Powerful Introvert
Powerful Introvert: Personal Growth for Quiet Leaders
The Life of an Introverted Technical Leader | Jeff Cowan
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The Life of an Introverted Technical Leader | Jeff Cowan

Musings on growing and adapting as an introvert, chaotic environments, fiendish architects and private offices

In this first interview I speak with Jeff Cowan. We met 14 years ago at a local tech company where I was abruptly introduced to his team as their new manager. The team was cut out of the process and the news of my hiring, in Jeff's words, “was not universally well received.” This was my first stint as an engineering manager, and Jeff was really kind and helped me navigate some pretty choppy waters.

Jeff is an introvert and a very well-respected technical leader. We discuss:

  • his journey as a technical leader

  • the importance of self-awareness for introverts

  • how we can take care of ourselves in high stimulus environments

  • how the workplace has changed over the years

  • we lament the demise of the private office

  • and speculate if we're all just Guinea pigs in some architect’s, grand social experiment

I had a fantastic time talking to Jeff and I'm so appreciative of his being my first guest. Hope you enjoy the episode!

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