Tech World Human Skills

In this episode Ben Pearce and Nic Neate discuss what it's really like to build and be part of an AI native engineering team. Nic shares his experiences and insights on how AI is fundamentally changing the way software is developed, the skills required for engineers in this new landscape, and the challenges organizations face in adapting to these changes.



Nic Neate is the CTO of @Nimbus. He has many years working in the software world and previously worked at Metaswitch and Microsoft.



Show Links

Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/

Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com

Nic Neate Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-neate-b3515210/

Nimbus - https://www.nimbusmaps.co.uk/





Takeaways

AI is fundamentally changing software engineering.

Vibe coding is using AI to write code.

AI native means riding the wave of AI tooling.

Being AI native enables you to do so much more.

AI can do it in 10 minutes what you could do in a week.

Context engineering is a key skill for engineers.

Decision making is crucial in an AI native world.

You need to invest in your tool chain.

Recruitment processes need to change for AI roles.

Maximize value for people working in AI.



Keywords

AI native engineering, software development, generative AI, engineering teams, AI tools, context engineering, software productivity, AI integration, engineering leadership, tech transformation

In this episode of the Tech World Human Skills Podcast, Ben Pearce and Richard Baker discuss the critical topic of managing major incidents in the tech industry. They explore the importance of preparation, communication, and the human element in crisis management. Richard shares real-life experiences and insights on how to effectively lead teams through high-pressure situations.



Richard Baker is the CIO of TWC IT Solutions. He has years of working in the tech world and many battle scars from leading teams through major incidents.



Show Links

Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/

Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com

TWC IT Solutions Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/company/twc-support

Richard Baker Email - [email protected]

TWC IT Solutions - https://twc-it-solutions.com/



Takeaways



The most important part of any business is the team.

Companies should practice incident response like fire drills.

Keeping calm during a crisis leads to better decision-making.

Effective communication with leadership is crucial during incidents.

Preparation is key to managing major incidents successfully.

Understanding the scope of the problem is essential for resolution.

Building trust with clients enhances collaboration during crises.

Post-incident analysis helps prevent future issues.

Regular updates to clients reduce anxiety during incidents.

A good relationship with clients is vital for effective incident management.





Keywords



incident management, crisis management, cybersecurity, communication, preparation, leadership, client trust, human skills, tech solutions, business continuity

Leading through change isn't about sending a broadcast email and hoping for the best. In this episode, Ben Caird breaks down why most change initiatives fail and shares the ADKAR framework that actually gets teams moving in the same direction.



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



change management, leadership, adkar framework, stakeholder buy-in, team transformation, organizational change, effective communication, awareness and desire, change resistance, business impact



Takeaways



If you're not driving change, you're probably not leading.

The ADKAR model is a great way to think about driving change.

People resist change by default - you need to create genuine desire, not just awareness.

Starting with "how to change" before explaining "why change" is where most initiatives fail.

Effective change takes time with the right people; efficient change just broadcasts instructions that nobody follows.

Change champions who are peers often influence adoption more than senior leaders telling people what to do.

You get what you inspect - measuring adoption by team creates healthy accountability.

The right executive sponsor can unblock resistance and hold stakeholders accountable when you can't.

Sometimes you need to build a pilot and prove value before you can get widespread buy-in.

Not every change battle is worth fighting - if you can't get past awareness and desire, question whether it's the right idea.

In this episode we delve into the concept of value engineering and explore its significance in the tech industry. Paul explains the importance of understanding both the technology and the business needs of customers.

We cover how to effectively bridge the gap between technical solutions and financial outcomes.



Paul Harris has worked in technical pre-sales for many years. He is the co-host of "The Wandering Tech Podcast" and is Director of Pre-Sales at Loftware.



Show Links

Ben Pearce LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpthoughts/

Tech World Human Skills Home - https://www.techworldhumanskills.com

Paul Harris Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfharris/





Takeaways

Value engineering is about understanding customer problems and providing solutions.

It's essential to bridge the gap between technology and business.

Understanding how a business makes money is crucial for tech professionals.

Financial acumen is as important as technical knowledge in pre-sales.

Using relatable analogies can simplify complex business concepts.

Crafting a business case requires understanding both revenue and costs.

Value engineering helps in making technology investments stand out as business projects.

Consultants need to help customers articulate the value of solutions to decision-makers.

Key financial concepts include revenue, costs, and operating profit.

Continuous learning about financial principles can enhance consulting effectiveness.



Keywords

value engineering, business acumen, technology solutions, financial concepts, pre-sales, consulting, enterprise sales, ROI, customer success, supply chain

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