Dave Elkan: from front-end developer to co-founder of Atlassian marketplace company, Easy Agile
I can push myself, but the default is equilibrium. Ideally, I am neither pushing so hard that I get stuck on Venus, nor am I relaxing so much that I'm on Pluto.
Short Cuts is an interview series in which Upside participants and faculty answer eight quick questions about their background, ambitions, and the superpower they’ve always wanted.
Dave’s first job was as a front-end web developer at News Interactive. He went on to work at Atlassian, which he left in 2015 to cofound Easy Agile, an Atlassian marketplace company, with Nick Muldoon.
He jokingly says that it was the water from the Hetch Hetchy in San Francisco that imbued him with the entrepreneurial spirit, leaving him no choice but to return to Australia and start a company.
He then adds that after writing Jira Apps for internal use at Atlassian, it just made sense to combine efforts with co-Atlassian Nick, move home to Australia, and become Atlassian marketplace vendors, founding their company Easy Agile.
Dave lives with his wife and two young daughters in the Wollongong area.
Dave, who did you look up to when you were younger?
David Attenborough.
And who do you look up to now?
Elon Musk.
Tell us about the most valuable life lesson you’ve learned so far.
In order of importance: good sleep, diet, and health, discipline, having confidence in yourself, constantly improving yourself, fostering and improving those around you.
Describe what success looks like to you.
Constantly returning to the Goldilocks zone: at 1 bar of pressure.
I can push myself, but the default is equilibrium. Ideally, I am neither pushing so hard that I get stuck on Venus, nor am I relaxing so much that I'm on Pluto.
No matter what I do, I want to live on Earth at 1 bar of pressure, in the Goldilocks zone, where I can see consistent improvement in an ideal environment.
Tell us about something that you’re curious about at the moment.
Deep learning of what makes a highly effective agile team.
What brings you joy?
Reflecting on the journey thus far brings me joy.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Fairly inexperienced.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to glimpse the future.
We’re all a work in progress.
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