The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

How to grow from a mid-level to senior Data Engineer

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 694 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. To grow from mid to senior level, it's important to continuously learn and improve, share new knowledge, work on code improvements, and become an expert in a certain domain.
  2. Making the team better is crucial - focus on mentoring, sharing knowledge, and creating a positive team environment. Think beyond individual tasks to impact the overall team outcomes.
  3. Seniority includes building not just technical solutions, but solutions that customers love. Challenge requirements, understand the business and product, and take initiative in problem-solving.

TBM 229: Winnable and Unwinnable Games (Part 3)

The Beautiful Mess • 1110 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Hierarchy creates a chain of communication in which information gets oversimplified as it moves up, leading to an unwinnable game
  2. Passing information up the chain results in details being shaped and possibly distorted based on audience and perceived urgency
  3. The ideal conditions for a 'good game' are challenged in scenarios where goals become unclear, feedback loops are long, and motivations are dwindled

A Kick in the Teeth

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Amazon shocked managers with a pay freeze despite record profits and successful quarters, damaging trust and morale.
  2. The pandemic revealed the dedication of Amazon managers, who now feel undervalued due to frozen pay based on share price fluctuations.
  3. Amazon's leadership actions risk eroding trust and confidence, raising questions about their motives, behaviors, and commitment to mutual benefit.
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You are just your bosses’ little bitch

antoniomelonio • 215 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Most workplaces operate like dictatorships, where employees must follow bosses without question. This creates a daily stress of having to please someone else just to keep their job.
  2. The idea of changing jobs or starting your own business is not a true escape, as it often just leads to serving another boss or dealing with new pressures. Many people feel trapped in this cycle.
  3. Our modern work culture often makes us lose our individuality and autonomy. It can feel like we are trading our personal freedom for a paycheck, with many people just going through the motions.

A new strategy doesn't always have a happy ending

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 39 implied HN points • 07 May 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Starting a new strategy can be hard because it involves making tough emotional choices, not just doing more work.
  2. Leaders may need to make difficult decisions, like letting people go or stopping projects that aren't working, which can be challenging.
  3. Being honest among team members is really important to deal with these emotional decisions effectively.

How Leaders Can Make the Open Door Policy, Inclusive

Thinking Through • 750 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Two things must be true for someone to take advantage of an open-door policy: self-confidence and psychological safety.
  2. Psychological safety in a team means feeling okay to take risks, express ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear of negative consequences.
  3. To build a psychologically safe environment, leaders can practice candidness, sharing mistakes, inclusive language, encouraging team input, and teaching team members to grow.

Why It's Time To Channel Your Inner 5-Year-Old

Surfing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Revisit your childhood curiosity - Keep asking 'why?' like a 5-year-old to drive deep change.
  2. Explore new environments - Travel to different places and meet people with diverse perspectives to spark fresh ideas.
  3. Embrace innovative thinking - Take time to rethink and approach things from a new perspective every year to spur creativity.

7 proven mental models for engineering managers

Leading Developers • 218 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Use mental models to help make better decisions as a manager. They can guide you to avoid mistakes and think more clearly.
  2. Consider the opposite of what you want to achieve. This helps in identifying what to avoid and improves decision-making.
  3. Always think about the long-term effects of your choices. It's important to consider not just what happens now, but what could happen later.

Belonging While Building

Anima Mundi • 103 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. Creating something meaningful is best done with others. We don't have to build alone and should look for support from those around us.
  2. True belonging comes from being seen for who we are, not just what we do. It's about finding people who understand and appreciate our efforts.
  3. Building relationships based on trust and care helps us grow together. It’s important to find spaces where we feel safe and accepted while we create.

Managing Inside Growing Companies

Lessons • 176 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Managers inside growing companies need to accept that change is constant, and it's important to focus on facilitating the process of finding solutions rather than having all the answers.
  2. It's okay for managers to acknowledge and accept the things they cannot control, and instead, focus on what they can control to set their team up for success.
  3. Helping people on your team grow and learn is a crucial aspect that managers can control and should prioritize in a growing company environment.

