back …

In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I reveal why you keep thinking, “I wish that wasn’t so expensive.”

In other words, why can’t you earn more money as a tech manager - despite working harder than you ever have?

Tune into …

There is a huge cost to waiting. And if you’re a tech manager who’s struggling in your career…

In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I reveal why following free career advice is taking the life out of your career.

I share the #1 reason why you need to …

So many tech managers are getting terrible career advice...and they’re following it!

Are you unknowingly one of them?

In this episode, I share 8 …

“I hope someday I finally get paid what I’m worth.”
“Here’s to hoping next year I’ll have a better job.”
“Finger’s crossed they fire my boss so I can get that promotion.”

How often have you used Hope as your major …

We hear it all the time. Tech managers are playing “Wait-and-See” with their tech careers.

“Let’s wait and see. They might give me that raise next year.”
“Let’s wait and see. This time around, my new boss might …

It’s back-to-school season and you may be wondering - where did the summer go?

Why don’t I feel relaxed and rejuvenated?

In this 5-minute Quick …

Did you ever spend time alone with your thoughts and realize your thoughts are a$$holes?

Self-sabotage and negative self-talk are a fact of life, …

On this 5-minute Quick Shift, I share what’s REALLY at stake by being stuck in your tech career.

And it’s more than you think.

Check this one out right now!

It’s obvious that career problems are going to lead to even more career problems. And work problems.

But what’s the hidden collateral damage?

To …

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you don’t take career risks, you’re going to stay stuck exactly where you are in your career.

Ready to get unstuck and learn how to take intelligent risks so you can finally earn …

I know you want to use your career to create financial stability for you and your family.

That’s why you’re reading this!

I also get how it’s hard to take risks with something so big and important as your career.

…

Inertia without acceleration leads to deceleration.

In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I explain how to quickly and powerfully accelerate your tech …

In a soccer game, what would happen if your team only played defense?

Imagine it! A bunch of players huddled around the net. They’re putting all of …

In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I explain why believing that your career will fix itself leads to disaster!

You can say good-bye to any chance at up-levelving your position or pay if you believe this.

I explain the …

Bumping your head against any ceiling is painful…

As part of our road trip, Rob and I hiked up the Kent Falls trail in Connecticut.

We were going up the many, many stairs - a little out of breath - and on the wood railings, someone wrote in large graffitti:

“It gets …

Nothing is given. Everything is earned.

And in order to earn a premium salary of at least $200k/year while you live a life of joy and balance…

A lot of you keep banging your head against career ceilings.

Income ceilings. Position ceilings. Impact ceilings. Freedom ceilings.

You’ve come far in your career - but you know you can do even more.

And it’s …

A lot of you are following us because you’re a tech manager who hasn’t gotten more than a 10% raise in several years. Or maybe you’ve NEVER gotten …

We don’t want you on the path towards feeling overworked, underpaid, and under-recognized!

We want you to be able to create your dream tech career so that you can upgrade your position and pay as a tech manager.

In …

The BEST career help translates into significant career results like a 30+% raise, a real bump in position + impact, and increased recognition as a …

Over the last 6 years, we’ve had thousands of conversations with tech managers about upgrading their careers.

And while each of them are different - and reflect the unique beauty and strength of each person behind the …

I just finished reading “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday and there are SO MANY ways this is relevant to your career!

It’s cool to get it …

In this 5-minute Quick Shift episode, I explain why your friends are giving you terrible career advice.

I say this with love - and I want you to love your friends…

How do you ensure that you’re on the right path towards upleveling your tech career?

You pay attention to the warning signs that you’re headed in the wrong direction!

In this episode - filmed on our Epic Road Trip …

What’s one quick shift you can make RIGHT NOW so that you can finally stop settling for a mediocre tech career?

Check out this 5-min video to find out!

On the other side of this shift is the doorway to increased …

We hear it all the time when we ask new clients what’s not working in their career right now.

“I feel...stuck.”

If you’re reading this, you likely do too.

You feel like you can’t get to that next level - being a …

The #1 career mistake that we see our tech manager clients making...and this mistake was costing them tens of thousands of dollars per year...

…

At The People Stack, it’s been a humbling honor to coach hundreds of tech managers on their journeys to creating their dream careers.

They’ve landed 30%, 40%, 50%+ raises…

The number one reason why our clients were failing to upgrade their tech careers was because they were not evangelizing their excellence.

They were not promoting themselves.

Most of them were doing a lot of hard work …

If you’re reading this, you’re either actively on the job market looking for your Hell Yes tech leadership job…

Let’s be real for a moment: Right now, there is more competition for tech leadership jobs than ever.

There is more competition for raises and bonuses than ever.

We are sailing through a massive storm together and the …

Five-time Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser is an unstoppable force.

He’s human (we’re pretty sure) - so what’s his secret?

In a hashtag: #HWPO

Hard Work Pays Off

But does it? How does Mat turn this hard work into …

I have nothing against leadership books. But the thing is…

We all have doubts. Doubts about ourselves, other people, the external world.

That’s normal and natural.

