An episode which can be described simply as ‘enlightening’, TC Gill engages in a captivating conversation with Andrei Lopatenko, the VP of Engineering at Zillow, as they explore the critical elements of cultivating a culture of innovation and continuous learning in the realm of tech leadership. Andre shares his journey from an individual contributor to a tech leader, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and embracing challenges. Drawing from his experiences at Google, he highlights the significance of transparent communication, fearlessness, and open-mindedness in promoting innovation. Andre discusses how he brings these learnings to Zillow, aligning team missions with the company's strategy. 

Key takeaways: 

- Fearlessness and Openness Culture - Foster a culture that embraces fearlessness and openness, encouraging transparency, open communication, and learning from failures for enhanced innovation and team performance. 

- Continuous Alignment with Company Mission - Regularly align team missions, visions, and strategies with the overall company mission to focus on high-impact initiatives and drive effective contributions to the organization's growth. 

- Embrace Continuous Self-Development - Commit to continuous self-development as a tech leader or CTO to stay updated with industry trends, improve skills, and inspire teams for sustained success. 

Our Guest: Andrei Lopatenko 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lopatenko/ 
Website: https://www.zillow.com/ 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 142: Creating a Culture of Fearlessness and Openness with Andrei Lopatenko

What happens when a company grows through acquisitions but wants to keep the startup spirit alive?

In this episode, TC Gill sits down with Ed Frederici, CTO at Appfire, to explore how to build harmony in a scaling tech company, without crushing innovation. From preserving entrepreneurial culture to building strong, autonomous teams, this one’s packed with insight.

Episode 178: Creating Harmony in a Scaling Company Fueled by Acquisitions with Ed Federici

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If you’re into leadership lessons with a personal twist, this one’s for you.

Episode 179: From Cinematography to Strategic Marketing with Chris Geiser

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Episode 180: The Secret to Great Customer-Centric Software with Chris Huff

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If you're looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this episode delivers.

Episode 182: A CTO's Career Guide: Blending Tech and Business with James Long

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Tune in now and explore the full story!


Episode 183: An AI Give-and-Take with Joel Krooswyk

Can good leadership be taught or does it come down to who you are?

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If you’re tired of corporate speak and want something real, this is the episode for you.

Episode 184: Do Good Leaders Get to the Top? A Discussion with Wes Bailey

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Tune in to hear the realities behind the role and the balance between tech and people.

Episode 185: Leading at the Intersection of Technology and Finance with Reinaldo Ynchaustegui

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Episode 186: Lessons from the Marines and Tech with Bob Hackney

Allen Cheung, SVP of Engineering at UJET.cx, sat down with our host TC Gill for our podcast CTO Confessions to explore how AI is reshaping the tech industry and why some programmers resist this transformation.


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Episode 187: Programmers' Resistance in the Age of AI with Allen Cheung

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Episode 188: Wealth Management Driven by Technology with Naresh Singh

Hosted by TC Gill, this podcast explores the dynamic world of technology leadership. Each episode explores the challenges, strategies, and stories that shape the lives of today’s CTOs and tech leaders.  

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Join us as we unpack the realities of tech leadership and share insights that rarely get the appreciation they deserve, all with a healthy dose of curiosity and candor. 

Brought to you by IT Labs.

Episode 142: Creating a Culture of Fearlessness and Openness with Andrei Lopatenko

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