Building and Scaling High-Performing Engineering Teams: Insights from Hubstaff CTO Alex Yarotsky

In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel speaks with Alex Yarotsky, CTO of Hubstaff, about the challenges and strategies of building and scaling high-performing engineering teams. Alex shares insights from his journey leading teams through rapid growth, emphasizing that great teams are built on chemistry, trust, and accountability. They discuss the importance of experience in shaping strong teams, the role of direct and constructive feedback, and how managers can cultivate a culture of mutual respect and mission-driven performance. Alex also breaks down the balance between competitiveness and collaboration, highlighting why a team’s chemistry matters just as much as technical skill. Keypoints from this episode: - Chemistry is the foundation of high-performing teams – Building a great team isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about fostering mutual respect, trust, and open communication. Teams with strong chemistry challenge and support each other, making collaboration more effective. - Feedback is a skill that can be taught – Regular, structured feedback is essential for team growth. Alex emphasizes the importance of both contextual feedback (given in the moment) and structured one-on-ones to build trust and alignment without creating friction. - A-players come in different forms – High-performing teams aren’t made up of just superstars; they consist of people with complementary strengths. Some team members may be ambitious leaders, while others excel through reliability and consistency. A great manager assembles a team like a well-fitting puzzle. - Mission alignment drives long-term success – A winning team isn’t just skilled—it’s aligned around a shared mission. Leaders must set clear expectations, establish a culture of accountability, and ensure every team member understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 1:05 - Guest Introduction 2:43 - The Challenge of Scaling Teams 4:39 - The Complexity of Managing Teams 5:47 - Can Managers Build Great Teams Without Experiencing One? 7:55 - The Exercise of Defining a Great Team 9:04 - Learning from Peers and Avoiding Management Pitfalls 11:10 - The Key to Building Strong Teams: Chemistry 12:44 - What Does Team Chemistry Really Mean? 14:36 - Chemistry vs. Diversity in Teams 16:03 - The “Inappropriate Joke” Test for Chemistry 17:03 - Sponsor Break: This Dot Labs 17:50 - Building Trust Within Teams 19:00 - The Role of Feedback in Team Growth 21:42 - Why One-on-Ones Should Never Be Status Updates 24:53 - The Challenge of Giving Effective Feedback 27:03 - How to Deliver Constructive Feedback Effectively 30:18 - Mission Focus and High-Performance Teams 32:13 - Hiring and Developing A-Players 33:43 - Competitive vs. Clout-Chasing Team Members 35:40 - The Importance of Team Fit Over Individual Talent 36:28 - Where to Find Alex Yarotsky Online 36:54 - Closing and Sponsor Reminder Follow Alex on Social Media Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayarotsky/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co