Sometimes you just need another perspective.

I've spent 15 years building and leading engineering teams in Singapore and around the region. If you're weighing a career move or stuck on something at work, I'm happy to talk it through.

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Who this is for

Engineers and engineering leaders. People usually bring things like:

Sethu Prabakaran on a beach in a white linen shirt and round sunglasses

About me

Hi, I'm Sethu.

I started out writing iOS apps at Mediacorp in 2010. Since then I've co-founded two startups, been CTO at Eatigo, and led engineering at ComfortDelGro, Delivery Hero and Grab.

Over the years I noticed the part of the job I enjoyed most was the 1:1s. Helping someone get through their first few months as a manager. Talking an engineer through whether to take a new job.

People often told me afterwards that it helped to see the problem from a different angle. So I'm doing more of that now.

A few numbers

How a session works

No presentations. No prepared talks.

Just a conversation about whatever is most useful to you.

  1. 01

    You tell me what's going on.

  2. 02

    We talk it through. I'll ask questions and share what I've seen work, and what hasn't.

  3. 03

    You leave with a clearer head and something to try next.

Things we can talk about

01

Moving into management

Your first team, your first hard conversation, and later on, managing managers.

02

Growing a team

Hiring, splitting into squads, and working across countries and time zones.

03

Startup or big company

I've been a founder, a first hire, and a leader at a large company. They're very different jobs.

04

Large consumer apps

Keeping big apps stable, and getting design systems adopted by the teams using them.

05

AI in engineering teams

What's actually helping developers today, and what's still hype.

What colleagues say

From LinkedIn.

Sethu is amongst a rare bred of technology persons that can find the right balance between Technology & Business. Smart, extremely reliable and with a sharp focus to find creative and balanced solutions to technology challenges. He is able to find solutions that meet the short term needs of the business whilst allowing the organization to retain flexibility towards longer term goals. Respectful to people whom he works with, works for and who works for him, Sethu commands a lot of respect from those who have had the privilege of working alongside him.

Judy TanGlobal Business Leader · Adjunct Lecturer, Singapore Management University

I consider myself fortunate to have worked with Sethu for many years. His core strengths are Problem Solving, Patience, Perseverance, and Humility. As a technical business partner, he was the glue that kept the company together. He coached, trained and led more than 40 engineers, more importantly he had the respect and confidence from the entire team.

Mark PickardSenior Director APAC

His technical knowledge and leadership skills are unparalleled and most issues had a very short time to resolution because of Sethu's ability to understand the root cause and work with the engineering and product teams in delivering a high quality software release. He is a natural leader and has my highest recommendation!

Dhruv LokapureProduct Builder · Agile Practitioner

As a CPO you need to rely heavily on tech… I can wholeheartedly recommend him as a tech leader for any organization due to his well rounded knowledge, diligence/commitment to delivery, attention to detail and flexibility. He cares for his team members and puts team before self which is what you expect in a leader.

Mark ReillySenior Product Leader · Southeast Asia Tech

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Sessions are free and booked through ADPList. Pick a time that suits you. No prep needed.

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Free · Video call · via ADPList