How Mob Programming Dissolves the Ego to Boost Team Function: A Conversation with Michael K Sahota

In this insightful episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with Michael K Sahota to dive deep into the transformative power of **Mob Programming** and **Pair Programming** in dissolving the ego and enhancing team dynamics. Michael shares his unique perspective on how mobbing/pairing can lead to profound psychological shifts, ultimately boosting team function, empathy, and humility.
### Key Highlights:
**Pair/Mob to Dissolve the Ego and Increase Team Function**
- Michael discusses the **primary goal** of a mob or pair session, revealing how it goes beyond just writing code or learning new techniques. It’s about dissolving the individual ego and fostering a collective, empathic mindset that benefits the entire team.
- We explore Michael’s **personal journey** with his ego, offering a candid look at how pairing/mobbing have helped him grow both personally and professionally.
- What is the most **significant outcome** of mobbing/pairing beyond the immediate code or learning? Michael explains how the real magic happens when team members listen to each other and take turns, creating a powerful forcing function for collaboration and psychological safety.
- We dive into the **psychological processes** that occur during mobbing, including the death of "fear-based clinging" and how healing the ego leads to deeper empathy and humility. Michael offers anecdotes on how mobbing helps resolve internal conflicts and improve relationships—both at work and beyond.
- How much time should be allocated for **production** versus focusing on **production capability**? Michael discusses how to strike the right balance between learning and output, avoiding over-indexing on either side.
- A unique **"learning theft"** example highlights why juniors should be prioritized during experiments, while senior developers are encouraged to go last—except when it comes to admitting mistakes, where the inverse applies.
**Pair/Mob for Production Capability and Beyond**
- Michael shares his thoughts on balancing the **development of production capability** with immediate production needs. He explains how overinvesting in production at the expense of capability can destroy long-term results.
- We explore how improving production capability with a solid **ROI** can often yield results within a quarter, but must be continually nurtured through retrospectives and lean thinking.
- Breaking the cycle of **overinvesting in production** under intense pressure is a major challenge for many teams. Michael shares stories of how transparency in communication, both within and outside the team, can help break this cycle.
- Michael introduces the concept of building **culture bubbles** and we share contrasting ideas on how much courage is needed for these bubbles.  
- We also discuss the **HIPPO effect** and how mobbing can disrupt this dynamic by emphasizing experimentation and collective decision-making rather than deference to authority.
- Finally, Michael ties it all together by emphasizing the role of **humility**. No one is a flawless expert, and through mobbing/pairing, teams can build a habit of asking for help and embracing the idea that everyone, regardless of experience, has something to learn and improve.
### Why You Should Watch:
This episode is a must-watch for anyone involved in **software development**, team dynamics, or leadership. Whether you're interested in improving psychological safety, fostering team empathy, or enhancing production capability, Michael K Sahota's insights on mobbing and ego dissolution will help you rethink how teams work together. It’s about more than code—it’s about creating a culture of **trust, engagement**, and continuous improvement.
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/Wj2hYGMei8s