What I don’t want is for your doubts to continue to get confirmed.

I don’t want your self-doubt to turn into a …

More than ever, we’ve been talking with tech managers who are coping with extraordinary career struggles.

Out of work for months on end and if they haven’t declared bankruptcy yet, they’ll have to.

Stuck in a dead-end …

Yes, you CAN have any career you want!

This is the truth we’ve discovered after thousands of conversations with hundreds of tech manager clients.

Here’s the thing…

You’re procrastinating. You’re putting things off…

I’m sure you’ve seen disingenuous folks getting ahead and wondered when their reckoning will come. That’s not license though to trade away one of …

There is a massive number of tech managers on the job market right now, so competition is fierce.

Even if you have a shiny resume & LinkedIn profile along with stellar interviewing skills, that is not enough to be …

Right now, lots of tech managers are thinking about leaving their jobs.

They want to spread their wings, go on the job market, and find even better opportunities at new companies.

And right now, lots of tech managers …

How’s your career right now?

If you’re like a lot of our potential clients, it’s “not bad.”

As in - it could be better but I’m okay. I’m not …

The number one reason why most of our clients were failing to upgrade their tech careers…

Take a look at your to do list. What emotions come up for you?

If you’re like a lot of our clients - it’s probably one or more of the following: …

Have you ever been told that you need to “wait your turn” for a raise or promotion?

As if there’s some invisible queue of people waiting in front of …

You work hard. You’re intelligent. You have oodles of tech experience.

So why are you stuck in a career where you’re underpaid, underrecognized, and overworked?

After having helped hundreds of tech managers to earn …

It’s one of the global laws of wealth: Produce more than you consume.

So why then, do so many people forget it when it comes to their careers?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against reading and learning.

But you learn …

Do you really need to hop from job to job to get a substantial raise as a tech manager?

A lot of the folks we speak with think this is the case.

…

If you’re burnt out, you can’t SEE it.

Maybe you can FEEL it...

But the thing is, we’re so good at coping with stress, we often miss it.

Are you TOO burnt out and you don’t even know it?

And - is it silently …

Staying in your tent because there may be predators outside is a great way to die of starvation.

Allowing immediate, relative comfort to prevent you from taking chances for a better life & better career can cost …

Even with a decade of experience, qualified folks are having a hard time getting noticed out there in the job market.

Some take it as a numbers …

On this very special episode of The People Stack Podcast, Jen interviewed Tanaka Mutakwa (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trmutakwa/). He is VP of Engineering at Names & Faces based in South Africa. He started a South …

Across every org, every family, and every group of friends there is a keystone person holding it all together.

And that ONE keystone person is THE …

In our field we praise logic above all else. We uphold that “thinking it through” is the intelligent choice.

The truth is, relying solely on logic …

Turtling isn’t moving.

If everything is a test, if you always feel under assault, then you cease forward motion.

Circled wagons don’t get to …

We cater to folks who solve complex problems for a living. It stands to reason that once they see their own career, and the life that it comes with …

A type of bullying I’ve personally experienced is making someone wrong for wanting more out of themselves, their work, and their life. I see this …

There’s a great deal down at your local big-box gym. For only pennies a day you too can get an hour a month a personal trainer!

These things crop up all over the place and the number of hours they offer, or the price …

You’ll often hear time and money being equated in business. The fact of the matter is that time is way more valuable than money.

Your time is a finite, non-refundable, non-renewable resource and the kicker is, you …

There are at least 2 kinds of optimism in the world.

One shines a light in a dark room, helping you find the door to something better. The other …

As tech folks, we’re taught to scope things down and be reasonable so that we can deliver on time and satisfy our clients and customers.

But that’s …

When we talk with tech managers about their OBSTACLES to building their dream careers, we hear a lot of different things.

Their boss, the job market, covid, ageism, sexism, not having a degree, their team, their …

Very often, potential clients ask us: Can you tell me the steps to advancing in my tech career?

Those are straightforward. It’s the same for everyone:

Get crystal clear on your mission
Build your excellence as a …

Has this ever happened to you?

Someone less qualified with less experience got the job YOU wanted?

And you may ask: Why???

Aren’t jobs awarded based on qualifications and experience?

Yes and…

Depending on what stats you look at, somewhere around 5 MILLION people lost their jobs due to covid.

And they’re looking for jobs right now! And trust me, they’re motivated!!!

We know this because some of them are …

For a lot of our clients, the thing that gets them to commit to upgrading their career is:

“My career is burning down. If I don’t fix it, nothing will be left.”

That’s the truth. And you MUST see this truth in all …

Rob and I did a zoom-out on client trends this week and we noticed a pattern…

Struggle is a tricky thing. You might be struggling in your career and not know it.
This is because of the human condition - we cope.

We are VERY good at coping so that life doesn’t hurt.

Even if you’re coping, …

We often tell our clients that we’re here to help them have the necessary, uncomfortable career conversations so they can create their dreams.

Their response is often, “Define uncomfortable.”

The main distinction that …

Prospective clients often ask us, “How much is it?”