It's All Your Fault

Dunnstack • 176 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Take responsibility for everything in your business
  2. Leadership means owning up to failures and successes
  3. Accepting fault can lead to freedom and problem-solving

Japan Reality Check #4: In praise of the Salaryman CEO

Japan Optimist • 176 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Japanese Salaryman CEOs have shown extraordinary resilience and competence in delivering corporate economic value and profitability.
  2. Data shows that Japanese Salaryman CEOs have outperformed Wall Street Superstar CEOs in terms of profit increase without relying on rising sales.
  3. While Japanese Salaryman CEOs have significantly increased profits, their compensation has only risen modestly, maintaining a close link between performance and pay.

The Cure to Many Corporate Ills

The Digital Leader Newsletter -- By John Rossman • 176 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Customer centricity is vital for businesses to succeed by focusing on customers' needs and expectations.
  2. Amazon's example shows the power of customer-centricity in driving innovation and improving customer experience.
  3. To become more customer-centric, businesses can start by defining what it means for them, exploring current examples, envisioning future scenarios, and drafting guidelines.

王向偉：台海開戰？中美急需達成新共識 驅散戰爭陰霾

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 176 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. China is intensifying military preparations to potentially attack Taiwan, raising concerns internationally.
  2. It is important for Taiwan's future leaders to avoid policies or actions seen as promoting independence to prevent conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
  3. Reaching a new consensus between China and the U.S. on the Taiwan issue is crucial to avoid war and dispel the shadow of conflict.

Learnings from yet another 'blitzscaling' stage hiring excercise

system bashing • 176 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. During a hiring process, it's important to assess candidates based on coachable vs non-coachable gaps to align with the team's needs.
  2. For junior engineers, watch out for extreme design decisions like overly complex or overly simplistic solutions, as they may indicate a lack of awareness.
  3. When interviewing, consider candidates' coding nature, such as the balance between writing clean code and practical functionality testing, as it reflects their approach to software development.

China’s new premier Li Qiang appeared to have pushed all the right buttons to project a pro-business and pragmatic governing style.

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 176 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Li Qiang emphasized focus on reviving the economy in the next five years, reassuring the private sector and promising to improve the entrepreneurship environment.
  2. Li Qiang made it clear that his role is to execute plans set out by President Xi Jinping, showing a change from past premier styles.
  3. Li Qiang maintained a sharp focus on reviving the economy during his press conference, dedicating less time to international relations and emphasizing the importance of field research.

The Four Anxieties of Engineering Leaders

Maestro's Musings • 140 implied HN points • 02 May 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Engineering leaders worry about losing top performers to burnout. These key team members are crucial, and their departure can hurt projects and team morale.
  2. There's a constant push and pull between achieving exceptional results and maintaining a healthy team culture. Leaders need to find a balance that works for everyone on the team.
  3. Most current metrics used to measure engineering success are flawed. They focus on activities rather than real impact, making it hard for leaders to see what's truly happening in their teams.

CEO of Gig-work Surveillance Firm Resigns

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 752 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. CEO of Gig-work Surveillance Firm, Maury Blackman, resigned after years of court battles and exposure of clandestine surveillance.
  2. Premise Data, an analogue of Uber for data-gathering, faced revenue stagnation despite investments and high-profile board members.
  3. Blackman's resignation led to Matt McNabb taking over as CEO, revealing a history of controversial events and legal issues within Premise.

TBM 202: Something Has To Give

The Beautiful Mess • 1309 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Overcrowding in an environment leads to stress and aggression among the inhabitants.
  2. High cognitive load can result in slower decision-making, errors, and overall stress.
  3. When overwhelmed, people tend to focus on immediate tasks, leading to decreased performance and potential system failure.

From Customer Success Leader to VP of Product

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 98 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. María de Antón transitioned from Head of Customer Success to Product Manager by following her instincts and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  2. Transitioning from customer success to product management involved a shift from talking with customers to creating joyful product experiences.
  3. As a leader considering switching functions, trust your cross-functional skills, seek necessary training, and have confidence in yourself.

