The Journey from Individual Contributor to Leader | with Bill Binkiewicz

In this episode of 40% Better, host Bill Lennan sits down with Bill Binkiewicz to explore how asymmetric wins, leadership, and continuous learning shape high-performing software teams and modern engineering organizations. The conversation spans leadership lessons learned through coaching and sports, building trust and psychological safety in teams, and why curiosity and mental models matter more than ever. They also dive into the evolving role of AI in software development, discussing where it adds value, where it falls short, and why it should be treated as a productivity tool—not a replacement for critical thinking. From engineering management and team dynamics to automotive technology, internal customer needs, and delivering business value quickly, this episode offers practical insights for leaders, developers, and anyone interested in building better teams and better systems. 🔑 Topics Covered

Asymmetric wins and exponential growth opportunitiesLeadership lessons from sports, coaching, and software teamsBuilding trust, transparency, and psychological safetyContinuous learning and growth mindset in engineeringAI in software development: promise vs realityEngineering management and team collaborationInternal customer needs and business value alignmentMental models, curiosity, and critical thinkingIn-person collaboration and serendipitous conversationsAutomotive technology and the future of software

💡 Key Takeaways

Asymmetric wins can unlock outsized results in leadership and teamsPsychological safety drives better collaboration and innovationContinuous learning is essential for modern engineering teamsAI enhances productivity but doesn’t replace human judgmentDelivering value quickly is critical to business successCuriosity and strong mental models improve problem-solvingTrust enables better contributions and team engagement