Turning Point Episode #3: Vagelis Iliakis COO of Workable 

Our podcast, Turning Point, hosted by Stamatis Voglis, our EMEA General Manager, serves as a platform for exactly these unfiltered, candid discussions. Following our previous episodes, we are thrilled to bring you a deep dive into the tech and talent ecosystem with one of the most hardworking and visionary leaders in the market.

In this third episode, Stamatis sits down with Vagelis Iliakis, COO of Workable, to discuss the reality behind a linear-looking career, the transition from engineering to executive leadership, and what it truly takes to scale a global tech company.

The Evolutionary Journey 

If you look at Vagelis’s profile today, it is easy to assume that everything went exactly according to plan. However, as he reveals in this episode, the path to leadership is rarely a straight line.

Vagelis shares his journey from his technical background to taking on massive organizational responsibilities at Workable. A key highlight of the discussion centers on his personal "Turning Point"—the moment after 7 years in a highly rewarding role when he realized that, despite the positive balance, it was time to embrace new challenges, explore different structures, and test his limits in uncharted territories.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The Engineering to COO Shift: How accumulating a strong technical background serves as a launchpad for broader leadership roles, and how to manage that transition successfully.
• The 7-Year Itch & Career Pivots: Knowing when you’ve gathered everything a role has to offer and identifying the right moment to step up to the next level.
• Scaling with Intention: Real-world examples of growth in action, balancing day-to-day execution with high-level strategy, and managing the uncertainty that comes with scaling an organization.
• The Reality of Leadership: Moving past the polished LinkedIn profiles to understand the actual risks, transitions, and moments of doubt that define a successful executive career.