What happens when ambition, pressure and identity collide?

In this episode of DC + Me, Nick & Hana sit down with Mike Buckingham, a VP EMEA Operations who started his career as an apprentice and now leads operations across 22 countries.

The gang have an honest conversation about career burnout, leadership, imposter syndrome and the hidden pressures behind high-performance careers in the data centre industry.

This isn’t the polished corporate version of success...

It’s a real conversation about:

⚡ Burnout and carrying too much responsibility

🧠 Why high performers often struggle in silence

🚀 The pressure of leadership in fast-growth industries

👶 Balancing career ambition with family and life

🤝 Therapy, self-awareness and personal growth

🏗️ Why the data centre industry needs more diverse talent and thinking

📈 The danger of tying your identity to your job

🌍 How social media and LinkedIn impact mental health and comparison

Mike shares his journey from apprentice to leading operations across 22 countries and 140+ sites — alongside the personal lessons that came with rapid career growth, pressure and responsibility.

The conversation also explores:

• why data centres urgently need fresh talent
• why traditional career paths are outdated
• how leadership is changing
• and why the industry needs to become more human

Whether you work in data centres, tech, leadership, recruitment, or you’ve ever felt burnt out trying to “keep up” — this episode will resonate.

Featuring:

Mike Buckingham — VP EMEA Operations

Hana Sutton — JLL

Nick Worpole — Strativ Group

Welcome to DC + Me — the podcast that talks about data centres like real people.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DCandMePodcast

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