Engineering Leadership in 2026: Managing Gen Z, Boomers & Innovation Teams

Описание: How do you lead engineering teams through rapid technological change? Greg Livelli—Senior Vice President of Innovation at Harvey Performance Company—shares his journey from business development engineer in industrial flow meters to leading global innovation teams.

In this episode of Change by Design, Chad Jackson and Greg unpack the critical shift from viewing engineering as a tactical function to a strategic engine for business growth.

We dive deep into modern engineering management challenges: bridging the generational gap between retiring boomers and incoming Gen Z talent, why traditional metrics like "drawings released" are failing organizations, and how to build a culture that balances rigorous execution with innovation agility.

🔑 KEY TOPICS:
The "Translator" Role: Why engineering leaders must be architects, coaches, and translators who connect technical work to business outcomes
Generational Synergy: Combining senior engineers' tactical knowledge with Gen Z's digital fluency through mentorship and reverse mentoring
Metrics That Matter: Moving beyond "factory" metrics to measure Impact, Efficiency, and Engagement
Grassroots vs. Top-Down Change: Harnessing grassroots energy without creating chaos
The Competency Shift: Why modern product development requires systems thinking and cross-disciplinary skills
Structured Agility: Balancing governance and safety with flexibility for rapid learning

👇 CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro: Engineering Leadership & Innovation
1:17 – Greg's Journey: From Flow Meters to Global Innovation
5:00 – Defining Modern Engineering Leadership: Architect, Coach, Translator
8:30 – Connecting Engineering Work to Business Purpose
12:00 – "Fail" = First Attempt In Learning: Building Trust & Empowerment
15:45 – Managing the Generational Divide: Boomers, Gen Z, and Reverse Mentoring
20:10 – Metrics: Impact, Efficiency, and Engagement vs. "Factory" Counting
25:30 – Leading Change: Harnessing Grassroots Energy vs. Top-Down Strategy
31:00 – Building New Competencies: Systems Thinking & Data Fluency
36:40 – Partnering for Speed: When to Build, Buy, or Borrow Talent
41:00 – Structured Agility: Balancing Governance with Innovation
45:00 – Conclusion: The Future of Engineering Leadership

🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Book: Deep Change by Robert E. Quinn (referenced by Greg)
Harvey Performance Company

📌 ABOUT CHANGE BY DESIGN:
Change by Design shines a light on engineering transformation—helping organizations navigate complexity, minimize risk, and maximize value in their digital transformation journeys. Hosted by Chad Jackson, Chief Analyst & CEO of Lifecycle Insights.
Subscribe to the Podcast: https://change-by-design.podbean.com/

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