And, because of the human condition, your brain often goes to, “Can I afford to do it?”

I understand why you think that’s a great question.

But I’m going to turn …

Who do you surround yourself with?

Is it people who drag you down? They say you should just be happy with what you have?

They tell you to “play …

Now that your priorities are clear - I talked about that on the last podcast - it’s time to say NO to everything that’s NOT a priority.

And I understand how challenging that can be.

Every day, you’re soaked with a …

What are the MAJOR categories - the BIG rocks - that you’re going to focus on?

Your health? Your relationships? Your career?

For most people, their career is not one of those major categories. And that’s a travesty!

I asked Alexa to play some Christmas music and “Holly, Jolly Christmas” came on.

Great song. Catchy tune.

But, what does it mean? Holly is a …

Every year around New Year’s I’m reminded of those “New Year, New You” ads.

Those ads that seem to imply that with just “3 simple steps” you can completely change your body, your relationships, your stress levels - …

We talk about career upgrading all the time. Promotions, raises, more recognition.

So let’s talk about the opposite: Downgrading.

I know you don’t want to downgrade your career, but here’s the truth:

That’s what’s …

We all have doubts. Doubts about ourselves, other people, the external world.

That’s normal and natural.

What I don’t want is for your doubts to continue to get confirmed.

I don’t want your self-doubt to turn into a …

A lot of times, clients ask us, “Is this normal?”

Without getting into the philosophical and psychological underpinnings of the word “normal…”

(You …

Whether you realize it or not, you have career blinders on.

You only see what’s in your world.

Until someone shines a light on other possibilities, …

We talk about ownership a lot here at The People Stack.

It’s important to choose to make your career a priority - that’s how you’re going to build your dream!

It takes discipline and hard work to do that.

What we …

It’s really common to ACT like your career is okay. To behave as if everything is fine and it’ll get fixed.

We hear this time and time again from …

What rules your brain?

Is it the logical side? The one that helps you build systems, solve problems, and plan for all scenarios?

Or is it the …

Yes, you CAN have any career you want!

This is the truth we’ve discovered after thousands of conversations with hundreds of tech manager clients.

Here’s the thing…

I just finished reading “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday and there are SO MANY ways this is relevant to your career!

It’s cool to get it …

Over the last 6 years, we’ve had thousands of conversations with tech managers about upgrading their careers.

And while each of them are different - and reflect the unique beauty and strength of each person behind the …

What’s not working in your career right now?

That’s THE most important question you can ask yourself so you can get unstuck from tech career mediocrity.

AND…

How do you upgrade your tech career?
How do you land that Hell Yes job?
How do you earn that raise and promotion?

It’s simple: Through a series of often uncomfortable career-building conversations!

If you’re not …

I talk a lot about the bad ways to try to take control of your career.

Reading books endlessly, investing in low-ticket training, chatting on Slack …

I was just talking with someone who chose a cheap fix to an expensive career problem.

He hired a coach who charges $200/hour.

He’s already wasted $3000 and is still struggling on the job market!

Paying for …

Fear is at the root of all of your career struggles.

Let’s face it, fear is at the root of ALL of your life struggles.

Uncertainty? Doubt? Overwhelm? Worry? Anxiety?

They’re all rooted in FEAR!

How do you allow …

At this point in your career, the only way to go is up!

And in order to go up, you need to take a blind leap of faith to the next anchor point.

In this episode, I talk about the best and worst ways to take that leap …

Do you really need to hop from job to job to get a substantial raise as a tech manager?

A lot of the folks we speak with think this is the case.

…

After speaking with thousands of tech managers about upgrading their careers we’ve had a major realization…

If you’re following the leader, you’re NOT the leader!

For so many of our clients, this is a huge distinction.

It’s also a huge opportunity to ask …

Do you ever just feel...empty?

Like there has to be more to life than just Zoom meetings, Slack messages, Netflix, and the occasional fun dinner with family?

Do you ever feel like you have WAY more to give in your …

What happens to your mind when you don’t have time off from work?

What happens to your body when you don’t give it time to recover?

What happens to your spirit when you don’t relax?

They all deteriorate. Slowly but …

How much do you enjoy your weekends?

How much do they leave you feeling relaxed, restored, and ready to take on a new work week with unbridled optimism and energy?

Or are your weekends low-quality?

Do you spend …

Money scarcity - the feeling of not having enough money - is the cause of major heartache.

It affects us even deeper than that. As one of our …

Does money feel heavy to you?

Do you think about money and it makes you contract, cringe, or feel tight/resistant?

This is actually really common and we hear it a lot from our tech manager clients.

Here’s the thing, …

Our tech manager clients often tell us that they no longer want to be pushovers.

Or, that they’re people-pleasers. To a fault.

Whether you’re …

Clients often ask us how to build their confidence.

I find that the best way to approach this is to first explain what NOT to do.

Because if you build your confidence in the wrong way, you’ll decimate it.

You’ll …

The theme for the week are the massive achievements that our clients are creating!

And the reason they are able to create them is because they stopped stabbing themselves with knives of doubt.

