Eddie and Morgan dive into a challenging listener's question about navigating a reverse merger opportunity amidst failing technology due diligence in a small FinTech startup.

Special guest Robin Atwood, a seasoned engineering leader at Nuro, joins to shed light on technology due diligence, touching on critical topics like security, operational resilience, and compliance. They discuss prioritization and leadership strategies to balance immediate business needs with long-term technical improvements. The episode dives deep into managing external contractors, leveraging AI, organizational alignment, and maintaining transparency with stakeholders in high-stress situations.

• (00:00) - Welcome and Introduction
• (00:08) - Meet Robin Atwood: Engineering Leader at Nuro
• (01:49) - Listener's Dilemma: FinTech Startup Struggles
• (04:10) - The Importance of Technology Due Diligence
• (05:28) - Robin's Advice on Operational Resilience
• (09:27) - Leadership and Prioritization in Startups
• (11:57) - The Role of Compliance and Security
• (23:09) - Collaboration and Context in Engineering
• (32:02) - API Frustrations and Workarounds
• (33:22) - Empathy in Leadership
• (33:44) - Importance of Buy-In and Alignment
• (35:44) - Simplifying and Prioritizing in Startups
• (39:18) - Operating Models and Organizational Maturity
• (51:17) - Managing External Help
• (55:57) - Handling Urgency and Stakeholder Expectations
• (59:48) - AI in IT and Innovation
• (01:03:20) - Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Morgan and Eddie delve into the complex topic of ethics in engineering leadership. They explore the four primary goals of ethical tech development: protecting people from harm, treating people fairly, enabling people to understand and challenge decisions, and safeguarding rights and freedoms. They cover frameworks such as IEEE, ACM, and IFIP's codes of ethics, biases in AI, algorithmic fairness, and practical measures like smart data retention, transparency, and accountability. The episode underscores the importance of ethical decision-making in technology and fosters a deeper understanding of how engineering leaders can navigate moral gray areas.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Episode Overview
• (00:30) - Listener's Ethical Dilemma
• (02:21) - Defining Ethics in Engineering
• (04:27) - Professional Codes of Ethics
• (06:54) - Ethical Goals in Technology
• (08:50) - Protecting People from Harm
• (12:14) - Preventative Measures and Risk Assessment
• (14:00) - Granular User Access and Auditability
• (15:00) - Data Retention and User Experience
• (16:40) - Fail-Safe Defaults and Bounded Autonomy
• (19:34) - Treating People Fairly and Addressing Bias
• (21:32) - Understanding Bias in the Workplace
• (22:56) - The Impact of Bias on Organizational Fairness
• (23:27) - Managing Bias as a Leader
• (26:44) - Algorithmic Fairness: Challenges and Solutions
• (29:16) - Tools and Frameworks for Fairness
• (31:25) - The Importance of Transparency in AI
• (32:44) - Enabling Users to Challenge AI Decisions
• (40:10) - Engineering for the Greater Good
• (40:56) - Practical Tips for Ethical Enginee

Eddie and Morgan discuss a listener's question about managing managers in engineering. They explore various frameworks and strategies necessary for overseeing managers, touching upon crucial elements like clarity, alignment, and execution. They dig into the potential pitfalls of mismanaging through, and the importance of psychological safety, autonomy, and succession planning. With concrete examples and practical advice, this episode is essential for anyone navigating the complexities of engineering leadership.

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:07) - Understanding the Role of a Manager of Managers
• (00:41) - Listener's Question: Transitioning from IC to Senior Director
• (01:15) - Challenges of Managing Managers
• (01:51) - Defensible Organizational Design
• (02:41) - Frontline Managers vs. Managers of Managers
• (04:45) - The Value of Managers of Managers
• (05:40) - The Reality of Senior Management
• (11:28) - Diagnosing and Coaching Managers of Managers
• (12:12) - Clarity, Alignment, and Execution
• (17:24) - Measuring Clarity in Management
• (20:13) - Alignment in Management
• (26:10) - The Importance of a Writing Culture
• (27:18) - Transparent Decision Logs
• (28:17) - Standardized Release Cadence
• (29:45) - Execution Challenges
• (35:18) - Managing Through: The Micromanagement Trap
• (43:37) - Succession Planning and Using Power for Good
• (49:27) - Final Thoughts and Listener Feedback