The Lucent Perspective

Rebecca Hastings
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In The Lucent Perspective, host Rebecca Hastings interviews executives and leaders from the AI sector to learn about their successes, most valuable lessons learned, challenges, solutions and insights. Rebecca is a Partner at Owendale Advisory, a boutique AI strategy consultancy, and Founder of Lucent Search, specialist AI leadership executive search. If you're looking to learn about AI, business and strategy and hear from some of the most innovative leaders, join Rebecca Hastings and guests on The Lucent Perspective.

  1. How to Build a Scalable Strategy for Big Bets and Bold Moves with John Rossman

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    How to Build a Scalable Strategy for Big Bets and Bold Moves with John Rossman

    In this episode, Rebecca Hastings sits down with John Rossman — former Amazon executive, Managing Partner at Rossman Partners, and author of Big Bet Leadership and The Amazon Way series. They unpack what it really takes to drive transformation in high-stakes, high-ambiguity environments. John draws from his time launching and scaling the Amazon Marketplace and his advisory work with Fortune 500 leaders to explain how bold ambition, when paired with strategic discipline, is the winning formula for transformation that delivers. Whether you’re a founder at a fast-growing AI startup or a C-suite exec navigating transformation at scale, this episode arms you with a practical toolkit for making confident decisions and leading change that sticks. Topics Covered: Why “big bets” aren’t about gambling — they’re about calibrating ambition with controlled riskThe concept of the Big Bet Vector — clarity on the problem + clarity on the future stateAvoiding transformation theatre and analysis paralysisWhy velocity beats perfection in decision-makingSystems thinking, wicked problems, and the power of the “Three Futures” exerciseCommon reasons transformations fail — and how to avoid themEpisode Highlights: 00:57 — Intro to John Rossman and “Big Bet Leadership”03:10 — Are we in uniquely turbulent times? (Spoiler: not really.)05:48 — Why companies stall despite big ambitions08:25 — The real questions leaders must answer before executing transformation13:11 — What kind of leaders thrive during transformation?17:32 — The Three Futures exercise for effective executive alignment23:41 — The danger of “all hat, no cattle” innovation26:30 — How to manage a portfolio of big bets effectively31:48 — Playing chess, not checkers: systems thinking in action34:52 — Financial projections vs. outcome-based thinking38:57 — Why many transformations fail before they start41:07 — Big Bet GPT: John’s AI-powered strategy tool42:19 — Why speed matters more than everAbout John Rossman: John Rossman is the Managing Partner at Rossman Partners, a former Amazon executive, and the author of the bestsellers Think Like Amazon and Big Bet Leadership. At Amazon, he led the launch of the Amazon Marketplace. Today, he advises leaders at global enterprises on strategy execution, digital transformation, and innovation leadership. 🔗 Resources & Links: John’s Book: Big Bet LeadershipLucent AI Salary Guides: https://bit.ly/DataAILeadershipGuide2025Rebecca 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.

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  2. How to Build AI Startups That Cut Through the Noise with Varun Nair, CTO at That Works

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    How to Build AI Startups That Cut Through the Noise with Varun Nair, CTO at That Works

    In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings is joined by Varun Nair, Co-Founder and CTO at That Works—an AI-powered workspace tackling the chaos of modern work by eliminating noise from meetings, messages, and manual status updates. With over 15 years of experience spanning startup exits, team-building at Meta, and investing in AI-first ventures, Varun shares how to move faster, build smarter, and avoid the common traps in early-stage product development. They dive into what makes AI startups succeed (or fail), how “done is better than perfect” still applies—if you execute it right—and why most tools miss the mark on real team productivity. If you're building in AI, trying to scale a SaaS product, or pitching in today’s competitive investor landscape, this episode is full of clarity and practical wisdom. Topics Covered: Why “move fast” is essential for AI founders—but so is product qualityWhat Varun learned going from startup founder to Meta engineering leaderHow to balance data-driven thinking with human intuitionThe myth of perfect positioning—and how to actually stand out to investorsWhy most team tools create noise, not clarityFrameworks for testing fast, shipping faster, and learning quicklyWhat to do when traction is “mid” and VCs want top-tier growthHow to know if your co-founder dynamic is your greatest strengthEpisode Highlights: 00:00 – Intro to Varun Nair & That Works  02:00 – From Two Big Ears to Meta: scaling product & mindset  04:37 – Startup vs. Big Tech: how priorities shift  08:09 – Lessons from Meta: data, positioning & product clarity  11:54 – Startup #2: prioritization over hustle  16:56 – The real problem with dashboards, meetings & Slack  25:35 – Why shipping fast is still the smartest move  30:34 – Launching AI products: speed vs. substance  33:48 – What investors actually look for in AI startups 41:09 – Fundraising: qualifying VCs & avoiding pitch fatigue 48:43 – Varun’s advice for founders: detail, gut-feel & staying close to users About Varun Varun Nair is Co-Founder and CTO of That Works, an AI workspace that helps teams work smarter by cutting through the noise. Previously, he co-founded Two Big Ears (acquired by Meta), where he went on to lead product and platform engineering for immersive and AI technologies. He now advises AI startups across Europe and the US and writes regularly on how teams and products can scale with clarity, not chaos. 👉 Connect with Varun 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.

