EP 15: Focusing On Solving the Right Problems (and Ignoring the Wrong Ones)

Ask us a question or suggest an Episode: https://forms.gle/8tEg2CKTNNWteSgt9

What if the secret to making an impact at work isn’t solving every problem—but knowing which ones to ignore?

In this episode of Beyond the Build, we dive into one of the most overlooked but critical parts of being a software engineer: identifying the right problems to solve, at the right time, in the right way. It’s not about doing more work—it’s about doing the work that actually moves the needle.

We explore the strategic art of letting things fail (on purpose), why clearly articulating a problem is sometimes more valuable than jumping to a solution, and how to assess whether a problem is worth solving before you invest weeks into fixing it. We also get into the political layer of engineering: how to build buy-in, how timing can make or break good work, and why aligning with company KPIs and leadership priorities matters more than technical perfection.

From navigating town halls to choosing visibility over perfection, we break down the soft skills and unspoken dynamics that separate senior engineers from the rest. If you’ve ever felt like your most meaningful work goes unnoticed—or wondered why someone else got credit for something you quietly saved—this episode is for you.

Follow us on Social Media Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebuildpodcast) TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthebuildpodcast)

Connect with Ope - https://www.linkedin.com/in/osunkoyaope/

Connect with Uma: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/umacodes) Tiktok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@umacodes) Twitter: (https://twitter.com/umacodes) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/umaabu/)