What does that look …

One of our clients just celebrated getting a 46% raise!!!

We are so stoked for him and so proud.

This is actually a really common outcome for our clients.

How do they make this happen?

I talk about that in this …

Four-time Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser is an unstoppable force.

He’s human (we’re pretty sure) - so what’s his secret?

In a hashtag: #HWPO

Hard Work Pays Off

But does it? How does Mat turn this hard work into …

Hard work pays off, right?

Not always.

I know you work hard. You’re committed to advancing in your career and being the best tech leader you can be.

And yet...you still feel under-recognized.

You’re still earning …

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed because of your job or your career…

If you’re burnt out, you can’t SEE it.

Maybe you can FEEL it...

But the thing is, we’re so good at coping with stress, we often miss it.

Are you TOO burnt out and you don’t even know it?

And - is it silently …

How would you respond if someone told you to make a decision - right now!!??

Probably not so well.

You’d at least contract or cringe a bit.

But, …

I have an entrepreneur friend. His name is Norbert and he’s one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met.

I’ll share more details of his story in the podcast. The gist of it is:

He started his business with his …

We’re on a winning streak here at The People Stack!

Every day, clients are celebrating all of their successes, big and small.

Really, there are no …

How do you know if a brownie recipe is good and that the chef knows what she’s doing?

The proof is in the pudding! ;)

It’s the same thing with us. I know you want proof that our systems work and that we can REALLY …

One of our clients had a major breakthrough this week that I want to share.

It’s given her an extraordinary shift in perspective and I know that many of you will benefit from hearing about it.

It’s about money.

The …

Every day, I’m hearing from clients and friends about layoffs, downsizing, forced furloughs, and zero financial resources.

To say that we’re living in uncertain times is an understatement.

We need another level worse …

When you’re facing career challenges, the urge may be to solve it on your own.

But, at some point, you look for help. And that can take the form of …

I just had a conversation with someone who was genuinely curious how it works to work with a coach.

He wants to land a job as a Director of Engineering. And he wanted to know how I’ll help him do that.

My knee-jerk …

More than ever, we’ve been talking with tech managers who are coping with extraordinary career struggles.

Out of work for months on end and if they haven’t declared bankruptcy yet, they’ll have to.

Stuck in a dead-end …

Let’s be real for a moment: Right now, there is more competition for tech leadership jobs than ever.

There is more competition for raises and bonuses than ever.

We are sailing through a massive storm together and the …

Are you sick of wasting your time trying to learn from the so-called experts?

You spend hours reading their books, watching their TED talks, doing your best to apply their information…

How do you achieve your dreams?

Work with an expert!

But what do we mean by “expert”?

And can all experts REALLY help you?

In this episode, I help you find the exact expert help that YOU need - so you can reach …

Have you ever considered how much your time is worth?

You could do the standard [what I get paid] / [# of hours].

This will give you your hourly …

“It’s not worth it!”

We hear this a lot from people who reach out to us for help.

They’re working their butts off, they’re committed to excellence, they’re making valuable contributions…

Is dreaming irresponsible and selfish? If can sometimes feel that way…

There is a lot of negativity going around right now.

A lot of fear, doubt, uncertainty, hatred, anger, and blame.

How do you ensure that this doesn’t affect your ability to make an impact?

The only way to escape such …

This week, we’re talking about the identity diseases that plague the careers of tech managers.

In this episode, I reveal 3 more diseases that could …

After serving thousands of tech managers for over 5 years, what patterns have we noticed?

There are many of them - and I want to point out a pattern that lurks beneath the surface.

Hardly anyone talks about it but we …

Were you ever laid off - or fired - from a job for all the wrong reasons?

The good reasons would be: you weren’t performing up to par or you …

Over the past several months, we’ve had a string of clients who were fired or laid off from their jobs.

This wasn’t because they were poor performers.

In fact, one of them got glowing performance reviews and his team …

Will this work for you? Will you be able to advance in your tech career just like our clients have?

The answer is: I don’t know.

I can tell you this though - if you tap into just 3 qualities, you will set yourself …

We get asked all the time: Who are your clients? Are they anything like me?
What kinds of help do you give them?

Really what you’re asking is: Will this work for me?

Will the help you give help me to transform MY …

I’m just gonna come out and say it: People put way, way, way too much emphasis on resumes!

There’s so much focus and pressure and worries around having the perfect resume.

That’s why people spend hundreds - sometimes …

We get asked ALL the time: How do I write an amazing resume? How do I make sure my LInkedIn profile looks awesome?

Here’s the truth: What you say on your resume and LinkedIn doesn’t matter as much as you think it …

Do you sometimes feel like navigating your tech career is like rolling the dice?

Will today be the day your boss finally recognizes your efforts?

…

Remember the movie War Games? Where the computer was playing an “innocent” game of global thermonuclear war?

The computer kept guessing at the missile launch codes. Slowly bringing the world closer to World War 3…

If you want to upgrade your career and land that raise, promotion, or new job…

When you run a sprint, you go fast and you go at 100%

When you run a marathon, you can’t keep going at 100%. You’ll burn out within the first few miles, or sooner.

