40% Better - Engineering Leadership

Episoade

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  The Art of Technology Leadership I Anand B Narasimhan 18.09.2026 25min

  In this episode of the 40 Percent Better podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Anand B Narasimhan, CTO at S-Docs, to explore technology leadership, communication, servant leadership, and the journey from hands-on engineering to executive leadership. Anand shares how he went from being an individual contributor and programmer to becoming a technology leader, consultant, architect, and CTO. He explains why the ability to translate complex technical ideas into language that executives and non-technical audiences can understand has been one of his most important leadership skills. The conversation covers servant leadership, building trust with engineering teams, effective communication, problem definition, product thinking, execution, and the transition from having great ideas to actually turning those ideas into products and results. Anand also discusses his 15 years at Salesforce, his experience working with Fortune 100 companies, and the lessons he learned while moving from consulting and technology architecture into product and technology leadership. Key topics discussed: * Technology leadership and engineering leadership * Servant leadership * Communicating complex technology to non-technical audiences * Building trust with engineering teams * Leadership lessons from Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar * Problem solving vs. problem definition * Product thinking and execution * Turning ideas into MVPs and minimum lovable products * Building and motivating high-performing teams * Visual communication and presenting technical ideas * Helping engineers become better communicators * Creating safe spaces for teams to practice communication * Career growth from engineer to CTO * Lessons from 15 years at Salesforce * Leadership, technology, and customer impact Whether you're an engineering leader, CTO, technology executive, product leader, software engineer, or someone looking to improve your leadership and communication skills, this episode offers practical insights into becoming a more effective technology leader. Hosted by Bill Lennan. Guest: Anand B Narasimhan CTO, S-Docs Connect with Anand B Narasimhan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anandbnarasimhan/ Learn more about Anand B Narasimhan and S-Docs through their LinkedIn profiles. #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #AnandNarasimhan #TechnologyLeadership #CTO #EngineeringLeadership #ServantLeadership #TechLeadership #SoftwareEngineering #ProductLeadership #Leadership #Communication #SDocs #Salesforce #Technology I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Software Architecture, Optimizing People, and Writing Books 17.09.2026 53min

  The world of technology is ever-evolving, and with it comes the need for effective leadership.In this episode we delve into the unexpected journey of leadership within the tech industry, highlighting insights from a recent conversation on the 40% Better Podcast with Lee, a seasoned technology leader.This discussion reveals how leadership often emerges not from a deliberate pursuit but rather through unique experiences and opportunities.
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  Cybersecurity, Leadership, and the Power of People I Chase F. 16.09.2026 51min

  In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Chase F., Chairperson of the National Privacy Council, to discuss leadership, cybersecurity, privacy, career growth, failure, and the importance of building strong teams. Chase shares his unique journey from a 20-year career in law enforcement to cybersecurity, IT leadership, teaching, entrepreneurship, and privacy advocacy. He explains how his experience as a detective, undercover officer, dive master, and field training officer shaped his approach to leadership and helped him transition into the technology and cybersecurity space. The conversation explores why cybersecurity is ultimately a people and culture problem, not just a technology problem. Chase explains why organizations need to focus on cybersecurity education for everyone, not just IT teams, and why executive buy-in is critical to building an effective security culture. Bill and Chase also discuss the human side of cybersecurity, incident response, AI adoption, critical thinking, and why organizations should focus on people rather than relying solely on expensive security tools and technology. Chase shares lessons from running multiple companies and ventures, including why leaders need to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, build teams with complementary skills, and find the right people to help achieve a shared mission. He also discusses the importance of self-awareness and why leaders should avoid trying to imitate someone else's leadership style. The conversation also dives into career advancement, networking, hard work, company culture, and why being known as a reliable and hardworking professional can open doors throughout your career. Chase explains why companies should treat employees with respect and dignity, listen to their people, and create environments where teams are motivated to go the extra mile. Bill and Chase also explore the value of failure and why some of the most important lessons in leadership and life come from mistakes. Chase shares why he believes leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed through dedication, practice, passion, and self-awareness. Topics covered in this episode: * Chase F.'s journey from law enforcement to cybersecurity leadership * Leadership lessons from law enforcement * Cybersecurity and privacy leadership * Building a strong cybersecurity culture * Why cybersecurity is a people problem * The importance of employee cybersecurity training * Executive buy-in and security culture * Cyber crisis response and incident preparedness * AI, critical thinking, and the human factor * Leading multiple companies and ventures * Building teams with complementary strengths * Self-awareness in leadership * Finding your own authentic leadership style * Career advancement and professional growth * Networking and the importance of relationships * Hard work, accountability, and building trust * Company culture and treating employees with respect * Learning from failure * Taking risks and overcoming fear * Why leadership can be learned * Building leadership skills through practice and experience Learn more about leadership, cybersecurity, privacy, AI, technology, and career growth on the 40% Better Podcast. Connect with Chase F. on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaseprivacy/ #Leadership #Cybersecurity #Privacy #TechnologyLeadership #CybersecurityLeadership #AI #Management #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #ChaseF #NationalPrivacyCouncil #40PercentBetter I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts:...
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  Technology leadership and building better teams I Zach Stein 11.09.2026 38min

