Tech World Human Skills

In this episode we talk about ADHD in tech. We explore what ADHD is, how it shows up in the tech workplace, and provides practical tips for both neurotypical and neurodivergent people to work effectively together. Our guest Sam Bramwell has been a CEO, Chief of Staff at Microsoft UK and now leads a coaching program for leaders with ADHD. Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Sam Bramwell Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bramwell-ac-pcc-3287642/ Additude Website - https://additudemag.com https://theADHDleader.co.uk Keywords Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), Interest-based nervous system, Body doubling, Dopamine dysregulation, Neurodivergent, Executive functioning, ADHD coaching, Personalized leadership, Tech Talent Charter, Paint done Takeaways 50% of tech workers self-identify as neurodivergent, while employers think only 3% are ADHD is driven by an interest-based nervous system (novelty, urgency, complexity, challenge, passion) and involves dopamine dysregulation Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) means criticism can feel like physical pain for people with ADHD Learn about your own "operating system" and communicate clearly what you need to perform at your best "Paint done" - provide clear expectations, context, and break large projects into manageable steps Always include agendas and context for meetings to reduce anxiety Practice personalized leadership by asking people how they work best and what they need Create environments that support different processing needs (flexible working, quiet spaces, body doubling sessions) Lead with empathy, focus on strengths-based approaches, and use positive reinforcement Educate yourself about neurodiversity - many "ADHD-friendly" practices benefit everyone

In this episode we're asking the question "Will AI eat consultancy jobs?". There are so many people using their skills to help businesses deploy the latest tech. So what's the future look like for them. Steve Chan is the founder of a new company Stealth Labs. He's worked in Digital Intelligence at BAE and been an AI solutions engineer at Microsoft. Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Steve Chance Webpage - https://stevechan.ai Keywords consultancy, inefficiency, business perspective, profit margins, upskilling, training, organizational roles Takeaways Consultancy often operates inefficiently from a business standpoint. Consultants are frequently sold out to organizations for fees. There is overwhelming pressure to maintain profit margins in consultancy. Consultants may spend more time in one organization than intended. The need for training and upskilling is critical in consultancy. Profit margins can hinder the ability to respond to new requirements. Consultants face challenges in balancing multiple organizational roles. The structure of consultancy can lead to inefficiencies in service delivery. Effective training programs are essential for consultant development. Understanding the dynamics of consultancy can improve business outcomes.

In this episode we talk about leadership core skills. Specifically building trust. How do you build trust with a team? We talk through the 5 Ways of Being that help you build trust with a team. Ben Caird is a seasoned professional leader. He's led teams of all sizes in a variety of tech companies and has years of experience. Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com Ben Caird Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcaird/ Keywords Trust, Authentic, Vulnerable, Accepting, Present, Useful, Leadership, Coaching, Results, Team Takeaways Be Authentic: Work in line with your values, own your feedback directly, be the same person at work and outside Be Vulnerable: Lead with your mistakes, make it safe for others to fail, encourage challenge even publicly Be Accepting: Delegate outcomes not activities, coach people to improve in their style not yours, accept different approaches Be Present: Put your phone away, give full attention, show up physically when possible, consider if you give or drain energy Be Useful: Stop doing the work, coach and open doors instead, pass the pen and let others own the plan Ask "What do you think?": It's powerfully empowering and helps people feel heard Efficiency vs Effectiveness: The fastest way (just telling people what to do) is often the least effective Build diverse teams: Don't hire clones of yourself - different approaches strengthen the team Leadership isn't looseness: Know what's going on, stay close enough to coach and drive results Results through people: You can be a nice human AND achieve great results - it's not either/or

In this episode we're talking about being a CTO. People listening might have CTO career aspirations. A lot might report into a CTO, and others might be selling to CTO's. So we talk to David about all things CTO. David Crawford has spent many years as a CTO. He's also been a CTO advisor and non-executive director. He often hosts London Tech Leader panels, and also hosts the "CTO Lens" podcast. Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com David Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-crawford-13679a/ CTO Lens Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5aT2XrO7CTOCLPqKZmcnT9 Takeaways The role of a CTO is complex and varies by organization. CTOs are responsible for technology vision and strategy. Understanding finance is crucial for technology leaders. Soft skills in leadership are essential for success. Performance management is a critical aspect of the CTO role. Engaging with the business is vital for a CTO. Career development requires curiosity and mentorship. Fractional CTO roles are becoming more popular. CTOs must balance technical knowledge with leadership skills. Communication with non-technical stakeholders is key. Keywords CTO, CIO, technology leadership, fractional CTO, skills, career development, performance management, stakeholder management, communication, technology strategy

In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills Podcast, Ben Pearce and John Coyle explore the concept of becoming more memorable and the science behind how to do it. John shares insights from his experiences as an Olympic athlete and how understanding the nature of time can enhance our lives. John is an Olympic silver medallist, best-selling author, keynote speaker and expert in Chronoception. Show Links Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/ Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com John Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkcoyle1/ John's Website - https://johnkcoyle.com/ Takeaways Memories are the currency of time. The nature of time is not linear; we experience human time, not clock time. Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Tiny moments often determine the trajectory of your future. Routine is the enemy of time; break it to create memories. To be memorable, recognize heightened circumstances as opportunities. Design experiences that leverage risk, uniqueness, and emotional intensity. Emotions drive human behavior; engage them to influence others. When you have trouble, you might be solving the wrong problem. Time and money are fungible; invest in creating memorable experiences. Keywords chronoception, memorable experiences, time perception, emotional engagement, storytelling, influence, personal growth, professional development, memory creation, human connection