Writing

Essays about software, AI, engineering organisations, delivery and the systems that become visible when the demo is over.

Archive

8 entries. Dates reflect publication or the current working version.

  1. Leadership isn’t about knowing; it’s about navigatingLeadership is less about having every answer and more about setting direction, listening well, and moving through uncertainty.Essay · 3 min read
  2. The momentum mindset: move, learn, adjust. Don’t wait for perfectTeams create clarity by moving early, learning from evidence, and adjusting before small problems become large ones.Essay · 3 min read
  3. Not every engineer can deliver every projectSoftware delivery improves when leaders match people’s strengths and working styles to the demands of each project.Essay · 3 min read
  4. Growing up during war and chaos: how a generation learned to live on the edgeA personal reflection on growing up in Sri Lanka during war, the 2004 tsunami, and the resilience and compassion those experiences shaped.Essay · 3 min read
  5. Culture is how employees feel about Monday morningA workplace culture can often be understood through how employees feel about returning to work on Monday morning.Essay · 2 min read
  6. Good vibes only: toxic positivity at workGenuine optimism makes room for difficult emotions; toxic positivity asks people to hide them.Essay · 3 min read
  7. Diversity in tech firms: the challengesDiverse teams bring different perspectives to software work, but inclusion requires deliberate attention to communication, bias, culture, and management.Essay · 3 min read
  8. Everyone here is so much smarter than me. I got here by luck.A personal note about impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and recognising the work behind our achievements.Essay · 11 min read