  In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Zach Stein, Director of Information Technology at RuffleButts®, to explore his leadership journey, the transition from individual contributor to technology leader, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Zach shares how he grew from being the first developer at a company into a leadership role, building teams and taking on greater responsibility over a decade-long career. He discusses why communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and empathy can matter more than technical skills when hiring and leading software engineers. The conversation also dives into building a blame-free engineering culture, creating psychological safety, practicing reflective listening, leading with gratitude, and developing the self-awareness needed to become a better leader. Zach explains how therapy, reading, and personal growth helped shape his leadership approach and why accountability is essential to building high-performing teams. Bill and Zach also discuss communicating with executives and non-technical stakeholders, connecting technology decisions to business objectives, managing cloud infrastructure, and the challenges of balancing technical leadership with business priorities. For individual contributors considering a move into technology leadership, Zach offers practical advice on demonstrating leadership before receiving the title, taking on increased responsibility, and understanding that leadership means stepping away from the keyboard and empowering others to succeed. Topics covered in this episode: * Zach Stein's leadership journey * Transitioning from developer to engineering manager * Leadership in technology and software engineering * Hiring for communication and team fit * Problem-solving and the XY problem * Building a blame-free engineering culture * Psychological safety in engineering teams * Self-awareness and accountability * Leading with gratitude and reflective listening * Communicating with executives and stakeholders * Connecting technology to business goals * Cloud infrastructure and DevOps * Moving from individual contributor to leader * Why leaders need to empower their teams * Advice for aspiring technology leaders Learn more about leadership, technology management, engineering culture, and personal growth through the 40% Better Podcast. Connect with Zach Stein on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-stein-90654b5/ #Leadership #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #SoftwareEngineering #ITLeadership #Management #TechLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #EngineeringCulture #ZachStein #40PercentBetter I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  The Power of Curiosity in Leadership I Dr. Debra Clary 04.09.2026 50min

  In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Dr. Debra Clary, Founder & Leadership Advisor at The Clary Group, to explore the powerful connection between curiosity, leadership, performance, and personal growth. Dr. Debra Clary shares why curiosity is not simply an innate personality trait, but a skill and mindset that can be encouraged and developed. They discuss how curiosity impacts leadership performance, why organizations often unintentionally discourage curiosity, and how leaders can create a culture where asking questions, exploring ideas, and challenging assumptions are encouraged. The conversation also explores the neuroscience behind curiosity, learning, fear, and dopamine, including why curiosity can help reduce fear and unlock better thinking. Dr. Debra explains practical ways leaders can build curiosity into meetings, encourage teams to ask better questions, and create environments where people feel safe sharing their perspectives. Bill and Dr. Debra also discuss the role of curiosity in education, parenting, conversations, social anxiety, and personal development. Bill shares his own journey of overcoming social anxiety through a structured system of small, repeatable steps and explains how learning to talk with strangers transformed his approach to networking, job interviews, public speaking, and everyday conversations. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, manager, educator, or simply someone interested in becoming more curious and confident, this episode offers practical insights into how curiosity can help you learn faster, lead better, and improve performance. In this episode, you'll learn about: * Why curiosity can be learned and developed * The connection between curiosity and leadership performance * How curiosity influences the brain and learning * Why fear and curiosity cannot easily coexist * How leaders can create a culture of curiosity * Practical ways to encourage questions in teams and meetings * Why leaders don't need to have all the answers * How curiosity can improve resilience and problem-solving * The importance of curiosity in children and education * How to encourage better conversations in a screen-driven world * The connection between curiosity and social confidence * How small, repeatable habits can help overcome social anxiety * Why experimentation and failure are essential for innovation * How curiosity can help individuals and organizations perform better About Dr. Debra Clary: Dr. Debra Clary is the Founder & Leadership Advisor at The Clary Group and an expert on curiosity, leadership, and organizational performance. She is also the author of The Curiosity Curve, exploring how curiosity can transform leadership, culture, and performance. About the 40% Better Podcast: The 40% Better Podcast explores leadership, technology, personal growth, performance, and the ideas that help people and organizations become better at what they do. Connect with Dr. Debra Clary on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdebraclary/ #Leadership #Curiosity #LeadershipDevelopment #DrDebraClary #TheClaryGroup #CuriosityCurve #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipSkills #PersonalDevelopment #40PercentBetter I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching...
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  Building Trust and Psychological Safety in Engineering Teams I Brandon Rockhold 02.09.2026 1h 1min

