#306 Mastering the Art of Tech Leadership: Navigating Stress, Values, and Growth With Noah Cantor
03/08/24 • 46 min
Discover the transformative power of authenticity in tech leadership with Noah Cantor, a seasoned tech leadership coach from New Zealand, who joins us to explore the nuances of guiding teams through challenges and personal growth. Noah brings to light the intimate struggles of tech leaders, recounting his own journey from confronting demotivated teams and technical debt to harnessing the strength of genuine management. Through his candid storytelling, we learn how a leader's journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about strategy and execution.
Unpack the psychological and emotional facets of tech leadership as we traverse the compelling story of Anne, a new CTO thrust into a maelstrom of layoffs and the struggle to stay true to her values. Our discussion breaks down the myths surrounding motivation and reveals how aligning management style with core values can not only relieve stress but also invigorate an entire organization. Noah and I dissect the mental shifts required for leaders to transition from the mindset of an individual contributor to an inspiring manager, and the organizational implications of technical debt that go beyond just the tech team.
Our conversation rounds out with an earnest endorsement of the often-ignored need for coaching in the tech leadership space. Sharing personal revelations, I highlight the profound impact that coaching has had on identifying my own blind spots and combating the isolation felt in leadership roles. We confront the industry's resistance to coaching, championing its potential to cultivate a healthier work culture and bolster mental health. For tech leaders seeking depth and direction, this episode promises insights into why investing in coaching can lead to transformative benefits for both the individual and the organization at large.
More about Noah:
02:38 The Importance of Self-Development in Tech Leadership
03:16 The Journey to Becoming a Tech Leadership Coach
07:45 Challenges and Learnings in Tech Leadership
08:15 The Impact of Personal Values on Leadership
11:39 The Role of Coaching in Tech Leadership
21:40 Addressing Technical Debt and Organizational Culture
37:40 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Tech Leaders
38:35 The Importance of Feedback and Reflection in Leadership
Discover the transformative power of authenticity in tech leadership with Noah Cantor, a seasoned tech leadership coach from New Zealand, who joins us to explore the nuances of guiding teams through challenges and personal growth. Noah brings to light the intimate struggles of tech leaders, recounting his own journey from confronting demotivated teams and technical debt to harnessing the strength of genuine management. Through his candid storytelling, we learn how a leader's journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about strategy and execution.
Unpack the psychological and emotional facets of tech leadership as we traverse the compelling story of Anne, a new CTO thrust into a maelstrom of layoffs and the struggle to stay true to her values. Our discussion breaks down the myths surrounding motivation and reveals how aligning management style with core values can not only relieve stress but also invigorate an entire organization. Noah and I dissect the mental shifts required for leaders to transition from the mindset of an individual contributor to an inspiring manager, and the organizational implications of technical debt that go beyond just the tech team.
Our conversation rounds out with an earnest endorsement of the often-ignored need for coaching in the tech leadership space. Sharing personal revelations, I highlight the profound impact that coaching has had on identifying my own blind spots and combating the isolation felt in leadership roles. We confront the industry's resistance to coaching, championing its potential to cultivate a healthier work culture and bolster mental health. For tech leaders seeking depth and direction, this episode promises insights into why investing in coaching can lead to transformative benefits for both the individual and the organization at large.
More about Noah:
02:38 The Importance of Self-Development in Tech Leadership
03:16 The Journey to Becoming a Tech Leadership Coach
07:45 Challenges and Learnings in Tech Leadership
08:15 The Impact of Personal Values on Leadership
11:39 The Role of Coaching in Tech Leadership
21:40 Addressing Technical Debt and Organizational Culture
37:40 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Tech Leaders
38:35 The Importance of Feedback and Reflection in Leadership
Previous Episode
#305 From Resumes to AI: Revolutionizing Talent Acquisition in the Digital Era With Sharanu S. Shirol
Unlock the transformative secrets of HR technology and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of job seeking with our special guest, Sharanu S. Shirol, the Chief Digital Officer of Buzzwords and Innovations Group. Our enlightening chat in Bangalore takes you through the seismic shifts from conventional job markets to the dynamic internet-driven employment and gig economies, dissecting the challenges like skill mismatches and underscoring the critical role of continuous learning. Discover the ingenious ways AI is reshaping recruitment, with intelligent CV analysis leading to more precise candidate selection and the strategies to enhance communication, ensuring candidates no longer endure the disheartening 'ghosting' phenomenon.
