# Better than Random

Written by a seasoned data leader, focused on data, analytics, AI/ML and engineering, I share practical strategies and lessons from the trenches to help you build systems and teams that outperform chance.

Page: <https://rssamplifier.com/betterthanrandom-substack-com>  
Feed: <https://rssamplifier.com/betterthanrandom-substack-com.md>

---

## [Your company runs Dijkstra](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/your-company-runs-dijkstra)

_2026-08-31 · Better than Random_

The org chart as a shortest-path machine

## [Treat people like adults](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/treat-people-like-adults)

_2026-08-24 · Better than Random_

My heuristic for staying honest with my team without going rogue

## [Shape Up for Data teams](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/shape-up-for-data-teams)

_2026-08-17 · Better than Random_

Only if you are a shaper

## [The moving bar](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/the-moving-bar)

_2026-08-10 · Better than Random_

When absolute progress becomes relative decline

## [Should you take the startup offer?](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/should-you-take-the-startup-offer)

_2026-08-03 · Better than Random_

The Kelly criterion for your next career bet

## [Alpha clowns](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/alpha-clowns)

_2026-07-27 · Better than Random_

How to deal with leaders that fall short

## [The FDE gold rush](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/the-fde-gold-rush)

_2026-07-20 · Better than Random_

How to tell a Palantir-style forward-deployed engineer from a repackaged sales role.

## [The 90/90 rule for the dashboard dumpster](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/the-9090-rule-for-the-dashboard-dumpster)

_2026-07-13 · Better than Random_

A scream test for your reporting layer

## [An empty dance floor](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/an-empty-dance-floor)

_2026-07-06 · Better than Random_

Awkwardness kills data-driven decision making

## [There is always a reason](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/there-is-always-a-reason)

_2026-06-29 · Better than Random_

You have to find it

## [Watch chovy live code (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/EhtT8OVuzyLJ)

_2026-06-29 · **Sponsored**_

Join Mosh Coding streams with collaborative screen sharing and remote control, open source.

## [Marketing is a utility bill you cannot stop paying](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/marketing-is-a-utility-bill-you-cannot)

_2026-06-22 · Better than Random_

Cutting marketing spend looks smart now, and dumb three years later

## [Wind of change](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/wind-of-change)

_2026-06-15 · Better than Random_

Washington wants a seat at the table

## [AI as a tool vs AI as the analyst](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/ai-as-a-tool-vs-ai-as-the-analyst)

_2026-06-08 · Better than Random_

Implications for the data analyst role

## [The firmware veto](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/the-firmware-veto)

_2026-06-01 · Better than Random_

When the install base outvotes the parliament

## [The best engineering managers are former individual contributors](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/the-best-engineering-managers-are)

_2026-05-25 · Better than Random_

Empathy from experience beats corporate-robot feedback

## [I was wrong about the AI bubble](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/i-was-wrong-about-the-ai-bubble)

_2026-05-18 · Better than Random_

Sort of

## [The self-serve delusion](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/the-self-serve-delusion)

_2026-05-11 · Better than Random_

Until now?

## [Spec-driven development](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/spec-driven-development)

_2026-05-04 · Better than Random_

Documentation first, SQL second

## [CDO stories #5](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/cdo-stories-5)

_2026-04-27 · Better than Random_

The person at the center of every conversation

## [Two flavors of Data orgs](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/two-flavors-of-data-orgs)

_2026-04-20 · Better than Random_

The difference between IT and Engineering

## [Persona-led AI publishing (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/Rrit92GHXSzm)

_2026-04-20 · **Sponsored**_

Generate drafts, schedule subdomain publishing, and keep human review where needed.

## [What the hell happened here?](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/what-the-hell-happened-here)

_2026-04-13 · Better than Random_

Agents then and now

## [How can I help?](https://betterthanrandom.substack.com/p/how-can-i-help)

_2026-04-06 · Better than Random_

For starters: don't be a prick