Listen: Leading & Learning

This turned out to be a kind of freewheeling discussion between myself, our question-asker Patrick, and three guests. It circles around the idea of leading a team of technologists, and not only on how technology gets selected in an environment, but how those three lead their teams to the right learning to get the job done – and to support their teams’ overall careers. Audio is a bit messy in spots, but I hope you enjoy the listen.

Listen: Is Infrastructure from Code Right for Me? Which Toolset is Best?

Are you wondering if “Infrastructure from Code” is a good approach for your company? Surprisingly – yes! The benefits go far beyond mere automation. With that said, which toolset is best? How do you get started? How do you sell it to the business? All that and more answered in this episode.

Listen: What is "Success?" How do you decide "what's next" in your career?

Have you hit some great milestones in your career? Are you basically happy with your job – but wonder how to answer everyone who keeps asking “what’s next?” How do you manage your career – and do you need to keep “moving up?” We unpack it all in this episode.

Listen: Steering a Career as a Woman in Tech

If you’re a woman in technology – specifically, in this case, a database administrator – how do you steer your career? How do you overcome imposter syndrome? How do you build a network of colleagues to help grow and support your career? SQL Server/PowerShell MVP Chrissy LeMaire joins for this insightful discussion.

Listen: What's a Stock Market, and How can a Virus Impact it?

So… we’ve all been dealing with a crazy stock market, with craziness coming from the global SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. But… how can a virus affect a stock market? What IS a stock market? Why do they work they way they do? A Round Table discussion for those who might not know exactly what all this stuff is.

Listen: With so much tech to choose from, how do I decide where to focus?

Tim Warner joins me in this discussion about where to focus your career, given the huge array of choices in front of you today. We arrive at a roughly three-step process for making that decision, and discuss some of the different lenses you might need to look through as you work through it for yourself.

Listen: A “Core Curriculum” for SysAdmins

Ever wonder what a modern “core curriculum” for sysadmins would look like? In this Round Table, we asked someone who knows, because she designs and teaches that core curriculum to young folks just entering the field.

Listen: Emotional Intelligence, Showing Up as Who You Want to Be

Would you coworkers describe you the same way you would? Is that description helping you as a person, and your career? “Emotional Intelligence” can seem like yet another Human Resources buzzword, but it’s really just a phrase for describing something that’s both powerful and simple – and something that can make your life and career more fulfilling and rewarding. Sarah’s book recommendation: Emotional Intelligence 2.0.

Bonus Listen: A Round Table on OpEx, CapEx, and Business Finances

A bonus pilot episode for you this week! This is a potential new format for the podcast, where we take a relaxed, freewheeling approach to a particular topic. This episode: ever wonder what OpEx and CapEx are, and why some companies prefer one over the other? Wonder what a P&L is and how it’s used? All that and more are on the table.

Listen: Community Contributions and Getting an MVP Award

What’s it take to get an MVP Award? What kind of contributions matter the most, and where do you start? And… is getting the Award the right reason to start contributing to your community? What’s the Award worth, and what’s it mean? Commonly asked, fairly heavy questions… and I think I’ve pulled together a great set of folks to offer their perspectives. And here’s a related post if this topic interests you.

Don Jones®

Primary Menu

Category: Podcast