Summary

In this episode, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson reflect on the year 2025, discussing the growth and engagement of the podcast, the challenges of mental health in the workplace, and the evolving role of AI in shaping careers.

They emphasise the importance of community support and effective communication in navigating these changes, while also exploring emerging trends in quality engineering and testing for 2026.

Takeaways

1. 2025 has been a year of significant growth for the podcast.
2. Engagement from listeners has remained high throughout the year.
3. Mental health challenges in the workplace are prevalent and need addressing.
4. Control the controllables to navigate mental checkouts.
5. Metrics should tell a story, not just be numbers.
6. AI is a tool, but community will shape our careers.
7. Human interaction will be crucial in the tech industry moving forward.
8. Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in a rapidly changing environment.
9. Effective communication is key to influencing teams and driving change.
10. Leadership in quality requires a broad understanding of various disciplines.

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on 2025: A Year in Review

21:44 Navigating Mental Checkouts in the Workplace

28:26 The Role of Metrics in Quality Assurance

34:38 AI vs Community: The Future of Careers

36:02 Embracing AI: The Community's Role

46:30 The Future of Work: Human Interaction and AI

56:51 Trends in Quality Engineering: Skills for 2026

01:07:19 Closing out 2025

Summary

In this episode Stu Day and special guest James Lawther (author of ‘Managed by Morons’) discuss the intricacies of leadership and management, drawing from personal experiences and insights from James's book.

They explore the importance of learning from bad leadership, the need for psychological safety in organisations, and the balance between effectiveness and efficiency.

The discussion emphasises the significance of understanding systems within organisations, the impact of bonus-driven development, and the necessity of a customer-centric approach.

Ultimately, they highlight the importance of building trust and fostering a culture that encourages open communication and continuous learning.

Takeaways

1. Leadership is about creating a culture of trust.
2. You learn more from bad experiences than good ones.
3. Management is straightforward but often poorly executed.
4. Focus on effectiveness, not just efficiency.
5. Psychological safety is crucial for open communication.
6. The system must be managed, not just the people.
7. Long-term thinking leads to better outcomes.
8. Measurement can drive the wrong behaviours.
9. AI should be used to solve real problems, not just for the sake of it.
10. What kind of legacy do you want to leave as a leader?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Book

03:02 The Journey of Writing and Blogging

05:57 Learning from Bad Leadership

08:47 The Importance of Systems in Leadership

11:33 Case Studies and Real-World Examples

14:28 The Impact of Incentives on Team Dynamics

17:15 Psychological Safety in the Workplace

21:34 Creating a Safe Space for Open Communication

22:40 The Swiss Cheese Model: Learning from Mistakes

27:01 Connecting Experiences Across Industries

29:11 Admitting Failure: A Key to Improvement

31:46 Understanding Purpose in Business

36:55 The Dangers of Target-Driven Culture

41:05 The Importance of Systems Thinking

45:44 Optimising Systems Over Individual Performance

48:23 The Impact of Systemic Issues on Operations

51:30 The Cost of Short-Term Thinking

53:45 The Balance Between Efficiency and Effectiveness

56:36 Learning from Failures in Organisations

01:01:33 Building Trust in Leadership

01:03:14 Legacy and Leadership: What Will You Be Remembered For?

01:05:07 Show Close

Summary

In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and special guest Vernon Richards delve into the complexities of language and terminology in the field of quality.

They discuss the importance of understanding context, the impact of personal experiences on language interpretation, and the need for intentional communication.

The conversation highlights common triggering phrases, the role of active listening, and the significance of reframing language to foster better discussions.

Listeners are encouraged to be mindful of their words and to engage in open dialogues to navigate misunderstandings effectively.

Useful Links:

Credibility Playbook for Testers

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition

Situation Behaviour Impact model:

Takeaways

1. Language in quality is complex and varies across organisations.
2. Misunderstandings often arise from different interpretations of the same terms.
3. Active listening and open questions can enhance communication.
4. Context is crucial in understanding the meaning behind words.
5. Reframing triggering language can lead to more productive conversations.
6. Intent behind words can change their impact significantly.
7. Quality is a shared responsibility among all team members.
8. Feedback loops are more effective than rigid quality gates.
9. Personal experiences shape how we interpret language.
10. Difficult conversations are necessary for growth and understanding.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Energy Boost

01:13 The Importance of Language in Quality

03:07 Navigating Misunderstandings in Quality Terminology

10:44 Understanding Different Perspectives in Quality Conversations

14:35 Influencing Change Through Effective Communication

19:13 Reframing Language to Reduce Triggers

25:38 The Role of Context in Quality Discussions

30:08 Feedback Loops vs. Quality Gates

36:05 Navigating Difficult Conversations

39:08 Understanding Triggers in Communication

43:53 The Complexity of Language and Intent

49:10 Identifying Triggering Words

55:54 Mindfulness in Language Use