leadership Archives

182: Take a Plunge Over the Growth Edge with Christopher Belcastro | Chief Technology Officer

by Max Ahumada | Aug 19, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Christopher Belcastro, a high performing and focused CTO with global leadership experience managing large, diverse engineering projects & teams.

Christopher is one of us. He has over a dozen years of product development experience in power electronics for mission critical power protection applications.

If you want to be known for your ability to transform organizational performance, driving revenue and operating results for your company, then stick around because that’s what Christopher is known for.

But it didn’t come easy. After being told by HR when he was a new engineering manager that, “people don’t like working for you,” he had to make major adjustments or go down in flames.

Spoiler alert, he’s a successful CTO now, and he shares those lessons learned with you today.

A coach at heart, Christopher loves to give back to the global engineering community.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to take the plunge over your growth edge!

179: Beware the Lazy Engineer’s Way to Promotion

by Max Ahumada | Jul 29, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive into the common trap many engineering managers fall into when they pursue career growth the lazy way: by working harder and longer hours.

We explore Rahul’s journey, a dedicated engineering manager who achieved success through hard work only to find himself overwhelmed and burned out. Through Rahul’s story, I highlight the importance of shifting from an individual contributor mindset to a leadership mindset, focusing on strategic delegation, and prioritizing tasks that matter most.

This episode is all about understanding the pitfalls of the “work harder” mentality and embracing a smarter, more sustainable approach to career advancement.

So press play and let’s chat about how to level up without burning out!

177: Why Recruiters Do Not Find Jobs for People | Career Transition Coaching

by Max Ahumada | Jul 15, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I tackle a common misconception in the career journey: the difference between a recruiter and a coach.

Many engineering leaders and managers come to our coaching organization, Oasis of Courage, seeking help without realizing they might need coaching instead of recruiting. I dive into the key differences between these two roles, explaining why recruiters find people for jobs, while coaches help you become the best candidate for your desired role.

I also discuss the importance of having a comprehensive job search strategy that includes but isn’t limited to recruiters.

You’ll hear real-life examples of how coaching can accelerate your career transition, boost your confidence, and help you avoid the pitfalls of desperation.

So press play and let’s chat about making your next career move with the right support system!

172: Master Product Management Like a Marketing Pro with Amberdeep Aurora

by Max Ahumada | Jun 10, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, meet my good friend Amberdeep Aurora, an accomplished Product Management leader who knows how to speak geek… because he started where you did, engineering.

Amberdeep is fluent in the languages of Consumer, Business and Technology. Besides being a utility patent holder, one of his products has won recognition for being Popular Science Magazine’s 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021.

We cover the key difference between outcomes and outputs, the 3 key trade offs to a product’s success, and how to make better decisions.

You may or may not see Product Management on your career ladder, but if you want to be a STEM professional capable of success and influence outside the walls of your cubicle, this conversation is critical.

Currently a Group Product Manager at Whirlpool Corp, a Global $20B World’s Most Admired Company (ranked by Fortune, 14 years in a row), Amberdeep leads a team of product managers in improving the shopping experience across the company’s North American Portfolio of six Direct-to-Consumer eCommerce websites.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to stop talking about solutions and start listening to our customer’s problems!

171: See How Easily You Can Increase Confidence at Work

by Max Ahumada | Jun 3, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I explore the surprising link between failure and confidence, sharing insights from a recent coaching session with top-performing engineering managers.

We discuss how our greatest growth often comes from setbacks and how shifting our mindset from fearing failure to embracing learning can unlock true confidence.

Hear a powerful story from my client Becca, who transformed her confidence by breaking the confidence-competence loop.

Join me as we reframe success and failure, focusing instead on continuous growth and learning.

So press play and let’s chat about transforming your confidence through growth!

170: Are You Feeling Bored or Burned Out Lately? with Erika Rothenberger

by Max Ahumada | May 31, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, meet a woman who gave up the idea of being bored and focused on changing into the leader she dreamed of becoming, Erika Rothenberger.

Discover her secret to growth when you feel like you have nothing else to give. As you’ll see, she makes most of us look flat out lazy.

She currently manages a full-time career as Director of Performance Systems for a big national utility
contractor, Henkels & McCoy. She started two female empowerment networking groups in her community, and serves on multiple charity boards.

Erika is a mom, a published author, traveling keynote speaker, wellness entrepreneur, real estate investor, and oh yeah…host of the “Grit, Grace, & Glitz” podcast!

So press play and let’s chat… because you have the resilience inside of you for glitz without burnout!

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