In this episode, Jake and Steve break down the core traits that separate engineers who accelerate teams from those who quietly stall progress. This is a raw, practical conversation about how ego shows up in engineering—and how to replace it with real influence, clear communication, and team-building behaviors that actually get noticed.

Not theory—practical, tactical advice from engineers who’ve been there.

Key topics covered:
• The real meaning of agency and urgency—and why they belong together
• How ownership and accountability build trust fast
• Why curiosity and humility unlock next-level influence
• How ego-driven behavior quietly destroys team capacity
• The biggest career-limiting behavior you may not realize you're doing
• Delivering clarity under pressure—even when it's not your fault
• Why engineers need to manage upward as well as across
• Recovering from mistakes in a way that builds your reputation
• Communication strategies that work with execs and field teams alike
• What it really takes to become the engineer people trust

Actionable takeaways:
• Follow up within 24 hours—no exceptions
• Ask people how they want to receive updates
• Don’t wait to be told—take initiative within your lane
• Own the outcome, even when someone else drops the ball
• Convert mistakes into visible lessons learned
• Deliver updates in three clear sentences, not a ramble
• Track your open loops and close them like it matters (because it does)
• Stay curious and ask why, not just what
• Give credit, take feedback, and actually apply it
• Show urgency with your response time and your decision-making

This episode is for engineers who are tired of being overlooked, want to lead without waiting for permission, and are ready to build real trust and career equity through action—not noise.

Where to listen:
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This one’s for every engineer who’s ever been told to “speak up more” without being given a blueprint.

David Hall—author of Minding Your Time and host of The Quiet and Strong Podcast—joins us to dismantle the noise around introversion in the workplace. He’s not here with theory. This is tactical, field-tested insight for deep thinkers who want to lead without pretending to be extroverts.

We go deep into how to use your internal processor to drive action, earn respect, and stop being overlooked in rooms full of noise.

Key Topics Covered
• What introversion really is (and why most people get it totally wrong)
• The difference between shyness and quiet—and why the confusion screws careers
• How internal processors can dominate meetings without dominating airtime
• Strategic silence: how to build presence before you speak
• The energy cost of context-switching and how to reclaim your calendar
• Using Clifton Strengths to stop fighting yourself and start accelerating
• Tools for managers working with introverted engineers
• Misconceptions about leadership—and how the loudest voice often lacks the most value
• The power of concise, confident delivery when you're not the one talking nonstop
• How David built a podcast and wrote a book as a so-called “quiet” person

Actionable Steps
• Write down one insight and one question before every meeting
• Speak within the first five minutes of a call—even just once—to shift perception
• Request agendas ahead of time so you can prep like a weapon
• Block your calendar for recharge time and deep thinking—not just tasks
• Build a “someday” list to offload ideas that are valuable but not urgent
• Tell your manager how you work best—don’t assume they know
• Stop managing to everyone else’s energy—optimize for yours
• Use written follow-ups after meetings to drop clarity bombs
• Set decision deadlines to avoid drowning in overthinking
• Stop trying to match extrovert volume—match their impact

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers who feel unseen or undervalued in loud team environments
• ICs who know they’re capable but get dismissed as “quiet”
• First-time managers trying to lead introverted reports effectively
• Burned-out overthinkers looking for structure and clarity
• High-performers who hate traditional networking bullshit

Why It Matters
You don’t need to be loud to lead—but you do need to be heard. Quiet minds build rockets, develop systems, and lead teams. But when your silence is misunderstood, your impact dies in the dark. This episode is about reclaiming visibility without selling out who you are. Your gifts are powerful—if you learn how to use them.

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

Episode 108: Guest Mark Smith - Fired, Hired, and Thriving — Real Lessons from the Early Career Shitshow

Your first engineering job might suck. It might burn you out, betray your expectations, or end with you getting fired. That’s not a failure—it’s training. In this episode, we sit down with Mark Smith, founder of Bothwell Engineering, to unpack the early career war stories that shape who you become. From getting let go in his first year to building a thriving consultancy in life sciences, Mark shares tactical lessons for engineers trying to lead with integrity, energy, and clarity. Not theory—practical, tactical advice.

Key Topics Covered
• Getting fired in your first job: what it really teaches you
• How to pitch your worst experience as your strongest value
• What makes a real mentor—and how to keep them invested in you
• Why Bothwell Engineering was built to fix broken engineering culture
• How to avoid becoming “just a number” in your career
• The surprising power of honesty in job interviews
• Early career moves that build long-term trust and career leverage
• How co-ops and field experience prepare you for real leadership
• When not to take a full-time offer—and why
• Building a business without burning yourself out

Actionable Steps
• Reframe every failure into a value story—especially in interviews
• Ask the “dumb” questions early—don’t let fear cost you progress
• Get your hands dirty: walk the floor, inspect installs, ask the trades
• Build your micro-resume weekly—track what you learn and share it
• Spend 15 minutes a week expanding your network, no excuses
• Know what “support” looks like—ask for structure if you need it
• Find mentors by implementing their advice, not just listening
• Don’t burn bridges—you’ll see these people again, guaranteed
• Explore co-ops and contractor roles for real-world acceleration
• Challenge clients and companies—your integrity is your brand

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers in toxic work environments wondering if it’s just them
• Early career ICs with no structure, mentorship, or support
• New grads navigating co-ops, contracts, or first real jobs
• Overlooked engineers trying to find better leadership
• Engineers burned by loyalty to companies that didn’t return it

Why It Matters
Energy, visibility, and performance are what move your career forward—not being “perfect” out of the gate. The early years are where you build your voice, your values, and your ability to lead. This episode is a playbook for turning chaos into clarity—and using every tough lesson to level up faster.

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.