Coffee Journeys Show

Welcome to episode nr 50 of The Coffee Journeys Show: A Letter to Myself (and Maybe to You Too) - Season Finale In this special season finale of The Coffee Journeys Show , I’m doing something different. Instead of a deep dive into tools, models, or frameworks, I’m taking a moment to pause and reflect—by writing a letter to myself. Think of it as a quiet coffee catch-up, a way to look back at every...

Welcome to episode nr 49 of The Coffee Journeys Show: From Linux Admin to People Engineer: My Professional Journey Today’s episode is a little different—what you’re about to hear is a recording from Cisco’s Share IT Solutions Huddle back in 2020. I had the privilege of talking about techniques to help those working from home and the importance of creating habits—something that’s still just as rele...

Welcome to episode nr 48 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Ten Mindset Shifts When You Become a Manager Stepping into a management role for the first time is exciting—but also full of unexpected challenges. What got you here won’t necessarily make you successful in this new role. In this episode, I break down 10 essential mindset shifts every new manager must make to lead effectively. Inspired by Danie...

Welcome to episode nr 47 of The Coffee Journeys Show: My First 90 Days What I Learned the Hard Way Stepping into leadership is exciting—but it’s also  a reality check . In this episode, I’m sharing  the hard lessons I learned in my first 90 days as a leader. From letting go of the “expert” mindset to navigating team dynamics, dealing with leadership loneliness, and redefining what success looks li...

Welcome to episode nr 46 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The First 90 Days – Leadership Framework for Success The transition into leadership is one of the most exciting yet challenging career moves. The habits that made you a great individual contributor won’t necessarily make you a successful leader. So, how do you navigate this shift effectively? In this episode, I break down key strategies to help...

Welcome to episode nr 45 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The Pancake DELEGATE principle: Flipping Delegation Into Empowerment Can making pancakes really teach you about leadership? 🤔 Absolutely! In this episode, we explore how to delegate effectively and build trust with your team. Learn how to provide guidance, celebrate growth, and create a safe environment for experimentation. Plus, we'll int...

Welcome to episode nr 44 of The Coffee Journeys Show: #044 Invisible Filters - Unmasking Unconscious Bias in Leadership Just as coffee filters separate grounds from water, our brains filter information—sometimes leading us astray. Explore the world of unconscious bias in leadership, understand its impact, and learn to recalibrate your mental filters for fairer, more inclusive decision-making. Brew...

Welcome to episode nr 43 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The Energy Audit: How to Beat Burnout and Thrive Feeling the weight of burnout? You're not alone! Following up on the popular episode 028, "Recognizing Burnout Before It's Too Late", we’re now providing a concrete solution. Learn how to reclaim your energy and thrive with our simple 5-step framework for energy management. Disc...

Welcome to episode nr 42 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Leadership begins at home - strengthening relationships that matter the most Leadership isn’t just about work—it starts at home. In this special Valentine’s Day episode of the show, we take a different look at leadership: how it applies to our relationships, our families, and the people who matter most. We often focus on leading teams, making s...

Welcome to episode nr 41 of The Coffee Journeys Show: RACI Model: Clearer Roles, Better Collaboration in Team Projects Confusion and inefficiency can derail even the best teams. In this episode we dive into the RACI model - a simple yet powerful framework for defining roles and responsibilities. Whether you're juggling multiple projects, managing cross-functional teams, or navigating blurred bound...

Welcome to episode nr 40 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Productivity—Buzzwords, Myths and Traps Holding You Back Have you ever fallen for bad productivity advice? In this episode we’re uncovering five common productivity myths that might be holding you back from reaching your goals. From the myth of "busyness equals productivity" to the false belief that "more hours means more results...

Welcome to episode nr 39 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The Debt Dilemma: Navigating Technical and Management Debt in Organizations In this eye-opening episode we dive deep into the hidden world of organizational debt. We explore the often-overlooked concepts of technical and management debt, revealing how these silent productivity killers can impact businesses of all sizes. Discover: What technical...