  In this episode of the 40% Better podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Brandon Rockhold, VP Engineering at Aquia, to explore the principles of effective leadership, psychological safety, trust, emotional intelligence, and building high-performing technology teams. Brandon shares his journey from software engineering to leadership and explains how he stepped into management to protect and strengthen a team culture he deeply valued. The conversation explores why low ego and high support environments help teams collaborate, learn, and perform at their best. They also discuss how leaders can build trust by leading by example, creating psychological safety, embracing vulnerability, and recognizing their own emotional reactions before responding. Brandon shares practical insights on handling difficult conversations, staying calm under pressure, developing patience, and creating space between stimulus and response. The episode also dives into the idea of unconscious competencies and how leaders can identify the skills people naturally excel at, break those skills down into teachable parts, and help others develop them. Bill and Brandon discuss curiosity, self-awareness, confidence, continuous learning, servant leadership, and how technology leaders can reduce friction so their teams can do their best work. Key topics covered: * Brandon Rockhold's journey from software engineer to VP Engineering * How to build psychological safety within technology teams * Why low ego and high support create high-performing teams * Building trust through consistent leadership and leading by example * The role of vulnerability in effective leadership * Emotional intelligence and managing reactions under pressure * How to handle heated conversations and difficult situations * The importance of patience, curiosity, and active listening * Understanding unconscious competencies and making skills teachable * Building confidence as a new engineering leader * Creating a culture of continuous learning * Servant leadership and reducing friction for your team * Stoicism and the space between stimulus and response * Self-awareness and identifying where you lack confidence * How leaders can help people unlock their strengths and potential If you are an engineering leader, technology executive, manager, software engineer, or aspiring leader looking to improve your leadership skills, build stronger teams, and create a culture where people feel safe to learn and contribute, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Guest: Brandon Rockhold VP Engineering @ Aquia Connect with Brandon Rockhold on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-rockhold/ #Leadership #EngineeringLeadership #TechnologyLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #EngineeringManagement #ServantLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #SoftwareEngineering #HighPerformingTeams I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams,...
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  Leadership Without Authority I Kevin Dias 31.08.2026 54min

  In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Kevin Dias, Founder of Ambiki, to explore leadership, remote teams, customer-driven product development, and the unexpected paths that lead to leadership in technology. Kevin shares how his leadership journey began by starting a college ski team and how that early experience shaped his approach to solving problems, building relationships, and taking initiative without waiting for authority or permission. The conversation covers practical leadership lessons, including why leadership is about trust and relationships, how to make better decisions, the importance of Nemawashi, and why great leaders don't always need to have all the answers. Kevin also discusses leading a 100% remote and distributed team, managing communication across time zones, building psychological safety, and using async communication effectively. He explains how his team uses video in GitHub pull requests to improve communication and even catch bugs before they reach production. A major focus of the conversation is the importance of listening to customers. Kevin shares how Coffee with Kevin helped his development team work directly with speech-language pathologists and how staying close to customers shaped Ambiki's product development. He also explains why teams should understand the problem behind a customer request instead of immediately building the requested solution. Bill and Kevin also explore the value of human customer support, why companies should not rush to replace customer service with chatbots, and how exceptional customer experiences can create loyal customers and long-term business value. Topics covered in this episode: * Leadership in technology * Kevin Dias' leadership journey * Building leadership skills through problem solving * Leading without formal authority * Trust and relationships in leadership * One-way and two-way door decisions * Nemawashi and building team buy-in * The importance of internal networking * Helping teams solve problems without giving all the answers * Building ownership within engineering teams * Managing 100% remote and distributed teams * Async communication and time zone management * Psychological safety in remote teams * Over-communicating in distributed teams * Video pull requests and better developer communication * Software quality and QA * AI and the future of software development * Voice of the customer * Customer-driven product development * Talking directly to customers * Human customer support vs AI chatbots * Building customer loyalty * Exceptional customer experience * Leadership lessons for technology teams Kevin Dias is the Founder of Ambiki, a platform built to help speech therapy private practices manage their business, documentation, billing, scheduling, and more. Connect with Kevin Dias on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-dias-ambiki/ Subscribe to the 40% Better Podcast for more conversations about leadership, technology, engineering, team building, and the practical lessons that help leaders become 40% better. #Leadership #TechnologyLeadership #KevinDias #Ambiki #EngineeringLeadership #RemoteTeams #CustomerExperience #ProductDevelopment #TechLeadership #LeadershipLessons I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen...
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  Self-Awareness, Emotional Regulation and the Future of Workplace Well-Being I Crystal Rowland 28.08.2026 52min

