Transcript of my speech from OPEX Week Summer 2018

It Depends: Lessons in Technology Leadership

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.

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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