Your career is a marathon. And the reason so many …

I know you want to level-up in your tech career.

The question is: When are you going to do it?

If not now, then when?

And remember, “someday” is not on the calendar.

I understand that desire to wait. To think …

Right now, the smoke is lifting.

Right now, your competition is positioning themselves for that job you want.

Do not lose this opportunity!

Ready to get geared up to take intelligent action to upgrade your tech …

“I’d rather not take any action than make the wrong decision.”

Have you ever heard someone say this?

And be honest - have you ever said or thought this yourself?

It’s understandable - especially in times of …

When we’re surrounded by chaos and fear, our tendency may be to stay the course. Don’t make drastic changes.

Keep on keepin’ on. Show up for work the same way you have in the past. Don’t start any new projects. …

People have been talking a lot lately about survival. Just getting by. Making sure we have roofs over our heads and food on the table.

And, yes, …

Make no mistake about it - we’re living in challenging times. Uncertain times. It’s an evolving New Normal.

Are you melting through this …

I’ve noticed that a lot of people are addicted to complaining. Not just in my professional life, but in my personal life too.

Perhaps you’ve noticed it, too. Complaining about what’s going wrong - about what’s out of …

I’ve talked with several potential clients who wonder if they even need career help.

They’re open to help...however…

One of the hardest career decisions you’ll ever make is:

Do I stay at my current job or do I go on the job market to find something better?

The …

I’ve been hearing a lot lately about tech managers who are thinking about going on the job market to find a better job…

There’s an art and a science to influencing others.

Here’s how NOT to do it: “I’m right. You’re wrong. Let’s change the strategy.”

…

I’ve been talking a lot lately about your own negative thoughts and feelings.

But what about dealing with OTHER people’s negative thoughts and feelings?

Like when other people have no clue how to use Zoom or other WFH …

You’re feeling isolated right now.  I know you are.

And that isolation leads to fear.  And doubt.

It leads to decisions based on scarcity.  …

I know that a lot of you feel on your own right now.  You’re stuck at home and are feeling isolated from your support network.

If this keeps up, …

The best leaders are able to rise up no matter what’s happening externally.

They develop rock-solid identities of being world-class leaders who …

You’re working from home right now.  Maybe you’re used to it, maybe you’re not.

Even if you’re used to it, you’re encountering new levels of chaos amid the global pandemic.

How do you stay sane, organized, productive, …

Who are you?

I understand this can be a tricky question to answer.

But let me make this easy for you (b/c I know life is hard right now):

You’re a badass tech leader!!!

Now that you know who you are, what are you …

These are challenging times to say the least.  

What defines you is not what happens in the world.

It’s what you choose to do!

What actions will YOU take in the face of these challenges?

What decisions will YOU make …

Hellen Keller said that.   “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

It’s always true.  We feel the truth of it now more than ever.

How can you embrace the adventure - w/out letting fear take over - so that you …

We’re living in times of uncertainty.  A light has been shined on the things that we cannot control.

How do we shift our focus so that we can …

Did you ever notice that your intelligence is holding you back?

Do you overthink things to the point of analysis paralysis?

If so, this is exactly …

You’re intelligent.  I know you are. You wouldn’t have made it this far in your tech career if you weren’t.

But what if I told you that your …

If you’re feeling under-recognized at work, it can feel like a curse.  

It keeps happening over and over again and you can’t break the cycle.  

Who do you need to kiss up to so that you can earn the praise you deserve?

“That guy can’t even manage his way out of a paper bag, why did he get the promotion?”

“That gal has way less experience and skills than I do.  Why does she get to be part of the boss’s in-crowd?”

It’s frustrating, I …

One of the main blockers most of our clients encounter to effectively and consistently evangelizing their excellence is their beliefs about sales.

Because evangelizing is, after all, selling.

Beliefs like:  Selling is …

You know intellectually that you need to evangelize your excellence in order to get recognized.
And yet..you’re not doing it.

Because you’re scared.

Want to learn how to get over the fear of self-promotion & …

Change is the only constant.  

Whether you like it or not, the world around us is changing.

You can complain and whine about it…

I know you’ve heard this hundreds of times and you may even be following this principle in your life.

It’s not entirely wrong - but it’s not enough …

Workplace politics can be tricky.  Thorny. Nebulous.

They’re like this invisible barrier constantly surrounding you at work - and it often creeps …

Do you want to grow in your tech career, but workplace politics are getting in the way?

You feel like you could make more of an impact, and get …

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed can be a very private experience.  We all feel it in different ways and it can be hard for others to relate.

But the reality is, if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed because of your …

We don’t see stress, burnout, or overwhelm.

But oh boy do we FEEL them.

But what are they exactly and how do you know when it’s the usual “I can deal with this” stress of being a leader vs. TOO much.

Are you TOO …

When most people feel fear, they run away.

This is true in all areas of life - including in your work and career.

Scared about asking for a raise?  So you don’t ask for it.

Scared about firing that team member?  So …

What does fear mean to you?

When you feel fear, what do you do?