  In this episode of the 40% Better podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Crystal Rowland, Founder & Senior Consultant at Path to Serenity Consulting, for a powerful conversation about self-awareness, workplace well-being, emotional regulation, leadership, and finding purpose in your career. Crystal shares her personal journey from working in the insurance industry to developing training programs focused on workplace well-being, emotional awareness, and helping people become more present at work. She explains how observing gaps in communication and training led her to create workshops that addressed not only professional skills but also the human side of work. The conversation explores why self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership and personal growth. Crystal discusses the importance of taking time to understand yourself, asking difficult questions, managing stress, and learning to regulate your emotions before reacting. Bill and Crystal also dive into the connection between employee well-being and business performance. They discuss how happy employees can contribute to stronger productivity, better retention, lower recruitment costs, and a healthier workplace culture. They explore why leaders should see themselves as guides rather than heroes and how great leaders create the conditions for their teams to succeed. Key topics covered: * Crystal Rowland's journey into leadership and workplace well-being * The importance of self-awareness and personal growth * Why emotional regulation matters in the workplace * Managing stress and burnout before they become overwhelming * Meditation and developing greater awareness of your thoughts * How to pause before reacting in difficult situations * The connection between employee happiness and business performance * Why leadership training is critical for managers * How poor leadership can impact employee retention * Creating a culture where employees feel valued and supported * The business case for investing in employee mental well-being * Why leaders should act as guides rather than heroes * Helping employees discover what they truly want to do * Building happier teams and more prosperous businesses * The importance of empathy in leadership * How new employees can bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights * Why self-care and workplace well-being should be part of leadership strategy If you are a leader, manager, HR professional, business owner, or professional interested in workplace wellness, emotional intelligence, leadership development, and building healthier teams, this conversation offers practical insights into how self-awareness and employee well-being can transform both people and organizations. Guest: Crystal Rowland Founder & Senior Consultant Path to Serenity Consulting Connect with Crystal Rowland on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cer4040/ #Leadership #WorkplaceWellness #EmotionalRegulation #SelfAwareness #EmployeeWellbeing #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent...
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  Leadership, Psychological Safety & The Power of Failing Forward I LJ Morris 21.08.2026 52min

  In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with LJ Morris, Chief Technology Officer at ProScore Technologies, to explore the leadership lessons that shaped his career and his approach to building high-performing teams. LJ shares the incredible story of organizing a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain at just 13 years old, an experience that sparked his passion for leadership and taught him the importance of bringing people together around shared experiences. The conversation covers servant leadership, psychological safety, building trust, learning from failure, employee retention, communication, emotional intelligence, and creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported. LJ explains why leaders should invest in their people, how creating a safe environment can encourage innovation, and why companies should focus on learning from calculated failures instead of creating a culture where people are afraid to take risks. He also shares practical lessons on communication, active listening, continuous feedback, career development, and the importance of helping employees work in roles that align with their strengths and ambitions. Key topics discussed: * The origins of LJ Morris's leadership journey * Servant leadership and investing in your people * How trust and psychological safety build stronger teams * Why leaders should create an environment where people can fail safely * Turning failures into opportunities for learning and innovation * Employee retention and the true cost of losing experienced talent * Building a culture of belonging and shared purpose * The importance of communication and emotional intelligence * Active listening and practical communication techniques * Continuous feedback vs annual performance reviews * Reducing chronic stress in the workplace * Supporting employee mental health * Developing future leaders through mentorship and vulnerability * Why leaders need to make space for better decision-making If you are interested in leadership, technology leadership, servant leadership, team building, employee engagement, psychological safety, workplace culture, or learning from failure, this episode offers practical insights for leaders at every level. Subscribe to the 40% Better Podcast for more conversations about leadership, technology, personal growth, and the lessons that help us become better leaders. Connect with LJ Morris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ljmorris/ #Leadership #TechnologyLeadership #ServantLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #LJMorris #ProScoreTechnologies #40PercentBetter #Podcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Leadership Is Not About the Limelight I Jonathan Fullam 14.08.2026 40min

