Shane Emmons:
Trusting the Leap
Shane built a career in corporate tech, proving himself at every turn. But after hitting a glass ceiling, he made a radical choice that transformed his career—and his mindset.
Bio
Shane Emmons is the Founder and CEO of Swept.AI, a company challenging the way we think about the management of artificial intelligence. With 25 years in the tech industry, Shane brings decades of deep expertise in data science and modeling, combined with 15 years of hands-on experience as a startup engineer and executive. His journey through the startup landscape includes early failures, 9-figure successes, and every waystation in between.
An active voice in technology discourse, Shane shares his rich insights through blogging and LinkedIn, focusing on critical issues such as AI ethics, organizational design, and technology and businesses strategies. At Swept.AI, he is at the forefront of developing advanced systems for validating and supervising AI agents, setting new benchmarks for ROI, reliability, and transparency in the field.
Shane’s leadership style is profoundly influenced by ‘teal’ thinking, which prioritizes adaptability, shared purpose, and self-management, a mindset cultivated under the mentorship of his long-time coach and friend, Dr. Keith Merron.
Topics
- Breaking Free from Corporate Bureaucracy
- The Power of Taking Risks in Your Career
- Trusting Your Gut vs. Overanalyzing Decisions
- How Podcasts Can Spark Major Life Changes
- The Challenges of Scaling a Startup from the Ground Up
- Why Climbing the Corporate Ladder Isn’t Always the Best Move
- From Employee to Entrepreneur: Lessons from the Transition
- The Realities of Leading a Startup vs. a Corporation
- The Role of Imposter Syndrome in High-Stakes Leadership
- Overcoming Fear and Taking the Leap Into the Unknown
Guiding Questions
- What was the moment you realized corporate life wasn’t for you?
- How did your first major career shift come about?
- What role did podcasts play in changing your perspective?
- You mentioned negotiating a hybrid schedule—how did that change your mindset?
- What were the biggest surprises when transitioning from corporate to startups?
- Did you face imposter syndrome as a startup leader? If so, how did you handle it?
- How do you know when it’s time to take a career risk?
- What advice would you give to someone stuck in a bureaucratic job?
- What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about trusting your gut?
- If you could go back and give yourself advice at the start of your career, what would it be?