It Depends: Lessons in Technology Leadership

In this episode of It Depends, host Kevin Goldsmith dives into Chapter 26 of his book It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012–2022. Kevin shares his firsthand experiences with the Spotify model—a revolutionary approach to team organization designed to foster agility, innovation, and collaboration.

Drawing on his years at Spotify, Kevin explains how the model allows teams to dynamically form, dissolve, and remix based on company needs. He also addresses some common misconceptions about its application and reflects on lessons learned from the Spotify model and how to adapt its principles to other organizations.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the accompanying newsletter and share your thoughts via the linked listener survey to help shape the future of the podcast!

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• Listener Survey: https://forms.gle/JVeKHsHJKhEM3dvK6
• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The newsletter issue with the text of this chapter: https://kevingoldsmith.substack.com/p/the-spotify-model
• The Spotify Model Whitepaper: https://blog.crisp.se/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SpotifyScaling.pdf
• The Spotify Model videos: https://blog.crisp.se/2014/03/27/henrikkniberg/spotify-engineering-culture-part-1
• Spotify Q3 2024 Numbers (640 MAU): https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/spotify-q3-2024-earnings-premium-subscribers-1236207771/

Kevin Goldsmith, Chief Technology Officer and author of It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership (2012–2022), shares a unique chapter from his audiobook in this episode of It Depends. Recorded on the road in Chicago, Kevin reflects on his unexpected journey into the Operational Excellence (OpEx) community, a world rooted in Six Sigma and Lean methodologies.

Kevin recounts his experiences speaking at OpEx conferences and collaborating with leaders in industries where quality is critical, such as manufacturing and hardware. He highlights the contrasts between OpEx's failure-averse approach and Agile's embrace of learning through small, manageable failures. Through engaging anecdotes and lessons learned, Kevin emphasizes stepping outside your comfort zone to engage with professionals in different fields.

This episode offers valuable insights for leaders in technology and beyond. It explores how diverse perspectives can challenge assumptions and foster growth. Tune in to learn how principles of operational excellence can complement tech leadership while avoiding the pitfalls of over-applying rigid frameworks.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the accompanying newsletter and share your thoughts via the linked listener survey to help shape the future of the podcast!

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• Listener Survey: https://forms.gle/JVeKHsHJKhEM3dvK6
• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter

In this episode of The It Depends Podcast, host Kevin Goldsmith dives into the intricacies of hiring agile coaches—a role he discovered while working at Spotify and which has been transformative in his approach to building high-performing teams. Kevin shares personal stories of successes and challenges with agile coaches across different companies, reflecting on how this role can dramatically boost productivity and collaboration, although sometimes misunderstood. He also explores the current state of Agile and muses on what might come next for the industry. Tune in to learn about the nuances of agile coaching, the evolution of Agile, and strategies for demonstrating the value of agile practices beyond the engineering team.

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• The Humanizing Work Show: https://www.humanizingwork.com/kevin-goldsmith/
• Listener Survey: https://forms.gle/JVeKHsHJKhEM3dvK6
• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• This chapter in the newsletter
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter

In this episode of It Depends host Kevin Goldsmith dives into the art of management through the lens of systems thinking. Using the metaphor of gardening, Kevin explores how leaders can “plant the seeds” for success by setting up the right environment, empowering teams, and stepping back to let growth happen organically. He shares practical insights on Kanban boards, the power of autonomy, and the challenges of fostering alignment across teams with different goals. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into management, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you cultivate high-performing teams. 🌱

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• Listener Survey: https://forms.gle/JVeKHsHJKhEM3dvK6
• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter
• Management 3.0
• Thinking in Systems
• Architecture and Organization

In this episode of It Depends, Kevin Goldsmith wraps up his insightful series on crafting and delivering effective performance reviews. Drawing from his extensive experience as a CTO and tech leader, Kevin discusses the challenges and nuances of giving feedback, especially for senior leaders who might not receive regular performance reviews themselves. He shares practical strategies for self-evaluation and growth, including the importance of building a personal advisory board and seeking feedback from direct reports. Tune in to gain valuable insights into navigating performance reviews at all levels of leadership.

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter
• "How do you keep growing when you are the leader of the organization" - my talk from LeadingEng 2022
• My "Management Books" Goodreads shelf
• The newsletter issue with this chapter

In this episode of the It Depends podcast, host Kevin Goldsmith, an experienced CTO and technology leader with over 30 years in the industry, dives into the intricacies of making raise recommendations as part of performance reviews. Drawing from his book "It Depends: Writings on Technology Leadership" and a talk he delivered at Lead Dev Berlin in 2019, Kevin unpacks the often misunderstood processes behind salary budgeting and recommendations. He shares insights on how companies allocate salary budgets, manage compensation, and the importance of understanding cross-functional dynamics for CTOs and tech leaders. This episode is part three of a four-part series on writing performance reviews. It is essential listening for managers, leaders, and anyone navigating the complexities of pay raises and team performance in a corporate setting. 

Listeners will also gain valuable advice on preparing for job interviews, understanding the broader aspects of company leadership, and Kevin's reflections on alternative compensation systems like those used by GitLab and Buffer. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned CTO, this episode offers a unique perspective on a crucial aspect of leadership that is often left unexplored.

Tune in for actionable insights, real-world examples, and practical advice for anyone involved in making raise recommendations or leading a technology organization.

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter
• How Does Salary Work? (LeadDev Berlin 2019
• The newsletter issue with this chapter

In this insightful episode of The It Depends Podcast, host Kevin Goldsmith delves into a critical aspect of leadership: writing effective and fair performance reviews. Kevin, an experienced CTO and author of It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership, shares lessons from his own career spanning over 30 years, including his time at Adobe, Spotify, and Microsoft.

This episode, part of a four-part series on performance reviews, focuses on how to take the data you've gathered and craft meaningful, actionable feedback for your team. Kevin also reflects on his personal experiences with both successful and flawed review systems, offering advice on how to navigate various company processes. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned executive, this episode is packed with practical advice and cautionary tales to help you master the review process.

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter

Join Kevin Goldsmith on the "It Depends" podcast as he explores the nuanced world of performance reviews in technology leadership. Drawing from his extensive experience and his book, Kevin offers actionable insights on making performance reviews more effective and less burdensome. This episode guides listeners through assembling relevant data and providing feedback that genuinely aids employee development. Tune in to transform how you approach performance reviews, making them a powerful tool for leadership and growth. Whether you're a seasoned manager or a new leader, this podcast promises valuable lessons in nurturing talent effectively.

Links to things mentioned in the podcast:

• The book: It Depends: Writing on Technology 2012-2022
• Your host: Kevin Goldsmith
• The It Depends Newsletter
• The Assembling the data newsletter issue
• LeadingEng NYC 2024 (use the discount code "Distrokid" for 10% off the registration price)