In this episode, I’m going to talk about fear b/c it’s the #1 emotion that our clients feel.  It’s also the #1 factor that was keeping them from building …

What’s not working in your tech career right now?  

Can you describe the pain you’re feeling?  Is it frustration, anger, guilt, shame, stress...or something - more?

It’s okay if you have trouble finding the words.  …

Deep down, does work feel like death by 1,000 paper cuts?

Are you secretly terrified that you’ll vanish into irrelevance?

Are you suffering from lack of recognition and loss of self-respect?

Are you worried that …

Are you addicted to checking email, checking Slack, reading a bunch of articles, checking in on your team (when they really don’t need to be checked on)...and in general doing the small, weedy, tactical things that …

When someone asks you how things are going at work, is your immediate response often:

“Yeah, great!  Really busy!”

Is being busy a good thing?  Do you want to be busy - or - do you want to be productive?

Not …

MBA, Ph.D, M.A./M.S.

Then there’s all the certifications as well:  PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP

ABCDEFG

Why work so hard getting advanced degrees and certifications?  Will they guarantee you’ll be a better technical leader and …

One of the beliefs that we hear all the time at The People Stack goes something like:

“I want to become a VP.  So I need to get my MBA first.”

Is this REALLY true?  Is it worth it to spend valuable time and money to …

When I say “take ownership of your career,” most people get what I mean.

At least, they get it intellectually.  They get it at a surface level.

But what does it REALLY mean to take ownership of your career - both from …

I’ve talked with hundreds of tech leaders about what’s next in your careers.

And most of you know - at least generally - what you want.

What’s …

Here’s the truth: Hope is a terrible strategy.

The problem is, when it comes to career upgrading, so many tech managers are in the dark about what to do instead.

Want to ditch “I hope it’ll get better” with proven …

As a committed tech professional, you put a lot of care into planning for your projects at work. You never assume that bugs are going to fix themselves. You get your team together and fix it!

But…

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again - and expecting different results.

And yet...so many of us keeping doing the …

We talk with a lot of clients who are “doing okay” in their tech careers.

They say things like, “I’m not desperate.” “I’m coping.” “I’m managing.” …

Would you consider yourself systematic? Methodical? Careful?

What about over-analytical? Prone to analysis paralysis?

If so, no worries. These …

If there’s a phrase we hear more than any other when we’re coaching our clients it’s…

What’s the difference between cocky, confident, and self-deprecating?

And how do you show up as a confident tech leader who adds value and gets recognized for the value - without coming off as extremely …

Have you noticed that, in the tech community, certain people love to make fun of themselves?

They’re self-deprecating to a fault.

Where did this …

Senior Software Engineer and Server Necromancer at Slack, Randall Koutnik talks about the importance of trust, feedback, managing teams while scaling and more!

Intro music is "I'm Going for a Coffee" by Lee Rosevere, …

Startup Advisor Mawulom Nenonene talks about building and evaluating your hiring process, training for your team to interview, how to set reasonable …

VP of Engineering for Sharethrough (https://sharethrough.com), Rob Slifka (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robslifka/) talks about how to have a …

Author and Head of Foundation Engineering at Stripe (https://stripe.com), Will Larson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-larson-a44b543/) stops by the People Stack to talk about what the Foundation Engineering team does, …

Founder, author, and speaker Ronald Cummings-John stops by the People Stack to talk about the meaning of quality, selling the concept and need for quality in your software, the need to convince people all of the time, …

Founder, Marketer and Author Sarah E. Brown talks about her book "Power to the Startup People," how you can contribute to a startup when you aren't a founder, the challenges of transitioning between phases of a company …

Innovator, Author, and Speaker Tania Katan visits the People Stack to talk about her book "Creative Trespassing" (https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Trespassing-Spark-Back-into-ebook/dp/B07D22GYDT), her many methods of …

Rob May (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpvmay), Managing Director of the IT support company Ramsac (https://www.ramsac.com) talks about your organization's human firewall, interviewing to see who people really are, the …

Bryan Helmig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanhelmig/), founder and CEO of Zapier (http://zapier.com) talks about the behaviors Zapier looks for in their employees, when to raise the bandwidth of your comms, the …

Founder, CEO and Investor Adrian Enache (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianenache87) talks about the differences in the startup environments of eastern and western Europe, how his company, Angels Den Funding (…

Russell Dalgleish (https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelldalgleish) is on a mission to create the largest network of people with a common interest in the country of Scotland through the Scottish Business Network (…

Leadership coach, speaker, author, and passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity Karen Catlin talks about how to be a better ally, ways to improve inclusion in meetings, meeting more people at conferences, how her …

Author and Technology Leadership Expert R. Michael Anderson (https://www.rmichaelanderson.com) stops by the People Stack to talk about the difference …

Katie Womersley, the VP of Engineering at Buffer.com stop by the People Stack to talk about her career journey, having never worked in an office, the value of a manager ReadMe, avoiding manager game face, the challenges …

Sexual Harassment Researcher Vicki Magley talks about the life of an IO Psych professor, the myths around harassment, how far we've come, how far we've yet to go and more

