Talking with Tech Leaders

Talking with... Brian Reid, Director of Corporate Transformation & Workplace at the Scottish Government

September 15, 2023 Michael Phair Season 1 Episode 31
Talking with... Brian Reid, Director of Corporate Transformation & Workplace at the Scottish Government
Talking with Tech Leaders
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Talking with Tech Leaders
Talking with... Brian Reid, Director of Corporate Transformation & Workplace at the Scottish Government
Sep 15, 2023 Season 1 Episode 31
Michael Phair

For most of the tech leaders we’ve interviewed on this show, one career is enough. But Brian Reid, Director of Corporate Transformation & Workplace at the Scottish Government, seems to be onto his fourth or fifth career now.

In this episode of Talking with Tech Leaders, he tells us all about the story of his first career – with the 30+ years he spent with Standard Life, working his way up from entry level to executive level. He also discusses some of what he calls his shadow careers. First, as a Taekwondo instructor, guiding others on the tenets and principles still clearly important to him today. Then, as a wedding photographer, having grown from the “amateur who annoys the professional”, to doing a favour for a friend, to doing around 80 weddings.

And he also shares more about his role today, having swapped financial services and travel & tourism for the public sector. With host Michael Phair, he chats through how different (and not so different) it can be, as well as describing some of the transformation he’s driving there. 

Along the way, we hear all about the discipline of project and change management – how methodologies could never be a one-size-fits-all solution, the role of technology and the qualities you need to succeed – and get to hear more about what makes Brian tick.

It’s must-listen stuff. Enjoy!

Show Notes

For most of the tech leaders we’ve interviewed on this show, one career is enough. But Brian Reid, Director of Corporate Transformation & Workplace at the Scottish Government, seems to be onto his fourth or fifth career now.

In this episode of Talking with Tech Leaders, he tells us all about the story of his first career – with the 30+ years he spent with Standard Life, working his way up from entry level to executive level. He also discusses some of what he calls his shadow careers. First, as a Taekwondo instructor, guiding others on the tenets and principles still clearly important to him today. Then, as a wedding photographer, having grown from the “amateur who annoys the professional”, to doing a favour for a friend, to doing around 80 weddings.

And he also shares more about his role today, having swapped financial services and travel & tourism for the public sector. With host Michael Phair, he chats through how different (and not so different) it can be, as well as describing some of the transformation he’s driving there. 

Along the way, we hear all about the discipline of project and change management – how methodologies could never be a one-size-fits-all solution, the role of technology and the qualities you need to succeed – and get to hear more about what makes Brian tick.

It’s must-listen stuff. Enjoy!