S2 | Episode #22 - Maximilian Werk - Head of Engineering at Jina AI - "Key Skills For Effective Communication"

The Technology Leadership Podcast

About the Speaker
Maximilian Werk is head of Engineering at Jina AI, a leading technology company in Germany and Europe. With a background in software engineering and a proven track record of successfuly leading teams, Max brings a wealth of expertise to the field of leadership. Throughout his career, Max has demonstrated exceptional communication skills, making him a highly effective leader.

Synopsis
In this episode of The Technology Leadership Podcast, we are joined by Maximilian Werk, head of Engineering at Jina AI. Max shares his thoughts on the importance of leadership in the space, offering valuable insights and tips for career growth. Max shares his journey from being a software engineer all the way through to becoming head of department. Max emphasises the significance of social intelligence in understanding and effectively communicating with team members as well as building trust and creating a purely collaborative work environment.
Key Takeaways

• When faced with disagreements, it is essential to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere within a team to facilitate productive discussions.
• Making the time to understand the motivations and goals of individual team members can be paramount for collective performance
• Observing how people communicate and interact with each other allows leaders to better assess the dynamics within a team.
• Taking time to self reflect helps you identify areas of improvement within your leadership and communication

Episode Outline
[00:09] Meet Max
[03:08] Effective communication and conflict resolution in a business setting.
[11:59] Managing upwards in a workplace
[15:27] Leadership, communication, and understanding team members' states
[20:32] Social intelligence, and project ownership in tech..
[26:14] Career growth and effective work habits.
[31:06] Leadership lessons and time management struggles.