  In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Jonathan Fullam, VP of Customer Engineering at vCluster, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, team culture, employee motivation, and the human side of managing technology teams. Jonathan Fullam shares his journey from software engineering into leadership and the lessons he learned from working with strong leaders and role models. He explains why great leaders should put the spotlight on their teams, how to build trust, and why leadership is about helping others succeed rather than seeking recognition. The conversation also explores mental health, burnout prevention, rest and recovery, and the importance of modeling healthy work habits as a leader. Jonathan discusses how leaders can build stronger remote teams through intentional communication, meaningful connections, coffee chats, cross-team collaboration, and consideration for different time zones. You’ll also hear valuable insights on intrinsic motivation, identifying what drives individual team members, preparing future leaders before they receive a leadership title, and creating a culture where people can lead without being managers. Jonathan also opens up about one of the hardest parts of leadership: handling underperformance. He shares why honest feedback, clear communication, understanding individual strengths, and helping people find the right role are essential to effective leadership. Whether you're a technology leader, engineering manager, aspiring manager, or individual contributor looking to grow your leadership skills, this episode offers practical lessons on building happier, healthier, and more productive teams. Topics covered: • Leadership lessons from software engineering • Why leadership is not about the limelight • How great leaders recognize and empower their teams • Preventing burnout and prioritizing rest and recovery • Building trust in remote and distributed teams • Keeping employees intrinsically motivated • Developing future leaders before giving them a title • Creating a culture of coaching and collaboration • Managing underperformance with honesty and empathy • Finding the right role for every team member • Building happy and productive technology teams Guest: Jonathan Fullam Role: VP of Customer Engineering Company: vCluster Connect with Jonathan Fullam on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfullam/ Subscribe to the 40% Better Podcast for more conversations on leadership, technology, team building, and becoming a better leader. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #RemoteTeams #TeamBuilding #EmployeeMotivation #Management #TechLeaders #JonathanFullam #vCluster #40PercentBetter I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement...
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  From Engineer to Leader I Justin Ryburn 07.08.2026 54min

  Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about continuous learning, building strong relationships, and helping others grow. In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Justin Ryburn, Field CTO & Vice President, Global Solutions Engineering at Kentik, to discuss what it really takes to become an effective technology leader. Justin shares lessons from his leadership journey, the importance of a growth mindset, coaching high-performing teams, communicating with executives, and developing future leaders. Whether you're an engineering manager, tech lead, solutions architect, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can apply to your own career. In this episode: • How Justin Ryburn transitioned from technical expert to leadership • Why continuous learning is essential for every leader • Building relationships across teams and organizations • Coaching, mentoring, and developing future leaders • How to communicate technical ideas to executives and CFOs • Creating a culture of growth and ownership • Leadership lessons from successes and failures • Handling difficult conversations with empathy • Why great leaders focus on people first • Career growth in technology leadership Guest: Justin Ryburn Field CTO & Vice President, Global Solutions Engineering Kentik Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, technology, engineering management, career growth, and personal development. Connect with Justin Ryburn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinryburn/ #Leadership #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #TechLeadership #Management #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #GrowthMindset #EngineeringManager #CTO #SolutionsEngineering #Kentik #JustinRyburn #40PercentBetterPodcast #BillLennan I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Leadership Is Coaching I Craig Hunt 31.07.2026 47min

