About me

Software engineering has been my passion for more than 25 years. In that time, I’ve seen many technological shifts — from monolithic applications to microservices, from relational databases to NoSQL, from traditional development to DevOps, from waterfall to agile development, and from annual software releases to continuous delivery. I also experienced the move from running our own data centers to using the cloud.

I believe in taking pride in the craft of software engineering and seeing technology in its broader context. Most of what I know today comes from firsthand experience — often from mistakes, setbacks, and projects that didn’t go as planned.

As an engineering leader, I’ve had the opportunity to build teams, hire engineers, and help teams grow. I’ve worked with groups of just a few engineers and with organizations of tens or hundreds of people. I care about engineering culture, collaboration, and continually moving skills and responsibilities closer to the teams that create real value. I try to break down barriers between teams, encourage ownership, and create an environment where mistakes are opportunities to learn.

Endurance sports are a big inspiration for me. They’ve taught me to overcome obstacles, keep going, and accept that the battles we lose often teach us more than the ones we win. I’m curious and passionate about what I do, and I believe in continuing to grow as a person. In difficult situations, I identify with the motto Who Dares Wins — having the courage to take responsibility and make decisions even in the face of uncertainty.

I led the Czech Java User Group for ten years. I write a blog, co-produce CZ Podcast, and occasionally speak at conferences, where I share my experiences in software engineering, cloud computing, DevOps, and leading technology teams. I enjoy passing on what I’ve learned and helping others learn from my own mistakes, too.