In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Eric Poff, CTO of Verve Labs, about his journey to becoming a technology leader, the innovative projects at Verve Labs, and the importance of human-centered AI. They discuss the engineering work model, the significance of communication within teams, and the balance between product and technology roles. Eric shares insights on experimentation, vibe coding, and the metrics that matter in engineering, as well as common mistakes organizations make. The conversation concludes with Eric's no-nonsense advice for tech leaders navigating today's challenges.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Brian Bauer, VP of AI Products at Rational Exponent. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the banking sector, the development of their flagship product re:agent, and the importance of understanding the business needs of banking to create effective AI solutions. Brian shares insights on team dynamics in a remote work environment, the significance of collaboration between product and engineering teams, and the innovative approach of vibe coding for rapid prototyping. He also highlights common mistakes in AI development and offers valuable advice for tech leaders navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jeff Prince, CTO of XOi, about the evolution of engineering leadership, challenges in field service management, and the integration of AI in software development. They discuss the importance of aligning product and engineering teams, effective onboarding of new engineers, and key metrics for engineering success. Jeff shares insights on dealing with non-technical stakeholders and the lessons learned from failures in his career. The conversation concludes with advice for tech leaders navigating the industry's complexities.

Key Takeaways:

• Usability and offline functionality are critical for field service software.
• AI is transforming user experiences in field service management.
• Maintaining a human in the loop is essential in AI applications.
• Balancing tech debt with new features is a continuous challenge.
• Effective onboarding involves pairing new engineers with experienced ones.
• Key metrics for engineering success include velocity and defect escape rate.
• Networking with peers is vital for tech leaders.

In this episode of Software Leaders UNCENSORED, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ben Ede, an engineering director at Envoy, about his career transition, leadership philosophy, and the evolving role of AI in software engineering. They discuss the importance of CI/CD processes, breaking down work into manageable tasks, and effectively tracking engineering metrics. Ben shares insights on managing tech debt, the Run, Grow, Transform framework, and the significance of quality meetings for team alignment. He concludes with advice for tech leaders on the value of asking questions to foster understanding and collaboration.Key Takeaways- CI/CD should focus on confidence in deployment, not just automation.- Breaking down work into smaller tickets improves delivery and quality.- Effective communication is crucial for team alignment and productivity.- Tech debt should be managed proactively, not reactively.- The Run, Grow, Transform framework helps prioritize engineering work.- Quality meetings reduce the need for excessive meetings.- Asking 'stupid questions' can lead to better understanding and faster progress.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ben Ede and Envoy02:31 Career Transition and Role at Envoy04:15 Understanding Envoy's Services05:04 Team Structure and Engineering Model06:13 AI in Software Engineering08:46 Defining CI/CD for Measurable Change12:33 Improving Delivery Quality and Ticket Sizes17:36 Tracking Engineering Metrics19:02 Run, Grow, Transform Framework22:01 Handling Tech Debt Effectively25:52 Quality Meetings for Alignment29:25 The Value of In-Person Collaboration30:18 Advice for Tech LeadersConnect with today's speakers:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetaplin/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminede/#SoftwareEngineering #CICD #SoftwareLeadersUncensored #BetterMeetings ================================================================================HUGE NEWS!!! Fail Hard, Win Big is available for purchase on Amazon! Order your copy here: https://tinyurl.com/fail-hard-book Download chapter 1 here: https://tinyurl.com/fail-hard-ch-1 ================================================================================Looking for Software Development Services? Our host Steve Taplin is also the CEO of Sonatafy Technology, a software delivery partner built for organizations that need predictable execution across complex initiatives. Our combined US-based and nearshore model pairs senior US technical leadership with experienced LATAM engineers to deliver outcomes across backlog reduction, platform modernization, DevOps, and new product development. We bring structure, ownership, and delivery discipline where traditional augmentation and offshore models fall apart. Clients work with Sonatafy when speed, quality, compliance, and accountability all matter and when missed deadlines and technical debt are no longer acceptable.✦ Managed Delivery PODs led by US-based principal engineers✦ Flexible LATAM engineering teams aligned to your time zone✦ CTO level consulting for architecture, delivery, and scale✦ Accountable delivery with defined outcomesWe help software leaders turn stalled initiatives into predictable outcomes with AI-enabled delivery, executive alignment, and accountable engineering teams.Learn more: https://Sonatafy.com

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ajay Chankramath, a seasoned engineering leader and CEO of Platformetrics. They discuss AJ's unique approach to consulting, focusing on proven solutions rather than bespoke ones, and the importance of enhancing developer experience in tech companies. AJ shares insights on building the ideal developer experience, overcoming executive pushback, and his journey as an author and entrepreneur. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders on providing value with existing tools rather than chasing new ones.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michael Terry, a seasoned software engineer and co-founder of Sanctuary Software Studio. They discuss Michael's extensive journey in software development, the evolution of his company, and the challenges faced in the current tech landscape, including talent management, onboarding, and the impact of AI on business models. Michael shares insights on maintaining a hybrid work model, the importance of continuous learning, and strategies for integrating new tools and workflows into their processes. The conversation concludes with Michael's advice for tech leaders navigating these changing times.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with William Steenbergen, co-founder and CTO of Federato, about the transformative role of AI in the insurance industry. They discuss the challenges of underwriting, the importance of addressing the coverage gap, and how Federato's platform is revolutionizing the insurance lifecycle. William shares insights on team dynamics, the impact of rapid growth, and the significance of fostering a collaborative culture through initiatives like demo days. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders navigating the complexities of scaling their businesses.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Matt Ryan, founder and CTO of Kythera Labs, about his journey from the corporate world to the startup landscape. They discuss the evolution of Kythera Labs, innovations in healthcare data solutions, the challenges of managing remote engineering teams, and the importance of clarity in technical communication. Matt shares insights on leveraging AI in healthcare, lessons learned from AI implementation, and the future goals for Kythera Labs as they aim to scale their offerings in 2026.