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  3. How Agent AI Scaled to 1.4M Users: Building for Non-Tech Builders with Andrei Opirsan

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    How Agent AI Scaled to 1.4M Users: Building for Non-Tech Builders with Andrei Opirsan

    In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings is joined by Andrei Opirsan, Head of Engineering at Agent AI—a platform redefining no-code AI. With over 15 years’ experience leading technical innovation at startups and tech giants like Wayfair and HubSpot, Andrei shares the engineering, architectural, and leadership choices that powered Agent AI’s explosive growth to 1.4 million users in under a year. They discuss how Agent AI empowers non-technical users to build intelligent agents, the challenges of orchestrating AI at scale, and why small teams often outperform larger ones. If you're navigating AI adoption, scaling a SaaS platform, or managing high-performance tech teams, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Topics Covered Agent AI’s user growth: From zero to 1.4M in less than a yearKey technical and product decisions that enabled fast scalingDesigning platforms for both no-code and technical usersModular system architecture and continuous testing at scaleHuman-in-the-loop design and agent orchestration challengesHow small teams build faster and stronger culturesHiring for ambiguity, versatility, and ownershipStrategic decisions behind building vs. integrating AI toolsEpisode Highlights: 00:00 – Intro to Andrei Opirsan & Agent AI  02:00 – The 3 pillars behind Agent AI’s growth  06:00 – Building for no-code and technical users  09:00 – When to build AI agents from scratch vs. integrate  11:00 – Agent orchestration and managing scale  15:00 – Testing, architecture reviews, and moving fast  21:00 – Small teams vs. large: Agility and ownership  24:30 – Traits to hire for in a startup environment  28:00 – Leadership shift: From doing to enabling  33:00 – How they manage distributed teams & alignment  36:30 – Metrics that matter beyond vanity user numbers  37:50 – Trust, AI in hiring, and identity verification About Andrei Andrei Opirsan is Head of Engineering at Agent AI and a co-founder of OneScreen.AI. With a background in scaling engineering teams and platforms at companies like Wayfair, Liberty Mutual, and HubSpot, he blends technical depth with product strategy. At Agent AI, he’s leading the charge in making AI agent-building accessible, scalable, and impactful—especially for non-technical users.  Connect with Andrei 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.

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  4. Scaling SaaS Globally: Lessons in Pricing, People & Product with Lucas Lovell

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    Scaling SaaS Globally: Lessons in Pricing, People & Product with Lucas Lovell

    In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings speaks with Lucas Lovell, VP of Product at Paddle. Lucas shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Paddle scaled from a growing fintech to a global leader in payments infrastructure—including navigating a major acquisition, evolving pricing models, and hiring talent for scale. Lucas offers insights into how AI is reshaping SaaS pricing strategies, what makes global expansion successful, and why product-led companies must strike a balance between scrappiness and operational maturity. Key Topics Covered How to scale a SaaS company with intention and avoid common growing painsThe impact of AI on SaaS pricing—and whether subscriptions are really dyingWhat product leaders should focus on to drive growthThe importance of adaptability when hiring at different stages of scaleLessons from merging Paddle with a US-based companyHow AI tools are lowering the barrier to innovation and redefining team capabilitiesTips for companies thinking about talent pipelines, upskilling, and hiring former foundersEpisode Highlights [00:59] Lucas’ background and journey from founder to VP of Product at Paddle[02:25] Challenges of scaling from 90 to 300 employees[06:41] Hiring for growth phases and balancing startup mindset with operational rigor[13:55] Lessons learned from acquiring a US-based company[19:45] Why SaaS pricing models are evolving, not disappearing[26:48] The biggest mistakes companies make when pricing their product[30:34] Where pricing roles typically sit in SaaS companies—and why it matters[32:36] Are we risking a “lost generation” of talent?[36:59] Why AI is lowering the barrier to entrepreneurship[39:25] How Paddle is helping its teams stay current and experiment with AI[43:00] Advice for scaling SaaS globally with intention[44:39] Why hiring former founders can be a major assetAbout Lucas Lovell Lucas Lovell is the Vice President of Product at Paddle. Prior to Paddle, he co-founded Hopstay, an international travel tech company. With years of experience scaling product and engineering teams, Lucas now plays a key role in shaping Paddle’s global growth strategy, talent development, and pricing innovation. 📌 Connect with Lucas:  🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Paddle 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.

