Micro Interview with Stephen Brooks
Micro Interview from our Micro lesson series with Stephen Brooks, Senior Strategic Alliances Manager, HSO
Focus on outcomes first, tools second.
Stephen plans his days around priorities, not meetings, focusing on moving the right things forward. He knows that technology projects aren’t really about technology, they’re about people and decisions. For him, success is measured by adoption, speed to value, and real business impact.
Early in his career, Stephen thought he had to do everything himself. Over time, he learned it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things. One of his biggest professional failures taught him that alignment matters far more than a perfect solution. Clear ownership and accountability are what truly turn ideas into results.
Stephen’s guiding principle is simple: focus on outcomes first, tools second. When the right people are aligned around the right priorities, everything else falls into place.
What’s your work routine?
I plan the day around priorities, not meetings, and focus on moving the right things forward.
What’s one misconception about technology projects you’ve come across?
That technology is the hardest part. It’s usually people and decisions.
What metrics matter most in a tech project?
Adoption, speed to value, and real business impact.
Something you wish you’d known about your work when you first started?
You don’t need to do everything, just the right things.
What did your biggest professional failure teach you?
Alignment matters more than having the perfect solution.
The #1 thing that helps organisations get value from their technology projects?
Clear ownership and accountability.
Your parting piece of advice?
Focus on outcomes first, tools second.