Quality Talks Podcast

SummaryIn this episode, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson reflect on the year 2025, discussing the growth and engagement of the podcast, the challenges of mental health in the workplace, and the evolving role of AI in shaping careers. They emphasise the importance of community support and effective communication in navigating these changes, while also exploring emerging trends in quality engineering and testing for 2026.Takeaways2025 has been a year of significant growth for the podcast.Engagement from listeners has remained high throughout the year.Mental health challenges in the workplace are prevalent and need addressing.Control the controllables to navigate mental checkouts.Metrics should tell a story, not just be numbers.AI is a tool, but community will shape our careers.Human interaction will be crucial in the tech industry moving forward.Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in a rapidly changing environment.Effective communication is key to influencing teams and driving change.Leadership in quality requires a broad understanding of various disciplines.Chapters00:00 Reflecting on 2025: A Year in Review21:44 Navigating Mental Checkouts in the Workplace28:26 The Role of Metrics in Quality Assurance34:38 AI vs Community: The Future of Careers36:02 Embracing AI: The Community's Role46:30 The Future of Work: Human Interaction and AI56:51 Trends in Quality Engineering: Skills for 202601:07:19 Closing out 2025

SummaryIn this episode Stu Day and special guest James Lawther (author of ‘Managed by Morons’) discuss the intricacies of leadership and management, drawing from personal experiences and insights from James's book. They explore the importance of learning from bad leadership, the need for psychological safety in organisations, and the balance between effectiveness and efficiency. The discussion emphasises the significance of understanding systems within organisations, the impact of bonus-driven development, and the necessity of a customer-centric approach. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of building trust and fostering a culture that encourages open communication and continuous learning.TakeawaysLeadership is about creating a culture of trust.You learn more from bad experiences than good ones.Management is straightforward but often poorly executed.Focus on effectiveness, not just efficiency.Psychological safety is crucial for open communication.The system must be managed, not just the people.Long-term thinking leads to better outcomes.Measurement can drive the wrong behaviours.AI should be used to solve real problems, not just for the sake of it.What kind of legacy do you want to leave as a leader?Chapters00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Book03:02 The Journey of Writing and Blogging05:57 Learning from Bad Leadership08:47 The Importance of Systems in Leadership11:33 Case Studies and Real-World Examples14:28 The Impact of Incentives on Team Dynamics17:15 Psychological Safety in the Workplace21:34 Creating a Safe Space for Open Communication22:40 The Swiss Cheese Model: Learning from Mistakes27:01 Connecting Experiences Across Industries29:11 Admitting Failure: A Key to Improvement31:46 Understanding Purpose in Business36:55 The Dangers of Target-Driven Culture41:05 The Importance of Systems Thinking45:44 Optimising Systems Over Individual Performance48:23 The Impact of Systemic Issues on Operations51:30 The Cost of Short-Term Thinking53:45 The Balance Between Efficiency and Effectiveness56:36 Learning from Failures in Organisations01:01:33 Building Trust in Leadership01:03:14 Legacy and Leadership: What Will You Be Remembered For?01:05:07 Show Close

SummaryIn this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and special guest Vernon Richards delve into the complexities of language and terminology in the field of quality. They discuss the importance of understanding context, the impact of personal experiences on language interpretation, and the need for intentional communication. The conversation highlights common triggering phrases, the role of active listening, and the significance of reframing language to foster better discussions. Listeners are encouraged to be mindful of their words and to engage in open dialogues to navigate misunderstandings effectively.Useful Links:Credibility Playbook for TestersCrucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third EditionSituation Behaviour Impact model: TakeawaysLanguage in quality is complex and varies across organisations.Misunderstandings often arise from different interpretations of the same terms.Active listening and open questions can enhance communication.Context is crucial in understanding the meaning behind words.Reframing triggering language can lead to more productive conversations.Intent behind words can change their impact significantly.Quality is a shared responsibility among all team members.Feedback loops are more effective than rigid quality gates.Personal experiences shape how we interpret language.Difficult conversations are necessary for growth and understanding.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Energy Boost01:13 The Importance of Language in Quality03:07 Navigating Misunderstandings in Quality Terminology10:44 Understanding Different Perspectives in Quality Conversations14:35 Influencing Change Through Effective Communication19:13 Reframing Language to Reduce Triggers25:38 The Role of Context in Quality Discussions30:08 Feedback Loops vs. Quality Gates36:05 Navigating Difficult Conversations39:08 Understanding Triggers in Communication43:53 The Complexity of Language and Intent49:10 Identifying Triggering Words55:54 Mindfulness in Language Use