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  5. How Businesses Can Make Smarter AI Investments with Oliver King Smith

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    How Businesses Can Make Smarter AI Investments with Oliver King Smith

    In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings speaks with Oliver King Smith, founder of SmartR.AI. His company specializes in transforming raw data into behavioral intelligence, with expertise spanning AI-powered decision-making, machine learning, and embedded systems. Oliver shares insights on how businesses can navigate AI investments, avoid common pitfalls, and measure ROI effectively. He also discusses how AI models are evolving in 2025 and what leaders should focus on when implementing AI solutions. Key Topics Covered How businesses should approach AI investments.The most common mistakes companies make when implementing AI.Why AI should be seen as assistive intelligence, not artificial intelligence.The risks of AI model poisoning and how to mitigate them.Why private AI models are becoming more attractive to enterprises.How organizations can measure AI success beyond ROI.The growing divide in AI adoption between the US and Europe.Episode Highlights [00:57] Oliver King Smith’s background and expertise in AI.  [02:25] Why businesses struggle to measure AI ROI.  [06:13] The biggest mistakes companies make when investing in AI.  [08:44] Why AI projects often fail and how to set them up for success.  [14:30] The role of private AI models in protecting sensitive data.  [20:32] How AI hallucinations impact decision-making and how to control them.  [24:26] The risks of AI model poisoning and how companies can safeguard against it.  [29:19] How organizations can measure AI success beyond immediate ROI.  [35:54] The evolving role of HR in AI adoption.  [38:15] The impact of AI on hiring, talent retention, and job roles.  [41:51] The future of AI hardware and how businesses can prepare.  [47:26] How to balance human expertise with AI-driven decision-making. About Oliver King Smith Oliver King Smith is the founder of SmartR.AI, a company dedicated to optimizing AI-powered decision-making. With a background in machine learning, AI automation, and data-efficient reinforcement learning, Oliver has helped businesses navigate AI investments and strategy. 📌 Connect with Oliver: 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 SmartR.AI 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.

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  6. How Technologists Can Become Effective Leaders with Vladimir Baranov

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    How Technologists Can Become Effective Leaders with Vladimir Baranov

    In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings speaks with Vladimir Baranov, an exited founder, CTO, and executive coach. With experience spanning fintech, wealth tech, aerospace, and AI-driven space technologies, he has co-founded and scaled multiple companies, including AdvisorEngine, later acquired by Franklin Templeton. Now, through Human Interfaces, he helps founders and executives improve leadership skills to run businesses effectively. Vladimir shares why technologists struggle in leadership, the most common mistakes founders make, and how to develop leadership skills for long-term success. Key Topics Covered How technologists can transition into leadership.How to identify high-potential leaders in technical teams.How leadership development is often overlooked.How communication affects leadership success.How perfectionism holds back technical founders.How personal branding impacts leadership and hiring.Episode Highlights [00:57] Vladimir Baranov’s background and leadership expertise.[02:25] How technologists struggle when stepping into leadership.[06:13] How to identify and develop future leaders.[08:44] How temporary leadership roles test managerial fit.[14:30] How to demonstrate leadership skills early.[20:32] How Vladimir transitioned from technologist to coach.[24:26] How fintech vs. aerospace leadership styles differ.[26:58] How perfectionism slows down founders.[29:19] How communication strengthens leadership.[31:51] How personal branding helps attract top talent.[35:54] How technologists can take control of career growth.[38:15] How founders can align their leadership teams.[39:18] How to connect with Vladimir for coaching.About Vladimir Baranov Vladimir Baranov is an exited founder, CTO, and executive coach with two decades of experience in fintech, aerospace, and AI-driven space technologies. Through Human Interfaces, he helps founders and executives scale businesses and develop leadership skills. 📌 Connect with Vladimir: 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Human Interfaces – Book a free discovery session 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.

