From Developer to CTO: A Leadership Journey Ft Paul Lewis

03/20/25 • 38 min

In this conversation, Kendra Johnson and Paul Lewis explore the complexities of middle management, particularly in the technology sector. Paul shares his journey from being a mediocre programmer to a successful leader, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with stakeholders and the balance between empowerment and micromanagement.

They discuss the impact of organizational size on leadership styles, the necessity of safeguarding team capacity, and the importance of clear expectations in leadership training. Paul also highlights his personal passions and how they influence his professional life, concluding with insights on the need for better training for middle managers in technology.

middle management, leadership, technology, empowerment, stakeholder communication, trust, transparency, organizational size, team capacity, leadership training

middle management, leadership, technology, empowerment, stakeholder communication, trust, transparency, organizational size, team capacity, leadership training

Previous Episode

Mastering Crucial Conversations in Leadership Ft Sive O'Neill

In this conversation, Kendra Johnson interviews Sive O'Neill, the VP of marketing at Tulip, about her unique career journey from theatre to tech. Sive shares her experiences in the theatre, the pivotal moment that led her to pursue an MBA, and how her background has equipped her with transferable skills that are valuable in her current role.

The discussion also delves into the importance of collaboration, trust, and transparency in leadership, especially in a remote work environment. In this conversation, Kendra Johnson and Sive O'Neill explore the challenges of leadership, particularly in the context of managing overwhelm and the impact of maternity leave on career trajectories.

They discuss the importance of open communication, prioritization, and the need for support systems for working mothers. Sive shares her personal experiences of navigating career changes after maternity leave and emphasizes the significance of having crucial conversations in the workplace to foster healthy relationships and resolve conflicts. The discussion highlights the need for empathy and understanding in leadership roles, especially for those balancing work and family responsibilities.

career transition, MBA, marketing, theatre, leadership, collaboration, transferable skills, remote work, empathy, workplace culture, leadership, maternity leave, overwhelm, communication, support systems, career growth, women in leadership, crucial conversations, empathy, work-life balance

Next Episode

The Journey from Psychology to Business Leadership Ft Allana Schmidt

In this conversation, Kendra Johnson and Allana Schmidt discuss Allana's journey from psychology and social work to business, emphasizing the importance of organizational readiness and agile processes in transformation. They explore leadership strategies that foster inclusion and high performance, as well as the significance of integrity and expectation management in team dynamics.

Allana shares her insights on treating people as individuals and the necessity of communication during times of change, highlighting the impact of these practices on employee well-being and corporate culture. In this conversation, Kendra Johnson and Allana Schmidt explore the importance of nurturing employee well-being, creating psychological safety within teams, and addressing difficult conversations in the workplace.

They emphasize the significance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness as critical leadership skills, providing practical strategies for leaders to support their teams effectively. The discussion highlights the need for open communication, healthy boundaries, and the proactive approach required to foster a positive workplace culture.

business transformation, organizational readiness, agile processes, leadership strategies, inclusion, high performance, integrity, expectation management, employee well-being, corporate culture, employee well-being, psychological safety, difficult conversations, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, leadership skills, team dynamics, communication strategies, workplace culture, mental health