The Corporate Mindset is Holding Back Innovation in Tech

Dastan Shukanayev,

This week on Code Bytes, Stephen is joined by Dastan Shukanayev, Senior in Payments Technology & Strategy at Marks and Spencer.

Dastan has an extensive background in various sectors, including oil and gas and telecoms. He transitioned into the world of technology, specifically FinTech, and has since been working in digital transformation and embedded finance.

During their conversation, Dastan emphasizes the importance of mentorship. He believes that "mentors" should be more like "dementors"; who push you to excel, and are crucial in personal growth and development. He also advocates for "distributed mentorship"; learning from various sources, including podcasts and other content.

The pair also discuss key tech industry challenges, such as tackling burnout head-on, unlocking talent potential and fostering a culture of innovation. He suggests creating an environment where employees have the freedom to be creative and are not micromanaged— citing examples from successful companies like Four Seasons.


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