Singular XQ Episode 18: Giles Hinchcliff, Rebel Astronaut
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jennifer-pierce28/episodes/2-18-Giles-Hinchcliffe--Rebel-Astronaut-e25u84p
When Giles Hinchcliff was searching for a name for his new company, he wanted to capture what he envisions for the future of digital transformation in one image. As both an artist and a technologist, he knew it had to capture both sides of his unique personality. A balance between a punk rock performance art sensibility and a healthy embrace of the potential for technology to bring us to new places as a human race. Thus, the name “Rebel Astronaut” was created. After spending some time on the microphone with Giles, we all think this is a good way to imagine Giles himself, taking large bouncing space steps into a future where failure isn’t the dominant mode of digital transformation.
In today’s episode, we delve into his unique perspective on the importance of balancing digital advancements with the human element of transformation, and we touch on the founding of his fledgling company, Rebel Astronaut.
Giles began his career as an artist, working on transformative projects and managing groups of strong personalities. But after the 2008 financial crisis hit hard, he transitioned into the tech industry, focusing on digital transformation and working with companies such as the UK Home Office, Pearson, and the London Stock Exchange.
Having observed too many failed transformations, Giles noticed that organizations often became fixated on technological advancements while neglecting the human element. So he launched Rebel Astronaut to re-orient companies away from the purely digital and toward the transformation process. Now, Giles guides organizations through the uncomfortable stages of change to help them blossom and achieve their desired results.
Giles likens these companies to caterpillars, too risk-averse to undergo the painful metamorphosis required to become butterflies. Instead, they repeatedly initiate the process but retreat when faced with uncertainty and discomfort. He guides organizations through this challenging stage, helping them emerge successfully on the other side, and he takes us
along on that journey in a conversation. Tune in and listen to what Giles says about this transformation process.
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