Prepare to be captivated by the discussion on the integration of multi-channel workflows in recruitment, as we analyze the power of WhatsApp and other communication tools in streamlining the hiring process. Learn how clear timelines and proactive engagement can elevate the recruitment experience, while also recognizing the cultural variances that influence communication preferences across different regions. Sharanu's seasoned perspective provides a deep dive into the recruitment industry's transformative communication strategies and the crucial role of technology in building more efficient and responsive hiring workflows.
As we peer into the crystalline ball of the job market's future, we assess the impact of AI advancements like ChatGPT and its profound effects on customer relations and future skills. The episode wraps up with an exploration of the innovative shift towards microlearning platforms, essential for the upskilling required in tomorrow's job ecosystem. With Gen Z set to assume leadership roles, we spotlight the pivotal changes in learning methods and the ways Innovations Group is dedicated to fostering a global workforce community through their pioneering app and platform. Join us on this journey through the fascinating world of HR tech and gain valuable insights from an industry veteran that could reshape your approach to work and learning.
More about Sharanu:
Sharanu Shirol brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Innovations Group, propelling the organization into a new era of digital innovation. For a quarter-century, Innovations Group has been a stalwart in the HR & Staffing sector, offering a spectrum of services encompassing recruitment, temporary staffing, HR outsourcing, and payroll outsourcing.
In his role as Chief Digital Officer, Shirol assumes a leadership position, integral to the digital evolution. His responsibilities extend beyond the conventional realms of strategy and execution; Shirol is entrusted with positioning the Innovations Group at the forefront of technological advancement, both nationally and globally.
01:53 Exploring the Evolution of the Job Market
06:58 The Impact of Technology on HR and Recruitment
08:09 The Role of AI in Modern Recruitment
11:01 Innovations Group's Approach to HR Tech
21:15 Addressing Communication Challenges in Recruitment
30:37 The Future of Skills and AI's Impact
37:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Next Episode
#307 Outsourcing Tips for Startups: An Inside Look With Sean Languedoc
In this episode of the CTO show with Mehmet, Sean Languedoc, the CEO of Outforce.ai from Canada, shares his journey as a tech entrepreneur and how it led him to create a solution for the common challenges faced in outsourcing for tech startups. He delves into the intricacies of outsourcing, including selecting the right team, understanding common pitfalls, and leveraging technology and AI to enhance productivity and quality.
Sean also covers the critical role of culture fit, the importance of avoiding technical debt, and the impact of AI in the modern engineering workspace. This comprehensive discussion offers valuable insights for founders on managing outsourcing relationships effectively, ensuring quality, and accelerating their project timelines.
More about Sean:
With over 25 years of immersion in the tech industry, Sean has navigated the challenging yet exhilarating journey of nurturing ideas into thriving enterprises. As the CEO of Outforce.ai, formerly known as Global Talent Accelerator, his entrepreneurial journey continues in the realm of transforming outsourcing from a daunting task to a strategic asset for venture-backed companies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlanguedoc https://www.outforce.ai/sign-up
01:24 The Genesis of Outforce.ai
02:07 The Journey of a Tech Entrepreneur
02:40 The Art of Identifying Business Opportunities
04:10 The Challenges of Outsourcing
05:40 The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing for Startups
08:12 The Role of Founders in a Startup
11:26 The Dilemma of Outsourcing and Idea Theft
15:32 The Role of Outforce.ai in Outsourcing
20:35 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Outsourcing
24:16 The Emergence of Fractional CTOs27:03
The Role of a Fractional CTO in Scaling Your Business
27:46 Equity Distribution and Building a Support Team
29:45 The Impact of AI on Engineering Productivity
30:29 The Influence of AI on the Engineering Industry
32:27 The Importance of Due Diligence When Outsourcing
39:19 The Role of Geography and Time Zones in Outsourcing45:07 Current Trends in Outsourcing
47:48 Final Thoughts and Advice on Outsourcing
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