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Starting Your Path to Tech Executive – Career Goals

With dreams of one day leading a tech organization as a tech exec, your journey begins on your first day as a tech professional. Embarking on this path may seem overwhelming, with uncertainties stretching out before you. The initial day brings forth a mix of emotions. Take a moment, find tranquility, and savor this journey. Embrace that initial step, for it heralds the start of a journey filled with resilience and success.

From the very start, there are actions you can take to ensure a path to tech executive and success.

  • If an orientation is not provided, it is advisable to request one. Gaining an understanding of the organization, its leaders, your team, and expectations is always beneficial.

  • If a mentor is not provided, don’t hesitate to seek one out. Having a mentor is an invaluable asset that can assist you in navigating what may seem like a daunting environment. Their guidance can make a significant difference in your journey.

  • Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have. It’s recommended to use the “new person” tag early on since its impact decreases over time.

  • Recording your progress and work is crucial. How are you acquiring job-related knowledge? What areas do you feel need further development? This practice aids in constructing a comprehensive status report for your leadership and serves as a log of your journey, enabling effective growth planning.

  • Engage in social activities and foster connections with your peers. Embrace the joys of youth and seize the opportunity to learn from those around you. Remember, your network holds immense value as you advance in your career.

Regular status is important

Have regular status meetings with your manager to keep them aware of your needs. Strive for a comfortable and upbeat atmosphere, avoiding being demanding. While technical skills are valuable, companies truly value professionals who excel in communication and interpersonal skills. Sharpen your presentation and communication abilities and take advantage of any company-offered classes in this area.

Ultimately, relish your role and embrace effective communication. Take the time to connect with those in your surroundings. Engage in committees and special activities that foster camaraderie and engagement within the office or organization.

Click here for a post on whether the tech exec career is worth it or not.

Prioritizing Leadership Skills Development as a Tech Executive
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Unleash the Power of Empowerment

Attention tech exec! Pay close attention, as I will reveal a vital secret: truly impactful executives prioritize empowerment. They know the real magic is in empowering team members to use their skills and be their authentic selves at work. By cultivating an environment where creativity and innovation can flourish, these leaders drive exceptional results. They understand that fostering trust and open communication boosts team performance and improves employee satisfaction and retention. Through mentorship and support, they inspire their teams to reach new heights, ensuring both personal and professional growth.

Are you eager to gain practical strategies to foster an empowering environment?

If so, you’re in luck! Here are some impactful guidelines to equip a tech exec with tools to create an atmosphere of empowerment and growth.

  1. Empower individuals who have consistently showcased their competence and expertise by entrusting them with decision-making authority. By recognizing their abilities and giving them leadership opportunities, organizations can benefit from their insights and strategic decision-making skills.
  2. Promote and foster the development of skills through dedicated training programs, mentorship opportunities, and continuous learning initiatives. By offering a supportive environment that fosters growth and exploration, individuals can develop their talents and reach their full potential.
  3. Foster trust within your team as this is a foundational element that can lead to remarkable outcomes. By creating an environment where team members feel empowered, valued, and supported, you enable them to unlock their full potential. Emphasizing trust boosts collaboration and productivity while fostering belonging and motivation among team members, leading to a more cohesive and successful work dynamic.

Remember, as a tech exec, true leadership success flourishes by empowering individuals to empower others.

By fostering collaboration and shared responsibility, leaders can inspire their team to reach their potential and make a positive impact. Let’s bring this visionary concept to life and create a supportive environment where everyone’s unique strengths are recognized and valued.

Click here for a post on risk taking as a tech exec.

Don’t Dominate Meetings and Suffocate Your Team

Tech Exec Success – Build Effective Teams

In his critically acclaimed book, “Leading Teams,” J. Richard Hackman outlines the fundamental prerequisites for a tech exec to build effective teams. These essential conditions form the bedrock upon which cohesive and successful teams are built. In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving tech industry, it is crucial for executives to understand and implement these principles in order to create high-performing teams.

A team must have a clear understanding of their goals, objectives, and purpose. As a tech executive, it is your responsibility to clearly communicate the company’s vision and strategy to your team. This will not only give them a sense of purpose but also provide them with a framework for making decisions and guiding their actions.

