Podcast: From Tech Rabbit Holes to Genuine Innovations with Jon Santee

From Tech Rabbit Holes to Genuine Innovations with Jon Santee

 


Distinguishing fleeting trends from transformative breakthroughs through authentic leadership and continuous learning

TC Gill welcomed Jon Santee, Senior Director, Information Technology Operations at iRhythm Technologies with a unique journey from computer science studies to a passion-filled career in technology. Jon’s approach to leadership is marked by his earnest desire to help others, a guiding principle that’s shaped his professional growth.  

The conversation covers critical topics such as the evolving concept of work-life flow, the challenges of security in the ever-changing tech landscape, and the often under-discussed transition from an individual contributor to a leadership role. Jon’s genuine reflections provide valuable lessons for tech professionals at all stages of their careers. Whether you’re navigating the seismic shifts in technology or looking to inspire your team, Jon’s perspective offers both inspiration and practical guidance. 

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Go out there. Be the best that you can be for your teams. Be the best that you can be for yourself and just know at the end of each day you’ve done what you can do and be proud of it.

Jon Santee

  • The Power of Authentic Leadership – Jon Santee emphasizes honesty and constant learning in leadership, encouraging leaders to strive for their best without seeking perfection, fostering empathy, and growth within the team. 
  • Ownership and Humility – The conversation underscores the importance of owning decisions, being humble enough to change direction, and learning from mistakes, which enhances resilience and adaptability. 
  • Knowing When to Pivot – Recognizing when to move away from a failed path and having a supportive organization that encourages innovation and discernment between real opportunities and tech fads are highlighted as essential for success. 

TLDR: Straight to the point

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Podcast: Revolutionizing Roaming: A Start-Up Journey in Mobile Tech with Casper H. Rasmussen

Revolutionizing Roaming: A Start-Up Journey in Mobile Tech with Casper H. Rasmussen

 


Explore the transformative journey of building mobile apps, embracing failure, and the power of relentless iteration in a fast-paced tech industry.

In this episode of “CTO Confessions,” host TC Gill welcomes Casper Rasmussen, CEO, CTO, and co-founder of Monta, a company building software for electric vehicle charging. Casper shares his journey from gaming to programming, his passion for road biking, and the evolution of his leadership style. The conversation dives into Monta’s growth, the challenges of onboarding customers, and balancing current problems with future planning. Don’t miss out on Casper’s insights into transitioning from a technical to a business leader and the importance of mentorship and asking questions! 

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Don’t be that scared about being able to think about something no one else thought about, because there’s probably others who did as well. Just get into it, start talking to people, start building something.”

Casper H. Rasmussen

  • Emphasize Onboarding and Understand the Purpose: Properly onboard team members and ensure alignment with the company’s mission. Understanding and communicating the core mission will align individual efforts with broader goals, fostering development and customer-centricity. 
  • Iterate and Don’t Fear Failure: Don’t wait for the “perfect” idea to start. Choose a market you believe in and begin iterating. Initial ideas may evolve, and that’s normal. Embrace failures as learning opportunities and continuously adapt for success. 
  • Balance and Charisma in Leadership: Cultivate charismatic leadership while recognizing the importance of work-life balance. The ability to “switch off” from work emphasizes the need for balance in leadership, contributing to sustained success and personal well-being. 

TLDR: Straight to the point

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Podcast: Empowering AI for Positive Impact with Paul Dorney

Empowering AI for Positive Impact with Paul Dorney

 


Tech Leaders' Role in Harnessing AI for Good and Shaping the Future

In this captivating episode of CTO Confessions, host TC Gill sits down with Paul Dorney, CTO at BOSSCAT an inspiring tech leader, to delve into a remarkable journey filled with startup experiences, both challenging and triumphant. Paul’s unwavering passion for problem-solving and servant leadership shines through as he shares invaluable insights on building a collaborative and inspiring work environment. 

Join them as they explore how Paul’s team at BOSSCAT is revolutionizing the home ownership experience, leveraging technology to simplify maintenance and renovation tasks. Discover how they empower homeowners and contractors alike to save time and enhance productivity. 

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Everyone has impostor syndrome. Don’t be afraid to look silly. Ask the question, solve the problem in front of you, and pay it forward within the tech community.

