Ep 34: Ali McKee on Growth, Grit, and Getting Back In

Ep 37: Simon Sayegh on the CIO’s Balancing Act - People, Platforms, and Progress

What’s keeping tech leaders up at night? According to CIO Simon Sayegh, it’s not just AI hype. It’s legacy systems, missing skill sets, and unclear outcomes.  Segmented Discussion Points:  1. Outcome-Driven Architecture, Not Agile Theatre  * Why “agile in name only” is no longer good enough  * The rising demand for capability-based partnerships  * How CIOs can enable business outcomes without owning everything  2. Simplify or Sink: The Case for Fit-for-Purpose Tech  * The hidden risks of going “best in class” vs. “fit for purpose”  * Why modular and hybrid architectures are the new normal  * Lessons from consolidation trends across enterprise tech  3. The AI Reality Check  * Why “guardrails first” is Simon’s golden rule for AI adoption  * What boards should really be asking about AI projects  * The difference between solving a problem and chasing a trend  4. Partner Ecosystems and Trusted Networks  * The modern CIO’s secret weapon is who they can call at 5pm on a Friday  * When to outsource, near-source, or in-source (and how to decide)  * The underrated art of asking, “Help me understand the value you bring”  5. Culture Isn’t Motherhood Stuff. It’s a Strategy  * Why work teams are more like sporting teams than families  * The cost of keeping your “best performer” with the worst behaviour  * How shared KPIs can transform internal relationships  6. Two-Speed Tech Teams and Career-Defining Projects  * Why CIOs must deliver quick wins while building long-term foundations  * The uncomfortable truth: most organisations don’t know what’s going on under the hood  * Reframing AI as “just another project” but with way more risk  👋 Follow ThunderLabs on LinkedIn for more sharp, human takes. Or subscribe to our newsletter for fresh episodes and smarter thinking.

Ep 36: Leadership without the Title with Dr Robert Winter

What do you do when the strategy slides are polished, the goals are lofty, and yet… nothing moves? In this episode of ThunderCast, Chris McGowan sits down with Robert Winter—thinker, writer, leadership philosopher—to unpack why good people get stuck in toxic environments, how complexity messes with traditional management, and why real leadership feels more like gardening than goal-setting.  Whether you're a team lead, a CEO, or just the person quietly holding the business together, this one's for you.    Segmented Discussion Points:  1. Leadership Without the Title  * What is “discretionary boundary spanning” and why does it matter more than job titles?  * Why the real leaders in your organisation probably don’t sit in the executive team.  * The invisible work that keeps businesses alive (and why it rarely gets rewarded).  2. Complexity vs. Complication  * How to tell if you're managing a complicated process or leading through complexity.  * Why traditional management breaks down in uncertain environments.  * The role of language and shared understanding in navigating the unknown.  3. The Curse of Overpreparedness  * How fear of looking foolish creates paralysis (even in seasoned leaders).  * Why the most competent people often hesitate—and why that’s not a bad thing.  * Learning to speak, even when you don’t have all the answers.  4. The Problem with “We’re a Family”  * Why calling your team a family can backfire—and what to say instead.  * Navigating organisational growth without losing trust or psychological safety.  * What to do when people love the work but not the workplace.  5. The Art of Situational Leadership  * Knowing when to talk, when to do, and when to direct.  * How to manage without micromanaging.  * What makes a good manager feel like a leader.  6. Rituals of Reflection and Thinking Time  * Why your best team members aren’t just busy—they’re thoughtful.  * The leadership skill no one teaches: creating space for thinking.  * How “malicious compliance” can kill momentum.  7. Writing to Think, Not Just to Publish  * Why writing privately is still a leadership skill.  * The surprising power of choosing the right word.  * Building influence by showing your thought process, not your credentials.

EP 35: Alistair Burton on What We’re Still Getting Wrong in Tech (And How to Fix It)