  Leadership is more than managing people. It's about coaching them to grow. In this episode of 40 % Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Craig Hunt, Chief Technology Officer at Sagecrest Solutions, to discuss what separates great leaders from average managers. Craig shares how early leadership failures shaped his career, why leadership should be taught before someone gets promoted, and how coaching, ownership, transparency, and succession planning create high-performing teams. The conversation also explores AI in leadership, employee engagement, company culture, startup growth, and why investing in people delivers long-term business success. Whether you're a CTO, engineering manager, founder, team lead, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. In this episode: • How Craig Hunt became a leader after an early failure • Why leadership is a skill that must be developed • Building future leaders before they get management titles • Creating a culture of ownership and accountability • Why coaching is the foundation of leadership • Employee engagement and retention strategies • Leadership lessons for startups and growing tech companies • The role of AI in software engineering and leadership • Succession planning and developing high-performing teams • Why curiosity and communication make better leaders Guest: Craig Hunt Chief Technology Officer Sagecrest Solutions Host: Bill Lennan About 40 % Better: 40 % Better is a leadership podcast hosted by Bill Lennan, featuring conversations with technology leaders, executives, founders, and innovators who share practical lessons on leadership, management, career growth, and building successful teams. Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders. Connect with Craig Hunt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hcraighunt/ #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #CraigHunt #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TechnologyLeadership #CTO #EngineeringLeadership #EngineeringManager #SoftwareEngineering #Management #PeopleLeadership #CareerGrowth #EmployeeEngagement #Coaching #TeamLeadership #CompanyCulture #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #SagecrestSolutions #Podcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Leadership Lessons That Actually Work I Matt Delacour 24.07.2026 50min

  What does it really take to become a great engineering leader? In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Matt Delacour, Chief Technology Officer at CoinList, to explore the leadership lessons that shaped his journey from entrepreneur and data scientist to CTO. Matt shares how coaching transformed his leadership style, why communication often matters more than technical ability, and how collaborative leadership creates stronger, more engaged engineering teams. He also discusses hiring, career growth, mentoring senior engineers, building high-performing teams, and why long-term thinking beats chasing every opportunity. If you're an engineering manager, software developer, startup founder, CTO, or anyone interested in leadership, career development, and building exceptional teams, this conversation is packed with practical insights. In this episode, you'll learn: • Matt Delacour's journey from entrepreneur to CTO at CoinList • Why soft skills are essential for engineering leaders • The value of executive coaching and self-awareness • How collaborative leadership improves team performance • Why managers don't need to be the most technical person in the room • Building trust and psychological safety within engineering teams • Hiring strategies for startups and growing companies • The importance of communication and career visibility • How to mentor engineers for long-term success • Why leadership is a marathon, not a sprint Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, technology, software engineering, management, and personal growth. Connect with Matt Delacour on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthieudelacour/ #Leadership #EngineeringLeadership #CTO #SoftwareEngineering #EngineeringManagement #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupLeadership #CoinList #MattDelacour #40PercentBetterPodcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Lead Without a Title I Natalie Renee Parker 17.07.2026 57min

  Leadership is not about a title. It is about seeing a problem, taking initiative, and helping people succeed. In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with Natalie Renee Parker, Founder | Organizational Development | Talent Management | Employee Engagement at Natalie Parker Enterprises, to explore what real leadership looks like in today's workplace. Drawing from her experience across HR, talent management, organizational development, and executive coaching, Natalie shares practical lessons on employee engagement, leadership development, workplace culture, career growth, and creating meaningful impact without waiting for permission. Whether you're a first time manager, an executive, HR professional, or someone looking to grow your leadership skills, this conversation is packed with actionable insights that challenge traditional management thinking. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why leadership is a mindset, not a job title • How taking initiative can accelerate your career • The difference between managing people and leading people • Why employee engagement starts with trust • The truth about performance reviews and leadership accountability • How great leaders develop future leaders • Why understanding the "why" behind work matters • Building a healthy workplace culture • Strategic thinking vs constantly putting out fires • Career growth, influence, and leading without authority If you're interested in leadership, HR, organizational development, employee experience, talent management, executive leadership, career development, or workplace culture, this episode is for you. Connect with Natalie Renee Parker: Website: https://www.natalieparkerenterprises.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliereneeparker Subscribe to the 40% Better Podcast for more conversations with leaders, innovators, and industry experts sharing practical leadership strategies that help you grow personally and professionally. #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #HRLeadership #Management #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #BusinessLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #40PercentBetterPodcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Scaling Teams With Great Leadership I Ben Van Every 10.07.2026 58min

