In this episode of Pieces of Impact, I sit down with Michael Hughes, an accomplished business leader who has helped take two Silicon Valley companies public by growing revenue, building high performing teams, and leading with energy.

Michael’s career spans Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, London, the Bay Area, and now Lake Tahoe, with leadership roles at companies like Barracuda Networks and ChargePoint, where he led revenue operations through NYSE IPOs. Today, he serves as President at 1Password, a global leader in identity and security.

Beyond the resume, this conversation explores the human side of leadership. We talk about hiring for energy and attitude over experience, the role of empathy and relationships in building great teams, and how adaptability has shaped Michael’s career.

We also discuss mentorship, recognizing personal weaknesses, and why every milestone is just another stepping stone rather than the finish line.

We touch on the realities of remote work, especially for younger professionals, the future of hybrid teams, and how emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles may reshape how we live and work.

00:00 Introduction to Michael Hughes

03:09 Michael's Career Journey

06:02 Lessons in Leadership and Self-Awareness

09:02 Hiring for High Performance

11:57 Choosing the Right Company and Boss

15:06 The Importance of Mentorship

18:05 Building Effective Teams

20:55 Connecting Employees to the Mission

23:53 Measuring Success and Activity

27:04 Cultural Sensitivity in Business

30:09 Navigating Corporate Acquisitions

37:25 Navigating Private Equity Acquisitions

42:12 The Venture Capital Landscape

49:32 Lessons from Startup Challenges

57:53 Advice for the Next Generation

01:09:17 The Future of Work: Remote vs. In-Office

01:11:42 The Importance of In-Person Work

01:12:52 The Evolution of Office Spaces

01:14:52 Innovations in Work Environments

01:16:32 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles

01:21:09 The Impact of Autonomous Technology on Society

01:24:53 Rapid Fire Insights and Personal Reflections