Paul Dorney

  • Foster Open Communication: Cultivate a culture of open communication and idea sharing among team members. Stay connected to the team, encourage asking questions, and seek input from diverse perspectives to fuel innovation and creativity. 
  • Cultivate Servant Leadership – Be a leader who values and supports the team’s growth and excitement. Find intriguing projects and problems for them to tackle, fostering a collaborative and engaged environment. 
  • Build Strong Foundations – Tackle growing pains in companies by implementing robust systems and thorough documentation. Maintain meeting discipline in Agile practices, focusing on concise and effective sessions for increased efficiency and communication.

TLDR: Straight to the point

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Podcast: Creating a Culture of Fearlessness and Openness with Andrei Lopatenko

Creating a Culture of Fearlessness and Openness with Andrei Lopatenko

 


A Key to High-Performing Engineering Teams

An episode which can be described simply as ‘enlightening’, TC Gill engages in a captivating conversation with Andrei Lopatenko, the VP of Engineering at Zillow, as they explore the critical elements of cultivating a culture of innovation and continuous learning in the realm of tech leadership. Andre shares his journey from an individual contributor to a tech leader, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and embracing challenges. Drawing from his experiences at Google, he highlights the significance of transparent communication, fearlessness, and open-mindedness in promoting innovation. Andre discusses how he brings these learnings to Zillow, aligning team missions with the company’s strategy. 

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Never stop self-development. It’s not only important for your job function but also for your life, relationships, and fulfillment of your mission.”

Andrei Lopatenko

  • Fearlessness and Openness Culture – Foster a culture that embraces fearlessness and openness, encouraging transparency, open communication, and learning from failures for enhanced innovation and team performance. 
  • Continuous Alignment with Company Mission – Regularly align team missions, visions, and strategies with the overall company mission to focus on high-impact initiatives and drive effective contributions to the organization’s growth. 
  • Embrace Continuous Self-Development – Commit to continuous self-development as a tech leader or CTO to stay updated with industry trends, improve skills, and inspire teams for sustained success. 

TLDR: Straight to the point

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Podcast: From Biometrics to Team Dynamics with Nick Peddy

From Biometrics to Team Dynamics with Nick Peddy

 


Navigating Biometric Innovations to Transform the Tech Landscape

In this captivating episode, TC Gill engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Nick Peddy, the Chief Technology Officer at CLEAR, exploring the dynamic realm of technology leadership and the intriguing biometric security industry. With a wealth of experience and wisdom, Nick delves into the essence of servant leadership, stressing the significance of trust, open communication, and cultivating team growth. Amidst the challenges of company growth and compliance, Nick shares valuable advice on optimizing the hiring process, encouraging tech leaders to embrace challenging roles for personal growth. This episode is a true gem, empowering tech leaders to view software engineering as an art and inspiring teams to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. 

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If something is interesting to you, and maybe a little bit scary, take it and figure it out later.”

Nick Peddy

  • Embrace Challenges & Growth Opportunities – Tech leaders should fearlessly take on challenging roles to foster personal and professional growth, driving innovation and discovering new solutions. 
  • Foster Trust & Open Communication – Cultivate a culture of trust and open communication within the team to encourage collaboration, idea-sharing, and support. 
  • Prioritize Face-to-Face Connections – Recognize the value of in-person interactions, even in remote work environments, as they enhance creativity, team dynamics, and meaningful connections. 

TLDR: Straight to the point

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Podcast: Inspiring Travelers and Streamlining Booking Processes with Andrew Phillips

Inspiring Travelers and Streamlining Booking Processes with Andrew Phillips

 

 


The work done by a tech leader to connect the world

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Andrew Philips, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Skyscanner, a leading player in the online travel search and comparison market. Discover how Skyscanner goes beyond the traditional flight search experience, aiming to inspire travelers, as well as Andrew shedding light on the challenges of scaling the business and maintaining efficiency with a lean team. Furthermore, you can also learn about his journey in the world of tech – from his beginnings all the way to today, coupled with everything he’s learned, and his advice worth its weight in gold! 

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If your goal is to become something, you won’t become it if you don’t stop moving and changing what your currently are. Learn, try, improvise – constantly – and you’ll get there.”

Andrew Phillips-

  • Grant autonomy with boundaries – empower your teams to make decisions within their expertise while setting clear guidelines to maintain alignment. Grant autonomy with boundaries – empower your teams to make decisions within their expertise while setting clear guidelines to maintain alignment. 
  • Streamline processes for efficiency – optimize workflows, remove bottlenecks, and automate tasks to maximize productivity and drive business growth. 
  • Leverage AI practically – focus on practical applications of AI to bring tangible benefits to your products or services, like Skyscanner’s use of AI to enhance user experiences and provide personalized recommendations. 

TLDR: Straight to the point

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