  What does it actually take to get real business value from AI? Jimi Li, CTO at ALM Media, has spent the last three years running AI initiatives inside a company that just went through a successful private equity exit — and he's got the framework to prove what works. From his early days in GE's global leadership program to building L'Oreal's e-commerce platform at scale, Jimi's career has always centred on one question: how does the work you're doing connect to business impact? That same lens is exactly how he approaches AI today. In this episode, Jimi breaks down the three categories of AI value every tech leader needs to understand — productivity, product enhancement, and new revenue streams — and explains why productivity is the most talked-about and the most dangerous if you don't have the right system to capture the gains. He also shares how cross-functional "fusion teams" are collapsing the feedback loop between engineering and the business, why AI fluency is becoming the dividing line between those who thrive and those who get left behind, and what the inflection point for mass adoption actually looks like. Key takeaways: AI value falls into three categories: productivity gains, embedding AI into core products, and new product or revenue creation — each requires a different strategy and measurement approach Productivity savings from AI are real but easily lost if your organisation isn't structured to capture them Cross-functional fusion teams that include sales, finance, product, and engineering dramatically accelerate the feedback loop and motivate developers by connecting their work to real outcomes AI fluency — knowing what's good, what's wrong, and how to direct the output — is what separates high performers from the rest The inflection point for mass AI adoption is closer than most think, probably within one to two years, as friction around prompting and context drops Leaders should focus on re-imagining workflows and tasks, not just learning tools AI amplifies your thinking — it doesn't replace your critical judgment, and that judgment is your core value Connect with Jimi Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimi-li/ If this episode got you thinking differently about AI and leadership, hit subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more leaders find the show. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Stop Managing, Start Leading I Jonathan Domsky 03.07.2026 45min

  40 Percent Better Podcast with Bill Lennan featuring Jonathan Domsky, Founder and Coach at Untangled Coaching. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from accidental entrepreneur to leadership coach and explains how personal growth, self-awareness, and better leadership practices can transform businesses and lives. Jonathan talks about building a successful company, learning leadership through experience, creating strong team cultures, and why great leaders do not need to be the smartest person in the room. Instead, they need to empower their teams, remove obstacles, and help people succeed. They discuss leadership development, entrepreneurship, finding your purpose, overcoming limiting beliefs, building accountability, and discovering your zone of genius. Jonathan also shares how stepping away from a successful business helped him find more meaning and impact through coaching. Topics covered: • Leadership lessons from entrepreneurship • Building strong teams and company culture • Why leaders should empower instead of control • Personal growth and mindset transformation • Finding your purpose and zone of genius • Overcoming self-limiting beliefs • Creating a more meaningful business and life Guest: Jonathan Domsky Founder, Coach Untangled Coaching Connect with Jonathan Domsky on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-personal-growth-coach/ Subscribe for more conversations about leadership, entrepreneurship, business growth, and personal development. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Coaching #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #40PercentBetter #TeamLeadership #PurposeDrivenLeadership I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Becoming a Corporate Gargoyle I Dominic Vogel 26.06.2026 46min

  40 Percent Better Podcast with Bill Lennan featuring Dominic Vogel, President of Vogel Cyber Leadership & Coaching. In this episode, Dominic shares his journey from cybersecurity leadership to entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned from burnout, and how self-awareness transformed his approach to leadership. They discuss the connection between leadership and cybersecurity, building trust, embracing uncertainty, the importance of curiosity, and why cyber risk should be treated as a business priority, not just an IT issue. Dominic Vogel talks about creating meaningful impact, developing stronger leaders, and helping organizations understand that security starts with people, culture, and better decision-making. Topics covered: • Leadership lessons from a cybersecurity career • Moving from corporate life to entrepreneurship • The role of curiosity in effective leadership • Cybersecurity as a business responsibility • Managing risk through better prioritization • Building resilient teams and organizations Guest: Dominic Vogel President, Vogel Cyber Leadership & Coaching Connect with Dominic Vogel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/domvogel/ Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, business, technology, and personal growth. #Leadership #Cybersecurity #CyberRisk #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #CISO #InformationSecurity #40PercentBetter #LeadershipDevelopment I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  The Future of Construction AI I Victor Augusteo, 19.06.2026 1h 16min

