Hartley's Handbook

2025-08-11 [Insert Fantastical GPT-5 Headline Here]

ChatGPT-5 released this weekend (though I’m sure you already know this) and it’s highlighted an interesting divide in the world of AI users.

Aug 11 • 

John Hartley

1

June 2025

2025-06-09 On Perceived Complexity

Welcome back to the weekly newsletter!

Jun 9 • 

John Hartley

2025-06-02 - Bandages on Broken Bones

I think a lot about technical debt, technical financing, and how to move fast without putting future state at risk.

Jun 2 • 

John Hartley

1

February 2025

#8 Documentation and the Council of Elders

Featuring Michael Yotive

Feb 26 • 

John Hartley

45:03

#7 Balancing Code & Leadership + The Power of Sponsorship & Recognition

Welcome back to Ask Hartley Anything, the podcast where I tackle your questions and share lessons from my journey as an engineering leader.

Feb 12 • 

John Hartley

28:37

2/10/25 - This Meeting Could Have Been a Fistfight

As the title says, this week, I’m thinking about meetings and constructive conflict.

Feb 10 • 

John Hartley

1

January 2025

The Balance Between Ambition and Self-Compassion

Welcome back to Ask Hartley Anything, episode six.

Jan 29 • 

John Hartley

1

29:38

The Art of Goal Setting: For You, Your Team, and Your Company

SMART Goals, OKRs, and more!

Jan 22 • 

John Hartley

22:34

1/20/25 - No Take, Only Throw: The Plight of Junior Engineers

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Junior Engineering ecosystem lately and how sad the landscape has become.

Jan 20 • 

John Hartley

Mastering Decision-Making: Empowering Teams and Mental Models

Summary from Audiopen.ai Prime (affiliate link for the only AI tool I pay for)

Jan 15 • 

John Hartley

23:23

Measuring Engineering Managers' Impact and the Hospitality Quotient

Welcome back to Ask Hartley Anything, Episode Three, the podcast where I take your questions and share insights from my journey as an engineering…

Jan 8 • 

John Hartley

2

28:02

December 2024

12/23/24 - The Ghost Engineers of Christmas Past, Present, and Future

I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of "ghost engineers" lately—those engineering ICs who seem busy but contribute little meaningful work.

Dec 23, 2024 • 

John Hartley

1