Executive transitions
When I joined Brex, I didn't expect to stay for more than a couple of years. Best case, I thought I'd last 2-3 years before the company outgrew my abilities and brought in someone from a Magnificent Seven (née FAANG) company who really knew what they were doing. Yet, nearly six years later, I handed the engineering reins to my dear friend James.
Senior-level transitions aren't often discussed. Having observed many firsthand, and now having gone through one myself, I want to share more details on the process and how I approached my own transition, in case it's helpful for future leaders going through their own. Transitions at this level involve a unique set of challenges and opportunities that aren't broadly visible. Whether you're an executive facing a transition, a founder preparing for leadership changes, or simply interested in the dynamics of high-level corporate shifts, I hope these reflections can offer practical guidance and a deeper understanding of what makes these transitions successful.
Departures fall into one of three categories, and while the first one might be the most common, the mutual bucket is the one that I would hope we, as an industry, invest more into making the norm.