  In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Victor Augusteo, CTO @ Boon, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, decision-making, artificial intelligence, construction technology, and the mental models that shape success. Victor shares lessons from his personal leadership journey, explaining how concepts like enlightened self-interest, situational awareness, and pattern recognition influence both business and life. The discussion explores how leaders can develop stronger decision-making skills, build resilient teams, and create systems that scale knowledge across organizations. The conversation also dives deep into the relationship between human cognition and AI, comparing neural networks to human thought processes and examining how desires, aspirations, communication, and emotional resilience affect performance in high-pressure environments. Later, Bill Lennan and Victor Augusteo explore the construction industry's growing adoption of AI, including the challenges of construction estimation, data acquisition, commercial building projects, and the emerging market for barn dominium construction. Victor shares insights into startup growth, technology adoption, and the future of specialized AI models designed for construction workflows. Topics covered: • Leadership and personal growth • Situational awareness and mental models • Decision-making under pressure • Emotional resilience and communication skills • Neural networks and human cognition • Artificial intelligence and pattern recognition • AI adoption in construction • Construction estimation software • Barn dominium design and construction • Commercial and industrial construction • Startup challenges and innovation • Data acquisition for AI models • Technology adoption and market trends Whether you're interested in leadership development, AI technology, entrepreneurship, construction innovation, or building high-performing teams, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways. About the Guest: Victor Augusteo is CTO @ Boon, where he focuses on leveraging technology and AI to solve complex challenges in construction, estimation, and business operations. Connect with Victor Augusteo on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoraugusteo/ Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, technology, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #VictorAugusteo #CTOatBoon #Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence #ConstructionTech #AI #Entrepreneurship #DecisionMaking #MentalModels #ConstructionIndustry #StartupGrowth #Technology #BusinessLeadership I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Building Trust Through Leadership I Dave Bair 12.06.2026 33min

  In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Dave Bair, Operations Executive: Certified Change Management Professional; Collaborative Design & NLP Practitioner, to explore the leadership principles that help teams thrive in complex and fast-changing environments. Dave shares his leadership journey, the transferable skills that shaped his career, and why creating clarity, trust, and psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams. The conversation covers learning organizations, effective communication, cultural learning, team dynamics, and the evolving role of leaders in modern organizations. Whether you're a manager, executive, team leader, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical insights on building trust, fostering continuous learning, and leading with self-awareness. Topics Covered: • Leadership in technology • Leadership journey and transferable skills • Building trust within teams • Psychological safety at work • Learning organizations and continuous improvement • Communication strategies for leaders • Team dynamics and organizational culture • Change management and leadership development • Technical leadership vs people leadership • Self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership Key Takeaways: • Leadership is about creating clarity and trust. • Psychological safety encourages innovation and learning. • Effective communication requires understanding your audience. • Cultural learning is just as important as technical learning. • Trust is built through consistent actions over time. • Great leaders enable their teams to succeed. About the Guest: Dave Bair is an Operations Executive, Certified Change Management Professional, Collaborative Design & NLP Practitioner with extensive experience leading teams, driving organizational change, and building learning-focused cultures. Connect with Dave Bair on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bairdave/ Connect with 40 Percent Better for more conversations on leadership, learning, personal growth, and professional development. #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #DaveBair #Leadership #TechnologyLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #TeamDynamics #LearningOrganization #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #TrustInLeadership #ChangeManagement #OrganizationalCulture #Management #ProfessionalGrowth I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast
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  Leadership, AI, and Cybersecurity I Craig Taylor 05.06.2026 48min

  In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Craig Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of CyberHoot, to talk about leadership, cybersecurity, communication, and the power of positive reinforcement in workplace training. Craig shares his journey from early leadership experiences and public speaking failures to building a cybersecurity company focused on making security awareness engaging, human, and effective. The conversation dives into leadership lessons, root cause problem solving, social anxiety, Toastmasters, AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, and why most cybersecurity training fails employees. You’ll also hear how CyberHoot is changing the way organizations approach cybersecurity awareness through gamification, behavioral psychology, and educational design. Topics covered: • Leadership lessons from failure • Public speaking and overcoming social anxiety • Root cause analysis in tech leadership • Cybersecurity awareness training • Positive reinforcement vs punishment culture • AI tools for writing and productivity • ChatGPT vs Claude • Building company culture in tech • Psychology and behavior change • Entrepreneurship and startup growth About the Guest: Craig Taylor is the CEO and Co-Founder of CyberHoot, a cybersecurity awareness and training platform that helps organizations improve cyber literacy through engaging and positive learning experiences. With a background in psychology, cybersecurity, and education, Craig brings a unique perspective to leadership and human behavior in technology. Companies and People Mentioned: 40 Percent Better Bill Lennan Craig Taylor CyberHoot Connect with Craig Taylor on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmtaylor/ Learn more about CyberHoot: https://cyberhoot.com](https://cyberhoot.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, technology, communication, and personal growth. #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #CraigTaylor #CyberHoot #CyberSecurity #Leadership #AI #ChatGPT #ClaudeAI #PublicSpeaking #SocialAnxiety #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship #CyberAwareness #businesspodcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast