Episode Summary
Career Overview: Josh Knell shares his journey from fixing computers at age 11 to becoming the Vice President of Customer Experience at School AI. His career spans from being a CTO to an executive at an AI startup, emphasizing the importance of people in technology.
Early Beginnings: Josh's entry into technology was sparked by his desire to fix his dad's computer, leading to skills in hardware and problem-solving, marking the start of his interest in technology.
Career Progression and Lessons Learned
Exploration of Various Fields: Josh explored architecture, aviation, and psychology before realizing his passion for technology, illustrated by personal stories and experiences.
Transition and Growth in Technology: Josh discusses the importance of adaptability, sharing his transition from ActionScript to JavaScript as a pivotal moment that transformed him from programmer to critical thinker, highlighting the need for cross-language proficiency.
The Importance of Being a Translator
Translation Skills in Management: Josh elaborates on being a translator between technical and non-technical teams, explaining how understanding technical concepts and explaining them simply aids in effective management and career progression.
Advice for Non-technical Individuals: He encourages exploring new technologies based on personal interest to enhance literacy and decision-making abilities, emphasizing that small steps outside one’s comfort zone can lead to growth.
Current Role and Developer Collaboration
Listening as a Leadership Tool: Josh believes that listening is crucial for effective collaboration and integration as a leader, sharing tactics like going on a listening tour to foster trust and understanding among teams.
Storytelling and LinkedIn Presence: He discusses the significance of storytelling in professional profiles to boost career visibility, sharing personal anecdotes and achievements for impactful communication.
Approaching AI and Education
Consumer and Internal Use of AI: School AI employs AI to enhance educational tools for administrators, teachers, and students while maintaining security. Internally, AI aids in processing tasks like job descriptions, showcasing its role in productivity enhancement.
Potential and Challenges of AI: Josh acknowledges the transformative potential of AI alongside challenges, underscoring the balance between positive application and mitigating fears related to AI’s capabilities.
Final Thoughts and Advice
Encouraging Technological Entry: Josh reassures newcomers that it's never too late to enter the technology field, recognizing the evolving landscape where they can surpass those with longstanding knowledge by staying current.
Zen and Perspective in the Workplace: He advocates for meditation and perspective, suggesting that many workplace issues are non-critical, promoting a balanced and focused mindset.