Balancing Speed and Stability in Digital Transformations with Adan Pope

Innovation and the Digital Enterprise

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In this episode of Innovation and Digital Enterprise, Patrick and Shelli interview Adan Pope, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Applications, and AI at The Aspen Group. Adan shares insights from his career in engineering and technology leadership, from his roles in public safety, telecommunications, and healthcare. He also discusses his books, “Respect the Weeds” and “Intentional Tensions”, which reflect on principled leadership and effective digital transformation strategies. He emphasizes the importance of humility, continuous learning, and building teams that thrive on productive tension. Adan unpacks the ways he drives innovation, and how engineering teams can balance velocity with stability, while maintaining high standards of quality.

(00:00) Welcome Adan Pope
(02:21) Early Career and Influences
(04:37) Leadership and Innovation
(07:35) Writing 'Respect the Weeds'
(11:30) Intentional Tensions in Leadership
(19:42) Building Effective Teams
(21:46) Navigating Human Dynamics in Teams
(22:22) The Importance of Positive Tension
(22:56) Lessons from Bell Labs
(24:47) Balancing Sales and Engineering Goals
(29:00) Fostering Ownership and Pride in Work
(33:18) The Power of Visual Communication

Adan Pope is a technology executive, professor, and published author and speaker, currently the Senior Vice President of Engineering Applications and AI at The Aspen Group. He also is an Adjunct Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology teaching in the graduate Information Technology Management Department. He is the cofounder of Taraxa Labs LLC, providing workshops, consultancy practical tools, and guidebooks to help leaders navigate digital transformation. Previously he has held roles at Intrado Life & Safety, InnerWorkings, Ciena, ShopperTrak, Ericsson, Telcordia Technologies, and Bell Labs. He earned a BSEET at DeVry University and a MCS and MBA from North Central College.

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