I explored leadership insights from the Radio Free XP podcast, learning to announce plans early for alignment, provide actionable information instead of direct orders, and acknowledging the challenges of shifting company culture without being the boss.
always announce first before doing. Give people time to plan comment and react. That gets you alignment without sacrificing freedom.
give information, not orders. When someone is parking a car, tell them how much space they have, don’t tell them to start stop or how much to turn left
it’s almost impossible to change the culture if you’re not the boss
I explored diverse topics this week, from archiving software and NFL play-by-play data to the myths of learning styles. I also learned about Primo Levi’s chemistry analogies and how to use the HTML accesskey for keyboard shortcuts.
I explored VFX techniques, Google’s internal culture management, and Paul Sloan’s lateral thinking methods. I also experimented with GPT @mentions, Vanna for SQL generation, and OpenAI’s latest truncated embeddings for more efficient retrieval.
I found Omar Zabir's impressive web-based Windows XP simulation, which allows users to experience the OS interface and features through a browser. It is a clever piece of early 2000s programming that provides a functional desktop tour.
I compare Indian IT service firms to prisons where professionals endure physical searches, strict clock-ins, and restricted internet access. I share my survey results on corporate web freedom and discuss the industry's pervasive lack of trust.
I reflected on why data licensing is the new business model for Reddit and StackOverflow, the impact of usability in developer tools, and the internal culture shift needed at Google following recent AI controversies.