Chris McGowan sits down with technology and business leader Alistair Burton. From the realities of justifying IT costs to the uncomfortable truth about our industry’s talent pipeline, this episode is a charged-up unpacking of what tech leaders are really wrestling with in 2025.  Discussion Points:  1. The Power of Showing Up  * What happens when you ask better questions and truly listen  * The underrated career value of curiosity and connection  * Alistair’s own reflections on what his podcast taught him about leadership and growth  2. The Top 5 Things on Tech Leaders’ Minds for 2025  * AI: Innovation enabler or shiny distraction?  * Cybersecurity: Why even mature organisations can’t let their guard down  * Data & Analytics: Why we’re still fighting the same battles from 20 years ago  * Talent: The hidden cost of always hiring “ready-made” professionals  * Cost Justification: Why proving value is still harder than it should be  3. Enterprise Architecture: Proving the Value Before the Roof Leaks  * Why architecture is hard to measure… until it’s too late  * Tactics for justifying the existence of functions that prevent disasters  * Breaking down cost in a language execs actually understand  4. Innovation, Risk, and Playing with AI  * The difference between exploring AI and implementing it  * What smart experimentation really looks like  * How to fund innovation without being told to “just trust me”  5. The Talent Pipeline Problem (and a Possible Fix)  * Why most organisations aren’t growing their own talent  * The lost art of hiring for potential over polish  * A throwback to a nearshore innovation model that might be due for a comeback    If you’re a tech leader navigating AI, budgets, or hiring headaches, this one’s for you. Subscribe to ThunderCast on your favourite platform and follow us on LinkedIn to stay charged-up with more no-fluff insights.

Ep 34: Ali McKee on Growth, Grit, and Getting Back In

In this refreshingly real episode of ThunderCast, General Manager of ThunderLabs, Ali McKee, joins host Chris McGowan for a deep conversation on career transitions, motherhood, and leadership. Ali shares how she made the leap from print to tech, the power of pushing past self-doubt, and what it really takes to show up — at work, at home, and in life.  Whether you're re-entering the workforce, navigating growth as a parent, or just feeling a bit stuck in your career, this one’s for you.  Episode Breakdown 1. From Safe to Stretch: The Career Leap  * * Why Ali left a “safe” job in print to jump into the unknown world of tech  * * The mindset shifts required when switching industries  * * What happens when you realise you’ve been underestimating yourself for years    2. Mental Load & Modern Leadership  * The invisible weight working parents carry—and how to handle it  * Why judgement-free flexibility is more than a nice-to-have  * The reality of showing up for your kids and your team    3. Vulnerability vs Strength: The Balancing Act  * Why being open is a competitive advantage (and not a liability)  * The kind of support returning professionals really need  * How to spot the difference between growth and overwhelm    4. Choosing Work That Works for You  * What to look for in your next job (it’s not just salary or title)  * Why believing in the mission makes the hard days worth it  * Ali’s take on financial freedom, fulfilment, and flexibility    5. Advice for Re-Entry and Reinvention  * How to prepare for job interviews after time away  * Tips for regaining confidence in a changed job market  * Why openness to learning might be your greatest asset

Ep 33: Start Small, Delight Big, Stay Human - Coffee Chat with Abdullah Ramay

In this special morning edition of ThunderCast, Chris sits down with Abdullah Ramay, CEO of Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters, to grind through the big questions in leadership, business, AI, and, of course coffee. Abdullah’s obsession with craft, culture, and continuous learning turns this casual chat into a masterclass on building resilient, human-centric businesses in an era of rapid change.  1. Coffee Economics 101 (Without Putting You to Sleep)  - Why global coffee prices have skyrocketed and why your $5 flat white might still be too cheap.  - The difference between commodity and specialty coffee (spoiler: Arabica snobs, you’re not wrong).  - How climate, supply chains, and consumer expectations are reshaping the coffee industry.    2. Product, Service, Experience… Emotion?  - Coffee as a ritual, not just a beverage.  - The four lenses every business should use to evaluate their offering.  - The surprising power of a good cup and why it’s not about caffeine.    3. Obsession > Passion: The Case for Caring Too Much  - Why great leaders are often slightly obsessed (in the best way).  - How motivation can be cultivated and why your team’s energy is contagious.  - Why sweeping the floors still matters, even when you’re CEO.    4. Human Touch in a Robotic World  - What AI could mean for the hospitality industry — from barista bots to emotion-aware service.  - The risk of replacing connection with convenience.  - Why 'made by humans' might be the next premium feature.    5. Scaling Culture Without Burning the Beans  - Why great founders must build great leaders.  - How to keep your values intact while growing the business.  - The delicate balance between indoctrination and inspiration.    6. Technology, Transformation & Tinkering With the Future  - Why some businesses are stuck bolting AI onto broken systems.  - Why innovation should start now—not after your ERP upgrade.  - Build the laser, then the Death Star: how to experiment at low risk and high reward.    7. The Secret Sauce? Curiosity  - Abdullah’s self-confessed superpower: an unstoppable urge to learn.  - Why curiosity might be the only long-term career hack that matters.