Summary
Every engineering leader has encountered it: a talented engineer who pushes back on a new tool, process, or way of working. Whether rooted in skepticism, habit, or past experience, resistance to change is one of the more nuanced challenges we face as leaders. Unlocking positive change can also be the most powerful impact we have on our teams.
This roundtable is a candid, peer-driven conversation about what's actually worked. We'll share real situations, compare approaches, and dig into the tactics and mindsets that have helped unlock willingness to try new things. Participants can expect an honest exchange rather than a polished framework with the goal of sharing new perspectives and ideas to try with your team.
Host
Cole Bennett
Senior Director of Engineering @ Chime
Cole Bennett is a people-focused engineering leader with over 15 years of experience building and scaling technology teams across fintech, ecommerce, and enterprise software. Most recently as Senior Director of Engineering at Chime, he led product engineering teams building financial tools designed to help everyday people improve their lives and achieve financial peace of mind.
A Stanford-trained engineer with a background in user-centered design, Cole brings a human-first perspective to technology leadership. He is passionate about fostering engineering cultures built on empathy, continuous learning, and teams that genuinely lift each other up.
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