Welcome to episode nr 50 of The Coffee Journeys Show: A Letter to Myself (and Maybe to You Too) - Season Finale

In this special season finale of The Coffee Journeys Show, I’m doing something different.

Instead of a deep dive into tools, models, or frameworks, I’m taking a moment to pause and reflect—by writing a letter to myself. Think of it as a quiet coffee catch-up, a way to look back at everything this season has taught me about leadership, growth, relationships, and the shifts in mindset that come with experience.

This episode is more personal, more relaxed, but still grounded in the idea that great leadership often starts within. I hope this reflection resonates with you too—wherever you are in your own journey.

Take a break, grab a coffee, and join me for a thoughtful sendoff before we pause for a little Easter break.

Chapters

1. 00:01:05 - Intro
2. 00:02:24 - Letter
3. 00:06:20 - Thank You!

Links

• 🗞️ Newsletter
• 🎙️ Podcast URL

Your host

• 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski
• 🔗 All my projects and links

Stay tuned

🟣 Apple Podcasts
🟢 Spotify
🔵 Google Podcasts
🟠 Overcast.fm
☕️ RSS
🪄 Magic link

Have a great day!

Welcome to episode nr 49 of The Coffee Journeys Show: From Linux Admin to People Engineer: My Professional Journey

Today’s episode is a little different—what you’re about to hear is a recording from Cisco’s Share IT Solutions Huddle back in 2020. I had the privilege of talking about techniques to help those working from home and the importance of creating habits—something that’s still just as relevant today.

The format of these meetings allows to the broad range of topics and you will hear about me accidentally infuriating my brother by installing Linux on his computer to leading distributed teams across continents, because my journey in technology has been anything but conventional. What began as curiosity about simple network pings evolved into a lifelong passion for connection--both digital and human.

Through data centers in the UK, acquisitions by tech giants, and the global shift to remote work, I've transformed from a command-line Linux administrator to what I now call a _people engineer._ Along the way, I've had my fair share of pivotal moments, hard-earned lessons, and unexpected detours--including that one time when a colleague dramatically dove across a Nando's table to save me from volcano-level spicy chicken.

All of that shaped my approach to leadership and remote work, and today, I'm excited to share some of those insights with you.

So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let's jump into the recording.

Chapters

1. 00:02:47 - Journey into Networking
2. 00:04:19 - Transition to Management
3. 00:07:24 - Embracing Remote Work
4. 00:12:32 - The Importance of Routines
5. 00:19:15 - Challenges of Distributed Teams
6. 00:27:37 - Reflections on Remote Work
7. 00:31:46 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

• 🗞️ Newsletter
• 🎙️ Podcast URL

Your host

• 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski
• 🔗 All my projects and links

Stay tuned

🟣 Apple Podcasts
🟢 Spotify
🔵 Google Podcasts
🟠 Overcast.fm
☕️ RSS
🪄 Magic link

Have a great day!

Welcome to episode nr 48 of The Coffee Journeys Show: Ten Mindset Shifts When You Become a Manager

Stepping into a management role for the first time is exciting—but also full of unexpected challenges. What got you here won’t necessarily make you successful in this new role.

In this episode, I break down 10 essential mindset shifts every new manager must make to lead effectively. Inspired by Daniel Idaszak’s insightful thread on X, I share my own experiences and hard-learned lessons on:

✅ Why your team’s success is now your success
✅ The balance between being friendly vs. being respected
✅ How to shift from problem-solving to problem-preventing
✅ The art of managing up and positioning your team for success
✅ Why embracing a generalist mindset is key to thriving in leadership

If you're stepping into leadership—or want to refine your approach—this episode will give you the perspective shift you need to lead with confidence.

🎧 Grab your coffee, tune in, and let’s navigate leadership together!

Chapters

1. 00:01:04 - Leadership Mindset
2. 00:02:46 - Team's Success = Your Success
3. 00:03:51 - Friendly Not Friends
4. 00:05:25 - Respect Over Likability
5. 00:06:36 - Lead By Example
6. 00:07:51 - Anticipate Problems
7. 00:09:34 - Remove Barriers
8. 00:10:19 - Focus On The Big Picture
9. 00:11:42 - Promote Your Team
10. 00:13:03 - Understand Your Role
11. 00:14:00 - Embrace Being Generalist
12. 00:15:34 - Lessons Learned

Links

• 🗞️ Newsletter
• 🎙️ Podcast URL
• 🎯 The First 90 Days – Leadership Framework for Success
• 🎓 My First 90 Days – What I Learned the Hard Way
• 👉 Tech Lead Toolkit | Daniel Idaszak

Your host

• 🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski
• 🔗 All my projects and links

Stay tuned

🟣 Apple Podcasts
🟢 Spotify
🔵 Google Podcasts
🟠 Overcast.fm
☕️ RSS
🪄 Magic link

Have a great day!