Özgen: Turkish Tech Lead And Flat-Structure Fanatic

Özgen Güngör is a flat-structure fan but we still think he’s the boss. We set up a dev-date to chat about tech roadmaps, his biggest career regret and why you should avoid him after a few drinks.

Hi Özgen. Before we kick off, what track should people listen to while reading this?

Garden Dog Barbecue by Go Go Penguin.

Interesting choice. So tell us what you do here?

Essentially I’m responsible for two things. The 27 software developers we have at Digital and implementing our technology roadmap. Which is here on the wall.

Wow, that is colorful. You must be a badass to keep all those developers in line.

Not really. I’m not a big fan of top-down anyway. We use a 360 approach.

Which is..?

It means that the software developers here review and appraise each other’s work, rather than just one senior developer carrying ultimate responsibility.

So does that mean you look for a certain type of person to work here?

Well I’m a big believer in diversity because in my experience it achieves the best results. But at Team Digital, if you’re not open-minded and willing to to change, you’re not going to get very far. It’s about the personality.

What would people say about your personality?

That I’m extremely friendly. Also, I’m very able and willing to push us forward.

Can you describe yourself professionally in five words?

Empathic. Geeky. Organized. Collaborator. Friendly.

And personally?

The same. There’s only one version of me.

That’s the same version of you who hails from Turkey but ended up in the Netherlands. How did that happen?

That’s because of my wife. I came here because she was studying. I then took a path through working in London and Berlin before ending up here again.

So what’s the difference between working culture in Turkey and Northern Europe?

A few things but the main one is that in Turkey it’s very hierarchical and here at Digital communications are more open and you can speak your mind. You can speak your mind. My only real career regret is not speaking out about some of the nonsense I encountered working early-on in Turkey.

Glad you like it here. Now, for the serious questions…

Got any bad habits?

I tend to get a little philosophical after a few drinks.

What was your first ever phone?

Ericsson 388

Anything else we should have asked?

What my hobbies are.

What are your hobbies?

Lego, cycling, gaming, photography, sci-fi (let’s talk about technological singularity).

Maybe another time.

Keen to get all philosophical with Özgen? Take a look if there’s a spot for you at Team Digital and let the talking commence!