Episode SummaryWhat does it take to scale a company in today’s volatile market—and why is curiosity the secret leadership skill we underestimate? In this episode of Built by People, we sit down with Sinead, Chief People Officer at Guidewire Software, whose career spans decades in tech, Agile consulting, and large-scale business transformation.
From founding her own tech firm in Ireland to leading HR at a global insurer tech company, Sinead shares hard-won insights from scaling organizations in complexity and uncertainty. She dives into the critical importance of educating employees on financial operations, building organizational resilience, and challenging the assumptions that often stall progress.
You'll hear Sinead’s take on the evolving role of the CPO, why relationships matter more than ever in solving complex business problems, and how to build a culture where every team member understands their impact on the bottom line.
Key Timestamps
[00:45] – Sinead’s tech-driven career journey from Ireland to Silicon Valley
[02:49] – The biggest challenge: Scaling and operationalizing in a post-COVID world
[05:22] – Why employee financial acumen matters in transformation
[07:53] – The danger of assumptions and the power of relationships
[09:47] – Sinead’s parting advice: Be curious and lead beyond your lane
Takeaways
Clarify the evolving role of CPOs in organizational strategy and operations
Educate teams on financial and operational levers to build trust and transparency
Avoid reactive leadership by absorbing information before acting
Break down silos by helping employees understand their role in the broader company mission
Lead with curiosity—not just within HR, but across all areas of the business
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