Podcast Title Tim Hamilton on Building Global Teams and Cultures That Last Episode Overview In this episode, I sit down with Tim Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Praxent, to talk about what it takes to build a global company that still feels connected, creative, and alive. Tim started Praxent 24 years ago — as a 16-year-old coding websites out of his bedroom — and has since grown it into a U.S. and nearshore software engineering firm serving financial services clients. But what's most striking isn't the growth; it's how he's built a company that runs on ritual, creativity, and trust, not mandates or proximity. We talk about how he's learned to lead distributed teams, create culture through intention and design, and why every great company — remote or not — needs to create what he calls "a game worth playing." What We Talk About Starting Early and Dreaming Big Tim shares how an unpaid internship at 16 shaped the rest of his life. That summer gave him clarity — not just on what he wanted to do, but how he wanted to work: surrounded by creative people solving interesting problems together. It was the spark that became Praxent. Design as DNA From the beginning, Tim's vision for Praxent has been clear — combine great design, strong engineering, and an exceptional client journey. That mix still drives the company today, and it's what's allowed them to grow from small projects in Austin to large-scale fintech modernization for global clients. Rituals That Build Culture When Praxent went remote, Tim realized he couldn't mandate connection — he had to inspire it. So the company created rituals like their weekly "Huddle," a 30-minute gathering that's been running since 2009. It's part stand-up, part celebration — a space filled with energy, music, laughter, and shared wins. From Mandates to Motivation Tim believes that great cultures are designed intentionally. Shared office space is just one ingredient — but leaders also have tools like rhythms, inside jokes, rituals, awards, and social norms. "We're missing that part of the conversation," he says. "We have many tools in the toolbox beyond just the office." Designing the Employee Journey At Praxent, every experience — from onboarding to promotion — is designed. Using design thinking, Tim's team maps each stage of the employee journey and ensures every person, whether in Austin or Argentina, has the same access to opportunity, feedback, and growth. Building Global, Staying Connected Praxent's team now spans the U.S. and Latin America, with hubs in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina. Tim shares how they've built this network deliberately — not chasing cost savings, but seeking time zone alignment and cultural fit. "We were always mindful of the gap," he says, "and we wanted parity in experience across every geography." The Progress Principle One of the company's guiding ideas comes from The Progress Principle — the notion that people stay motivated when they feel they're making progress. Praxent has built systems around this, from recognition programs and merit badges to transparent promotion paths, creating what Tim calls "a game worth playing." Mistakes, Judgment, and Safety Tim also talks about creating psychological safety — giving people permission to make mistakes and learn judgment the hard way. "Good judgment comes from experience," he says, "but experience comes from bad judgment." For him, the key is having a "budget for mistakes" and using coaching, not punishment, to grow people into leaders. AI and the Future of Feedback Tim sees a future where AI can turn the "digital exhaust" of meetings and messages into helpful, real-time coaching. Instead of quarterly reviews, leaders can use this data to provide high-frequency, human feedback — closing the gap between learning and doing. Lessons That Stay With You You can't mandate culture — you have to inspire it. Rituals create connection. Every team needs its own rhythm. Global parity matters. Culture must reach across geographies. Progress keeps people engaged. Everyone needs to feel they're advancing. Psychological safety unlocks judgment. Mistakes are the price of growth. AI will enhance feedback — but humanity must lead it. Moments to Remember "I can't mandate you to come to the office, but I can inspire you." "We're missing the conversation about all the other tools leaders have — rituals, rhythms, norms, and shared jokes." "You have to create a game worth playing — one where people can see their progress." "Good judgment comes from experience, but experience comes from bad judgment." "We've got to have a budget for mistakes." About Tim Hamilton Tim Hamilton is the Founder and CEO of Praxent, a software product engineering firm that helps financial services companies modernize technology and customer experience. Founded in 2000, Praxent now operates across the U.S. and Latin America and is recognized for its people-first, design-led culture. Tim writes and speaks widely on leadership, remote collaboration, and organizational design. Praxent About Kevin Bonfield I'm Kevin Bonfield, and this series explores leadership in motion — how people build trust, creativity, and culture across borders and through change. These conversations are about learning from real leaders who've built the kind of organizations we all want to be part of. concentre.net midmarketedge.com midmarketedge@concentre.net
