Hello World!

Hi! 👋 I'm Oz Akan. I am driven by building meaningful technology with talented people, particularly at the intersection of AI, cloud computing, and distributed systems. Over the past 25+ years, I've driven technology innovation from startup environments to executive technology leadership, guiding Fortune 500 companies through complex modernization initiatives. From founding technical communities and conducting over 1,100 interviews as a hiring leader to working hands-on with customers, I'm motivated by the belief that when you lead with clarity, empower with trust, communicate openly, and invest in developing people, extraordinary things happen.

Beyond work, I stay energized through running, strength training, reading, and family adventures. My curiosity reaches beyond technology into psychology, consciousness, quantum mechanics, and the nature of time. I'm captivated by complex systems and the puzzle of free will—particularly how individual choices ripple outward to shape collective outcomes.

Why This Blog Exists

I believe everyone has the capacity and responsibility to lead, regardless of their formal title. Leadership extends far beyond management roles - whether you're a developer crafting code, a product manager shaping vision, or a business leader steering strategy, these fundamental skills can enhance your ability to influence others, guide initiatives, and drive innovation. My goal is to share practical leadership lessons that you can immediately apply to elevate your impact at work.

Here, you'll find content on:

Growth & Leadership: Practical insights on communication, trust-building, strategic thinking, and technical leadership that help you expand your influence and drive meaningful results, regardless of your role or title.

Technical Exploration: Deep dives into emerging technologies, AI/ML developments, cloud-native architectures, and engineering practices that shape how we build and scale modern software systems.

Wisdom & Reflection: Thoughtful perspectives on complex systems, human nature, and the intersection of technology with philosophy, consciousness, and the patterns that govern our world.

Join the Journey

I'm always learning and growing—and I hope this blog helps you do the same. Let's build our leadership skills together to create better teams, better solutions, and better outcomes.

Thanks for stopping by!

— Oz