Site Owner, Author at Go from Technical to Tech Executive

Understanding Body Language

I just returned from a face-to-face meeting with a client tech exec, and it feels fantastic to be engaging with clients in person again. One key insight I’ve gained from these meetings is the significance of non-verbal communication that we missed out on during virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Webex. The subtle cues conveyed through body language can greatly impact our understanding and connection with clients.

Our meetings follow a hybrid format, with some joining remotely while others attend in person.

During a recent session, I noticed an interesting dynamic between our technical Partner, who participated via Zoom, and the client. Being in the room provided unique insights that might have gone unnoticed. The Partner heavily relied on technical jargon to explain the proposed work, but it seemed that the audience was unresponsive. Every time technology acronyms were mentioned, the CIO subtly flinched and rolled his eyes. These reactions were evident to those present in the room.

Providing some context, we are currently developing a comprehensive “resiliency offering” that consolidates various concepts into a unified approach. It aims to address a wide range of challenges, while avoiding overemphasizing the offering for specific client needs like a DevOps platform assessment. Effective positioning is key. Resiliency encompasses incident management, site reliability engineering, disaster recovery, and more, all seamlessly integrated for uninterrupted service and consulting support. However, presenting this approach simply and without unnecessary complexity is vital. The client’s reaction is understandable; they believed we intentionally bundled and complicated components, potentially inflating costs.

Fortunately, the subtle expressions of disbelief did not go unnoticed, leading to a sincere and candid discussion with the Chief Information Officer during our dinner. Ultimately, we reached a consensus to shift our attention towards the core issue at hand and break down the aspects of resilience into manageable components that align with the client’s objectives.

The essential goal is to convey your tech expertise in a manner that resonates with the client’s business needs. Tailor your discussions to their specific challenges. Rather than presuming the client will be impressed by our knowledge, concentrate on addressing their issues and offering solutions. Observing body language can guide you in aligning the conversation or correcting any misunderstandings.

Click here for a post on handling miscommunication with clients.

As a Tech Exec, Your Reputation Counts

Becoming a tech exec is the ultimate achievement after years of diligently crafting and enhancing your reputation. Your reputation holds significant value, serving as a cornerstone for your career and personal brand. Your reputation counts.

As an influential leader, you have the talent to foster teams, stay updated with technology, and collaborate seamlessly with peers and executives. Your dedicated efforts have built an esteemed reputation, but it’s crucial to recognize the potential consequences of a misstep that could jeopardize all you’ve achieved.

Being mindful of organizational circumstances is crucial.

In hierarchical companies, leaders closely monitor progress, resulting in less career impact. However, in flat organizations like the Big 4, changing teams or roles carries significant risks that can affect reputation.

Imagine this: You’re a tech executive in a leading Cyber Advisory team at a renowned Big 4 company. With a strong software engineering background, you excel in sales and delivering Cyber services. Now, you eagerly showcase your expertise to enhance software consulting. They show interest and smoothly transition you into the Consulting Cloud Engineering team.

Transitioning into consulting without a network can the new leadership team may not actively seek your involvement, making connections and obtaining work more difficult.

Facing a challenging situation, you take charge of a less glamorous assignment outside your expertise. With confidence, you step up. But the project quickly becomes unexpectedly complex as personalities clash. It turns out to be a disastrous first assignment in Consulting. While the client’s responsible Partner acknowledges it’s not your fault, the Consulting Partner who assigned you disagrees.

The Consulting leadership team doubts your capabilities due to your departure announcement. Consequently, they won’t assign you any projects, heightening your desperation to secure a critical one. Meeting your annual targets depends on it. The situation grows more dire.

At some point, you face a tough choice: leave or risk being forced out. It’s disheartening, especially without a support system. Despite your experience, the leadership prioritizes only immediate outcomes. If you had faced a similar situation in the Cyber team, you would have received the necessary support to overcome this setback and transition to your next success.

Exercise caution and exercise prudence in thoroughly assessing new assignments before taking the leap. While you may possess confidence in your abilities, the unexpected can always occur. Your reputation counts and you don’t want to damage it with a misstep.

Click here for a post on moving from a corporate position to consulting.

Have a Backup Plan in Times of Uncertainty

Everybody has a plan until you get punched in the face.
Mike Tyson

As a tech exec, it is crucial to have a backup plan and anticipate the unexpected. Despite careful planning, things often deviate from the desired course. In moments of adversity and deviation, how do you respond? How do you lead your team through challenges and keep them motivated?

