In this episode of Software Leaders UNCENSORED, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ben Ede, an engineering director at Envoy, about his career transition, leadership philosophy, and the evolving role of AI in software engineering. They discuss the importance of CI/CD processes, breaking down work into manageable tasks, and effectively tracking engineering metrics. Ben shares insights on managing tech debt, the Run, Grow, Transform framework, and the significance of quality meetings for team alignment. He concludes with advice for tech leaders on the value of asking questions to foster understanding and collaboration.Key Takeaways- CI/CD should focus on confidence in deployment, not just automation.- Breaking down work into smaller tickets improves delivery and quality.- Effective communication is crucial for team alignment and productivity.- Tech debt should be managed proactively, not reactively.- The Run, Grow, Transform framework helps prioritize engineering work.- Quality meetings reduce the need for excessive meetings.- Asking 'stupid questions' can lead to better understanding and faster progress.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ben Ede and Envoy02:31 Career Transition and Role at Envoy04:15 Understanding Envoy's Services05:04 Team Structure and Engineering Model06:13 AI in Software Engineering08:46 Defining CI/CD for Measurable Change12:33 Improving Delivery Quality and Ticket Sizes17:36 Tracking Engineering Metrics19:02 Run, Grow, Transform Framework22:01 Handling Tech Debt Effectively25:52 Quality Meetings for Alignment29:25 The Value of In-Person Collaboration30:18 Advice for Tech LeadersConnect with today's speakers:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetaplin/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminede/#SoftwareEngineering #CICD #SoftwareLeadersUncensored #BetterMeetings ================================================================================HUGE NEWS!!! Fail Hard, Win Big is available for purchase on Amazon! Order your copy here: https://tinyurl.com/fail-hard-book Download chapter 1 here: https://tinyurl.com/fail-hard-ch-1 ================================================================================Looking for Software Development Services? Our host Steve Taplin is also the CEO of Sonatafy Technology, a software delivery partner built for organizations that need predictable execution across complex initiatives. Our combined US-based and nearshore model pairs senior US technical leadership with experienced LATAM engineers to deliver outcomes across backlog reduction, platform modernization, DevOps, and new product development. We bring structure, ownership, and delivery discipline where traditional augmentation and offshore models fall apart. Clients work with Sonatafy when speed, quality, compliance, and accountability all matter and when missed deadlines and technical debt are no longer acceptable.✦ Managed Delivery PODs led by US-based principal engineers✦ Flexible LATAM engineering teams aligned to your time zone✦ CTO level consulting for architecture, delivery, and scale✦ Accountable delivery with defined outcomesWe help software leaders turn stalled initiatives into predictable outcomes with AI-enabled delivery, executive alignment, and accountable engineering teams.Learn more: https://Sonatafy.com

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ajay Chankramath, a seasoned engineering leader and CEO of Platformetrics. They discuss AJ's unique approach to consulting, focusing on proven solutions rather than bespoke ones, and the importance of enhancing developer experience in tech companies. AJ shares insights on building the ideal developer experience, overcoming executive pushback, and his journey as an author and entrepreneur. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders on providing value with existing tools rather than chasing new ones.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michael Terry, a seasoned software engineer and co-founder of Sanctuary Software Studio. They discuss Michael's extensive journey in software development, the evolution of his company, and the challenges faced in the current tech landscape, including talent management, onboarding, and the impact of AI on business models. Michael shares insights on maintaining a hybrid work model, the importance of continuous learning, and strategies for integrating new tools and workflows into their processes. The conversation concludes with Michael's advice for tech leaders navigating these changing times.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with William Steenbergen, co-founder and CTO of Federato, about the transformative role of AI in the insurance industry. They discuss the challenges of underwriting, the importance of addressing the coverage gap, and how Federato's platform is revolutionizing the insurance lifecycle. William shares insights on team dynamics, the impact of rapid growth, and the significance of fostering a collaborative culture through initiatives like demo days. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders navigating the complexities of scaling their businesses.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Matt Ryan, founder and CTO of Kythera Labs, about his journey from the corporate world to the startup landscape. They discuss the evolution of Kythera Labs, innovations in healthcare data solutions, the challenges of managing remote engineering teams, and the importance of clarity in technical communication. Matt shares insights on leveraging AI in healthcare, lessons learned from AI implementation, and the future goals for Kythera Labs as they aim to scale their offerings in 2026.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Nathan Miller, CEO of Rentec Direct, discussing the evolution of property management software, the integration of AI, challenges in the rental industry, and the impact of changing algorithms on customer acquisition. Nathan shares insights on fraud prevention, the importance of market testing ideas, and the dynamics of building a cohesive software engineering team. He emphasizes the need for tech leaders to adapt to new challenges and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Matt DeBergalis, CEO and co-founder of Apollo GraphQL. They discuss the evolution of Apollo, the impact of AI on software development, the importance of APIs, and the challenges of hiring in a rapidly changing tech landscape. Matt shares insights on building a culture of accountability, navigating the hype around AI, and the future of AI in enterprises. He emphasizes the need for continuous shipping and adapting to change as key strategies for tech leaders.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Herb Hogue, CTO of Myriad360, about the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure, the challenges of talent acquisition in tech, and the rapid changes in technology. Herb shares insights from his extensive career, discussing the importance of adaptability, the complexities of data center planning, and the future implications of quantum computing. The conversation emphasizes the need for tech leaders to remain grounded amidst the hype surrounding AI and to focus on building effective teams and infrastructures.