Career Advancement Archives

Market Yourself

This subject deserves an entire category dedicated to it on this blog. It is a crucial aspect of brand building, regardless of one’s tenure in a company or career. Even tech execs must refine their personal brand to succeed.

As you navigate through your office, always be prepared for unexpected encounters with senior leaders. So, what should you do when you meet them in the elevator? Embrace the moment! Craft a concise self-introduction, commonly referred to as an “elevator pitch,” that highlights your background, role, and identity. Strive for brevity, ensuring it can be delivered within the duration of an elevator ride – perhaps just five floors. Let your words radiate confidence and eloquence, making a lasting impression.

I believe that the elevator pitch serves as the foundation for establishing your brand identity.

However, it is an imperative initial stride. Being comfortable with self-expression is essential. Practice it. Admittedly, sharing personal anecdotes with unfamiliar individuals can be daunting, but wise leaders appreciate your endeavors to forge connections and are typically encouraging (well, at least most esteemed leaders within the organization).

Here’s the elevator pitch…

Hello Mr. Jones! It’s wonderful to see you. I’m Jean Smith from the Technology Department. May I take a moment to introduce myself? I specialize in supporting finance department applications and possess exceptional communication skills. My long-term aspiration is to become a valued member of the leadership team at ABC Company. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to connect with you.

Feel free to add and enhance but avoid any oddities. Keep it concise and straightforward. Be warm and welcoming, as if meeting a friend on the street.

Please remember that you have a limited time to make a lasting impression on the leader. Our focus for now will be on ensuring that they remember you. We will discuss additional personal marketing activities at a later point.

Leading vs. Managing

Leadership and management are interchangeable, yet they require very different skills.

As a tech exec and mentor, we sometimes groom people for management roles without developing their key leadership skills. New managers struggle to be effective leaders, resorting to micro-plans, metrics, and negative pressure, resulting in low morale and a lack of respect.

Certain organizations aggressively promote individuals into management roles without adequately supporting their development as effective people leaders. In the long run, this approach can hinder the career growth of these managers. Additionally, it can create a detrimental impact on the leadership hierarchy of an organization, fostering a culture that prioritizes metrics over the well-being and needs of their workforce.

Consider this: Can we acquire leadership skills prior to assuming managerial roles? Or is leadership primarily an art form rather than a science? The qualities that define successful leaders are truly remarkable.

Successful leaders demonstrate the following:

They listen and have empathy.
They communicate openly and honestly.
They EMPOWER.

It’s important to remember: Exceptional leaders also aspire to become exceptional managers. Leadership alone might garner adoration from the team, but without management elements, progress may be hindered.

You can consciously acquire leadership traits and apply them to your situation. Reflect on your management style. Do you dictate and set unrealistic timelines? Do you expect automatic respect? Instead, foster respect and trust by mentoring, not losing your cool when deadlines are missed. To effectively apply leadership traits, break bad practices and negotiate with your manager for a rewarding team environment.

Cultivate maturity, maintain humility, and practice empathy. As a result, you can assemble an exceptional team that will support and contribute to your journey of becoming a successful leader.

See more on Leading vs. Managing at this post.

Innovate, don’t get stuck in old ways of thinking

Many companies have a culture that keeps them stuck in old ways of doing things. Many organizations overlook how past successes can hinder change. As a tech exec it’s important to have this perspective.

Success does not always lead to more success but can cause reluctance to change. As organizations achieve more success, they can become entrenched and overlook signs that transitioning from the status quo to a new approach is needed. Many industries have examples like Kodak, where organizations failed to pivot in time when change was needed.

Tech Exec - Tech Executives need to beware of lack of innovation

Don’t get stuck in a company that fails to recognize the changing business environment and is self-destructing. As a tech executive, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate how technology will impact your industry. This means constantly learning about new innovations and staying informed about market trends. It also means being open to change and willing to adapt in order to stay competitive.

To achieve this, attend conferences and networking events to connect with field leaders and learn from their experiences. Another option is joining online communities or forums focused on discussing new technologies and their business impact.

Tech executives must grasp data analysis to inform business decisions effectively. Analyzing data effectively can offer valuable insights to drive growth and success in a data-rich environment.

Your success as an employee can be to help your leadership recognize and adapt to change. In today’s ever-changing business world, adapting and embracing change is vital for organizational success. As technology advances rapidly, leaders must stay current and open to new ideas and thinking.

Stay informed and openly communicate with leadership about potential changes or improvements to benefit.

In conclusion, yes, it’s difficult to make your voice heard in large companies. However, when you do, it’s a big deal and nice recognition. We’ll explore ways to do this in future posts.

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

Technology remains a top career choice in 2024

Technology remains a top career choice with software developers taking the third spot on their “100 Best Jobs” list, according to U.S. News and World Report. IT Managers rank fourth, Cyber Analysts come in at seventh, and Data Scientists are positioned eighth. This highlights four IT roles in the top ten best jobs list.

Technology is a constantly evolving field, with new developments and advancements being made every day. As a result, technology is a top career choice, and there is high demand for skilled professionals in various roles within the industry. Software developers, IT managers, cyber analysts, data scientists – abundant job opportunities exist for tech experts.

Technology stays a top job due to its growth potential.

With emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality, and blockchain, exciting projects and innovations abound in this field. This presents an ideal environment for individuals looking to constantly learn and grow in their careers.

Moreover, technology offers a wide range of career paths and opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. A software developer might specialize in mobile app development, web development, or data analytics. An IT manager could focus on project management, cybersecurity, or network administration.

Besides the wide range of job opportunities, technology also provides competitive salaries and benefits.

As companies depend more on technology for operations and growth, they invest in top talent and compensate them accordingly. This not only leads to financial stability but also provides room for professional development and advancement within organizations.

Another key appeal of a tech career is its potential for impact and innovation. Technology has revolutionized the way we live and work, and it continues to do so at a rapid pace. From improving healthcare systems to enhancing communication and transportation, technology has the power to create positive change in society.

Moreover, technology’s ever-evolving nature ensures continuous space for creativity and innovation in the field.

As new challenges emerge, tech professionals innovate to enhance systems and processes. This aspect of technology makes it an exciting and fulfilling career path for those seeking purposeful work.

In conclusion, the field of technology offers a multitude of opportunities for individuals looking for challenging, rewarding, and impactful careers. With its growth potential, job diversity, and ongoing innovation, technology remains a top choice for many professionals. For those starting their career journey or seeking a change, a tech career could pave the way to a fulfilling path of success.

Click here for a post on what tech exec roles are in high demand.