As President of Amplitude, Thomas Hansen’s mission is to help people and organizations go bigger and further than they otherwise would. And that’s certainly the case at Amplitude. As President, Thomas oversees all aspects of the company’s go-to-market organization, including revenue, operations, customer success, partnerships, and marketing. Prior to Amplitude, Thomas served as the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at UiPath and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Carbon Black. He’s also held various leadership roles at leading technology companies like Dropbox and Microsoft.
In this series, we spotlight the visionary leaders at the helm of Amplitude. These individuals guide our strategic direction and cultivate an environment where innovation flourishes and collaboration is fundamental. Each leader empowers our team in our mission to help customers build better products and experiences.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Thomas to discuss his journey and experiences at Amplitude, gaining insights into his leadership role and vision. Read on to discover his diverse career background, commitment to fostering a culture of ownership and adaptability, and the standout moments that highlight his dedication to teamwork and excellence at Amplitude.
How has your previous role as a windsurfing instructor influenced your work today?
One of my first jobs in my career was as a windsurfing instructor, managing a small windsurfing company. Being a windsurfer reminds me of the work I do today because it’s full of speed, action, and lots of fun! It’s mostly straightforward, but sometimes you have to adjust to changes in the conditions, and you’ve got to look out for sharks—a lot of similarities to working in San Fran Bay Area tech.
Can you tell us about a time when you made a big mistake or received negative feedback? How did that experience impact your career?
As I reflect on my career, I realize it’s been full of learning moments. I like to think about work as a giant rapid experiment because it’s more positive than thinking about mistakes, errors, and failures. When you go through an experiment, the key is acknowledging that some things will work and others won’t. It’s important to be open to that and change course, whether for you personally or something in the business. Be open to feedback, and don’t be afraid of adjusting your behavior or the way you engage with people in response to that feedback.
How do you embody your personal mission statement to “help people and organizations go further than they otherwise would” in your daily work?
Over the years, I have worked with amazing leadership teams. What I love about working with my direct and extended leadership teams is this notion of diversity—diversity of thought and so many different wonderful dimensions of diversity. Working with those teams, motivating them, holding them accountable, and empowering them to go and do great work really sets the tone for collaboration. To me, those are the fundamentals that ensure you build world-class teams.
What is your favorite Amplitude value?
Ownership. I love that ownership is one of the company’s core values. It means that no matter how junior or senior you are, you get to own certain aspects of your role—job issues, challenges, and opportunities. I love seeing people truly take ownership of their roles at Amplitude. To me, that differentiates the company and keeps the entrepreneurial spirit alive.
How does the importance of adapting to change guide your approach to your leadership?
The importance of adapting to change significantly influences my leadership style. I focus on ensuring that my team, including my extended team, is capable of managing change effectively. I look for examples from their past experiences to confirm that they not only embrace change but excel at it and enjoy it. Having folks on your team who can effectively manage change ensures that you set a strong tone across the entire organization, which ultimately empowers everyone to better manage change.
What advice would you give someone new at Amplitude who is starting their career?
In the first couple of months, immerse yourself in the company culture, meet as many people as possible, and learn from everyone around you. Understand the strategy, familiarize yourself with the product, and speak to some customers. It’s amazing what you hear when you speak to customers. While customers love Amplitude, they also provide valuable feedback. Listening to their input and incorporating it appropriately into your role is where the magic lies.
What standout moments or favorite memories do you have working at Amplitude?
One of my favorite moments at Amplitude was early on when the leadership team and I went on a hike in the pouring rain. We had to go through a raging river, and our Nikes were ruined, but it was such a great bonding experience that it stood out to me as a very special moment. Other memorable moments include our quarterly meetings, where we consistently celebrate beating our goals. Achieving this every quarter for the past eight quarters takes a special kind of teamwork. I take enormous pride in that accomplishment. It’s fun, invigorating, and keeps the pressure on.
Interested in shaping the future of digital products alongside leaders like Thomas? Visit our careers site to see how you can make an impact at Amplitude.
