24 min
Happy Tech #2 - Jon Darbyshire, CEO of SmartSuite Happy Tech Podcast
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- Technology
This time I am interviewing Jon Darbyshire, serial tech entrepreneur who moved on from big successes in a corporate world to founding, running and then selling his own tech company about 10 years ago. Now for the last 3 years he has been working on his new exciting project and that is how we met. I’ve had a privilege of spending quite a bit of time one on one with Jon, and learned a great deal through our conversations and also realized that he is quite a fulfilled and a happy person in general. I’d love to learn more from him on this specific subject and invite you into our conversation about happiness at work and in life.
1st question - what makes you happy in what you do?
Personal life is a foundation for everything. When it comes to profession - begins with loving what you do, seeing progress over time, people you’re working with.
2nd question - how do you keep the balance in the midst of everything?
Having a good process in the company helps eliminate some of the stress
The process you have helps carry you through the stress
Having open communication - communicate goals, celebrate success along the way. Having other people know and understand key goals and metrics. Goals for departments and employees.
Everyone does an assessment on how they did. Did they meet/exceed the goal. Do retrospectives.
Having a systematic process in a company with retros, assessments etc frequently - helps to talk things through.
It helps to create a sense of ownership
3rd question - how do you avoid burn out?
People that take a bit more time off tend to be more productive over the long term.
4th question - What was getting on the way of your happiness and fulfillment when you were younger?
It’s important to know who you are, and not try to be something different.
Let your management style reflect who you are and your personality
He thought he needed to be like someone else and act like other people, which didn’t match his personality style - that was hard and wrong.
""I wish my younger self would say - take your time and enjoy the ride"".
A lot of younger people are watching you. Do things in a more calm manner.
This time I am interviewing Jon Darbyshire, serial tech entrepreneur who moved on from big successes in a corporate world to founding, running and then selling his own tech company about 10 years ago. Now for the last 3 years he has been working on his new exciting project and that is how we met. I’ve had a privilege of spending quite a bit of time one on one with Jon, and learned a great deal through our conversations and also realized that he is quite a fulfilled and a happy person in general. I’d love to learn more from him on this specific subject and invite you into our conversation about happiness at work and in life.
1st question - what makes you happy in what you do?
Personal life is a foundation for everything. When it comes to profession - begins with loving what you do, seeing progress over time, people you’re working with.
2nd question - how do you keep the balance in the midst of everything?
Having a good process in the company helps eliminate some of the stress
The process you have helps carry you through the stress
Having open communication - communicate goals, celebrate success along the way. Having other people know and understand key goals and metrics. Goals for departments and employees.
Everyone does an assessment on how they did. Did they meet/exceed the goal. Do retrospectives.
Having a systematic process in a company with retros, assessments etc frequently - helps to talk things through.
It helps to create a sense of ownership
3rd question - how do you avoid burn out?
People that take a bit more time off tend to be more productive over the long term.
4th question - What was getting on the way of your happiness and fulfillment when you were younger?
It’s important to know who you are, and not try to be something different.
Let your management style reflect who you are and your personality
He thought he needed to be like someone else and act like other people, which didn’t match his personality style - that was hard and wrong.
""I wish my younger self would say - take your time and enjoy the ride"".
A lot of younger people are watching you. Do things in a more calm manner.
24 min