In this conversation Ben speaks to James Carey, VP of Engineering at Paradine.

The conversation centres on the question of instinct, and how we can make rational working decisions while acknowledging the “nag” in our brain that tells us what our gut believes is the right course of action.

James discusses the importance of values alignment, and the negative consequences of companies and managers not adhering to their own professed values. He offers insight into the causes of, and his learnings from, his own experience of burnout, as well as the reasons why seemingly fantastic opportunities don’t often appear at the ideal time for us to take them.

He offers insight for anyone currently interviewing with a company that’s looking to cut through the facade and find out how much autonomy is really afforded by their managerial culture.