SummaryIn this episode of Quality Talks, host Stu Day welcomes Yulia Sharabi, a seasoned QA manager, to discuss her journey in the field of Quality Assurance. Yulia shares her experiences transitioning from manual to automated testing, the challenges of leading teams, and the importance of adapting to change in the tech industry. The conversation delves into the evolution of QA education, the significance of building trust within teams, and the emotional aspects of implementing change. Yulia emphasises the need for patience, understanding, and preparation when introducing new processes and tools in a workplace. The episode concludes with Yulia's advice to embrace opportunities and say yes to new challenges.TakeawaysYulia has over a decade of experience in QA across various industries.She transitioned from manual testing to leading distributed teams in the crypto domain.Education in QA often lacks focus on practical testing methodologies.Adapting to change is crucial in QA roles, especially with evolving technologies.Building trust within teams is essential for successful change management.Understanding the audience is key when introducing new tools or processes.Emotional aspects play a significant role in how teams respond to change.Patience is necessary when implementing new methodologies in teams.Yulia's personal experiences have influenced her approach to QA leadership.Saying yes to opportunities can lead to unexpected and rewarding paths. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background05:56 Career Journey in QA and Tech11:19 Education and the Importance of QA13:36 Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Leadership19:18 Managing Change and Resistance25:11 Navigating Leadership Challenges30:27 The Role of QA in Startups32:20 Transforming Testing Methodologies35:01 Navigating Change with Patience37:10 Understanding Team Dynamics39:32 Choosing the Right Tools41:37 Considering Stakeholders in Change44:16 Building Trust Across Departments45:51 Preparing for Change48:39 Challenges and Learning Moments52:45 Recruitment and Team BuildingLinks:Yulia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yulia-sharabi/Yulia's MoT Profile: https://www.ministryoftesting.com/p/yudit?s_id=19028979Yulia’s Blog: https://medium.com/@yudit77091

SummaryIn this live in person episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and James Milner explore the evolving landscape of leadership in technology. Joined by guests Rachael Morgan and Cleveland Henry, they discuss personal journeys into leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the critical role of respect and authenticity in effective leadership. The conversation delves into creating a culture of safety and innovation, learning from failure, and the inspirational moments that shape leaders. Through personal anecdotes and insights, the episode highlights the multifaceted nature of leadership and the continuous growth required to navigate the challenges of the tech industry. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of leadership, emphasising the importance of resilience, confidence, and adaptability in navigating challenges. They discuss the evolving landscape of leadership in a tech-driven world, particularly with the rise of AI, and the critical role of mentorship and community in personal and professional growth. The dialogue highlights the significance of learning from experiences and the necessity of addressing societal challenges as leaders.Chapters00:00 Personal Journeys into Leadership10:15 Defining Leadership Traits and Skills14:05 The Importance of Respect in Leadership18:10 Management vs. Leadership: Key Differences25:16 Creating a Culture of Innovation and Mistakes28:59 The Privilege of Leadership29:58 Coaching and Problem Solving30:57 Practicing Failure in Technology31:54 Creating a Safe Environment for Failure32:52 The Role of Leadership in Failure33:23 Learning from Failures36:18 Moments of Inspiration in Leadership40:52 The Power of Simple Beliefs43:55 Finding Confidence in Leadership49:08 The Nature of Confidence52:59 Taking Action and Moving Forward53:13 The Future of Leadership in a Changing World56:05 The Importance of Adaptability in Leadership59:25 Navigating the Digital Leadership Landscape01:01:48 The Role of Mentorship and Community in Growth01:04:51 Defining Success Beyond Titles and Wealth01:08:39 Addressing Current Challenges in Leadership01:12:08 The Impact of Technology on Society and Leadership01:19:09 The Human Element in Leadership Challenges01:22:09 EndTakeawaysLeadership is ever-evolving and requires adaptability.Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping leaders.Respect is fundamental in building effective leadership.Creating a safe environment encourages innovation and risk-taking.Learning from failure is essential for growth.Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and respect.Leadership is about empowering others, not just managing tasks.The best leaders are those who can inspire belief in others.Personal experiences shape leadership styles and approaches.Effective communication is key to successful leadership. You can't expect to be the person that makes everything right.Confidence is often mistaken for the loudest voice in the room.The only thing that is constant is change.Success is being happy, not about money.Surround yourself with a diversity of voices.Experience compounds; time is the best lesson.Mentors are unbelievable; they challenge you.It’s important to have different perspectives.AI could be really dangerous if not managed well.