In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, host Zoe Cunningham talks with Clare Sudbery — independent technical coach, consultant, and international speaker with over 25 years in software engineering. Clare has worked across healthcare, insurance, and travel, and now helps technical teams boost performance through clarity, alignment, and collaboration.

Together they explore ensemble working — also known as mob programming or software teaming — and why it’s a powerful shift from solo coding to true collective problem-solving. Clare explains how ensemble working speeds up delivery, reduces risk, and builds stronger, kinder teams that learn faster and work better together.

Discover:

What ensemble working is and how it extends pair programming

Why complex systems demand collaboration, not heroics

How agile and XP principles shape ensemble practices

The hidden costs of handoffs and meetings — and how to remove them

Why onboarding, training, and new features are ideal starting points

How kindness and fast feedback drive high performance

See Clare live on 16 October at Outpace Conf Manchester → outpaceconf.com

Why ensemble working builds stronger engineering teams with Clare Sudbery | The Digital Lighthouse

The Digital Lighthouse is a podcast for CTOs and other tech leaders looking to navigate their organisation through endless disruption and turbulence. Packed full of real life stories and insights, this podcast serves as your guiding light - wherever you are in your journey and whatever challenges you face.