Podcast
Becoming CTO: Transitioning from technical expert to strategic leader
► Is it possible to be a hands-on CTO while driving your company’s business strategy?
As companies scale, the CTO's role becomes more complex. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dawid Adach, a seasoned CTO who has navigated the tough decision many face: Should a CTO stay hands-on with the tech or step back and focus on business strategy? Dawid will unpack the key moments when CTOs need to redefine their roles to support the company's growth.
► Our guest 🌟
Dawid Adach 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawid-adach/
CTO, tech leader, and startup advisor with a passion for scaling companies and solving technical challenges.
► In today’s episode:
- How the CTO role differs between startups and large organizations.
- When CTOs should shift focus from technical work to business strategy.
- The impact of AI on the CTO role and how it’s changing tech leadership.
- Signs it’s time to delegate coding and focus on growth and scalability.
- Common fears CTOs face when stepping away from the technical side.
- Strategies for balancing technical responsibilities with business leadership.
► Materials mentioned:
- What Got You Here Won't Get You There (Marshall Goldsmith)
- Scaling Up (Verne Harnish)
- Rework (Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson)
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things (Ben Horowitz)
Timeline
00:00:00 | From engineer to executive: The CTO's path of transformation
00:25:54 | The CTO's view: Perspectives on leadership and decision-making
00:42:35 | CTO 2.0: How the role is evolving in the AI age
00:55:33 | AI's impact on leading, learning & programming
01:01:58 | Adapting CTO role to modern challenges
Leadership and persistence: Scaling a global brand
► From startup hustle to global muscle: What does it really take to build a billion-dollar brand?
In this episode, we’re joined by Krzysztof Zdanowski, the CEO and Founder of Summa Linguae Technologies. Krzysztof took his company from humble beginnings to becoming one of the leading multilingual data management providers worldwide, with over U$ 30 million in yearly revenue and offices across Europe, America, and Asia. We’ll uncover his journey, the bold decisions that shaped his success, and his unique take on leadership in a global context.
Learn how he navigated cultural differences, embraced AI, and kept the momentum going through tough times. Plus, Krzysztof shares the ups and downs of managing mergers, and his biggest lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a mark on the world stage.
► Our guest 🌟
Krzysztof Zdanowski 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/krzysztof-zdanowski-3926b322/
Founder & CEO of Summa Linguae Technologies, investor, pilot, and endurance runner passionate about AI and global business strategy.
Timeline
00:00 | Summa Linguae’s first steps
03:52 | Krzysztof’s multicultural background influence on his business
09:00 | The power of networking
11:39 | Milestones and lessons learned
24:37 | Staying on top of time management
29:55 | Local vs. global business insights
31:34 | AI-charging business
38:08 | Building a team and working with investors
Cybersecurity for coders: insights from a Microsoft Team Leader at NATO Locked Shields
► How can coders stay ahead in the relentless race against cyber threats?
Join us with cybersecurity expert Grzegorz Tworek as we explore the decline of assembly, C++, and kernel development, and its implications for security. Discover crucial tips for coders, how to uncover zero-day vulnerabilities and the ongoing battle between cyber defenders and attackers.
Learn how AI is transforming code security and gain insights from NATO's Locked Shields exercise on which country leads in cyber defense. Tune in for expert advice and practical insights to elevate your cybersecurity knowledge.
► Our guest 🌟
Grzegorz Tworek 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/grzegorztworek/
Microsoft MVP^17, Security Internals Fanatic, hominoid Windows defender.
Timeline
00:00 | The most important security considerations for coders and companies
08:55 | Predictions for security advancements in applications
13:28 | Memory abuse attacks
15:00 | Reverse engineering strategies
31:00 | How to start learning about cybersecurity?
41:35 | Publicly exposing vulnerabilities, Net Zero Days, threat actors
50:00 | NATO Lock shields
54:20 | Catch-up race with bad guys
Time Management for leaders | Mateusz Sobieraj
► How does poor time estimation sabotage your and your team’s success?
Unlock the secrets to efficient time management with Mateusz Sobieraj, a seasoned entrepreneur and high-performance advisor. Discover the cognitive biases that lead to poor time estimation, and learn powerful techniques like timeboxing and blocking to charge your productivity.
► Our guest 🌟
Mateusz Sobieraj 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateusz-sobieraj-adcookie/
Entrepreneur, High-Performance Advisor.
Timeline
00:00 | Time estimation failures
08:05 | Time management techniques – time blocking
13:28 | Real-life examples, urgent, unpredicted situations
15:30 | Managing meetings
26:20 | Time management techniques – time boxing
Digital Therapy: Apps and AI reshaping mental health care
► Should we use AI to advance mental health care?
