Worth Following – Podcast by Adrian Stanek

Hello, Fellows. Today, we dive deep into the fabric of leadership—what it truly means to be a leader and not just a figure of authority. Leadership is about being worth following. It’s not about how much you know or your ability to command. It’s about inspiring, guiding, and being the change you advocate for. Let’s explore what sets genuine leaders apart from mere managers. The Resistance The firs...

When I first engage a team to introduce an engineering culture, someone usually invites me to help. After my initial talk and presentation, I often see people staring at me, not saying anything. This is because I aim my topic introductions in a slightly provocative but not overly aggressive way. You have their attention, but there's no immediate reaction. After a while, or with a little nudge from...

Hello fellows, I wanted to take a moment to introduce today's podcast topic, which is incredibly close to my heart: fostering ownership in our software development teams. Over the years, I've realized that ownership isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of building sustainable , high-quality software and creating an environment where each team member feels genuinely invested in their work. W...

Hello, fellows, and welcome to today's podcast. I want to delve into a topic crucial for anyone involved in development, whether on a team or within an entire organization: the relentless loop of deadlines. Deadlines are often seen as a tool to drive productivity, providing that external push to get things done. However, this constant rush can develop into a habit that, while initially practical,...

Imagine joining a new team as a fresh junior developer, only to find yourself in a senior-dominated environment where every team member boasts over 40,000 hours of experience . The workflows and practices are tailored to these elite performers, leaving juniors struggling to keep up through no fault. The complexity of technology is a given, but the dynamics within the team are entirely within the t...

Ownership isn't just a principle; it's the cornerstone of a thriving team. Hello, fellows! As an employer and tech lead, I've learned the i mmense value of fostering an environment where developers take genuine ownership of their work. This realization came from my experiences—seeing firsthand how a sense of responsibility can transform routine tasks into personal missions . When developers feel t...

Hello, Fellows! Welcome to today's Walk&Talk, where we delve into the ever-evolving world of our front-end tech stack, particularly in the context of the State of JS 2023 survey. As we review and reflect on our technology choices, it's crucial to understand the foundational qualities that drive these decisions. Substitutability, ecosystem robustness, and developer availability are just a few criti...

Hello Fellows, Reflecting on the last 15 years running my tech company, I’ve realized that managing infrastructure can often become a black hole for time and resources. It’s been quite the journey— from being the 'boss' handling servers with our admin in a tiny data center to now , where cloud solutions have lifted many burdens off our shoulders. Yet, despite these advancements, I see many small c...

Hello, fellows! Today, I want to share some thoughts on my mind lately, especially as we navigate the complex decision-making world . I’ve realized that understanding is at the heart of every good decision we make, whether in our roles as CTOs, tech leads, business owners, or any other position that requires us to look at the big picture. I’ve learned that to understand something deeply, we must g...

Hey everyone, Have you ever felt frustrated with the traditional project-based approach to software development? I know I have. I'm excited to share my thoughts on a game-changing concept: customized SaaS . Imagine a world where your software grows with your business, constantly evolving to meet your needs and driving real value at every step. In this video, I'll discuss why I believe tailored Saa...

This concept, often misunderstood or underestimated, is pivotal in shaping the success and harmony of our software development teams. Our recent podcast episode featuring Zac Beckmann and Jonathan Schulz delved deep into the intricacies of engineering culture and its impact on hiring, team dynamics, and overall productivity. Engineering Culture: The Backbone of Effective Teams Our conversation beg...

Hey everyone, Adrian here. Today, I want to share some thoughts on a topic close to my heart: developer credibility . It's about how often we need discipline to get things done and how we deal with that little voice saying, "I'll do it tomorrow" or "I just want to watch Netflix." The Struggle with Credibility We recently discussed developer credibility on Our Tech Journey with Denis Čahuk , Zac Be...