Intro music is "I'm Going for a Coffee" by Lee …

CEO and Leadership expert Claire Lew from https://knowyourteam.com/ talks about the recent pivot her company made in order to focus on helping managers instead of just CEOs, the 3 things leaders needed to be more …

Jared Spool, Maker of Awesomeness at CenterCentre and UIE (http://uie.com), talks about the four stages of learning and how they lead to bad designs, …

IT Consultant and Podcaster Phil Burgess talks about what he's learned in 100 episodes of the IT Career Energizer Podcast (…

Ainsley Robertson, the Manager of Developer Experience at Clio.com, talks about building her amazing role from her strengths, nearly doubling Clio's …

Founder, Coach and Speaker Jocelyn Miller talks about her time at Amazon and Google, what those experiences taught her about having impact, changing from engineering to product, expanding her boundaries, rightsizing …

CEO and Co-Founder Andrea Goulet of the tech-debt fixing company, https://corgibytes.com stops by the People Stack to talk about building a community …

April Wensel, the founder of Compassionate Coding (https://compassionatecoding.com), stops by the People Stack to talk about what compassion is as well as how to bring it to your code, your team, and your life. April …

Founder, Author, and Communication Expert Steph Holloway stops by the People Stack to talk about her concept the emotional Ping, how she identified …

Marketing strategy expert Wes Kao stops by the People Stack to talk about the myriad ways in which failing to market your ideas, work, and value effectively prevent you from being heard. She also covers the importance …

QA Director Joe Yuska stops by the People Stack to talk about the difference between Quality Control and Quality Assurance, the role QA plays in your …

Business of Software Conference CEO Mark Littlewood talks about curating a conference for tech leaders, what he's learned from a decade of BoS, who buys software and more.

The 2018 Business of Software Conference is …

Conrad Holloman talks about his leadership learnings from the US Army, helping former military personnel get into tech through Operation Code (…

CEO and Founder Russ Ruffino of Clients on Demand (https://www.clientsondemand.com) stops by the People Stack to talk about the top 4 things that help you advance faster, motivation, recruitment, pay, selection for the …

Coach and Podcaster Jen Bunk leaves the People Stack to go on vacation for 2 weeks, which means no new episode today. You don't want to miss the next …

Author, Coach, and Interviewer Bill Fox stops by the People Stack to talk about what transformed his life and lead him to push beyond servant leadership into Stage 4 leadership, the challenges that caused him to focus …

IO Psychologist Marc Prine stops by the People Stack to talk about validating your hiring and performance assumptions, Psychological assessments, Job …

Entrepreneur, Product & Technology Leader Gong Ke Gouldstone stops by the People Stack to talk about the similarities between leadership and …

Leadership Coach Anthony Fasano (https://engineertomanager.com/) stops by the People Stack to talk about the importance of setting clear expectations, communication, people skills and the danger of being action …

Brennan McEachran and Jessica Weisz from SoapBox (https://soapboxhq.com/) stop by the People Stack to talk about their leadership rituals, the …

Kareen Walsh, Solutions Strategist and Coach, stops by the People Stack to talk about making your software choices better fit your organization's …

Author and Salary Negotiation Coach, Josh Doody, stopped by the People Stack to talk about getting more interview and job offers, the process and flow of negotiation, how his time as an engineer influenced his process, …

In a packed episode, Jill Wetzler, Director of Engineering at Lyft, talks about how she got there, where she is going, the challenges of growing teams and managers both in quantity and quality, mentoring and coaching, …

John Sawers is a developer, founder and now speaker; all outcomes which would not have been possible with debilitating responses to his emotions. …

Boston-area tech recruiter Bill Sullivan (http://www.thetycheproject.com) stops by the People Stack to talk about recruitment done right, avoiding …

Travis Kimmel, CEO of GitPrime (https://gitprime.com) stops by the People Stack to talk about how poor quality requirements can brain damage …

Christian McCarrick, SVP of Engineering at GTL (http://www.gtl.net/) stops by the People Stack to talk about the importance of mentoring, the role it …

Data Scientist Eugene Geis ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenegeis) from the Deluxe Corporation (https://www.deluxe.com/) stops by the People Stack …

Lauri Apple is a Producer, Agile Coach and Open Source advocate for Zalando (http://www.zalando.com/), one the of the largest fashion retailers in …

Kay Rhodes took a winding path to get to his current role as a tech lead and that's the way he likes his vacations too. Kay stopped by the People …

Jessica Noble (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-noble-33b6203b/ ) from http://www.Wayfair.com stops by the People Stack to talk about finding the signal in the noise of leadership information, how her teams define how …

Note: This one uses the F word a lot.

