In this episode of Frog Talk, Nader Safinya sits down with Miguel Caballero Pinto, Software Engineering Manager at Harmonic AI, to unpack what it takes to build resilient, high-performing teams in today’s AI-driven world. From his early days at Microsoft to leading startups and advising founders, Miguel shares how collaboration, culture, and extreme ownership shape great teams—especially in remote and hybrid environments. If you’re a leader navigating growth, change, or distributed teams, this episode is packed with insights on fostering psychological safety, bias for action, and continuous learning. Tune in to learn how to create a culture that not only survives but thrives through transformation. Guest Introduction: Miguel Caballero Pinto is a Software Engineering Manager at Harmonic AI, where he leads the Flow Team transforming how venture capital firms operate through AI-driven tools. With over 15 years of experience, he’s shipped global products at Microsoft, co-founded multiple startups, and speaks internationally on leadership, resilience, and applying the startup mindset within large organizations. Miguel also advises early-stage founders across global startup ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

• Collaboration multiplies success. Teams thrive when open communication and shared goals drive every interaction.
• Culture fit outweighs skill set. Hiring for alignment in values and attitude creates stronger, more cohesive teams.
• Remote leadership requires intentionality. Fabricate connection through open channels and transparency—don’t let isolation win.
• Bias for action beats bureaucracy. Test, iterate, and learn quickly to stay adaptable and innovative.
• Extreme ownership fuels trust. Leaders who admit mistakes and model vulnerability inspire accountability across the team.
• Continuous improvement is non-negotiable. Staying “above the line” means embracing learning and new technologies—especially AI.

Chapter Markers: 0:00 – Intro 0:05 – Guest Introduction: Miguel Caballero Pinto 1:00 – Miguel’s Early Tech Journey 3:00 – Lessons from Microsoft: Collaboration Across Teams 6:00 – Hiring for Culture, Not Just Skill 9:00 – Remote Work Realities and Leadership Challenges 12:30 – Building Momentum When Teams Feel Stuck 15:30 – Open Communication and “Ramble Channels” at Harmonic AI 19:30 – How AI Transforms Team Operations 23:00 – Applying the Startup Mindset in Large Organizations 27:00 – The Power of Extreme Ownership and Vulnerability 30:00 – Building Psychological Safety in Teams 33:00 – Cross-Cultural Lessons from Global Startup Ecosystems 36:00 – Closing Thoughts: Staying Above the Line Keywords: Frog Talk, Nader Safinya, Miguel Caballero Pinto, Harmonic AI, leadership, team culture, startup mindset, AI transformation, remote work, collaboration, resilience, extreme ownership, psychological safety, product leadership, continuous improvement