Leading IT at an employee-owned company, Brandon Hansen brings a unique perspective to technology leadership. His approach emphasizes empowering team members, fostering a culture of ownership, and making strategic decisions that benefit the entire organization. With a background in networking and a passion for continuous learning, Brandon’s leadership style blends technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills, driving innovation and collaboration across the business.
How can IT leaders foster a culture of ownership and make better decisions? In this episode, Brandon Otteson shares his experiences leading IT in an employee-owned company, offering insights on navigating vendor relationships, empowering teams, and driving technology decisions. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, empathy, and focusing on what you can influence to create a positive IT environment.
Run your IT department as if it was an employee-owned business.
01:00 – Discussion on decision-making and spheres of influence
07:29 – Example of proposing vSAN implementation and facing resistance
15:18 – Navigating vendor relationships and cloud migration pressures
24:10 – Benefits and challenges of working in an employee-owned company
26:12 – Importance of providing excellent service to internal customers
29:12 – Advice on continuous learning and growth in IT careers
30:14 – Discussion of Rapport Leadership training
31:39 – Examples of low device damage rates due to ownership culture