Welcome to episode nr 38 of The Coffee Journeys Show: How to Prioritize: The Six Horizons Framework from David Allen As we kick off the New Year, it's time to focus on what truly matters. In this episode, we dive into the art of prioritization, guided by insights from David Allen's renowned "Six Horizons of Planning" framework. David Allen is the author of the productivity bible, the book called G...

Welcome to episode nr 37 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Essential Skills to Boost Your Career in 2025 How do you prepare for a future that’s constantly changing? In this episode we explore the 15 essential skills every young professional needs to thrive in 2025. As the world of work evolves, the key to success lies in mastering a combination of future-proof career essentials , technical expertise ,...

Welcome to episode nr 36 of The Coffee Journeys Show: 🎄 Reflections, Values, and Questioning Everything – A Holiday Special In this heartfelt holiday episode, I reflects on the highs and lows of 2024. From family travels and life-changing lessons to rethinking traditions and values, this conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the holiday season with intention. Tune in for pe...

Welcome to episode nr 35 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Invest in Memories: Why Experiences Pay Dividends in Happiness In a world that encourages us to measure success by our possessions, what if true wealth lies in something more meaningful? In this episode, we explore the powerful idea of investing in memories over material items. Join us as we discuss why experiences create a richer, more fulfill...

Welcome to episode nr 34 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Espionage, AI Deep Dive, Productivity and The Comfort Crisis - Random Coffee with Alvin Wong In this special episode I'm joined by my longtime friend and former colleague Alvin Wong. Together, we reminisce about our days at Cisco, where we honed not only our engineering skills but also our leadership philosophies while building groundbreaking c...

Welcome to episode nr 33 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Recruiting and Retaining High-Agency Talent in Leadership Teams. In today’s episode we dive deep into the concept of high-agency talent and explore how to recognize, recruit, and retain individuals who can drive innovation, create value, and inspire others to perform at their best. Leaders often struggle to identify the qualities that make some...

Welcome to episode nr 32 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Introverts vs. Extroverts: Thriving in a Spectrum of Strengths In this episode we explore a crucial aspect of effective leadership: understanding and navigating the introversion-extroversion spectrum . Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between, knowing how to harness your natural tendencies can transform your leadership...

Welcome to episode nr 31 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The Three Stages of Engineering Leadership Leadership in engineering is a journey of growth and transformation. In today’s episode, we explore the three stages of engineering leadership —leading a small, autonomous team, collaborating with other teams, and ultimately leading an organization. Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned leader, un...

Welcome to episode nr 30 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Four Types of Happiness: How Much is Really in Your Control? In this episode we’re diving into a powerful perspective on happiness. Is happiness something that just happens by chance, or can we actually make it happen? Drawing on the ideas of neuroscientist Dr. James H. Austin, we’ll explore the four types of “chance” that contribute to happine...

Welcome to episode nr 29 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Time's True Value: A Leader’s Guide to Intentional Living In today’s fast-paced world, we often fill our schedules to the brim, forgetting what truly matters. But as leaders, we owe it to ourselves—and those we lead—to pause, reflect, and make intentional choices. In this episode we dive into the concept of the "real deadline" in our lives and...

Welcome to episode nr 28 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Recognizing Burnout Before It's Too Late In this episode, we dive deep into a topic that affects leaders, professionals, and everyday individuals alike:  burnout . But did you know that burnout is a gradual process with clear stages? Join me as I break down the  12 stages of burnout , from the initial drive to succeed to the final stages of men...

Welcome to episode nr 27 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Can Leaders Thrive on the Move? In this episode Piotr explores the allure and challenges of the digital nomad lifestyle, especially for leaders and aspiring leaders. Covering everything from choosing the perfect destination to staying productive on the go, Piotr shares practical tips for anyone considering a work-li...

Welcome to episode nr 26 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Embracing Discomfort: The Power of Uncomfortable Conversations In the latest episode Piotr dives into a unique way to boost your confidence and resilience as a leader by practicing uncomfortable conversations. We all know that leadership isn’t just about making big decisions—it’s also about handling the tough, sometimes awkward conversations th...