Biden's AI Vision: A New Era of Innovation and Ethics

Rod’s Blog • 79 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The executive order on AI by President Biden aims to promote trustworthy and ethical AI, increase access to AI resources, prepare the workforce for the AI era, and collaborate with international partners.
  2. The order includes actions like establishing an AI steering committee, developing AI risk management frameworks, launching an AI research dashboard, and enhancing education for AI skills.
  3. Critiques of the executive order suggest it lacks implementation details, clear definitions, and international engagement, and they emphasize the importance of balancing innovation and regulation in AI development.

Don't ignore the neon signs in your organization

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 59 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. It's important to notice when something isn't working in your organization. Ignoring these signs can prevent progress and improvement.
  2. Sometimes organizations stick to a plan just because they believe hard work will eventually pay off. This can lead to repeated failures instead of trying new approaches.
  3. Listening to small, offhand comments can reveal bigger problems. These 'neon signs' can show the need for a change in strategy or direction.

The Backdoors.

box. • 319 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. Instead of waiting for permission to lead or create, take initiative and show what you can do. Just start doing what excites you without waiting to be chosen.
  2. Chasing validation from others can hold you back. Focus on what you want to achieve instead of playing by someone else's rules.
  3. Hearing 'no' can spark creativity and innovation. Embrace challenges and think of ways to reach your goals without needing approval.

Trump and Putin: Aligning over Ukrainian Elections

Phillips’s Newsletter • 196 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Trump and Putin seem to be aligning on Ukraine, especially concerning the idea of holding elections there. This cooperation marks a notable change from their prior stances.
  2. Before the election, Trump and his associates didn't prioritize Ukrainian elections in their plans, but now they insist that Ukraine must hold elections soon.
  3. Many believe that Trump's push for elections aims to weaken Ukraine and support Putin's interests, leading Ukrainians to rely more on European assistance than American help.

Future of Work =Less and More

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 72 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Companies are focusing on revenue per employee rather than the number of employees. This means they want to be more efficient and effective with fewer staff.
  2. The workplace is changing, and many companies are reducing office space because employees can work from anywhere. Flexibility is becoming key.
  3. The future requires more investment in training and development. People will need to build their skills to thrive in a tech-driven world.

Is Starmer Chicken?

Surfing the Future • 79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Political leaders should address challenges and support real-world solutions.
  2. Leaders should have the courage of their convictions to tackle pressing issues like the climate crisis.
  3. Effective leadership in times of crisis requires vision, political courage, and stamina.

Zuckerberg cancelling DEI is a grim day for work

Make Work Better • 212 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Zuckerberg's decision to end DEI programs may reduce workplace diversity and understanding, which can negatively affect decision-making and empathy towards customers.
  2. Critics argue that recent attacks on diversity initiatives are misguided and ignore the historical disadvantages some groups face in society.
  3. There is a growing concern that the economic landscape will change, with a shift towards taxing corporations more than individuals due to the rise of AI technology.

Seven traits of a good boss

The Intersection • 158 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. A good boss motivates employees to reach new heights like a coach pushing a player to excel.
  2. Good bosses have a unique superpower that inspires admiration and aspiration in those they lead.
  3. Bosses who take decisive action, support their team, listen to their needs, show care, and admit mistakes create a positive and empowering work environment.

Leveling up the Leadership Lab in Year 4

The Leadership Lab • 98 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. The Leadership Lab has evolved significantly over the years, starting from a simple idea to now offering additional features like paid subscriptions and 1-on-1 calls.
  2. The addition of paid subscriptions allows readers to directly support the content created, offering perks like exclusive sessions and contributing to the growth of the platform.
  3. The introduction of Subscriber Chat provides a new interactive space for subscribers to engage directly with the author and suggest topics for future editions.

Continuing the Club for the Glue People

Lessons • 157 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The Club for the Glue People is a community that brings joy and learning through experiments and discussions.
  2. Key topics discussed include alignment, org design, letting go, and culture.
  3. The community is launching its second cohort and an annual membership, inviting like-minded individuals to join.