Tech Leader Pro

• AI supply chain attacks (TLP 2025w44)

  In this episode, I discuss how all software is vulnerable to supply chain attacks, but I argue that AI is uniquely at risk. I explain that a traditional supply chain attack works by compromising the less-secure "links" in a trusted development process, such as third-party vendors or open-source components—rather than attacking a target directly. This allows malicious code to be delivered through legitimate updates, bypassing standard security defences. I cite the massive SolarWinds breach as a prime example, where attackers inserted a backdoor into a trusted software update, granting them remote access to thousands of secure networks. I then shift focus to AI platforms, identifying their training data as the "weakest link" in their supply chain. I describe "data poisoning," a technique where attackers inject malicious content into the public data sources that AI models scrape for training. This can corrupt a model's knowledge or implant hidden backdoors, namely specific triggers that cause the AI to execute harmful instructions or bypass safety filters. I highlight real-world examples, such as "jailbreak prompts" found on forums and the "Nightshade" tool used by artists to disrupt image generators, concluding that relying on internet data inherently leaves AI models exposed to a "poisoned well." Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/714-AI-supply-chain-attacks-(TLP-2025w44) Keywords: AI supply chain attack, Data poisoning, AI security, Cybersecurity, Supply chain attack explained, AI vulnerability, Large Language Model security, LLM security, Model training data, Nightshade tool, AI data poisoning, Software supply chain, TechLeaderPro, podcast, Cyber attack, Information security, Tech news, AI risks, Generative AI security, AI model integrity, Model jailbreaking, SolarWinds attack, Software security, Cloud security, Open source security, AI data quality, Internet scraping, Third party risk, Digital security

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  7:08
• Task based management (TLP 2025w43)

  Although I typically advocate against micromanagement, I have recently found it necessary to revert to task-based management to support some young leaders on my team who are struggling with end-of-year pressures. Consequently, I have temporarily shifted from delegating autonomy to assigning specific short-term tasks at the start of each week. To keep things on track, I am requiring daily Red/Amber/Green (RAG) status reports, ensuring that I can monitor outcomes closely and push for all tasks to be completed by Friday. I want to emphasize that this is a remedial measure intended only for when a team or individual is overwhelmed, rather than a sustainable long-term strategy. While it is currently necessary to intervene and direct daily operations - such as leading stand-ups - to ensure deadlines are met, I am aware that getting too lost in these tactical details can obscure strategic milestones. My goal is to stabilize the situation enough to step back and trust the team to operate independently again. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/713-Task-based-management-(TLP-2025w43) Keywords: Task based management, Micromanagement, Leadership tips, Management strategies, Tech leadership, Engineering management, Struggling employees, Team performance, Project recovery, Daily standups, RAG status reports, Tactical management, Strategic leadership, Delegation, Situational leadership, End of year deadlines, Management styles, Team leader advice, Corrective action, Employee accountability, Tech Leader Pro, Podcast for managers, Leadership development, Managing underperformance, Software development management, Business productivity, Team turnaround, Short term goals, Management training

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  4:14
• Returning to long form writing with Vom Tag (TLP 2025w42)

  I'm happy to announce a new side project called Vom Tag, which is my return to long-form blog writing. The name, which is German for "From the Roof" or "High Guard," comes from an aggressive medieval sword fighting stance, and I chose it deliberately to reflect the tone I plan to take. Unlike my Tech Leader Pro channel, which is purposefully kept free of politics and divisive issues, Vom Tag will feature essays from the "sharp edge of modernity," allowing me to write about my strongly held opinions and challenge prevailing orthodoxies. My core philosophy for Vom Tag is a yearning to return to traditional ways while rejecting progressive modernity - but importantly, NOT to reject technology. I no longer see technology as synonymous with the modern mindset, especially since I believe the "decel" (deceleration) mindset, which views technology as enslavement or a threat, has become the prevailing majority view. I firmly reject that mindset, advocating instead for effective accelerationism (e/acc), and I am happy to live on that sharper edge. I've already launched a holding page at https://vomtag.com/ and secured the X handle @vomtag for updates. Finally, I'm currently debating whether to include audio readings of these essays in a new, separate podcast feed or keep them within the existing Tech Leader Pro feed, and I welcome any feedback on that decision. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/712-Returning-to-long-form-writing-with-Vom-Tag-(TLP-2025w42) Keywords: VomTag, Long Form Writing, Blog Writing, Tech Leader Pro, HEMA, High Guard, Accelerationism, e/acc, Deceleration, Modernity, Technology Philosophy, Tech Essays, New Project, Opinion Writing, Tech Leadership, Future of Tech, Writing Tips, Digital Content, Tech Policy, Critical Thinking, Productivity Tools, Crypto, AI, Podcast Update, Content Creation, Traditionalism, Tech Debate, Long Form Content, The Sharp Edge

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• Discomfort fosters personal growth (TLP 2025w41)

  I want you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable on a regular basis. Let me explain why. I believe you need to regularly do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, because comfort is a "slow death" that leads to laziness. I compare this to building muscle: to get mentally stronger, you must cope with increasing stress. For me, this means taking on physical challenges I dislike, like running, weightlifting, and a difficult karate class. It's precisely in the discomfort, setbacks, and mistakes of these hard activities that I learn and break new ground, because what's comfortable is already known. I apply this same logic to intellectual growth, consistently seeking out challenging material like technical textbooks or ancient classics to sharpen my mind. I encourage you to pursue difficult tasks, such as learning a language or studying mathematics, which force intense concentration. The episode also stresses the need to stress-test my beliefs by actively seeking opposing views. Quitting is comfortable and easy, so my final advice is to train hard, strive, and ultimately, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/711-Discomfort-fosters-personal-growth-(TLP-2025w41) Keywords: personal growth, self improvement, motivation, mindset, get out of your comfort zone, personal development, self help, mental strength, life lessons, discipline, growth mindset, daily habits, fitness motivation, challenge myself, training, success mindset, overcome obstacles, life hacks, productivity, push yourself, critical thinking, learning, challenging beliefs, self mastery, no excuses, inspiration, life advice, self-discipline, goal setting, be uncomfortable, karate, leadership.

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• Using Google Gemini to summarize the daily news (TLP 2025w40)

  In this episode I will show you how I use Google Gemini to summarize the news headlines for me each morning, so I don’t have to. I was unhappy with the quality of mainstream news in my country, Ireland, and found social media to be an unreliable source. I had also previously been critical of Google Gemini's image generation capabilities. However, I decided to give Gemini another try to solve my news problem. I discovered that Gemini, with its improved capabilities, could use Google Search to get a summary of the daily news from Irish media outlets. I created a prompt for Gemini, "What is the main news from Ireland today?", and found that the results were a "bitesize" summary of the headlines. To make this a daily routine, I automated the process to have Gemini send me a summary every morning at 8:00 AM. This has made getting the news much easier for me, and I am now very impressed with AI's ability to automate aspects of my life. I now see it as a valuable tool. Show notes are here: https://techleader.pro/a/710-Using-Google-Gemini-to-summarize-the-daily-news-(TLP-2025w40) Keywords: Google Gemini, AI automation, daily AI, Tech Leader Pro, TLP, AI tools, news app, personal summary, artificial intelligence, AI podcast, tech podcast, Gemini AI, news aggregator, future of news, Gemini update, tech reviews, AI for life, productivity hacks, Gemini, Google AI, smart news, Irish news, AI productivity, tech trends, Gemini usage, AI for news, daily news, automatization, news tools.

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