One key to navigating uncertain situations is by having a strong understanding of the market and industry trends. This knowledge can help guide decision making and inform strategies for adapting to changing circumstances.

Additionally, it is important to foster a culture of agility within your organization. This means encouraging flexibility in processes and promoting a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. By being adaptable, your team will be better equipped to handle unexpected challenges, pivot when necessary, and stay ahead of competitors.

Another critical aspect of successful leadership during times of uncertainty is effective communication. Clear and transparent communication with your team about the situation at hand can help alleviate stress and build trust. It also allows for open discussions about potential solutions and encourages collaboration.

In addition to communication, it is crucial for leaders to prioritize empathy and emotional intelligence. During times of uncertainty, people may be experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and fear. As a leader, it is important to understand and acknowledge these emotions, while also providing support and reassurance.

And for yourself, anticipate the unforeseen and resist complacency.

Even during a smooth journey, having a backup plan in place is prudent. For instance, proactively nurturing your professional network can act as a safety net, heaven forbid you find yourself in need of new opportunities. Remember, preparedness is key.

Being prepared and having a backup plan is paramount. Complacency poses a significant threat to technology leaders and their success. Stay vigilant and proactive to stay ahead in the game.

Another way to navigate through uncertain times is by staying informed. This means keeping up to date with current events and industry trends, as well as seeking out advice from experts or mentors. By staying informed, you can make more informed decisions for your organization.

Finally, it is essential to maintain a positive mindset during times of uncertainty. While challenges may arise, it’s important to focus on the opportunities that can come from adapting and overcoming these obstacles. Encourage your team to stay positive and stay focused on the future, rather than dwelling on the present uncertainties.

Click here for a post on embracing uncertainty in the tech world.

Don’t Let Success Ruin Your Career

Tech Executives Can’t Know Everything

Importance of a bigger picture

Many technology executives get so wrapped up in the details that they do not see the broader view of an issue, and hence, do not see the risks associate with their narrow point of view.

You might be familiar with the phrase, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” This suggests that sometimes being too focused on the details prevents you from seeing the bigger picture.

“You can’t see the forest for the trees.” – John Heywood from his proverbs collection, 1546

Many tech executives focus on project details, missing the big picture and overlooking risks with their narrow viewpoint. This often happens because they focus intensely on specific technical issues or immediate challenges, neglecting the larger strategic picture. It is crucial to maintain an open mind and ensure a comprehensive view of all aspects of the business. A diverse team’s value lies in providing insights and perspectives beyond your own, offering fresh angles on problems or opportunities. Yet, it’s crucial to stay open to their ideas, creating an environment where team members feel empowered to share their thoughts and expertise.

Think of a hidden tiger in the woods: focusing too much on one thing could make you miss nearby dangers.

Stepping back gives you a bigger picture view to spot risks or opportunities that may not be obvious upfront. This ability to see the bigger picture is vital for effective risk management and strategic planning.

As a technology executive, recognizing these risks and opportunities requires taking a step back periodically. While focusing on details is crucial for specific tasks, it’s equally vital to take a broader view to ensure you’re prioritizing the right ones. This bigger picture view helps you evaluate, prioritize, and allocate resources more effectively, improving decision-making and business results. Balancing detail with the bigger picture is crucial for successful tech leadership in today’s fast-evolving world.

Moreover, keeping an open mind and welcoming diverse perspectives can also lead to innovation and creativity within the team. Different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking can bring a fresh approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Promoting inclusivity and diversity benefits the business and fosters a dynamic, engaging work environment for all.

Besides fostering team diversity, it’s crucial to stay updated on industry trends beyond your expertise area. This allows you to anticipate potential disruptors or shifts in the market that could impact your business. Stay updated on new tech and industry trends to adapt strategies proactively instead of reacting last minute.

In conclusion, for technology executives, keeping an open mind and stepping back to see the bigger picture is vital for effective risk management, strategic planning, and fostering innovation. Embrace team diversity and stay updated on industry trends to stay ahead and make informed decisions for business success. So always remember, don’t get lost in the weeds, but also don’t overlook the hidden tigers in the woods. Keep a balanced perspective and embrace diverse viewpoints for continued growth and success in the ever-changing landscape of technology.

