The Lucent Perspective
In The Lucent Perspective, host Rebecca Hastings interviews executives and leaders from the tech sector to learn about their successes, most valuable lessons learned, challenges, solutions and insights. Rebecca is an executive headhunter who has built leadership teams and helped technology companies rapidly scale. If you're looking to learn about startup and scale-up technology companies and hear from some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative leaders, join Rebecca Hastings and guests on The Lucent Perspective.
The Lucent Perspective
The Tech Onboarding Blueprint: Effective Strategies for Welcoming Tech Leaders and Scaling Engineering Teams with Gavin Cowie
Gavin Cowie, an experienced VP of Engineering and CTO, shares his insights on successfully onboarding senior tech leaders, scaling engineering teams, and navigating cultural differences between US and UK tech scenes. With extensive experience in AI, data science, and cybersecurity companies, Gavin offers valuable perspectives for tech leaders facing the challenges of rapid growth and changing work environments.
Key topics covered:
- Comprehensive onboarding strategies for senior tech leaders
- Evolution of engineering leadership as companies scale
- Cultural differences between US and UK tech scenes
- Challenges and opportunities in post-pandemic work environments
- The impact of AI and emerging technologies on the future of work
Episode Highlights:
[00:56] Introduction to Gavin Cowie's background and expertise
[02:26] The evolution of engineering leadership from seed stage to Series C and beyond
[05:06] The importance of "giving away your Legos" as companies scale
[10:28] Crucial elements of onboarding for senior tech leaders
[14:51] The value of understanding a company's history of change
[22:00] Strategies for building key relationships when starting a new role
[25:31] Cultural integration and alignment as an overlooked aspect of onboarding
[32:34] Tips for onboarding engineers effectively
[37:12] Navigating cultural differences between US and UK tech scenes
[42:55] Top challenges for tech leaders in post-pandemic work environments
[46:16] The impact of AI and emerging technologies on the future of work
About Gavin Cowie
Gavin Cowie is a highly experienced VP of Engineering and CTO who has worked in AI and data science companies including Alluvium (acquired by Augury), Rent the Runway, and Siacom. With a career spanning both the US and UK tech scenes, Gavin brings unique insights into scaling engineering teams and navigating cultural differences in global tech environments.
- Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn
Rebecca Hastings, Founder and Director at The Lucent Group
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hastingsrebecca/
Would you like to be a guest? Book a time to speak with Rebecca: https://calendly.com/rebeccahastings/discovery-call
The Lucent Group Ltd website - https://www.thelucentgroup.co.uk/
The Lucent Perspective website - https://thelucentperspective.com/
Rebecca has extensive talent and executive search experience supporting digital and technology businesses through complex changes and fast-paced scale-up periods. She works with businesses advising on C-level, technical, sales and commercial appointments, workforce planning, strategic talent management, recruitment processes and associated technology and employer brand development.