Episodes

  • Navigating Corporate Values: Upholding DEI Amidst Financial and Systemic Pressures

    Navigating Corporate Values: Upholding DEI Amidst Financial and Systemic Pressures
    Dec 8 2025
    The conversation between Donna and Yakov Lasker explores the rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in corporations, noting a shift from 2020's commitments to quiet rollbacks by 2025. They discuss the influence of financial priorities over genuine values, the systemic nature of corporate decision-making, and the importance of maintaining consistent principles despite external pressures. The discussion emphasizes the need for leaders to uphold real values, even when it costs them, and to focus on substantial changes rather than performative actions. #DEI, #CorporateValues, #Leadership, #FinancialPressure, #SystemicChange, #Consistency, #GenuineCommitment
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    13 mins
  • People Aren’t Resources - A CTO’s 15-Year War With HR

    People Aren’t Resources - A CTO’s 15-Year War With HR
    Nov 17 2025
    Yakov Lasker, a former CTO, advocates for a radical shift in HR management, emphasizing the need to treat employees as people rather than resources. He criticizes the current HR framework for its inefficiencies and lack of empathy, proposing HR integration within functional teams to foster genuine care and responsiveness. Lasker challenges organizations to prioritize human relationships and practical outcomes over standardized processes. He suggests embedding HR professionals into management teams to better align with the company's human-centric goals, advocating for a culture of trust and respect to achieve effective organizational results. #HR, #CTO, #HumanResources, #EmployeeEngagement, #OrganizationalCulture, #Management, #WorkplaceInnovation
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    19 mins
  • What to Do When Your Manager Doesn’t Have a Strategy

    What to Do When Your Manager Doesn’t Have a Strategy
    Oct 20 2025
    Donna and Yakov discuss how many leaders have unarticulated strategies, often communicated vaguely through informal channels. Jenny Wanger’s survey reveals only 14.7% find leader strategies clear. Yakov suggests a five-step method to extract, document, and enhance these strategies, positioning oneself as a strategic influencer while aiding managers and improving organizational clarity. #leadership, #strategy, #organizationalclarity, #management, #communication, #influence, #professionaldevelopment
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    13 mins
  • The Great AI Jobs Debate

    The Great AI Jobs Debate
    Sep 8 2025
    Donna and Yakov discuss the impact of AI on employment trends, highlighting concerns about job displacement, particularly among young workers. Research offers conflicting findings, with one study noting minor differences in unemployment rates and another reporting significant declines for young workers in AI-exposed roles. Emphasizing adaptability, the speakers urge a balanced approach to workforce development, focusing on human skills and on-the-job training integrated with AI tools. They advocate for cautious planning, avoiding overhauls based on preliminary data, while fostering resilient learning cultures to navigate technological changes. #AI, #jobs, #employment, #workforcedevelopment, #adaptability, #youngworkers, #technology
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    8 mins
  • Hiring only senior engineers is killing companies

    Hiring only senior engineers is killing companies
    Sep 29 2025
    The podcast episode discusses the drawbacks of the prevalent trend in companies of focusing solely on hiring senior engineers. It highlights the untapped potential of junior engineers, who, due to AI tools, can quickly become productive. The conversation emphasizes the need for mentoring juniors, leveraging their fresh perspectives, and integrating them effectively to build strong, dynamic teams. #HiringTrends, #SeniorEngineers, #JuniorEngineers, #AITools, #Mentorship, #TeamBuilding, #TechIndustry
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    10 mins
  • Meta’s AI Talent War and Its Implications

    Meta’s AI Talent War and Its Implications
    Aug 25 2025
    Tech companies are fiercely competing for AI talent, with Meta offering unprecedented compensation, such as $1.5 billion over six years, to AI researchers. Despite high salaries, cultural issues persist, with Meta’s retention rates lagging. The industry is focusing on acquiring talent rather than developing it, risking long-term sustainability. Regulatory scrutiny and market corrections may follow, emphasizing mission-driven cultures over financial incentives. Companies lacking Meta’s budget must innovate, prioritizing equity, work-life balance, and mission alignment to attract talent. The current trend may reverse, highlighting the importance of culture and development over exorbitant compensation. #Meta, #AI, #TalentWar, #TechIndustry, #Compensation, #WorkCulture, #Sustainability
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    14 mins
  • 80 Hours a Week is Back

    80 Hours a Week is Back
    Aug 18 2025
    Silicon Valley is experiencing a dramatic shift towards extreme work cultures in AI startups, echoing China's banned "996" culture. Companies demand 80-hour weeks, risking employee burnout for the AGI race, promising high rewards. This culture excludes many, jeopardizing long-term innovation and societal wellbeing. Sustainable practices may offer competitive advantages. #SiliconValley, #AIStartups, #WorkCulture, #Burnout, #AGI, #Innovation, #Sustainability
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    18 mins
  • The Hidden Talent You’re Accidentally Rejecting

    The Hidden Talent You’re Accidentally Rejecting
    Jul 21 2025
    The discussion highlights the significance of hiring "Expert Generalists" over specialists. These individuals possess deep foundational knowledge and learning agility, enabling them to adapt, recognize patterns, and excel across various domains. Emphasizing fundamental skills and cross-domain collaboration over specific technical expertise fosters innovation and better adaptation to technological shifts. #ExpertGeneralists, #HiringStrategies, #Innovation, #CrossDomainCollaboration, #LearningAgility, #Adaptation, #TechnologicalShifts
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    13 mins