Click here for a post on avoiding unconscious bias as a tech executive.

Handling Technical Debt

Tech debt significantly hampers innovation and agility within organizations, creating challenges that can hinder growth and progress. This type of debt accumulates as a result of shortcuts in software development, often taken to meet short-term goals. Over time, these shortcuts can lead to increased maintenance costs and reduced system performance. For tech executives, addressing this debt while transitioning to new technologies is vital for sustaining competitive advantage and ensuring operational efficiency. Implementing a strategic approach to manage and reduce tech debt can pave the way for smoother adaptation to market changes and better alignment with organizational goals.

Here are some key areas to focus on for immediate impact:

Fix simple bugs such as error messages during form submission, broken page layouts in various browsers, or the display of invalid data entries. These seemingly minor issues can frustrate users and lead to negative perceptions of your product.
Eliminate hard-coded references like IP addresses, which restrict application flexibility and adaptability. Hard-coded elements can complicate updates and integrations, slowing down development processes.
Address UX issues such as inconsistent navigation paths, unreadable fonts, and the inconsistent use of UI elements. These can confuse users and degrade the overall user experience, impacting user engagement and satisfaction.
Migrate to the latest supported release of vendor solutions. Outdated software can introduce security vulnerabilities, bugs, and increase costs due to higher maintenance fees. Keeping systems up to date ensures better performance and security.
Standardize naming and code structure to reduce troubleshooting time. For example, avoiding inconsistent class names and varied coding styles within the codebase can streamline development and make it easier for teams to collaborate.
Enhance automated test coverage to improve maintainability and reliability of the code. Ensuring that logic is thoroughly tested allows for modifications without the risk of introducing new bugs, thus boosting developer confidence and speed.
Restructure code for testability through small, incremental changes, each step increasing the code’s test coverage. This involves breaking down complex code into manageable pieces, making it easier to test and understand.
Conduct minor refactors such as splitting a class that has grown too large or making minor code modifications to take advantage of new library releases with bug fixes or features. Regular refactoring keeps the codebase healthy and efficient.
Deprecate obsolete code and outdated documentation, as new code implementations may differ from old and lead to potential bugs. Keeping the code clean and the documentation updated reduces confusion and technical debt accumulation.

Addressing tech debt can be a “low-hanging fruit” for technology executives aiming to reduce IT costs and improve efficiency.

Tying these efforts into a broader strategy can yield significant benefits, opening the door for more innovation and forward-thinking initiatives. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, staying on top of tech debt is crucial for organizations looking to stay competitive and thrive in the ever-changing digital landscape.

Besides immediate actions, there are long-term strategies to prevent tech debt accumulation.

Prioritize technical excellence within development teams by encouraging code reviews, documentation, and knowledge sharing. This can help catch and address potential tech debt early on in the development process.
Implement regular maintenance windows to allow for updates, refactoring, and other necessary maintenance tasks without interrupting daily operations.
Invest in training and upskilling for developers to ensure they are using best practices and staying updated on new technologies that can reduce tech debt accumulation.
Consider a shift towards agile methodologies that prioritize flexibility, continuous improvement, and collaboration. This can help prevent tech debt from building up over time by addressing issues as they arise.
Regularly review your technology stack to identify areas of potential tech debt and make strategic decisions on when to retire outdated technologies and adopt new ones.

Incorporating these long-term strategies helps companies prevent tech debt from slowing innovation and growth.

It requires a proactive approach and constant effort to stay on top of technical debt, but the benefits in terms of improved efficiency, reduced costs, and increased competitiveness are well worth it. Ultimately, staying ahead of tech debt is crucial for any organization looking to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

In summary, by prioritizing regular maintenance and addressing technical debt, companies can position themselves for success and growth in today’s fast-paced business landscape. So, it is essential for executives to allocate resources and prioritize these efforts to ensure long-term success. Don’t let tech debt hold your organization back – take proactive steps now to tackle it head-on! Even small changes can make a big difference in the overall health and agility of your technology infrastructure. Keep an eye on emerging technologies and always strive to find ways to minimize tech debt as you continue pushing your organization towards innovation and progress. So, as technology leaders, it is our responsibility to stay vigilant and continuously work towards minimizing tech debt to drive growth and success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Click here for another post on how to cover technical debt as part of the technology strategy.

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