# 004 - “Until They Know How Much You Care” with Andy Robertson

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2021-10-27
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/004---Until-They-Know-How-Much-You-Care-with-Andy-Robertson-e193qan

## Summary

Andy Robertson, founder of CQE Academy, explains his transition from a career in medical device engineering at Alcon to full-time education, detailing how he uses the Feynman technique and specific study habits to help students pass the CQE exam. He shares anecdotes from his time at Alcon, including implementing Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) using Infinity QS, to demonstrate the practical value of quality engineering principles. Robertson emphasizes leadership philosophy, citing mentors like Scott Brown and Julie Geller, and stresses that caring for people is the foundation of effective management and teaching.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=1) Introduction: Andy Robertson and CQE Academy
- [2:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=164) Robertson's Career at Alcon and Starting CQE Academy
- [6:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=382) Defining Mastery and the Feynman Technique
- [11:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=673) Building Habits and Morning Routines
- [18:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=1099) Implementing DOE and SPC at Alcon
- [29:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=1755) Teaching Strategies: Active Retrieval and Mixed Practice
- [37:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=2225) Transitioning to Entrepreneurship and Leadership
- [47:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=2849) Leadership Lessons: Caring and Mentorship
- [51:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson#t=3110) Philosophical Influences and QA Heroes

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- CQE Academy (company)
- Alcon (company)
- Infinity QS (tool)
- ASQ (other)
- Atomic Habits (other)
- Mindset (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2E34 How Process Engineering Will Make You An Invaluable Engineer | Zach O’Ferrell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-06-s2e34-how-process-engineering-will-make-you-an-invaluable-engineer-zach-oferrell) (Being an Engineer)
- [Andre Sotomayor | Working with Technicians, Hand Calculations, and Engineering EQ](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-09-09-andre-sotomayor-working-with-technicians-hand-calculations-and-engineering-eq) (Being an Engineer)
- [S2 E35 Design of Experiments, Real World Experience, & Human Interaction | Angel Martinez](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-13-s2-e35-design-of-experiments-real-world-experience-human-interaction-angel-marti) (Being an Engineer)
- [eQMS in Academia: Practical Learning for Biomedical Engineering Students](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-07-28-eqms-in-academia-practical-learning-for-biomedical-engineering-students) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#440: ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!) Fundamentals of Quality & Regulatory](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-01-05-440-icymi-in-case-you-missed-it-fundamentals-of-quality-regulatory) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-27-004-until-they-know-how-much-you-care-with-andy-robertson. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Let's Combinate.