In this episode, we explore how technology is evolving the landscape of mental health care, from diagnosis to treatment. Mark Goering, entrepreneur and psychotherapist, shares the potential of AI-driven apps and data-driven approaches in reshaping how we understand and address mental health challenges.
► Our guest 🌟
Mark Goering 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpgoering/
Entrepreneur, Product Lead and Psychotherapist
Timeline
00:00 | Transforming mental health with technology
10:13 | Next level of innovation within mental health care
23:57 | Data-driven approach to mental health
34:37 | Advancements in mental health technology
45:15 | Navigating regulations in health tech
Cloud cybersecurity: Vulnerabilities, frauds and limitations | Mateusz Chrobok
► Is cloud security an illusion?
Join us in this eye-opening episode as cybersecurity expert Mateusz Chrobok reveals the vulnerabilities and limitations lurking within cloud services. From analyzing real-life examples to dissecting the fraudulent tactics used by cybercriminals, this discussion will shed light on the harsh realities of cloud security.
► Our guest 🌟
Mateusz Chrobok 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateuszchrobok/
Cybersecurity, AI and Startup consultant.
Timeline
00:00 | Cloud service providers' responsibilities and vulnerabilities
06:18 | Limitations of the cloud
09:35 | Opens source vs closed source safety considerations
12:37 | Poisoned language models
16:03 | Malvertising
20:45 | Darknet operations
23:23 | Freedom vs security on the Internet
36:49 | Cryptography, AI, and cybersecurity
52:11 | Battling misinformation in the digital age
Identity 2.0: Truth and verifiability in the age of the Internet? | Fabian Vogelsteller
► How to build a decentralized identification and verification system?
Join us in this thought-provoking episode of The Dev is in the Details as we delve into the intricate world of identity, truth, and verifiability on the internet. Our guest, Fabian Vogelsteller, a renowned expert in blockchain and decentralized identity, offers profound insights into the challenges and opportunities we face in reshaping our understanding of identity in the digital realm.
► Our guest 🌟
Fabian Vogelsteller 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabian-vogelsteller-46365042/
CEO and Founding Partner at LUKSO.
Timeline
00:00 | Introduction to the decentralized identity system
08:07 | Hard and soft identity
13:33 | Freedom of speech, news and information source verification
33:27 | Authority in the Internet age
44:32 | Decentralised information system
51:08 | Blockchain in privacy-preserving decentralized system
Company Culture and sales | Dirk Aarts
► What’s the ROI in company culture?
In a world where company culture and thoughtful leadership are often buzzwords, meet a true practitioner: Dirk Aarts, the founder and CEO of 24/7 Communication, Poland’s leading independent PR firm, for over 20 years. Join us on an insightful voyage through the challenges and triumphs of steering a company through cultural shifts, from the humble beginnings of a “solopreneur” to a thriving team of 80+ members. Discover actionable insights that you can apply to your own professional journey as we unravel the secrets behind 24/7’s unique approach to building a workplace where values translate into actions, and growth is not just a goal but a reality.
► Our guest 🌟
Dirk Aarts 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkaarts/
CEO and Founding Partner at 24/7 Communication.
Timeline
00:00 | The importance of company culture
06:40 | Hiring with culture fit
09:33 | Business growth powered by company culture
11:00 | Company culture and values evolution
19:00 | How to create company culture?
22:00 | Company culture with a diverse team
24:10 | Company culture in the new reality
Hiring software developers: Assessing the true seniority
► How to identify and nurture top software talent?
Join us as we tackle a pressing issue in the tech industry: the shift away from hiring oversold software developers with limited real skills. Discover how to find hidden gems—people who may not excel at self-presentation but have invaluable potential. Lukasz and Pedro also explore the necessity of skillset standardization for each role and the industry-wide challenges posed by its absence. Stay tuned for insights on reshaping hiring practices and embracing authentic talent in the dynamic realm of technology.
Timeline
00:00 | Seniority and Career Growth in Software
07:15 | Seniority Levels in Software Development
15:35 | Assessing Skills in Software Development
23:44 | Hiring and Interviewing Challenges and Pitfalls
31:22 | Evaluating Candidates' Expertise and Credibility
37:58 | Career Paths
Remote work, before it was cool
In this episode, we discuss remote work and how it has evolved over the past years.
Work from home became the new norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, but now a lot of companies are pushing for a return to the office.
Why is that?
What’s the trick to building and growing a fully remote business? What are the benefits and pitfalls?
We hope this episode will help you reflect on these questions and make your own conclusions.
So feel free to keep your pijamas on, and let’s talk about remote work!
Timeline
00:00 | Remote work's recent evolution and impacts
13:53 | Remote work dynamics
20:42 | Benefits and challenges of remote work
29:07 | Effective remote and asynchronous communication
39:24 | Building an effective remote team culture