Melissa and Johnathan Nightingale, founders of The Raw Signal Group (https://www.rawsignal.ca/ ) each have 20 years of tech experience and they brought it to the People Stack to …

Michael Lopp (http://randsinrepose.com) stops by the People Stack to talk about landing his dream job as VP of Engineering at Slack (https://slack.com

Author and Agile Consultant Johanna Rothman (https://www.jrothman.com/blogs) stops by the People Stack to talk about Culture, the impact of the …

Russell Matthews ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-matthews-6097674 ), Associate Professor in the Department of Management at The University of Alabama, stops by the People Stack to dispel some common myths online …

Nick Caldwell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcaldwell), VP of Engineering at Reddit.com stops by the People Stack to talk about hiring practices, building great teams, the importance of diverse backgrounds in those …

Jean Hsu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanyhsu) has worked at companies big and small, fast and slow and is now a full-time Tech Leadership Coach and …

Elyse Hammond,(https://www.linkedin.com/in/elysehammond) HR Generalist for GSK (http://www.gsk.com) stops by the People Stack to talk about the …

Technical coach, author and former coder Marcus Blankenship (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusblankenship) stops by the People Stack to talk about …

Spencer Varadi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencervaradi/), Director of Product at Speed and Function (https://speedandfunction.com/#!about) stops by the People Stack to talk about how we can use the ONet database to …

Jessica Gallus (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-gallus-360b805/) of the US Army Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program (…

Mike Johnson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpjohnson/), Director of Communities & Technology at Mass TLC stops by the People Stack to talk …

Andrew Ramsen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/irama), CEO of Alpha Transform and host of the Alpha Geek Podcast (https://www.alphatransform.com.au/alpha-geek-podcast/), stops by the People Stack to talk about his journey, …

Taras Mankovski (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarasm/), @EmberSherpa on Twitter and CTO of https://www.thisdot.co/ stops by the People Stack to talk about Mentorship as a Service, creating a Company for helping people, …

The People Stack drops in on Luke Stevens (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-stevens-875a295), CTO of Berklee Online at the Berklee College of Music (…

Ali Greene (https://www.linkedin.com/in/greeneali) of Duck, Duck, Go (https://duckduckgo.com/) answers the question of the ages: what does it mean to "go to work" when you work remotely? Also, hear how a recent …

Rhiannon Chiacchiaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhichi), the Director of Marketing and Technical Documentation Services at Deep Core Data (https://www.deepcoredata.com/) stops by the People Stack to talk about the 4 …

Katie Greenman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiegreenman) of HumanSide (http://www.thehumansideof.us/) stops by the People Stack to talk about how listening from your heart can make you a more balanced person and how …

Constance Ip (https://www.linkedin.com/in/constanceip) of New York Code + Design Academy (https://nycda.com/) joins the People Stack to talk about their merger with Strayer University, training new developers, being …

@ladyleet (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyslee)of ThisDot (http://www.this-dot.com/) stops by the People Stack to talk about the life-changing experience of learning Javascript, starting and running companies, staying …

Samantha Glasberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-glasberg-5504171a) from Stitch (https://www.stitchdata.com/) stops by the People Stack to about people management while growing a startup and getting acquired. Sam …

Dawn McDougall(https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmcdougall), Executive Director of Code for Philly (https://codeforphilly.org/) stops by the People Stack to talk about managing and leading for civic tech for the …

Yuval Yarden (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yyarden), Program Director at Philly Startup Leaders (http://phillystartupleaders.org/) talks about getting into tech, working to grow the Philadelphia start-up scene, managing …

Sarah Johnson (http://www.techgirlz.org/team/sarah-johnson/), National Outreach Manager for TechGirlz stops by the People Stack to talk about STEM …

Carlee Myers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlee-myers-99410b56) from APOP Studios (https://apopstudios.com/) stops by the People Stack to talk about tech in art, mindset shifts required for creative work and workers, …

Thomas Guidotti(https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-guidotti-7a656435), CEO of Omne Solutions (http://omnesolutions.com/) stops by the People Stack to …

Felica Jadczak (https://www.linkedin.com/in/feliciajadczak)and Rachel Murray (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmurray) from She Geeks Out (https://www.shegeeksout.com/)talk about their origin story, alter egos, and …

Vasilios Alexiou (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasiliosalexiou), VP of Product at FirmPlay (http://www.firmplay.com/) talks about how marketing your …

Matthew Mausner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmausner) of Woxxer stops by the People Stack to talk about Surveys that Don't Suck, using …

Ben Rubin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsrubin), CEO and Co-Founder of 10% Happier (http://www.10percenthappier.com) drops by the People Stack to …

Benjamin Bock (http://www.bbock.co/) joins the People Stack to talk about his mindfulness-based wellness programs, being an entrepreneur in the tech …

The Director of Hollister Institute (hollisterstaff.com/hollister-institute), Karla Driskill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-driskill-07351210) …

Guest Cathy Swody of Thrive Leadership (linkedin.com/in/swody)joins the People Stack to talk about finding a mentor and what to do when the perfect mentor isn't available. She also goes over some valuable learning …

Chief Architect Chris Spear (linkedin.com/in/spearc) joins the People Stack to talk about the role of an enterprise architect, the proliferation of …

Your hosts Jen Bunk (jenbunk.com) and Rob Allen (linkedin.com/in/robspages) interview each other in the inaugural People Stack Podcast episode

Mindfulness Chat by Jen Bunk