🎯 Engineering Leadership: The Power of Ownership with Taha Hussein

Join Matt Watson and former Microsoft, Walmart, and Yahoo engineering manager Taha Hussein for an illuminating discussion on fostering ownership in engineering teams. This episode delves deep into the psychological and emotional dimensions of leadership that transform good engineers into exceptional leaders.

🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/episodes

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://fullscaleteam.com/newsletter

Get our FREE Ebook: https://fullscaleteam.com/productfirstteams

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/

🔍 Key Discussion Points:

Why emotional intelligence trumps technical skills in leadership

The "Rider and Elephant" model of behavioral change

Breaking through self-limiting beliefs in technical teams

How to scale ownership culture in large organizations

The critical balance between challenging and supporting team members

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and the importance of ownership

01:12 - Understanding barriers to taking ownership

02:39 - The reactive vs. proactive mindset in engineering

05:37 - The Drama Triangle in team dynamics

11:24 - Creating psychological safety in teams

15:20 - Building confidence in technical teams

18:27 - Emotional intelligence in engineering leadership

21:44 - The Rider and Elephant analogy

25:48 - Overview of leadership development courses

📝 Featured Quote:

"People who don't like themselves, thinking 'I did something bad, I'm a bad person,' they're not gonna do anything good. You want to give them a good feeling that they're good and they can still make those changes." - Taha Hussein

🎓 Special Offer:

Access Taha's FREE course on ownership - limited time offer for listeners!

Click here: https://taha-hussain-f902.mykajabi.com/top-tech-leader/

Connect with Taha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahahussain/

📣 Ready to Transform Your Leadership Journey?

Whether you're an aspiring engineering leader or a seasoned CTO, this episode offers invaluable insights into building high-performing teams through emotional intelligence and ownership. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on more leadership wisdom. Share your thoughts: How do you foster ownership in your team?

🎯 CTO Leadership: Beyond the Code - A Product-First Perspective

In this thought-provoking episode, Matt Watson challenges the common assumption that CTOs should be the best engineers on their teams. Instead, he presents a compelling case for why CTOs should primarily be product visionaries who can bridge business challenges with technological solutions.

🤝 Connect and Engage:

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/episodes

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://fullscaleteam.com/newsletter

Get our FREE Ebook: https://fullscaleteam.com/productfirstteams

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/

🔍 Key Discussion Points:

Why technical expertise alone doesn't define great CTO leadership

The critical importance of customer-centric problem-solving

Balancing technical knowledge with strategic business thinking

The distinct personality traits needed for effective CTO leadership

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Should CTOs be the best engineers?

00:45 - The product-focused CTO perspective

01:30 - Technology stack flexibility and problem-solving

02:00 - Leadership vs. technical expertise

02:24 - Final thoughts on customer-centric leadership



🎯 Ready to Transform Your Technical Leadership Journey?

Join our growing community of forward-thinking technology leaders who are reshaping the role of CTOs. Whether you're aspiring to become a CTO or looking to evolve your leadership style, subscribe now and hit the notification bell to stay ahead of the curve. Share your thoughts in the comments: What qualities do you think make an exceptional CTO? Let's continue this crucial conversation about the future of technical leadership. 🚀

Mastering the Human Side of Tech: Essential Soft Skills for Engineers 🚀

Join Matt Watson and cybersecurity expert Evgeniy Kharam for an illuminating exploration of the often-overlooked yet crucial soft skills that define successful technical professionals. From communication mastery to emotional intelligence, discover why technical excellence alone isn't enough in today's collaborative engineering landscape.

🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/episodes

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://fullscaleteam.com/newsletter

Get our FREE Ebook: https://fullscaleteam.com/productfirstteams

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/

🎯 Key Insights:

Why courage underpins all essential soft skills in tech

The critical connection between vulnerability and growth

How different personality types shape team dynamics

Practical strategies for developing communication skills

⏱️ Episode Timeline:

00:00 - Introduction & Soft Skills Overview

03:11 - Defining Core Soft Skills

05:14 - The Challenge of Technical Personalities

09:36 - Courage as a Fundamental Skill

13:39 - Practical Tips for Skill Development

21:16 - The Power of Ownership

23:03 - Understanding Different Personality Types

31:31 - Action Steps & Resources

💡 Featured Insights:

Box breathing techniques for managing presentation anxiety

The "80/20 rule" approach to skill development

Why technical professionals struggle with vulnerability

Strategies for effective remote communication

📚 Resources Mentioned:

"Surrounded by Idiots" - Understanding Personality Types

Soft Skills Development Plan (SSDP) - Available at softskilltech.ca

Evgeniy's Book on Technical Sales & Communication

Connect with Evgeniy:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evgeniy-kharam

Website: https://www.softskillstech.ca/

🎯 Ready to Level Up Your Soft Skills?

Hit subscribe and the notification bell to join our community of technical professionals committed to growth. Share your biggest communication challenge in the comments - let's learn and grow together!