At Sazmining, we believe Bitcoin mining isn’t just about machines — it’s about people, principles, and purpose. That’s why we were excited when our CEO and Co-Founder, Kent Halliburton, joined Conor Drake on the Human First Leadership podcast to talk about the values that guide his leadership and the mission driving Sazmining.

Kent’s story is more than just business strategy. It’s about aligning with Bitcoin’s ethos — decentralization, consent, and clarity — and applying those lessons to how we build our team, serve our customers, and expand globally.

A Circuitous Journey into Bitcoin

Kent’s background in computer engineering and rooftop solar gave him a unique vantage point. Engineering taught him about networks; solar gave him an energy-first mindset. When he discovered Bitcoin, those two worlds clicked together.

He described the moment this way:

“I realized I needed to put my life force, my energy and effort behind this… it’s a zero-to-one innovation that breaks a paradigm that’s 5,000 years old.”

For Kent, Bitcoin wasn’t just a financial breakthrough. It was a chance to reshape humanity’s relationship with money and energy. That conviction eventually led him to co-found Sazmining — a company committed to helping people mine Bitcoin directly at cost, powered by 100% renewable energy.

How Bitcoin Shapes Leadership

Bitcoin is often misunderstood as complicated or political. Kent likes to bring it back to basics:

“At the end of the day, Bitcoin is just a protocol — a decentralized ledger that anyone can opt into.”

That simplicity translates directly into his leadership philosophy. Bitcoin runs on consent, voluntary participation, and clear rules. Kent believes teams should operate the same way.

He shared a powerful metaphor: leadership is like captaining a ship.

• On calm seas, the crew does their jobs with autonomy and trust.
• In storms, the captain steps in decisively to steer the ship.
• But staying in “storm mode” all the time only breeds resentment.

“Treat people with respect and let them do their jobs. When a storm comes up, explain why it’s there and what needs to be done. People will respect when you seize the helm if you’ve trusted them the rest of the time.”

This blend of trust and decisive action is at the heart of how we operate at Sazmining.

Hiring for Character Over Skill

Kent’s biggest leadership truism is one we live by at Sazmining: hire for character, teach skill.

“I’ve had greater success surrounding myself with people of high integrity first — even if they don’t yet know how to do something — rather than the other way around.”

To make that principle real, Kent incorporates objective personality assessments into the hiring process. This reduces bias and helps identify candidates who fit the culture. He looks for qualities like:

• Goal-driven self-starters who thrive in a remote-first environment
• Accountability — people who follow through on commitments
• Resilience to feedback and a willingness to grow
• Listening skills and aptitude for collaboration

By prioritizing integrity, accountability, and resilience, Sazmining builds a team that’s aligned around the mission, not just the mechanics.

Clarity and Consent in Culture

Sazmining operates as a fully distributed team across multiple continents. That could create cultural friction — but Kent has found clarity is the antidote.

Rather than trying to cater to every local norm, Sazmining sets clear, fair rules that everyone agrees to upfront.

“You’re not trying to cater to everybody. You’re creating a fair set of rules for everyone to play the game of business together. If those rules are fair, people can choose to opt in.”

From time-off policies to expectations around communication, everything comes back to consent and clarity — the same principles that make Bitcoin work.

The Biggest Leadership Insight

After nearly two decades of leading teams, Kent says the single biggest improvement in his leadership didn’t come from books or strategies — it came from personal growth.

“My leadership capability improved the more that I worked on myself. The inward journey yields dividends for you as a leader.”

At Sazmining, we share that belief. Building a resilient company requires resilient people. Just as Bitcoin mining is about securing the network block by block, leadership is about strengthening yourself decision by decision.

Why This Matters for Bitcoin Mining

Sazmining isn’t just another hosting company. We’re pioneering a new era of Bitcoin Mining as a Service (BMaaS) — one that’s:

• Powered by 100% carbon-free energy
• Backed by an industry-first rig performance guarantee
• Fully aligned with customers’ success

As Kent highlighted, Bitcoin isn’t just technology. It’s a movement — one that demands integrity, clarity, and mission-driven leadership.

That’s the culture we’re building at Sazmining, and it’s the same culture that powers our latest expansions, from Paraguay to Ethiopia, where miners can now stack wild sats at some of the lowest costs in the world.

We’re proud to have Kent sharing Sazmining’s vision on Human First Leadership. His words reflect not just his personal philosophy, but the heartbeat of our company: mission first, integrity always, aligned with Bitcoiners everywhere.

👉 Ready to mine wild sats with a team that leads with integrity? Schedule a call with a CSA today!