Hackman makes clear that in order to have an effective team you must ensure:

Teams must be real.  People have to know who is on the team and who is not.  It’s the leader’s job to make that clear.

Teams need a compelling direction.  Members must know and agree on their collective goals. Without clear direction from a leader, there is a risk of divergent agendas.

Teams need enabling structures.  With poorly designed tasks, incorrect members, or unclear norms of conduct often encounter trouble.

Teams need a supportive organization.  The organizational context – including the reward system, the human resource system, and the information system – must facilitate teamwork.

Teams need expert coaching.  Executive coaches often neglect team dynamics, hindering teamwork improvement. Teams need collective coaching to enhance processes, especially at project onset, midpoint, and completion.

As a leader, your success depends on your team’s success. Clear procedures are crucial for achieving this. When everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, it significantly improves performance. Emphasizing teamwork and effective procedures greatly contributes to your success.

Click here for a post on CIO leadership expectations.

A Successful Tech Exec Must Navigate Stormy Weather

Click here to see more about J Richard Hackman and his work at Scholars at Harvard.

Damar Hamlin (#3) – Be on a supportive team that uplifts and has your back.

On January 2, 2023, during a Week 17 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Damar Hamlin, a player for the Buffalo Bills, experienced cardiac arrest on the field.

The NFL’s tremendous support for Damar and his family last weekend was truly remarkable. It’s crucial to ensure that your team reciprocates that same level of support. As a tech executive, it is imperative to foster an environment of unwavering support and camaraderie amongst your team members, regardless of the circumstances.

It’s important to have support of your organization, no matter what state you are in.

Update: After displaying signs of progress, Hamlin was moved to a hospital in Buffalo. Just nine days after the incident, he was to recover at home. With unwavering determination, Hamlin made a complete rebound and ultimately resumed his professional football career. His determination and drive to never give up even in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

Hamlin’s story serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges we may face, perseverance and determination can lead us to success. This is especially true in the fast-paced world of technology, where innovation and resilience are key traits for success.

In today’s digital age, companies are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. And with this rapid growth comes new challenges and obstacles.

But just like Hamlin, those working in tech must also possess unwavering determination to overcome these challenges. Whether it’s finding solutions to technical problems or adapting to changing market trends, a strong sense of perseverance is crucial.

Support Damar’s charity!

Click here for a post on the importance of innovation and adapting to change.

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As a New Tech Professional, Set Expectations Early
Addressing Unconscious Bias

As a New Tech Professional, Set Expectations Early

As you start your first weekend after a week at a new job, your tech executive boss presents you with an unexpected Saturday proposal request. It puts you in a dilemma, eager to make a good impression as a new team member but wondering if this will become a regular thing. Should you set expectations about your time off?

My advice is to go ahead and do it but set boundaries right away.

As a new employee, be mindful of vulnerability to bosses assuming you won’t refuse their requests. Maintaining work-life balance means appreciating your well-deserved weekend downtime. Effectively managing expectations is crucial in navigating additional tasks.

Remember, don’t get overwhelmed with weekend work just because you never say no. Prioritize your well-being and set boundaries for long-term success and satisfaction in your professional journey. Support colleagues, foster a positive work environment, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. When declining tasks, show commitment to the organization’s success and a willingness to go the extra mile while emphasizing the importance of personal time. Find this balance to contribute effectively and sustainably to team goals while taking care of your needs.

Pro tip: Evaluate whether your boss genuinely requires your assistance or if they’re merely attempting to set expectations for the team. Pay attention to the context and frequency of these requests. While there is a risk of being taken advantage of, it’s important to recognize that there could be legitimate needs that require your skills and expertise. Additionally, such situations might offer valuable learning opportunities that can contribute to your personal and professional growth. Ultimately, it’s your decision. Avoid becoming the default person for all the extra work. It’s okay to set boundaries and politely decline when necessary, ensuring you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Click here to see a blog post on the changing expectations from being technical to being a tech executive.

Recovering from a Screw Up
Damar Hamlin (#3) – Be on a supportive team that uplifts and has your back.
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