Hey everyone, Adrian here, welcoming you back to another episode with . It's been an exciting journey exploring the depths of developer experience with all of you. Today, I want to share why this topic resonates deeply with me and why I believe it's essential for every developer, manager, and tech enthusiast. When discussing developer experience, we're not just discussing the tools or code we use....

No long post this time, just as a little Friday reminder:As software engineers, entrepreneurs, leaders, or just individuals, we should contribute to our environment, family, peers, and company. We are more than just the next ticket or fixing an important bug. Think beyond. Maturely doing this while taking responsibility leads to a form of ownership, which will make you credible. Enjoy your weekend...

In this episode, I delve into the transformative power of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for small teams. I share my perspective on how PaaS liberates us from the time-consuming tasks of managing infrastructure, allowing us to concentrate on innovation and delivering value. Discover why adopting PaaS can be a pivotal move for small teams eager to scale and innovate efficiently without the burden of...

Introduction: The Evolution of Web Development As a developer with two decades of JavaScript experience, I've witnessed the evolution of web development languages firsthand. The shift from JavaScript to TypeScript is not just a trend but a strategic move towards mature software engineering practices . It's about creating a robust, scalable, and maintainable codebase that can support the dynamic ne...

From My Heart to Yours: The Essential Unity of Business and Development Let's talk heart-to-heart for a moment. I've walked through the corridors of many companies and seen the same scene repeatedly: business and development teams moving in parallel universe s, barely intersecting. It's a sight that's both disheartening and deeply frustrating . Because, in my bones, I know these worlds aren't just...

Hello, everyone. Today, I want to discuss Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and why PWA is a good fit. I believe we should make it a year of PWAs. The current shift in acceptance toward PWA technology from major browser providers signals new opportunities, especially in the small to medium-sized business sector. You'll find separate iOS, Android, and web teams in many startups and organizations—even a b...

… personal opinions are shaped by individual experiences and preferences, professional opinions should be rooted in a broader context. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the distinction between personal and professional opinions is not just important – it's essential . As someone deeply immersed in this field, I've come to appreciate the intricate dance of balancing personal preferences...

🍪 Read the full article . In the latest episode of our podcast, ' Our Tech Journey– Vanilla vs. Frameworks ,' we explore the dynamic world of front-end web development. Joined by Denis Čahuk , a technical and leadership coach, and Camilla, a junior front-end developer, we discuss the evolving practices and technologies in the field. Our conversation spans a range of topics, from the basic use of...

In this episode, we welcome Bryan Finster , a veteran software developer from Defense Unicorns with nearly 30 years of rich experience in the field. Bryan takes us through his journey from the early days of DevOps in the 90s to the challenges of adapting to less frequent delivery cycles in subsequent roles. He shares pivotal insights on the evolution of his mindset towards continuous delivery and...

So, will we be replaced soon by AI as developers? It's a great question, and I believe no defined answer exists. On the other hand, there are already many important things for us developers to understand and things we can practice to make it less likely to become substituted one day. In the live session "Will AI Replace Developers," we discussed this topic in detail and how we utilize tools like c...

In this episode, we tackle the tech industry's reluctance towards Friday deployments, revealing how this apprehension often points to immature DevOps practices. We delve into the transformative power of continuous delivery and the crucial role of a feedback-oriented culture in software development. This podcast serves as a call to action for developers of all levels to view end-of-week deployments...

In this episode, we delved deep into the concept of DevOps , mainly focusing on its application in small and medium-sized businesses . We explored the essence of DevOps as a culture and mindset, emphasizing the importance of end-to-end responsibility, continuous integration, and delivery. We highlighted the distinction between mere programming and being a software developer, stressing the signific...

As software developers, it's crucial to understand that well-being and burnout are not just trendy buzzwords but significant aspects that impact our professional and personal lives. In our conversation with Richard Donovan , Denis Čahuk and Camila Merino, we've delved deep into these vital topics, probing their nuances and implications in our field. As a software developer, ask yourself if you pri...