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  7. Top Tips For Managing Organizational Change with Leisa Docherty

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    Top Tips For Managing Organizational Change with Leisa Docherty

    In this bonus episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings speaks with Leisa Docherty, an experienced Chief People Officer, Executive Coach, and HR transformation expert. Leisa has led HR strategies, business acquisitions, and cultural transformations at companies like Sage, Aspire Technology Solutions, and Causeway Technologies. She shares insights on navigating organizational change, AI integration, and leadership alignment. Key Topics Covered Structuring successful company integrations post-acquisitionWhy clear communication is vital during transitionsSigns it’s time to rethink organizational structuresHow AI is reshaping HR and People OpsCommon restructuring pitfalls and how to avoid themLeadership’s role in driving meaningful changeManaging employee expectations and morale through transitionsEpisode Highlights [01:41] How to set up a successful post-acquisition integration [03:35] The importance of proactive and transparent communication [06:05] Key indicators for organizational restructuring [07:57] Why leadership alignment is critical during transformation [09:48] How AI is reshaping HR and business operations [10:52] Common disruptions and how to prepare for them [12:20] Building leadership skills to effectively drive change [15:54] Best practices for managing morale and expectations [17:18] Preparing for emerging roles and AI-driven shifts [18:34] Where to connect with Leisa for further insights About Leisa Docherty Leisa Docherty is a Chief People Officer, Executive Coach, and HR transformation expert with experience in M&A, organizational design, and leadership coaching. She helps businesses scale successfully while ensuring effective people strategies. 📌 Connect with Leisa: 🔗 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.

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  8. How Agentic AI is Changing Business and Leadership with Gary Crawford

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    How Agentic AI is Changing Business and Leadership with Gary Crawford

    In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings speaks with Gary Crawford, an AI strategy expert and Founder of Owendale Advisory, a consultancy helping businesses adapt to the intelligence era. With rapid AI advancements, including agentic AI, businesses face new challenges and opportunities. Gary shares insights on AI-driven organizations, leadership evolution, and talent strategies in a changing landscape. He explores AI’s impact on hiring, business transformation, and strategic decision-making. Key Topics Covered What agentic AI is and how it differs from traditional AI.Why AI is moving from a tool to an autonomous workforce contributor.The impact of AI-driven automation on hiring and career development.How businesses should rethink talent strategies as AI expands.Why leadership teams must understand AI beyond the buzzwords.How agentic AI is shaping finance, healthcare, and software.Risks of delaying AI adoption and why hesitation is costly.The future of AI in business models and organizational structures.Episode Highlights [00:57] Introduction to Gary Crawford and his AI strategy expertise. [02:33] What agentic AI is and how it operates autonomously. [04:39] Why AI adoption is a business transformation, not just a tech shift. [06:48] How AI is disrupting hiring and reshaping talent strategies. [10:49] The risks of over-relying on AI for decision-making. [15:08] How AI is transforming traditionally slow-adopting industries. [22:53] Common misconceptions about AI and its business impact. [31:12] Structural and cultural shifts businesses must prepare for. [35:53] Why delaying AI adoption could leave companies behind. [40:52] How leaders can strategically experiment with AI. [47:31] Final thoughts on AI’s impact on leadership and strategy. About Gary Crawford Gary Crawford is the Founder & Chief Advisor at Owendale Advisory, where he helps businesses align AI opportunities with strategic goals. With a background in working with C-level executives, boards, and leadership teams, Gary specializes in AI transformation, business strategy, and executive coaching. His experience spans financial services, healthcare, energy, public sector, and retail, making him a sought-after advisor on AI-driven innovation. 📌 Connect with Gary: 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Owendale Advisory 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.

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In The Lucent Perspective, host Rebecca Hastings interviews executives and leaders from the AI sector to learn about their successes, most valuable lessons learned, challenges, solutions and insights. Rebecca is a Partner at Owendale Advisory, a boutique AI strategy consultancy, and Founder of Lucent Search, specialist AI leadership executive search. If you're looking to learn about AI, business and strategy and hear from some of the most innovative leaders, join Rebecca Hastings and guests on The Lucent Perspective.

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